Francisco J. Cerezo

Partner

Chair, US-Latin America practice

Chair, Latin America Corporate & Finance

US-Iberian Initiative Co-Leader

Emailfrancisco.cerezo@us.dlapiper.com

Call+1 212 335 4857, +1 305 423 8551

Miami New York

About

Areas of FocusCorporate Finance Private Equity Equity Capital Markets Mergers and Acquisitions

Bar admissionsFloridaNew York

EXPERIENCE

Significant Representations

The selling shareholders in the sale of one of the largest ecotourism operators in Ecuador
Represented the owner of a 30 MW hybrid biofuel-coal power plant in the Caribbean in connection with all aspects of the construction through completion of the plant. DLA Piper's efforts on behalf of the client included all aspects of the administration of the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract, including interactions with the contractor, as well as the contractor's termination, negotiations with subcontractors, and other steps required for completion
Advised on joint venture arrangements for the joint investment on renewable energy projects in Guatemala and Latin America region
A Latin American utility in connection with the development of various power generation projects, including wind and solar projects in the Caribbean
A Vancouver-based integrated forest products company on its acquisition of 70 percent of Swedish-based privately owned sawmill company
An insurance company in the sale of its Latin American business in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico
A Costa Rican cable television operator in its sale to a multinational telecommunications company
The purchaser in the acquisition of one of the Caribbean's largest commercial and retail fuel and lubricants operations
The purchaser in the acquisition of one of the largest utility companies in the Caribbean
A private equity fund in its joint venture with a global energy company for the establishment of one of the largest retail fuel operations in the Caribbean
The selling shareholders of one of the leading mobile operators in El Salvador to a global telecom operator
The selling shareholders of one of the leading mobile operators in Guatemala to a global telecom operator
A potential buyer in the bid/sales process of one of the largest mobile operators in the Dominican Republic
The selling shareholders of one of the leading mobile operators in Colombia to a global telecom operator
The selling shareholders of one of the leading mobile operators in Costa Rica to a global telecom operator
A broadband network services company in several private placements of its convertible preferred stock
A Canadian telecom company in the acquisition of a significant equity stake in a leading Colombian mobile operator
Advising a leading Central American mobile operator on the implementation of its compliance program, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and UK Bribery Act
A private equity fund in its joint venture with a global energy company for the establishment of one of the largest retail fuel operations in the Caribbean
The selling shareholders in the sale of one of the largest banks in Ecuador
The purchaser in the acquisition of one of the Caribbean's largest commercial and retail fuel and lubricants operations
The purchaser in the acquisition of one of the largest utilities in the Caribbean
The Government of Puerto Rico, including several instrumentalities, on numerous matters ranging from public-private partnerships and finance to economic development and policy matters
A Japanese multinational in the divestiture of its Latin American assets
Latin American holding company in the divestiture of several of its resort properties and in the development of other resorts in the Caribbean
An investment group in the formation and management of a New York headquartered hedge fund with assets under management in excess of US$1 billion
A European infrastructure company in a proposed public-private partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation to lease, operate, maintain and receive toll revenues from the 78-mile stretch of I-75
One of the largest banks in Central America in the sale of 19 percent of its equity to a major US financial institution
A Spanish media and Internet company in its acquisition of 100 percent of the capital stock of a US consulting company
A Latin American private equity fund in several acquisitions and strategic investments
A major Spanish bank in private equity investments throughout Latin America
A US venture capital firm in numerous private equity investments
An international travel services company in its acquisition of majority control of one of the largest ecotourism and travel-related services company in Latin America
A Latin American mobile phone operator in a private equity investment by several international telecom operators
A large multinational Latin American food group in its acquisition of a candy manufacturer and distributor in the US and in several asset purchases throughout the United States and Latin America
A European rail company, and its rail services partners in the US and Europe, in compliance with principles of both US and EU law
A European luxury goods company in a joint venture agreement for the launching of a perfume line
A venture capital firm in the acquisition of a US toy manufacturer
Selling shareholders in the sale of a telecommunications company to a private equity fund
A European industrial and construction products company in its acquisition of a US company
The seller in the sale of a major subprime mortgage lender to one of the largest banks in the United States
A broadband network services company in several private placements of its convertible preferred stock
A significant Latin American publicly traded company in its establishment of a Euro-commercial paper program
A European financial services institution in the establishment of a Euro certificate of deposit program in the Dominican Republic
A significant Mexican publicly traded company in its compliance and securities work before the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and New York Stock Exchange
A major investment bank as underwriter's co-counsel in a multibillion-dollar bond issuance by a state agency
An online brokerage company in its secondary public offering
A United States underwriter in a public offering of a banking institution in Puerto Rico
A major investment bank as underwriter's counsel in certificates of participation issuance

