Fernando Mantilla-Serrano > Latham & Watkins > Paris, France > Lawyer Profile

Latham & Watkins‘s Latin America international arbitration practice primarily sits in its Paris, New York and London offices. The expanding team is adept in English, Spanish and Portuguese proceedings and continues to achieve growth in commercial arbitrations, notably in post-M&A disputes; the firm is a market leader in Latin America M&A. With its ‘outstanding and reliable associates to take on highly complex tasks‘ the firm is at the forefront of energy, oil and gas, and natural resources cases, with additional progress in pharmaceuticals and construction disputes. The department represents both states and investors, although it has more of an emphasis on company representation. Fernando Mantilla-Serrano (‘attention to details makes the difference‘) is global co-chair of the international arbitration practice and is a recognised leader in Latin America disputes. Fellow global co-chair and New York-based John Pierce brought further weight to the team when he joined in 2022; while less focused on Latin America, he nevertheless has plenty of experience in the region. New York counsel Santiago Bejarano (‘very kind, extremely intelligent, he always makes himself available‘) is another genuine Latin America specialist; while London’s Samuel Pape, elected to the partnership in 2023, has a fine record in the region, having represented the Republic of Colombia in a series of ICSID cases and acted for clients in a range of commercial arbitrations. Associates Esperanza Barrón-Baratech and Diego Romero (who ‘stands out in the group of lawyers at Latham & Watkins‘) are also key team members. Named individuals are based in Paris unless stated otherwise.

Headed by the excellent   Fernando Mantilla-Serran, Latham & Watkins‘  Paris-based arbitration practice stands out for its excellent Latin American practice, that recently translated into several victories on behalf of its key client Colombia in high-stake disputes raising major environmental issues.  Often supported by the firm’s other international offices, the Parisian practice also handles a good amount of commercial arbitration, notably in relation to the pharmaceutical sector. Associates Esperanza Barrón-Baratech and Diego Romero provide additional support.