Manuel Torres joined the firm as a lawyer in 2001. He has been a partner at Garrigues since 2009 and the partner in charge of Garrigues in China since 2011. He specializes in advising foreign investments, particularly in the structuring, M&A transactions and restructuring of such investments. In addition, he handles other direct investments and mergers related to state-owned enterprises, private companies, and general commercial transactions to and from China.

Manuel advises on complex commercial litigation with both Chinese and foreign parties, with a focus on cost-effective resolution of disputes, taking into account the client's overall commercial objectives.

Prior to his appointment as a partner in China, he was head of the Maritime and Transport Department at Garrigues. Currently, he continues to collaborate in matters related to maritime law and transport, logistics and port operations, marine insurance, shipbuilding and ship financing, and maritime arbitration. He has also been a Member of the Asia Pacific Desk and the International Service Line since its foundation.

In his professional activity, he has participated in the main Spanish investment operations in China, including:

• Advising on the entry of foreign capital into the pharmaceutical sector, through the creation of ad hoc vehicles, and obtaining licenses.
• Advising on the development of IP, technical and content productions through VIE structures for the entertainment and digital platforms sector.
• Advising on the establishment of various investment vehicles in the automotive industry.
• Advising on the logistics sector for the development of the main parcel collection center focused on e-commerce and Latin America.

Likewise, in the field of litigation, he manages and coordinates proceedings brought before arbitration courts to settle disputes arising both from shareholders' agreements and from non-compliance with international purchase transactions that affect both the price and the quantitative and/or qualitative suitability of the transactions.

• Leadership in Law Firms Program at Harvard Law School in the United States (2018).
• Diverse courses specializing in Protection and Indemnity Clubs in London and Newcastle (UK, 1998).
• Master’s Degree in Maritime Law and Shipping Business at the European Institute of Maritime and Transport Law in La Coruña (1995).
• Postgraduate Course in Fishing Law at the University of Santiago de Compostela (1994).
• Postgraduate course in Community Law at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium (1993).
• Degree in Law at the University of Santiago de Compostela (1992).

Manuel is a frequent speaker in programs or modules on foreign investment in China, in its different aspects, collaborating with the Spanish Commercial Office ICEX in Shanghai, with the European Law School of the European Union in Beijing, as well as with the European Chamber in China. He is a guest lecturer for the Shanghai Municipal Commission in cooperation with Jiao Tong University to teach a course on Chinese investments in Spain and Latin America. Professor of the MBA course in the Foreign Investment module taught by the Shanghai University. In his visits to Spain, he has participated in numerous courses and seminars on Spanish investment in China.

• Member of the Vigo Bar Association.
• Member of the American Bar Association (International Law Section).
• Arbitrator of Shanghai International Arbitration Center (SHIAC).
• Board Member of the Belt and Road International Lawyers Association (BRILA).

He has been named in Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific Guide and Legal 500 in the area of commercial law and mergers & acquisitions, highlighted in the 2018 edition for his in-depth knowledge of the Chinese commercial legal framework and business culture.

He has been distinguished by the Spanish Government for his work in the defense of Spanish interests in its investments in China, as well as for the continuous institutional support provided to the Consulate in Shanghai and the Spanish Embassy in China, with the award of the Cross of the Order of Civil Merit. He has been president of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in China (2016/2019). 

• China Issues New Versions of Negative Lists for Foreign Investment (2022).
• Remedial System for Contractual Breach in the Era of Civil Code (2021).
• China to Amend its Anti-Money Laundering Law (2021).
• Personal Data Protection in China: Comply or Pay (2020).
• Financing your WFOE in China (2019).
• About the PRC Foreign Investment Law–Things Foreign Investors Should Know (2019).
• Social Security Bilateral Agreement between China and Spain enters into force to avoid double contributions (2018).