Antonio Canales represents global clients on international arbitrations before the principal arbitration courts and on civil and commercial litigation proceedings before the Spanish courts at all levels, including the Supreme Court. Antonio assists clients in construction and energy disputes (involving construction contracts and large civil engineering projects), damage claims, energy projects, commercial litigation, patent infringement, and financial controversies. He leads the Global Disputes Practice in Madrid.
Antonio has advised companies on a wide range of sectors, including energy, infrastructure, financial services, real estate, manufacturing, and telecommunications. Recent engagements include the representation of clients, as consortium members, on arbitration proceedings conducted before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), as a result of a conflict arising from the performance of the civil works in Latin America, and representation of a client in a complex cross-border case derived from a concession contract for the construction, operation, and maintenance of major water and infrastructure works in a Latin American country.
Antonio is a member of an arbitration team recognized by Global Arbitration Review as one of the leading international arbitration law firms in the GAR 30 and is recognized in legal directories such as Chambers Global (2025, Litigation Elite), Chambers Europe (2025, Litigation Elite), and The Legal 500 EMEA (2021-2025, Dispute Resolution, Next Generation Partner; Projects and Energy), where he has been praised by clients as a "superb partner" and that he "has an excellent capacity of legal analysis and resolution of the issues that are raised."
"Great ability to understand the business and operations of his clients."The Legal 500 EMEA
- University of Comillas-ICADE of Madrid (Law and Economics Degree 2002)
- Member 83505 of the Madrid Bar Association
Chambers Global (2025), Litigation Elite: "very easy to work with and provides quick, efficient advice on complex litigation"
Chambers Europe (2025), Litigation Elite
Legal 500 EMEA (2021-2025), Dispute Resolution, Next Generation Partner; Projects and Energy
Legal 500 Arbitration Powerlist: Iberia (2023)
Best Lawyers (2021-2025)
Leaders League, highly recommended, Spain: Commercial Litigation, International Arbitration (2024-2025)
Latin Lawyer 250, International counsel, Arbitration: "praised for his professionalism and capacity to manage complex mandates"
- English and Spanish