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Latin America: International firms
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City Focus - Miami

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King & Spalding

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King & Spalding launched its Miami office in 2022 with a sizeable team focused on international arbitration, project finance and other types of financings. The office is home to a number of senior international arbitration specialists as part of the firm’s globally renowned international arbitration practice. The international disputes group in Miami is noted for energy, construction and mining cases, along with a growing number of matters in the private equity, life sciences, transportation, technology and consumer sectors; the team is also recognised for its enforcement of awards expertise. The Miami-based finance team has an excellent record in infrastructure and telecoms, including corporate finance, project finance, construction finance and private placement transactions; the team is increasingly active in energy transition projects, often working alongside Dan Feldman in the firm’s Abu Dhabi office. Fradyn Suárez is a senior name in Latin America project finance, particularly in the infrastructure and renewable energy sectors. Jessica Mendoza is another emerging talent in project finance, having been promoted to the partnership ranks in January 2025. With more than 25 years’ experience in international arbitration, Harry Burnett is co-head of the Latin America international arbitration practice alongside Craig Miles, who splits his time between Miami and Houston. Érica Franzetti provides further Latin America expertise in commercial and investment arbitration.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The legal team we work with is distinguished by its deep understanding of the financial and transactional landscape, as well as its results-oriented approach. What truly makes them unique is their ability to anticipate legal challenges in complex transactions and propose practical, rapid, and commercially viable solutions. They not only master the technical aspects of the law but also fully understand the dynamics of transactions and the client's objectives, which facilitates smooth and effective collaboration.'

  • ‘What truly makes the lawyers at this firm stand out is their decisive approach, creativity, and constructive attitude, focused on moving forward and closing deals. They are professionals with great technical strength, but also the maturity and flexibility necessary to collaborate effectively, without rigidity or self-promotion. Their practical, solution-oriented approach brings tangible value to transactions and directly contributes to successful closings. Fradyn Suárez and Jessica Mendoza perfectly embody this work style. Both combine leadership, strategic vision, practical intelligence, and an attitude focused on building agreements, even in high-pressure situations.'

  • ‘Fradyn Suarez is an excellent professional and a partner in the firm.’

  • ‘I've had the privilege of working with Erica Franzetti quite a bit over the last nine months and she has been fantastic. We had some very urgent requests and she was able to jump in and get up to speed immediately to provide relevant and much-needed guidance. I would definitely recommend her to others ’

  • ‘They have extensive experience in arbitration in Latin America, both in investment and commercial arbitration. We have had the opportunity to work with them in at least two cases in the last year. The quality of their work is very good. We consider them one of the best.'

  • ‘I've worked with Harry Burnett from the Miami office. He's a very intelligent attorney and very easy to work with as a team.'

Key clients

  • BBVA Securities
  • Oppenheimer & Co.
  • Refinería de Cartagena
  • Odyssey Marine Exploration
  • The Agarwal Family (UK Mining Investors)
  • Chevron Corporation
  • Millicom International Cellular

Work highlights

Secured $900m for Reficar in its dispute with US contractor CB&I over the construction of an oil refinery in Colombia, representing Reficar in both the ICC construction arbitration and the subsequent enforcement and bankruptcy proceedings.
Advised BBVA Securities and Oppenheimer & Co in connection with the offering of $300m aggregate principal amount of 11.000% Senior Secured Notes (due 2031) to hold the cash flows of two luxury hotel resorts in Cancun, Mexico.
Represented Odyssey Marine Exploration in a multibillion-dollar ICSID arbitration against Mexico under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Practice head

Henry Burnett; Craig Miles; Fradyn Suárez