Miguel Viale > CMS Grau > Lima, Peru > Lawyer Profile

Well known for its focus on the mining and energy industries, the corporate and M&A team at CMS Grau continues to expand its reach, with an uptick in instructions in the technology, media and communications sectors. The team is fully integrated into the firm’s large international network and often works in tandem with practitioners in other jurisdictions and as local or co-counsel with other large international firms. The group is led by Juan Carlos Escudero, Miguel Viale, and Juan José Hopkins, who joined from SUMARA Hub Legal in September 2022. Managing partner Escudero has 20 years of experience in M&A and restructurings; Viale is a key contact for international deals with collateral structures and financing; and Hopkins brings experience in venture capital and fintech deals to the team. The practice was further bolstered in 2022 with the arrival of senior associates Andrea Paiba and Cinthia Canepa from Garrigues and EY Law, respectively.

CMS Grau’s capital markets practice is on an upward trajectory and was significantly bolstered in 2022 with the arrival of Juan José Hopkins from SUMARA Hub Legal in September, and the hire of senior associates Cinthia Canepa in June and Andrea Paiba in December of the same year, from EY Law and Garrigues, respectively. The department acts for domestic and foreign financial institutions and companies in public and private securities offerings, structured products, placement processes and auctions. Hopkins now heads the team alongside Miguel Viale, Diego Peschiera and Juan Carlos Escudero; Viale maintains an active practice covering bank lending, trusts and securitisations; Peschiera is well versed in foreign and domestic issuances and subordinated debt matters; and Escudero brings experience in corporate transactions both in Peru and further afield.

The banking and finance team at CMS Grau is known in the market for its expertise in traditional and syndicated lending, and equity and project finance matters, with a notable roster of clients in the mining, renewables, and oil and gas sectors, among others. Juan Carlos Escudero is a key figure in the department; he handles corporate and banking work and acts for large international banks. Miguel Viale stands out for banking, finance and capital markets work, and Diego Peschiera is a name to note for syndicated loans, debt issues and financing transactions. Juan José Hopkins, who joined from SUMARA Hub Legal in September 2022, brings expertise in fintech and venture capital to the team.

CMS has become a considerable force in Latin America banking and finance with its integrated offices in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Peru. It has further enhanced this offering through a cooperation agreement with Brazilian law firm FAS Advogados, in cooperation with CMS in 2023.The established team has a fine record in financings and restructurings, and represents some of the biggest international and regional lenders – including multilateral development banks – that operate in the market. It is also noted for its links to private equity sponsors, corporates and government entities. The various offices have landed key roles in a series of headline acquisition financings, project financings and restructurings, including advising BBVA Colombia on a $200m loan facility to Akzo Nobel Coatings and its Colombian SPV for the acquisition of Grupo Orbis, a major Colombian chemicals and paint conglomerate. Fernando De Cárcer and Jorge Allende Destuet are the key figures in Santiago, along with Sergio Rodriguez-Azuero and Daniel Rodríguez in Bogota. Miguel Viale and Diego Peschiera are the practitioners of note in Lima.