Leonel Melo > OMG > Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic > Lawyer Profile

The banking and finance group at OMG is hailed for its ‘strong ability to understand structured finance and complex financial products’. The team is skilled in commercial lending and project finance and also stands out for its strength in banking regulation, where it is increasing its know-how in the fintech space. Manuel Troncoso, who is heavily involved on transactional mandates at the intersection of corporate law and finace, heads up the team alongside firm president Leonel Melo. Esperanza Cabral and consultant Aldana Fernández, a specialist in banking law, project finance and fintech, are also noted.

OMG is praised for its ‘broad knowledge and experience on a range of matters and across industries’ and is able to leverage its membership of international networks, such as the Eversheds Sutherland Latin America Alliance, to assist clients with multi-jurisdictional projects. The key pillars of the practice are the structuring of M&A and foreign direct investment, the establishment of free zones, and regulatory and commercial issues (including production, transportation, distribution and sales contracts). The sizeable leadership group is formed by firm president Leonel Melo, legal strategy coordinator Esperanza Cabral, Johanna Soto, commercial department head Laura Piantini, Gloria Gassó, who was promoted to partner in April 2023, and director of corporate compliance Adewilxe Castillos.

OMG is ‘always at the forefront of the energy market‘, with a practice that runs the gamut of financial, operational, environmental, tax and regulatory issues in this sphere. Notable strong suits include assisting with the acquisition and sale of energy-related assets and the development of energy projects, including in the renewables space. Among the team’s key clients are energy companies and local and foreign investors. The trio leading the practice is made up of firm president Leonel Melo, who handles corporate, finance and tax mandates; legal strategy coordinator Esperanza Cabral, who is proficient in M&A and restructurings; and Michelle Abreu, a specialist in the full range of energy sector matters. Senior consultant Emily Sucart is also an active member of the team.