Nikos Buxeda > DLA Piper Puerto Rico > San Juan, Puerto Rico > Lawyer Profile

The team at DLA Piper Puerto Rico coordinates with its US offices to advise domestic and multinational corporates and financial institutions (including UBS and Citibank) involved in high-value, cross-border transactions. The practice’s active client roster spans such sectors as energy, food and beverages, financial services, tech, construction, education, government, logistics and entertainment. The team’s full offering covers matters ranging from public-private partnerships, M&A, debt financing, bank licensing and regulatory matters to private placements, fund formation, administrative law, project finance, spin-offs and corporate reorganisations. The practice is led by Nikos Buxeda who, in addition to international transactions, assists with the organisation of local mutual funds, private equity funds and distribution agreements. Other key figures include banking regulatory expert José Sosa-Lloréns; managing partner and energy sector specialist Miriam Figueroa, who brings strength to infrastructure projects and public law matters; and associates Adriana Pérez-Rentas, Rubén Fernández Agramonte and Iván Garau González.

DLA Piper LLP (US) has significantly expanded its US-based Latin America corporate and M&A capabilities in the past few years with top-drawer senior names in New York now operating alongside leading practitioners in Miami. The firm also has an extensive network of offices across the region itself. The enlarged team has further extended its connections to large global corporates and private equity funds, while retaining its leadership in mid-market deals. The Latin America team has become more prominent on inbound and outbound Brazil transactions due to senior New York-based Brazilian partners Marcello Hallake and Bruno Soares (a new recruit who joined from A&O Shearman in February 2024); Hallake is an ‘amazing lawyer‘ and a ‘highly qualified lawyer for international deals‘ who is also noted for representing large French corporates in their Latin America acquisitions and investments. Another Brazilian, Amadeu Ribeiro brings additional antitrust expertise to the team in New York. A further New York-based partner Michael McGuinness is a hugely experienced Latin America M&A specialist with an active recent record in Mexico deals. Colombia is another key jurisdiction for the wider team. Miami-based Francisco Cerezo is chair of both the US-Latin America practice and the Latin America corporate and finance team; a ‘pro-deal practice leader‘, he continues to lead a multitude of headline transactions in the region. Dividing his time between San Diego and New York, Raul Farias is another key partner, particularly in relation to energy deals in Mexico. In Puerto Rico, Nikos Buxeda is highly rated for his expertise in cross-border deals. Miami associate Joseline Rodríguez also impresses.