DLA Piper Perú > Lima, Peru > Firm Profile

DLA Piper Perú > The Legal 500 Rankings

Peru > Real estate Tier 1

Leveraging its global network of offices, the real estate department at DLA Piper Perú counts leading domestic and international corporations among its clients. The firm is involved in high-value and complex transactions, and advises on real estate developments, regulatory concerns involving zoning and construction rules, and permit and authorisation requirements. Well versed in handling residential and commercial projects, the team also handles leisure and agricultural real estate ventures. Hernán Velarde leads the practice and concentrates on land acquisitions, real estate trust agreements and urban planning law, often within the hospitality sector. Principal associate Juan Carlos Ramírez, who joined the firm in 2023, focuses on the financial side of real estate deals, while senior associate Yaritza Rivera handles due diligence matters and the regularisation of buildings. Associate Katia Pinedo is noted for her strength in the analysis of civil, urban and registration contingencies in real estate projects.

Peru > Banking and finance Tier 2

Leveraging the firm’s global presence, DLA Piper Perú undertakes an impressive amount of cross-border work, and regularly collaborates with its offices across Latin America. The banking and finance department is engaged in debt acquisition deals, collateral and security structuring, fintech matters and innovative financing solutions, such as sustainable and socially responsible financing. The department is jointly led by co-managing partner Sergio Barboza, who frequently represents private equity funds and banks in mezzanine loans and restructurings, and managing partner Ricardo Escobar, who handles financing projects in the telecoms, investment and infrastructure industries. At the principal associate level, Reyna Silva-Santisteban focuses on the financial structuring of public and private infrastructure projects, while Juan Carlos Ramírez advises companies on acquisitions, and Nelly Espinoza assists NGOs and multilateral entities on sustainability-related financings. Senior associate Farah Torres concentrates on regulatory advice and debt issuances, while associate Ricardo Mercado works on corporate loans. Junior associate Alexandra del Rio is noted for her work on capital reorganisations.

Peru > Dispute resolution: Arbitration Tier 2

Leveraging its global network of offices, DLA Piper Perú is well placed to advise both domestic and international companies on a wide range of claims before the ICC and ICSID, including contract interpretation, force majeure clauses and price adjustments. The firm’s arbitration practice, which is divided into construction and projects, and commercial arbitration, is led by Carlos Núñez and Hernán Jordán. Nuñez has ample experience in the creation of public and private infrastructure projects, and frequently handles high-value arbitration cases involving construction and PPPs. Jordán concentrates on complex commercial arbitration cases in the medical, energy, insurance and mining sectors. Principal associate Billy Franco is a key practitioner within the group and focuses on construction-related cases.

Peru > Dispute resolution: Litigation Tier 2

The talented litigation team at DLA Piper Perú leverages its global network of offices to advise domestic and international clients on real estate, commercial, insurance and construction disputes. The offering is jointly led by Guillermo Hesse, an experienced civil and commercial litigator, and Hernán Jordán, who is skilled in disputes in the hydrocarbons, energy and retail sectors. Principal associate Javier Abusada is reputed for his expertise in administrative litigation, and handles various administrative, telecoms and tax cases.

Peru > Capital markets Tier 3

The capital markets team at DLA Piper Perú leverages its international network of offices to advise local banks and other financial institutions on a range of matters, including securities placements, regulatory concerns and bond issuances. The firm also undertakes work relating to public equity and debt capital transactions, listings in international markets, offerings of high-yield bonds, and Rule 144A / Reg.S transactions. Co-managing partner Sergio Barboza oversees the department and offers strong capital markets regulation know-how. Principal associate Nelly Espinoza is noted for her specialisation in the field, particularly within the financial and insurance areas. Associate Farah Torres handles the structuring of various loans and stock market regulations.

Peru > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

Leveraging its international network of offices, DLA Piper Perú is well placed to advise domestic and global clients on due diligence, the structuring and negotiation of M&A transactions, and post-merger integration. Operating in the telecoms, real estate, and oil and gas sectors, among others, the firm also handles private equity, corporate governance and regulatory work. The team is led by co-managing partner Luis Vargas, who advises on M&A deals in the energy and infrastructure sectors; Fernando Lanfranco, whose scope of work covers cross-border investment processes and family business-related M&A deals; and Janilú Badiola, who advises on transactions in highly regulated industries. At the associate level, Leslie Chávez assists clients with contractual structures for the acquisition and sale of companies, and Ricardo Chirinos handles the preparation of civil contracts and corporate documents.

