Akerman LLP

Akerman LLP has a wide-ranging Latin America practice which is especially noted for its experience in Cuba trade and sanctions matters; it has extensive expertise in Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issues and cases under the Helms-Burton Act. The Miami office has worked on some of the largest investments and commercial arrangements in Cuba over the years. Chair of the international practice Pedro Freyre and chair of the Cuba practice Augusto Maxwell are leaders in helping businesses with interests on the island, with Matthew Aho as a senior policy consultant for the Cuba group. More generally, the Miami office houses a large number of Latin America-born practitioners and others with civil law expertise. The firm has also built a significant presence in cross-border disputes involving Latin America, including significant commercial and investor-state arbitrations. Chair of the Latin America group Luis Pérez is a big name in Latin America disputes, while Andrew Dominguez – who returned to the firm in 2022 – provides further expertise in Latin America litigation and arbitration. The Miami office also has a large Brazil desk, dedicated to inbound and outbound transactions involving Latin America’s largest economy. Otavio Carneiro has left the firm since publication.