KINSHIP, a boutique law firm specialized in advising international high-net-worth individuals and their businesses, celebrated its fifth anniversary this Tuesday, April 14, with an event at the iconic Mandarin Oriental Ritz hotel in Madrid, coinciding with the launch of the first volume of the firm’s In-house Library Collection. More than one hundred professionals from the banking sector, lawyers, and other stakeholders in the wealth planning and management industry, as well as academia, attended the event.
The event featured Alberto Nadal, Deputy Secretary for Economy and Sustainable Development of the Popular Party, as keynote speaker in a discussion on the competitiveness of the Spanish economy.
Following the welcome remarks and acknowledgments by Pedro Fernández, Co-founding Partner of KINSHIP, Nadal analyzed the current context marked by geopolitical instability and the rise of populist movements. He emphasized Spain’s role in a historic opportunity based on three key assets: its strong potential in renewable energy—without overlooking nuclear energy; a highly qualified human capital; and the progressive elimination of geographical barriers thanks to digitalization.
In the field of attracting high-net-worth individuals, he warned that high tax pressure and a lack of legal certainty are reducing Spain’s appeal to international investors, as well as prompting capital outflows to more competitive jurisdictions, thereby limiting the growth and scalability of Spanish companies.
Nadal stressed that Spain still maintains significant structural advantages that could consolidate its position as an investment hub, provided they are supported by a stable regulatory framework, competitive taxation, and an efficient administration that places the country on par with the most advanced economies.
The second part of the event focused on the presentation of the first volume of the KINSHIP’s in-house library collection, Estate Planning Institutions and Private International Wealth Law, by Miguel Checa Martínez.
Sixto Sánchez Lorenzo, Professor of Private International Law at the University of Granada and author of the book’s foreword, highlighted the importance of estate planning as a key tool in a globalized context marked by a lack of harmonization among national legal systems.
In this regard, he advocated for a shift toward a preventive approach to law, characteristic of the Anglo-Saxon tradition. He also criticized the Spanish academic system for remaining focused on resolving conflicts after they arise, rather than training legal professionals in prevention and prior legal structuring. According to Sánchez Lorenzo, developing a culture of legal planning is essential to provide certainty to wealth holders and to encourage their establishment and permanence in Spain.
The closing remarks were delivered by Miguel Checa, Professor (Profesor Titular) of Private International Law at the University of Cádiz, Of Counsel to the firm, and author of the book. His presentation focused on international succession planning in light of the growing complexity of global wealth and family structures.
The author noted that his work provides a “roadmap” for addressing conflicts arising from the interaction between different jurisdictions, emphasizing that wealth planning should be understood as a “tailor-made suit,” adapted to the individual’s residence, the location of assets, and their intentions—beyond mere tax optimization. He also highlighted the value of tools such as the coordination of territorial wills, succession agreements, trusts, and marital property agreements, stressing the need for comprehensive planning to ensure the effectiveness and execution of the testator’s wishes.
Finally, Checa called on legal professionals to adopt a more proactive and preventive approach, capable of anticipating the challenges arising from legal globalization and the coexistence of different legal systems.
The event concluded with a cocktail reception where attendees had the opportunity to exchange views on the challenges and opportunities facing Madrid and Spain in an increasingly competitive fiscal and regulatory environment. The occasion also served to celebrate the firm’s five-year milestone, consolidating its position as a new benchmark in the growing international estate planning industry. KINSHIP has also authored the Spain chapter of the Chambers and Partners’ Succession & Estate Planning 2026 Guide.
Read the foreword and introduction to Institutions of Estate Planning and Patrimonial Private International Law here.
