Paul Hastings LLP

Paul Hastings LLP has led the market in Mexico over the last decade with capital markets transactions at the core of its Latin America practice. Although Mexico is very much its primary jurisdiction, the team has widened its presence geographically to target the Andean region, particularly Colombia and Peru. The departure in June 2023 of iconic Latin America capital markets specialist Michael Fitzgerald, along with partners Arturo Carrillo  and Joy Gallup , and counsel Pedro Reyes, is a considerable blow to the firm’s credentials in this space, but the subsequent (March 2023) hires of leading name Grissel Mercado and of counsel Maria Larsen from Shearman & Sterling LLP should enable the practice to remain a major player in a market where it has continued to impress on green, social and sustainability-linked bonds. The new senior bench will also have to ensure the maintenance of the firm’s hitherto strong connections to investment banks and Latin American issuers. Cathleen McLaughlin  has retired.