Languages

Education

J.D., Columbia University School of Law

LL.M., Complutense University of Madrid

Graduate Fellow, Latin American Literature, University of Virginia

B.A., Washington University

Awards

Thought Leadership

Featured Q&A, Latin Counsel, July 2020
Visiting Lecturer, Advanced Post-Graduate Program on Mergers & Acquisitions, Torcuato di Tella University, Buenos Aires, Argentina, (2019 – present)
"PROMESA becomes law: All businesses in Puerto Rico will be affected," July 5, 2016
"Argentina: Foreign investors and the coming Macri presidency," December 2, 2015

Seminars

Speaker, "Sealing the Deal: Expert Strategies for Complex Negotiations," Leaders League Alliance Summit, June 10, 2025
Panelist, "Challenges Facing Family Businesses," Business Council Alliance for Ibero-America (CEAPI), VIII Ibero-American Congress, June 3, 2025
Speaker, "Fireside chat: Navigating Geopolitical Realignment and Strategic Competition," Forecast 2025: Cross-border opportunities across the Americas, DLA Piper, May 29, 2025
Speaker, "Navigating M&A in Latin America – Strategic insights for in-house counsel," Webinar, February 25, 2025
Moderator, "Navigating shifting tides amid political and regulatory changes," Regional Miami Meeting, The Latin American Corporate Counsel Association (LACCA), December 4, 2024
Introductory Speaker, Chambers Latin America Awards 2024, November 22, 2024
Speaker, "Forecast 2025: Opportunities and challenges in the Americas," DLA Piper and Chambers Panel, November 22, 2024
Panelist, "Bringing the world closer: Cross-border investment opportunities for global markets," October 23, 2024
Speaker, "What is DLA Piper's LatAm offering and what are the cross-border opportunities?" Internal Webinar, LatAm Week 2024, October 21, 2024
Moderator, "Island Interconnection as a Foundation for Energy Resilience," ICON Summit, October 15, 2024
Panelist, "Initial stages of an M&A transaction: Key considerations for legal managers and in-house counsel," September 25, 2024
Panelist, "Responsible Stewardship of wealth and what does that mean for dynastic structures?" Mexico City Conference, International Bar Association (IBA), September 19, 2024
Panelist, "Entrepreneurship from the Family Office, from one to multiple companies," Business Council Alliance for Ibero-America (CEAPI), VIII Ibero-American Congress, June 17, 2024
Speaker, Latin America Private Equity Powerlist Launch Roundtable, The Legal 500 and DLA Piper, April 4, 2024
Panelist, "Latin America & the UK: Trends and Investment Strategies in a Renewed Relationship," UK Geographies Fortnight, March 20, 2024
Speaker, "Discussing Dubai – Miami Investment Opportunities and What's on the Horizon," January 31, 2024
Panelist, DLA Piper's Latin America Panorama, January 24, 2024
Guest Lecturer, "Search Funds and M&A – Entrepreneurship through Acquisition," MBA Program, Columbia University Business School, Spring 2021
Speaker and Honoree, Latino Leadership, Annual Master Mind Latino Conference, The European Institute of Efficient Intelligences (IEIE), October 2019
Panelist, "The Role of Business, Technology and Innovation in Rebuilding Puerto Rico," Our Future Symposium, Florida International University, June 2018
Panel Moderator, "Cornerstone of Puerto Rico's Recovery," P3 Summit, June 2018
Panelist, United Nations Latino Impact Summit, November 2017
Speaker, "Puerto Rico's Crisis and Puerto Rican Diaspora," Albizu University and Ana G. Méndez University System, June 2016
Panelist, "Cuba: Technology as an Engine of Economic Development," Corporate Counsel Conference, Hispanic National Bar Association, March 2016
Panelist, "A New Tomorrow, Emerging Issues in US – Cuba Relations,'' University of Pennsylvania Law School Conference, January 2016
Panelist, ''CUBA: Investment, Trade, and Financial Guarantees,'' Microjuris.com and The Inter-American Federation of Lawyers Conference, November 2015
Panelist, "Cross-border deals between Latin American and European companies: The untold stories by both in-house and outside counsel who lived through them...and survived," Annual Conference, International Bar Association, October 2015
Panelist, "Panel Explores Business Opportunities in Cuba," Latin American Business Council (CEAL) Conference, August 2015
Panelist, "Premiere Entrepreneur Series," Roundtable Discussion and Networking Breakfast, February 2013
Panelist, Business Advisory Board Roundtable, Daily Business Review, November 2012
Moderator, "International Forum – Brazil – M&A Report," International Summit, The M&A Advisor, October 2012
Panelist, Real Estate and Economic Outlook Roundtable, Daily Business Review, December 2011
Moderator, Latin American Real Estate Opportunity and Private Fund Investing Forum, International Management Network, April 2009
Speaker, "Spheres of Influence: How Foreign Investors are Impacting South Florida's Economy," Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Miami, October 2008
Panelist, Latin American Corporate Counsel Association Roundtable, Latin Lawyer, Argentina, October 2008
Panelist, Latin American Corporate Counsel Association Roundtable, Latin Lawyer, Costa Rica, June 2008
Panelist, Latin American Corporate Counsel Association Roundtable, Latin Lawyer, Mexico, February 2008

