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9 Jun 2008
Stuart M. Berkson joins DLA Piper to lead Latin America Initiative
Renowned International Lawyer Brings More than 25 Years Experience in Latin America
新闻稿
(Chicago) – DLA Piper today announced that Stuart M. Berkson has joined the firm’s Corporate and Finance practice group as a partner in the Chicago office and will also act as joint global practice group leader of the firm’s Latin America Initiative.
Berkson counsels both U.S. and foreign companies, and has extensive experience handling tax and foreign investment issues for matters involving Latin America (including Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Chile) as well as Canada, South Africa, Israel, China and a variety of countries throughout Western Europe.
Focused on both inbound and outbound transactions that span multiple jurisdictions, Berkson handles investments, acquisitions, dispositions, reorganizations, joint ventures, licensing and distribution arrangements on behalf of clients around the globe.
“Stuart’s unique understanding of doing business in Latin America will help us develop this important element of our global platform,” said Nigel Knowles, joint chief executive officer of DLA Piper.
“Stuart will be integral to the firm’s growing practice in cross-border corporate and business transactional work, which has become increasingly prevalent in today’s global business environment,” said Roger Meltzer, global chair of the Corporate and Finance practice. “Clients are increasingly exploring transactions and investment opportunities that specifically involve Latin America, and Stuart’s vast knowledge of this market truly enhances our global capabilities.”
Building a Leading Latin American Practice
In March 2007, DLA Piper announced the formal launch of its Latin America Initiative to ensure the delivery of seamless legal services to clients with Latin American interests.
The initiative is designed to harness the skills and extensive Latin American experiences of DLA Piper lawyers across the globe to more effectively serve clients with interests in the region, whether helping multi-national organizations complete transactions on the ground in Latin America or advising Latin American companies on a spectrum of legal issues in the U.S., Asia and around the world.
DLA Piper’s Latin America Initiative offers clients strong advisory and transactional support centered on Corporate/M&A, Real Estate and Finance-related legal capabilities. The initiative is further supported by leading global practices in the areas of International Dispute Resolution, Government Affairs (including International Trade and lobbying in Washington, D.C.) and Franchise and Distribution law.
Advancing DLA Piper’s Chicago Strategy
Berkson’s arrival also represents the latest significant addition to the Chicago office in the past 12 months, as the firm’s platform continues to attract some of the most distinguished lawyers and executives in the region.
“Our global platform continues to attract leading lawyers in Chicago who are looking to harness the international nature of their practices and related client opportunities,” added Lee Miller, joint chief executive officer of DLA Piper. “We’re excited about the opportunities that Stuart brings to our clientele in Chicago and abroad.”
In February, DLA Piper added a team of seven litigation and bankruptcy attorneys to its Chicago office from Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP. Also in February, DLA Piper formed a strategic alliance with former LaSalle Bank Chairman Norman R. Bobins, who is helping lead the expansion of the firm’s presence in the banking and financial services industry. Last September, DLA Piper announced that a group of five leading private equity and fund formation attorneys had joined the firm in Chicago from Winston & Strawn. The group was led by Steven Napolitano, who now serves as co-chair of DLA Piper’s U.S. Private Equity group.
With the addition of Berkson, DLA Piper continues to expand its core practice groups in Chicago, including Corporate and Finance, Litigation, Intellectual Property, Real Estate and Franchise law, with a particular emphasis on corporate and litigation capabilities.
DLA Piper's Chicago office currently has approximately 280 attorneys, making it the firm’s largest U.S. office.
About Stuart Berkson
Previously, Berkson was a partner with McDermott Will & Emery and a member of its Tax department.
Berkson has been named one of the leading U.S. advisors on Latin American tax by International Tax Review. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois Law School and a certified public accountant, who also frequently lectures on a variety of international tax and commercial topics.
He received a B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Illinois and a J.D., magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School.
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