DALLAS (LAWFUEL) – The 2008 edition of a legal directory published by Latin Lawyer, a UK-based entity tracking leading law firms working throughout Latin America, calls the Haynes and Boone, LLP Latin American practice strong and solid in its experience and expertise handling complex corporate matters throughout the region.
In listing Haynes and Boone as a recommended firm, Latin Lawyer editors noted that more than 50 lawyers from Mexico City and five other firm offices have compiled an extensive book of business inside Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Honduras and in South America, particularly in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Peru.
The publication highlighted the bolstered capabilities of the Haynes and Boone Mexico City office, where lateral hires under the direction of practice group leader Larry Pascal of Dallas have added valuable expertise. Mr. Pascal is the key name, praised by one client for his ability to organize and conclude complex, large multi-jurisdictional transactions and drive them to conclusion under time pressure, the editors wrote.
Antonio Franck of Mexico City was described as “one of the most highly regarded transactional lawyers in the market” for corporate and financial matters. In 2007, Mr. Franck notably assisted Mexico’s largest microfinance bank, Banco Compartamos, in raising US$466 million on local and international stock markets the first public offering by a Latin American microcredit lender.
Romualdo Segovia is increasingly active in financial matters, while managing partner and real estate specialist Luis Moreno [is] likewise well-regarded, the researchers found.
“Haynes and Boone has shown itself to be one of the more active U.S. firms operating in Mexico, with a fully integrated structure and a growing list of both international and Mexican clients, with tourism-oriented real estate work a growing focus alongside work in the oil sector, Latin Lawyer said.
Researchers also remarked that Haynes and Boone’s Mexico City litigation practice has been recently opened with the hiring of Julio Santos Coy, of counsel, and two associates. Attorneys in the Mexico office have a high level of international preparedness through LLMs and work experience abroard, they wrote. And, they continued, Haynes and Boone’s Texas offices also have a strong focus on Mexico for instance Alberto de la Peña and Marco Castilla, both dual-licensed Mexican lawyers.
The Haynes and Boone Mexico City office, founded in 1994, is among the largest of any U.S.-based law firms.
In addition, Brad Richards of the Houston office and Gil Porter of New York are singled out for their strong focus on Latin America.
The firm notably advised Brazilian mining company MMX Mineração e Metálicos in connection with a US$300 million loan from Brazil’s development bank, BNDES, Latin Lawyer reported. Other matters included advising Mirant Corporation in the US$1.1 billion divesture of its Caribbean assets, as well as acquisitions in the power sector in Central America and in the energy sector in Columbia.
Latin Lawyer 250 noted that Haynes and Boone now has lawyers licensed in Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia working in its offices.
The Haynes and Boone Latin American practice has been recognized as one of the leaders in Latin America by numerous business organizations and publications, including Latin Lawyer and Chambers USA. As part of its Latin American practice, Haynes and Boone maintains one of the largest Mexico City practices of any U.S. law firm. Its approximately 20 Mexico City-based attorneys have a wide range of experience in handling the legal aspects of international business, foreign investment, trade regulation, public bidding and finance. They are also active in community service. Latin Lawyer ranked the Haynes and Boone practice attorneys 11th in pro bono commitment in Latin America, and fourth in Mexico.
