FRANCISCO PUERTA VIDES

Francisco graduated in law in 1998 at the University Complutense of Madrid, in the same year completing the Spanish Legal Practice course at the University of Madrid, San Pablo (CEU). In 2000 Francisco furthered his studies with a Masters Degree in Maritime Law at Southampton University (England).

Francisco started his professional career at the English Law firm Bond Pearce in Southampton, obtaining valuable experience in advising the English speaking client. He joined Puerta Vides in 2000 where he specialises in company, civil, maritime and all areas of commercial and domestic property law. As well as undertaking non contentious matters, Francisco appears as an Advocate in Court where appropriate.

Francisco is a member of the Malaga Law Society (Colegio de Abogados). Francisco also holds the official qualification of Marine Surveyor for cargo.

franciscopuerta@puertavides.com

ÁLVARO DÍAZ BALLESTA

Alvaro graduated with a Spanish Law degree at the Complutense University of Madrid in 1995, in the same year completing his Spanish Legal Practice course with the Marbella Law Society. In March 2005 he gained the title of real-estate judicial surveyor.

He has been working as a Spanish Lawyer (Abogado) in the Marbella area since 1.995, mainly in the field of civil and commercial litigation. Alvaro Diaz joined Puerta Vides S.L. in January 2006 where he heads the litigation department.

Alvaro has extensive experience of apearing before the Courts, both locally and nationally, in a wide range of civil and commercial matters. Alvaro´s caseload covers breach of contract claims, debt recovery actions, family law matters and personal injury.

alvarodiaz@puertavides.com

REBECCA PHILIP CROWTHER (formerly KETTELL)

Rebecca is a dual qualified Solicitor of England & Wales and Spanish abogada. She qualified as a solicitor in the UK with international law firm Shadbolt & Co LLP in 1998. She remained with the firm as Senior Associate until 2006 during that time working for the firm in Paris.

In 2006 Rebecca moved to Spain, joining Puerta Vides SL. At Puerta Vides, Rebecca, advises the English speaking client on a wide range of issues including property transactions, wills and inheritance and litigation. Rebecca frequently advises UK and Irish solicitors on Spanish Law and has acted as expert on Spanish Law in relation to proceedings brought in England and Wales.

Rebecca speaks Spanish and French.

rebecca@puertavides.com

RAFAEL PUERTA VIDES

Rafael graduated in 1992 in Economics and Business Management at the University of Complutense of Madrid where he specialised in International Economics and Business Development. In the same year, he graduated with an MBA (Masters Degree in Business Administration) at the University of Madrid Business College.

In 1993 he began his professional career at the multi-national company Sea-Land Services Inc., in the intermodal transport and logistic area as the Pricing and Conference Manager for the Mediterranean area.

In November 1999 Rafael formed the company Puerta Vides SL, where he heads the accountancy team which provides a comprehensive Spanish tax advice and accountancy service for both individuals and companies.

rafaelpuerta@puertavides.com

FRANCISCO JOSÉ MARTÍN FERNÁNDEZ

Francisco graduated with a degree in Employment Law at the University of Granada in 1997. During his degree course he also completed a specialist pay roll account course which was sponsored by the Andalucian Local Government.

Upon graduation Francisco joined Puerta Vides as employment law expert. Francisco´s experience is wide ranging and he handles all matters pertaining to employees from advising on the appropriate employment contract, to registering the employees with social security, managing the payroll and advising on dismissal. Francisco´s work frequently has an international element, with overseas employees being employed by a Spanish company or vice versa.

fmartin@puertavides.com