Peru > Dispute resolution: White-collar Tier 3

DLA Piper Perú’s white-collar criminal law team leverages the firm’s global presence to advise on a wide range of matters, such as collusion cases, fraud prevention tactics, asset protection measures and environmental crimes. Working with clients from the construction, logistics, cybersecurity and agribusiness sectors, the team also conducts risk assessment exercises to ensure corporate compliance. The offering is led by José Marcelo Allemant, who concentrates on economic crimes. Senior associate Danae Beteta covers criminal compliance initiatives. At the associate level, Marco Antonio Bustinza handles corporate criminal law, while Espitz Beteta is regarded for his work in criminal defence cases. Junior associate Jhoel Julca is another key member of the group.

Energy and natural resources > Hydrocarbons Tier 3

DLA Piper Perú's oil-and-gas team is actively engaged in advising clients across various aspects of the hydrocarbons sector, encompassing environmental compliance, sanctioning procedures for hydrocarbon handlers, and contract review and negotiation, as well as the acquisition and sale of hydrocarbons. The practice is led by Ricardo Escobar, a well-known figure - particularly as regards complex transactions and project finance matters in the sector. Primary support comes from up-and-coming mid-level associate Nathalie Málaga, who regularly assisting local and multinational companies with legal and regulatory issues related to hydrocarbons and gas exploitation. However, former partner Jorge Córdova left the firm in February 2024.

Peru > Projects and infrastructure Tier 3

The projects and infrastructure team at DLA Piper Perú handles work across the life cycle of public and private projects, including structuring, financing, construction and operation. Carlos Núñez guides local and international clients from the infrastructure and energy spaces through the contractual, corporate and financial aspects of projects, regularly assisting clients with matters requiring expert knowledge of arbitration. Principal associate Reyna Silva-Santisteban specialises in the structuring and execution of public and private infrastructure projects, with a particular focus on the transport and health spaces. Ramiro Rubio, also a principal associate, deals with PPPs for infrastructure projects, and associate Nathalie Málaga, a specialist in regulatory and natural resources law, is known for advising on electricity, hydrocarbon and natural gas projects. Julio Villanueva and Victor Velásquez have left the firm.

Peru > Intellectual property Tier 4

Advising clients from the retail, life sciences and banking industries, the IP team at DLA Piper Perú handles the management of trademark portfolios, patent registration and copyright infringement matters. The practice is also noted for its capabilities in enforcement and industrial property protection. Of counsel Ana Teresa Barreto heads the group and is well versed in assisting global clients on the protection and defence of IP assets. Senior associate Úrsula Aguilar demonstrates skill in the evaluation and monitoring of administrative and judicial IP and unfair competition procedures.

Peru > Labour and employment Tier 4

DLA Piper Perú's employment team advises clients -particularly those from the mining, industrial, financial and commercial sectors- on unlawful dismissal claims, salary discrimination allegations, and collective bargaining with unions. The team, which also routinely assists with matters related to employee transfers, outsourcing regulations, and health and safety issues, is led by Cecilia Guzmán-Barrón, who is noted for her expertise in inspections, labour procedures, hiring processes and lay-offs. At associate level, senior Flavia Granados assists with hiring, compensation and termination of employment matters; while associates Gustavo Fierro (labour inspections and procedures before SUNAFIL); Alfonso Marreros (individual labour consulting); and María Teresa Cuba (representation in labour proceedings), are all also noted.

Peru > Tax Tier 4

Sought by domestic and international clients in the finance, mining and agriculture industries, the tax group at DLA Piper Perú leverages the firm's global network of offices to advise on tax planning, tax risk assessments, double taxation treaties and transfer pricing matters. The firm is also well equipped to advise on compliance and wealth management matters. Erik Lind heads the department and assists corporate clients with the tax elements of financial transactions, in addition to defending companies in proceedings before the Peruvian tax authorities. Lind is ably supported by senior associate Rainer Carrillo and associate Luis André. Since publication, the practice has been strenthened connsiderably by the arrival of Jesús Ramos Angeles and senior associate Paola De La Cruz from Thorne, Echeandia & Lema Abogados - effective as of January 2025.

Latin America: International firms > International arbitration

DLA Piper LLP (US) continues to expand its presence in international arbitration and has a strong weighting towards Latin America cases. Kate Brown de Vejar is co-chair of the firm’s global international arbitration group and is based in Mexico City, where prominent arbitration partner Gabriela Álvarez-Ávila – who previously spent seven years as senior counsel at ICSID – is also located. The firm also has strong teams in Brazil and Peru, particularly for energy and infrastructure cases, is present in Chile, and has a growing team in Colombia. The firm has increased its presence in investor-state disputes, including the enforcement of arbitration awards against Latin American states. Carlos Núñez heads the Latin America international arbitration practice from Lima. Former Bogotá-based practice director Ricardo Alarcón is now a counsel in the México office following the departure of the Colombian office from the DLA network in June 2024.