Media Mentions

He has been featured or cited in numerous publications, including the American Lawyer, Latin Lawyer, Miami Herald, Financier Worldwide and the Daily Business Review. He is also a regular television commentator on matters of international and corporate law, with appearances on CNN en Español, CNN Headline News and NBC's Today Show.

Quoted, "US buyers pay highest prices to snap up Spanish property," Reuters, April 10, 2025
Interviewed, "Francisco Cerezo, from DLA Piper: 'We will continue to invest in key markets such as Mexico and Brazil, developing local talent and strengthening ties with other regions such as Europe and Asia'," Legal Leader, February 3, 2025
Quoted, "Trump and Latin America: Lawyers Brace for US's Hardline Approach to Region," Law.com, November 26, 2024
Interviewed, "We are seeing more interest from local customers in getting involved outside Chile," Financial Journal, October 24, 2024
Interviewed, "Getting The Development Formula Right," Global Finance Magazine, October 11, 2024
Interviewed, "DLA Piper Appoints Mauricio Valdespino and Edgar Romo as Co-Directors to Strengthen its Office in Mexico. What is Your Regional Strategy?" LexLatin, September 27, 2024
Interviewed, "Embracing change: 'The legal market in Latin America is undergoing significant generational transitions'," Latin Counsel, September 16, 2024
Quoted, "DLA Piper Announces New Leadership in Mexico," Legal Leader, September 6, 2024
Interviewed, "DLA Piper Names Co-Leaders For Growing Mexico City Office," Law360, September 5, 2024
Quoted, "DLA Piper Announces New Leadership in Mexico," Top Ranked Legal, September 4, 2024
Quoted, "DLA Piper Announces New Co-Managing Partners in Mexico," Latin Counsel, September 3, 2024
Interviewed, "Cruise Ship Port Improvements Expected in Caribbean, LatAm Regions," Infralogic, September 3, 2024
Interviewed, "The strategy behind DLA Piper's expansion in Latin America," Lex Latin, May 20, 2024
Interviewed, "DLA Piper Bullish on Latin America," Latinvex, May 15, 2024
Quoted, "Latham, Linklaters Lead 1Q Cross-Border M&A in Latin America," Law.com International, April 5, 2024
Interviewed, "Global Tensions Stall Cross-Border Deals As Gov'ts Regroup," Law360, April 1, 2024
Interviewed, "Investing in Latin America: What challenges will governments and companies face in 2024?" LexLatin, December 19, 2023
Interviewed, "'View From the Top' – An interview with Francisco J Cerezo, Partner, DLA Piper – Chair, US Latin America," Top Ranked Legal, September 2023
Quoted, "DLA Piper nabs Mattos Filho's New York office head," Latin Lawyer, September 25, 2023
Quoted, "Passing the torch," Latin Lawyer, August 31, 2023
Mentioned, "Celebrate your success on the island," The New Day, June 23, 2023
Quoted, "DLA Piper wins Latin Lawyer's 2023 Deal of the Year award in two categories," Legal Leader, May 25, 2023
