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

DLA Piper LLP (US)‘s Miami office is well-connected to Latin America and has an especially strong record in M&A and corporate transactions. The Miami team works closely with the firm’s seven offices in Latin America, which includes a large team in Puerto Rico. The group has established links to US corporates with interests in the region, along with multi-latinas, family offices, private equity investors and sovereigns. Francisco Cerezo is chair of the Latin America corporate and finance group, and is a prominent name in Latin America M&A and corporate deals, including acquisitions and the development of energy projects; he has also led teams on a number of significant litigation matters over the past two years. In 2021, he continued to lead the team advising Luma Energy as winning bidder in the $1.6bn public-private partnership (PPP) transaction to operate and maintain the transmission and distribution assets of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), an integral part of the transformation and modernisation of Puerto Rico’s energy system. Harout Samra is active in litigation, arbitration and investigations in the region. At associate level, dual-qualified (Puerto Rico/Flordia) Joseline Rodríguez is noted for corporate matters including cross-border M&A, joint ventures, divestitures and PPP matters.

DLA Piper LLP (US)‘s wide-ranging presence in the region itself, along with Latin America-facing offices in the US, ensure that it is well positioned for cross-border acquisitions, investments and divestments. The Latin America team represents a range of multinationals and an increasing number of private equity houses and other financial sponsors. The firm has a particularly strong Bogota office that has landed a number of big engagements from international clients. The Miami and San Diego offices are also regularly mandated on big-ticket deals. Miami partner Francisco Cerezo is chair of the Latin America corporate and finance practice, and has extensive deal experience in the region. San Diego partner Raul Farias provides further senior level expertise in energy and financial services deals in particular. At associate level, dual-qualified (Miami/Puerto Rico) Joseline Rodríguez is noted.