News

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4 Jun 2008

Litigator Ileana Blanco joins DLA Piper in Houston

Latest Addition to Houston Office Brings Significant International Experience

Press Release

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(Houston) – DLA Piper today announced that Ileana M. Blanco, a leading litigation attorney, has joined the firm’s Litigation practice as a partner in the Houston office. Previously, Blanco served as the head of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP’s Lender Liability practice.

Blanco’s practice centers on counseling global energy companies and other global clients in complex commercial disputes concerning a wide range of issues, particularly including finance, securities, construction and class actions, as well as advising and representing financial institutions and their officers and directors.

She regularly represents clients in Latin America and Europe, primarily including Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Kazakhstan and Nigeria.

“Ileana’s considerable client relationships, as well as her vast experience representing energy companies, will help build the client base that is the primary focus of the firm’s Houston office,” said J. Terence O’Malley, DLA Piper’s US Managing Partner. “In addition, her extensive international experience, especially in South America, will add great value to our ability to further develop our South American practice.”

Blanco’s arrival comes on the heels of the addition of Michael Bolton in April, continuing the expansion of the firm’s Houston office. In March, DLA Piper established the office with the additions of Jack O’Neill, Mark White, and Jack Langlois, each of whom bring strong credentials in serving clients in the energy industry.

“Ileana will be integral as we continue to build a prominent Houston trial practice and will contribute to our broader practice development efforts regionally and nationally as well,” added Bob Mathias, chair of DLA Piper’s Litigation and Regulatory practice group. “Her commercial litigation practice will flourish within DLA Piper’s international platform and we are delighted to have her join this stellar group in Houston.”

Blanco received a B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Miami and a J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center. She is a member of the Houston Bar Association, Texas Association of Defense Counsel, the Institute for Transnational Arbitration and the Defense Research Institute.