Quoted, "Allen & Overy partner boosts DLA Piper LatAm group," Latin Lawyer, May 25, 2023
Mentioned, "Firms steer US-Mexico fibre optics buy," Latin Lawyer, May 23, 2023
Quoted, "DLA Piper Lawyers and Practices Ranked in Latest Edition of The Legal 500 Latin America," CityBiz, October 24, 2022
Quoted, "DLA Piper Argentina advises Itaú on the acquisition of minority stakes in Uruguayan fintech companies Prex and Paigo," Lawyers.com, April 1, 2022
Mentioned, "Itaú's Acquisition of a Minority Stakes in Prex and Paigo," Global Legal Chronicle, April 2, 2022
Mentioned, "Customer empowerment: the expectations of in-house teams versus law firms," LexLatin, March 1st, 2022
Profiled, "Francisco Cerezo Named to the Daily Business Review's 2020 List of Florida Trailblazers," Daily Business Review, September 10, 2020
Quoted, "China Seizes Opportunities in Latin America," American Lawyer, January 4, 2017
Profiled, "Hispanic Attorneys in Miami Rise to Prominence in International Practice," Daily Business Review, July 2016
Quoted, "A Closer Look At The Latin America M&A Market," Law360, April 25, 2016
Quoted, "Sound and Fury, Trade Rhetoric From The Political Campaigns Is Causing Heartburn For International Lawyers Who Crave Stability," Focus Latin America, June 2016
Quoted, "The year ahead: A glimpse at the economic outlook for South Florida," Miami Herald, January 2015
Profiled, "Francisco Cerezo: 'Overall, Latin America will continue to attract investment'," American Economy, December 2014
Quoted, "US M&A In The Emerging Markets," Financier Worldwide, December 2013
Quoted, "Poised for Growth: Identifying M&A Opportunities in Spain," Merrill DataSite White Papers, October 2013
Mentioned, "Best Practices of the Best Dealmakers: Valuable Guidance from 51 of the Most Active Middle Market M&A Practitioners," (2013)
Mentioned, "This is Miami: More Than Just a Winter Playground," NBC's Today Show, February 2013
Quoted, "Law Firm Work Abroad Continues to Grow as Services Battle Trade Sectors," Miami Today, July 2012
Quoted, "International Appeal Should Continue to aid Miami's Recovery," Miami Today, May 2012
Profiled, "Top Dealmakers of the Year," Daily Business Review, May 2012
Quoted, "Latin America Impacts and Links Report," Miami Today, May 2012
Quoted, "Daily Business Review Business Advisory Board Special Report on the Recovery of South Florida's Economy," Daily Business Review, April 2012
Profiled, "Twelve to Watch in 2012," Attorney at Law Magazine, January 2012
Quoted, "Researching a Foreign Market Can Lead to Key Partnerships," South Florida Business Journal, January 2012
Profiled, "The Fantastic Team," Life and Success, October 2011
Quoted, "Miami Law Firms Expanding Global Reach," The Miami Herald, September 2011
Quoted, "Talking Point: M&A in Latin America," Financier Worldwide, September 2011
Interviewed, "Dealmakers," Daily Business Review, August 2011