Sonia Velasco

A partner in the firm's tax practice, Ms. Velasco advises international clients (mainly multinationals, venture-capital and private-equity entities) on acquisitions, disinvestments and restructurings. From 2006 to 2009, she was based in Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira's New York office, working closely with United States (US) and Canadian multinationals, and venture capital companies with investments in Spain and Latin America.

She also advises large estates on Spanish and international taxation. Her experience in the US has provided her with in-depth knowledge of US legal forms such as partnerships and trusts that do not have precise counterparts in Spanish law.

Ms. Velasco is secretary of the boards of directors of various international companies.

She is an active member of the American Bar Association and the International Bar Association (IBA), where she is currently vice chair of its Tax Committee. She frequently lectures at IBA and other international forums. She is also a member of the Barcelona Bar Association and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

She is co-author of the book Comentarios al Impuesto sobre la Renta de no Residentes (Comments on Non-resident Income Tax), published by Civitas y Aranzadi in collaboration with Cuatrecasas, and regularly publishes articles in specialized journals such as the US publication Tax Notes International (www.taxanalysts.com) and in major Spanish newspapers.

Bachelor of Laws, Universitat de Barcelona, 1992

Master in Business Law, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 1994

Master in Tax Consultancy and Management, ESADE, 1995

Languages: English

Recommended by several directories, including Best Lawyers, Expert Guides, Citywealth and Who's Who Legal in Tax and Wealth Management.

Selected for the inaugural edition of The Best of the Best Women in Business Law by the Expert Guides publication, she is currently the only lawyer recommended by Expert Guides in tax practice in Spain, under the Women in Business Law category.

Elected one of the ten most highly regarded lawyers at worldwide level in the legal directory Who's Who Legal International Who's Who of Corporate Tax Lawyers 2011.