Oscar Trelles > Cuatrecasas > Lima, Peru > Lawyer Profile

Cuatrecasas has significantly enhanced the capabilities of its Lima-based mining team with the July-2023 appointment of specialist practitioner Ina Drago (from Estudio Echecopar member firm of Baker McKenzie International) as head of the firm’s natural resources and environmental practice. Drago advises clients on all stages of mining projects – including acquisition, development and operation – and is accustomed to acting for mining service providers, financial entities and private equity funds, as well as mining majors. The team provides comprehensive regulatory, administrative, and transactional advice, including advice on permitting, administrative and sanctioning procedures, and transactional counsel regarding M&A, service agreements, NSR royalties, and financings. Oscar Trelles heads the corporate, M&A and private equity practice at the firm and is a key component in the handling of complex cross-border and domestic M&A transactions in the mining sector. Key associate support is provided by Milagros Cacho, a September-2023 arrival from Rubio Leguía Normand.

While maintaining a focus on private equity and energy clients, the corporate and M&A team at Cuatrecasas has recently expanded its client portfolio and has handled transactions in the infrastructure, healthcare and agribusiness sectors, among others. Key strengths include joint ventures, distressed M&A deals, corporate restructuring, and asset and business transfers. Managing partner Oscar Trelles, who is experienced in leading complex international M&A transactions, oversees the practice alongside Diego Carrión, who is skilled in private equity and complex corporate advisory work. Kiomi Osorio is noted for her expertise in financial transactions, corporate law, capital markets and financial regulation. At associate level, senior Guido Maeda -an August 2023 hire from Santiváñez Abogados– is the name to note.

Cuatrecasas combines its long association with Latin America from Madrid and other international offices, with a rep office in New York and its physical presence in Latin America provided by offices in Bogota, Lima, Mexico City and Santiago. The Latin America team regularly handles significant cross-border transactions, including investments, acquisitions and disposals by private equity funds and other financial sponsors. One recent headline mandate saw the group advise Patria Investments on the sale of Odata, an operator of data centres in Latin America, to Aligned Data Centers. It also advises a range of multinationals and Latin American corporates on inbound and outbound transactions. Alfonso Ugarte relocated from Santiago to New York in 2022, where he remains focused on Latin America M&A matters, distressed debt and corporate restructuring. Antonio Baena is head of the international practice, and continues to work on transactions in Spain and Latin America, including acquisitions and disposals by financial sponsors. Diego Pérez-Yarza is another senior figure in the Latin America team, along with Madrid-based Alfonso Reina, who is primarily focused on the Colombia market having been previously located in the Bogota office. Lima partner Oscar Trelles heads the Latin America M&A team, which includes Santiago’s Roberto Guerrero, Juan Felipe Vera in Bogota, and Mexico City-based Santiago Ferrer. Named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.