Our legal work in Latin America

As one of the most dynamic regions in the world, Latin America presents a wealth of new business prospects and markets for growth. To navigate these opportunities and the challenges that come along with them, you need a law firm and legal counsel that understands the region and its nuances, and we’re here to help.

A leading practice in Latin America

As one of the most dynamic regions in the world, Latin America presents a wealth of new business prospects and markets for growth.

The growing middle class and innovative infrastructure and urban development mean opportunities for international and domestic companies to enter, expand, and invest in the region. To navigate these opportunities, and the challenges that come along with them, you need legal counsel that understands Latin America and its nuances, and we’re here to help.

At Hogan Lovells, we have strong links with Latin America. We speak its languages, we are trained in its legal systems, and we know local counsel in every country. Our attorneys are able to draft and negotiate in Spanish and Portuguese, enabling us to provide you with comprehensive legal and business advice across our law firm’s global practice areas. Combining this with our experience, we can help you understand the different environments in each country – both political and business – and will guide you through complex and varying regulatory regimes. Your success is our focus.

Hogan Lovells combines the strengths of partners around our global network who have worked throughout Latin America for many years. We understand and work together with you to solve the toughest legal issues in major industries and commercial centers in the region. Whether you’re expanding into new markets, dealing with increasingly complex regulations or handling a cross-border dispute, we can help.

Key contacts

Juan Francisco Torres Landa

Partner

Juan Francisco Torres Landa

Partner

Mexico City

Isabel Costa Carvalho

Office Managing Partner

Isabel Costa Carvalho

Office Managing Partner

São Paulo

Emil Arca

Partner

Emil Arca

Partner

New York

Maria Eugenia Ramirez

Partner

Maria Eugenia Ramirez

Partner

Miami

Silvia Martínez

Partner

Silvia Martínez

Partner

Madrid

Meet the Our legal work in Latin America team

Representative experience

The Republic of Ecuador in its return to the international capital markets with US$3.5bn of sovereign bonds.

BNP Paribas and BB Securities in the establishment of the largest ever structured bond by an emerging market issuer, Rio Oil Finance Trust.

Petroamazonas, an Ecuadorean state-owned oil company, on its US$4.9bn investment by Schlumberger.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on two ICSID arbitrations in the food and beverage and petrochemical industries.

Petrobras, Brazil’s state-owned oil and gas company, on the sales and leasebacks of Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPS) units.

Acted as local Mexican counsel in Owens-Illinois’ US$2.15bn acquisition of Vitro’s food and beverage containers division.

Fibra Uno, the largest real estate company in Latin America, in a dual currency syndicated revolving credit facility worth US$850m.

Suramericana S.A., Grupo Sura’s insurance subsidiary, on its £403m acquisition of Royal Sun Alliance Insurance Group's Latin America operations.

Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. and Banco Nacional de Desarrollo de Venezuela on a US$5bn loan from China Development Bank.

The largest soft-drink bottling company and distributor in Central America on the formation of a joint venture with PepsiAmericas to combine their Caribbean operations, including Bahamas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad & Tobago for the production and distribution of products throughout the Caribbean and Central America.

Companhia Siderurgica Nacional in anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations at the U.S. DoC and U.S. ITC.

Playa Hotels & Resorts, B.V. in 11 concurrent, interrelated transactions worth US$1.4bn.

IFC on its largest-ever investment in Colombia’s infrastructure sector, a US$380m investment in Pacific Midstream, Ltd.

Grupo de Inversiones Suramericana on the US$3.6bn acquisition of ING Latin American regulated assets (“M&A Deal of the Year 2012” from Latin Lawyer and “Cross-Border M&A Deal of the Year 2012” from Latin Finance).

The Republic of Panama in precedent-setting ICSID arbitration in a dispute with investors from Costa Rica and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

BB Securities, BNP Paribas, Goldman Sachs, Itaú BBA, and Standard Chartered Bank in Banco do Brasil's issuance of 4.750% US$750m senior unsecured notes due 2024.

Citigroup and Scotiabank as Joint Bookrunning Managers in the sale of US$1.097 billion of 30-year bonds by The Republic of El Salvador.

Awards and recognitions

Tier 1, City Focus-Houston

Legal500 Latin America, International Firms

2024

Tier 1, City Focus-Miami

Legal500 Latin America, International Firms

2024

Tier 3, Banking & Finance

Legal500 Latin America, International Firms

2024

Tier 3, Capital Markets

Legal500 Latin America, International Firms

2024

Tier 3, International Arbitration

Legal500 Latin America, International Firms

2024

Tier 3, Projects and Energy

Legal500 Latin America, International Firms

2024