Francisco Cerezo > DLA Piper LLP (US) > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

DLA Piper LLP (US)’s Miami office is central to its Latin America ambitions with partner Francisco Cerezo as chair of both the US-Latin America and the Latin America corporate and finance practices. Cerezo has played a pivotal role in developing the firm’s network of offices in Latin America, and subsequently deepening their connections with relevant US offices; he can also take substantial credit for solidifying the corporate team with significant lateral hires in New York and São Paulo. Cerezo and the wider Latin American team are working closely with Colombia and Chile, in particular, relating to outbound investments into the wider region and into the US. The group is also active in fund establishments and relocations. Additionally, the Miami team continues to work with the a range of US corporates, multi-latinas, family offices, private equity firms and sovereign governments.

DLA Piper LLP (US) has made rapid progress over the last five years with sizeable corporate and M&A teams in Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Mexico and Puerto Rico, along with Latin America-focused practitioners in Miami and New York. It continues to advised North American corporates, multi-latinas, family offices, private equity firms and sovereign governments. TMT, industrial manufacture, and energy and natural resources are key sectors. The firm’s strong connections in the region have resulted in a mounting number of cross-border engagements involving Latin American businesses looking to invest into other regional markets and into North America. The group is also active in fund establishments and relocations. Miami and New York-based Francisco Cerezo is chair of the US-Latin America practice and chair of the Latin America corporate and finance practice. Senior figure Marcello Hallake joined the New York office in January 2023 from Jones Day, bringing extensive experience in cross-border M&A – particularly in relation to Brazil; joining alongside him was Michael McGuinness, another senior name with a major focus on Latin America cross-border M&A. San Diego and New York-based Raul Farias is another recent hire, who has boosted the firm’s record in Mexico, Peru and Chile-related transactions. Puerto Rico associate Joseline Rodríguez is also highly rated. Since research concluded, the firm has strengthened its New York offering with the hire of Amadeu Ribeiro, a compliance, investigations and Brazilian competition law-focused practitioner (formerly at Mattos Filho), with effect from September 2023.