Freshfields has numerous multinational clients that frequently engage in Latin America transactions. The firm has also attracted a series of major Latin American businesses as clients such as América Móvil, Fomento Economico Mexicano (FEMSA) and GPS Participações e Empreendimentos; it recently advised FEMSA on the sale of its refrigeration and foodservice equipment operations to Mill Point Capital Partners. Investments and disposals by private equity houses and financial investors are another key element of the Latin America-facing practice. The New York office is also active in Latin America-focused fund formation. Paul Humphreys has extensive Latin America experience and represents a number of large businesses that are based in the region. Andrea Basham is also close to numerous Latin American clients, multinationals and financial sponsors. Counsel Enrique Dancausa is a pivotal member of the team, taking a lead role on many of the firm’s deals throughout Latin America. London partner Graham Watson is rated for Brazil deals, especially oil-and-gas transactions. All named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise. Since publication, Dancausa has left the firm - effective as of June 2026.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Paul Humphreys is my 'go to' partner at Freshfields when it comes to advice on Corporate M&A matters, both for matters in US and global transactions that may involve partners in other jurisdictions, in view of his immaculate transaction management capabilities. He is calm, incredibly skilled, a savvy negotiator, team leader and problem solver. The kind of lawyer who makes a deal go from A to Z. Enrique Dancausa has become equally crucial on matters we work on - very hard worker, incredibly skilled, with cultural traits that facilitate any international client to transact across LatAm.
- ‘They have extensive experience in multi-jurisdictional transactions. I especially want to mention Enrique Dancausa.'
- ‘Freshfields has a very strong M&A practice. The team is robust, technical, and capable of handling the most complex transactions on the market.'
- 'Graham Watson is experienced in Brazil matters. He is a superstar when it comes to oil and gas matters, but equally brilliant on any broader corporate M&A deals in other industries. Graham is reasonable, knowledgeable and pragmatic. He is the type of lawyer who gets deals done. I have seen him many times as the guy who rescued deals that were on the verge of collapsing by finding creative and sensible middle ground solutions. Quintessentially a rainmaker. He has been around for many years and has never lost his intense pace at work.’
- ‘It's a multidisciplinary, highly coordinated, and efficient team. It has a clear, defined strategy and predetermined, user-friendly formats.'
- ‘What makes it unique is that it's an English firm with teams with significant capabilities in the LatAm region. Its negotiation and execution capabilities are very strong, and its people are very clear about how to treat clients in the region. It compares very favourably with other similar firms. A very good option for major M&A transactions in the region.’
Key clients
- América Móvil
- AMERRA Capital Management
- Circularis Partners
- ContourGlobal
- Discovery Americas
- Fomento Economico Mexicano (FEMSA)
- Fresenius
- GPS Participações e Empreendimentos (Grupo GPS)
- Sonoco Products Company
- Southern Cross Group
- Yokohama Rubber Company
Work highlights
Advised ContourGlobal on the acquisition of a co-located, large-scale solar photovoltaic system and battery storage system (BESS) portfolio in Oasis de Atacama, Chile.
Advised Fomento Economico Mexicano (FEMSA) on the sale of its refrigeration and foodservice equipment operations, Imbera and Torrey, to a US fund affiliated with leading private equity firm Mill Point Capital Partners.
Advised GPS Participações e Empreendimentos (Grupo GPS) on its acquisition of GR Serviços e Alimentação LTDA from affiliates of Compass Group.
Practice head
Ethan Klingsberg