Corporate and M&A in Venezuela
D'Empaire
D'Empaire has a highly regarded corporate and M&A practice, which frequently assists international clients with transactions. Recent work saw the team advising both parties, through a Chinese wall arrangement, on Sommers' acquisition of the Venezuelan subsidiary of Pirelli; Fulvio Italiani assisted the former, and Arnoldo Troconis led the advice to the latter. In another work highlight, Italiani and Carlos Omaña acted as co-counsel for Maurel & Prom, which acquired Shell’s stake in a joint venture with state-owned oil group PDVSA. The group also assisted Zurich with the sale of its local operations to a Venezuelan investor. Other noted team members include Inés Parra, Geraldine D’Empaire, Paula Serra and Roberto Mas.
Dentons
Dentons enters the ranking following its take over of Norton Rose Fulbright's Venezuelan office. The team has significant experience in the corporate area. It is regularly engaged by private and public entities to advise on corporate reorganisations and M&A transactions, as well as on the negotiation and drafting of contracts. Natalija Vojvodic and Daniela Jaimes have a strong track record in assisting clients from the energy sector; key clients on the corporate side include Compañía General de Combustibles and Pluspetrol. Sergio Casinelli is noted for his advice on not only corporate but also contractual, regulatory and contentious matters. Rubén Eduardo Luján has core expertise acting for clients in highly regulated industries.
Leĝa Abogados
Leĝa Abogados impresses with its expertise in complex transactions; the team is particularly knowledgeable in the oil and gas field and was bolstered by the arrival of several lawyers, including Pedro Urdaneta, following the firm's merger with Imery Urdaneta Calleja Itriago & Flamarique. Juan Enrique Aigster and Luis Eduardo López-Durán jointly head the practice. The latter assisted insurer ProtegeTuViaje with the internationalisation of its operations in Latin America and the incorporation of a Chilean subsidiary. José Alberto Ramírez-León advised Linio's local company on the corporate restructuring process following its international acquisition of Falabella. Aigster and Laura Silva-Aparicio handle a variety of corporate matters for Alpina. Victoria Montero and associate Dubraska Zapiain are also noted.
ARAQUEREYNA
Full service firm ARAQUEREYNA has a strong cross-department offering, which enables the team to also advise on the tax, labour and immigration aspects of transactions. In the corporate space, it handles M&A, foreign exchange regime and corporate governance issues, among others. Manuel Reyna leads the group and has more than 30 years of experience. Pedro Sosa is a key contact for joint ventures and private equity and Pedro Planchart is another name to note.
Baker & McKenzie, S.C.
As part of a strong, international network, the corporate team at Baker & McKenzie, S.C. is a popular choice for multinational companies to handle M&A structuring, documentation, due diligence and financing projects. The team is praised for its 'in-depth knowledge and ability to provide state-of-the-art legal solutions to complex business matters, domestically and abroad'. Valencia-based Douvelin Serra assisted Mazda Japan with the corporate restructuring pertaining to the divestiture of the client's affiliate in Venezuela; together with the US team, she also advised GCP Technologies on the sale of its non-Darex construction business to a third party. Jesús Dávila acted for Lincoln Electric on the exit and conclusion of its business activities in Venezuela. María Celis head the department. Associates Adriana Gonçalves and Elsy Castillo are also noted.
InterJuris Abogados
InterJuris Abogados provides 'a high-quality service accompanied by its deep knowledge, experience and negotiating capacity'. The group advises on the full gamut of corporate matters, including restructurings, acquisitions, and share transfers. María Cecilia Rachadell is 'a highly committed lawyer'; she and Carlos Delgado assisted Pfizer with the strategic review and due diligence report of a transaction with a potential acquirer.
Mendoza, Palacios, Acedo, Borjas, Paez Pumar & Cia.
Mendoza, Palacios, Acedo, Borjas, Paez Pumar & Cia. has considerable experience of handling transactions and providing advice on corporate governance and financing. Private equity is another area of expertise. Recent work includes advising Solsica on a post-acquisition corporate structure and documentation as well as shareholder matters and governance. The client portfolio also lincludes Telefónica, Coca-Cola and MSD Farmacéutica. Luisa Lepervanche and Diego Lepervanche were recently promoted to the partnership. Carlos Eduardo Acedo, Manuel Acedo Sucre and Luisa Acedo De Lepervanche are the practice heads.
Tinoco, Travieso, Planchart & Núñez
Led by René Lepervanche Orellana, the practice at Tinoco, Travieso, Planchart & Núñez handles acquisitions and sales, restructurings and mergers, as well as foreign investments. It also has noteworthy expertise advising on commercial matters. Senior associates César Lepervanche Mendoza and Francisco Alemán Planchart are also noted.
Travieso Evans Arria Rengel & Paz
Travieso Evans Arria Rengel & Paz's areas of expertise include assisting national and foreign clients with M&A, foreign exchange control and investments as well as franchising matters. Olga Nass de Massiani leads the practice and is well versed in contracts related to international financing projects, and in matters related to joint ventures. Eduardo Travieso Uribe and Simón Guevara Camacho have additional expertise in tax and energy matters respectively.
BNM ONTIER
The team at BNM ONTIER has a good track record handling the sale and purchase of corporate and business assets, where it advises clients on all matters arising from the transaction, including tax implications, competition law, due diligence procedures and agreements. Carlos Nevett Gimón also has core strengths advising on foreign investments, exchange issues and contracts with the public sector. José Rafael Bermúdez combines tax and corporate expertise.
LEC Abogados
At LEC Abogados, the team's areas of expertise include advising on the structuring of businesses and organisations, foreign investment, corporate financing, M&A, divestments and corporate restructuring. Rodolfo Belloso assisted a food producer with the local implications of the group's international corporate restructuring. Other work includes advising on the development of a strategy for an energy provider regarding a resizing and the closure of operations. Leopoldo Cadenas and Jorge Paúl are also names to note.
PALACIOS, TORRES & KORODY
PALACIOS, TORRES & KORODY acts for clients including the Kraft Heinz Company, Total and Procter & Gamble. The team advises on foreign investment, currency redenomination and structuring issues. Recent work includes advising Bayer on the corporate, tax and potential criminal implications of a capital impairment. Key names include Leonardo Palacios, José Gregorio Torres, Juan Korody and associates Rodrigo Lange and Daniel Betancourt.
Raffalli de Lemos Halvorssen Ortega y Ortiz
Raffalli de Lemos Halvorssen Ortega y Ortiz advises on general corporate matters, as well as restructuring, insolvency, distribution and e-commerce-related matters. The group frequently works as part of a cross-practice team to provide comprehensive assistance. Jose Manuel Ortega Sosa, who has considerable experience of M&A, jointly heads the team with Rafael de Lemos Matheus.
Rodríguez & Mendoza
The team at Rodríguez & Mendoza handles a wide range of corporate and commercial matters, including assisting clients with the preparation and registration of documents, corporate restructurings and due diligence. Foreign investment-related work is another area of expertise. Francisco Utrera and Reinaldo Hellmund are the names to note.
Torres, Plaz & Araujo
Torres, Plaz & Araujo is regularly instructed by national and foreign companies to handle a variety of corporate and M&A matters, including investment structuring, contracts and agreements, and corporate finance. Practice head Guillermo de la Rosa Stolk also advises on taxation and equity planning. Valentina Cabrera is another name to note.