DLA Piper LLP (US) has made rapid progress over the last five years with sizeable corporate and M&A teams in Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Mexico and Puerto Rico, along with Latin America-focused practitioners in Miami and New York. It continues to advised North American corporates, multi-latinas, family offices, private equity firms and sovereign governments. TMT, industrial manufacture, and energy and natural resources are key sectors. The firm’s strong connections in the region have resulted in a mounting number of cross-border engagements involving Latin American businesses looking to invest into other regional markets and into North America. The group is also active in fund establishments and relocations. Miami and New York-based Francisco Cerezo is chair of the US-Latin America practice and chair of the Latin America corporate and finance practice. Senior figure Marcello Hallake joined the New York office in January 2023 from Jones Day, bringing extensive experience in cross-border M&A – particularly in relation to Brazil; joining alongside him was Michael McGuinness, another senior name with a major focus on Latin America cross-border M&A. San Diego and New York-based Raul Farias is another recent hire, who has boosted the firm’s record in Mexico, Peru and Chile-related transactions. Puerto Rico associate Joseline Rodríguez is also highly rated. Since research concluded, the firm has strengthened its New York offering with the hire of Amadeu Ribeiro, a compliance, investigations and Brazilian competition law-focused practitioner (formerly at Mattos Filho), with effect from September 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘DLA's corporate team, specially in NY, is highly well-prepared and responsive to the clients' needs.’

  • ‘Marcello Hallake is a top-notch M&A/Corporate lawyer, with a solid background of interesting deals in the US and in Brazil. We have successfully worked together for many mutual international clients in the last 10 years. Marcello is always very responsive and sensitive to the client's needs, being my first option for M&A and Corporate in the US.’

  • ‘This group is very unique because they bring skills to a transaction that are not generally available from law firms located in the Latin America countries that we do business in. As important, is DLA's understanding of what institutional investors require in a transaction.’

  • ‘Francisco Cerezo is a major legal talent in dealing with issues. He is totally bi-lingual (English and Spanish) so he can effectively deal with local counsel in their language. Plus, and most importantly, Francisco has years of experience in guiding major transactions through Latin America to successful conclusions. He never losses his cool.’

  • 'Joseline Rodriquez was primarily trained by Francisco Cerezo so she is a killer too. Smart, effective and fearless.’

Key clients

  • Banco Itau Uruguay
  • Puerto Rico Public Private Authority
  • Luma Energy
  • Cemig
  • Total Energies

Work highlights

  • Advised Banco Itaú on the acquisition of the minority stakes in two Uruguayan fintech companies, Prex and Paigo.
  • Advised the Puerto Rico Public Private Authority on several projects including the Puerto Rico Regional Airports Operation and Maintenance Project, and regarding the completion of the San Juan Cruise Terminals Project.
  • Advised LUMA Energy as the winning bidder in the P3 transaction for the management and operation of the transmission and distribution assets of the state-owned electric utility in Puerto Rico.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Francisco Cerezo, Felipe Quintero, Fabiano Gallo, Juan Manuel de la Rosa, Luis Vargas