King & Spalding LLP

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King & Spalding is a leading global law firm with extensive experience in Latin America. We work with our clients to build and strengthen their business in the region and around the globe. Our Latin American practice represents US, European and other multinational companies on complex corporate and contractual matters as well as challenging transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, privatizations, energy and infrastructure projects, and real estate ventures. Our core practice group also includes world-renowned experts in international trade matters and dispute resolution.

During many years of working on matters in Latin America, our lawyers have gained intimate knowledge of Latin American laws, cultures and practices and have established strong relationships with government officials, investment banks and leaders of the professional and business communities. Our group includes US lawyers born or raised in various countries in Latin America, several of whom are also licensed to practice law in South American countries. King & Spalding has a unique ability to provide its clients with exceptional legal services as they conduct business across international borders.

International transactions: Our lawyers represent clients in complex, large mergers, acquisitions and divestitures worldwide, including in nearly every country in Latin America. We help multinational companies to commence business activities in the region, including advising on entry and exit strategies. Over the years, we have gained unparalleled experience with Fortune 50 companies on day-to-day and cutting-edge corporate, operational and reorganisation matters, partnering with our clients for successful results. We regularly advise clients in a variety of industries, including real estate, retail, mining, oil and gas, electric power, transportation, freight forwarding, logistics, telecommunications and hospitality.

Energy and infrastructure projects: We advise energy companies on their investments and project development activities in Latin America. Our lawyers have represented clients in the electric industry since the first privatisations in the early 1990s and subsequently in the private mergers and acquisitions market. Our oil and gas experience in Latin America dates back to 1980. We advise on contract negotiation and drafting from a position of knowledge of the industry and local practices. We offer our clients a thorough understanding of the legal and regulatory framework for their foreign investments. We also have a leading international construction law practice, representing owners and project sponsors in the drafting and negotiation of design and construction contracts for complex, large construction projects.

International arbitration: Members of our world-renowned international arbitration practice are particularly known for their ICSID expertise. Our arbitration matters related to Latin America focus on resolving commercial disputes and disputes involving host governments and investors in the oil, gas, electric, water and construction industries. Our practice also includes the enforcement of arbitration awards. According to Chambers USA, “one would be hard pushed to find another US firm involved in as many significant international arbitrations.” With a multicultural group of international lawyers trained in every major legal system and fluent in the major languages, we are able to handle cases effectively and efficiently anywhere in the world.

Our lawyers have become experts in this field by handling arbitrations in venues under the rules of the following regulatory bodies: International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Inter-American Commercial Arbitration Commission (IACAC), American Arbitration Association (AAA), London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) and United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

International trade: We have a full-service international trade practice with trade attorneys and consultants who have represented clients throughout Latin America and the rest of the world. We represent both domestic producers (petitioners) and foreign producers (respondents) in trade investigations. We regularly advise companies and governments in connection with WTO dispute settlement proceedings in Geneva. We also work with both local and foreign companies in structuring their operations so as to take full advantage of the various regional trade agreements and regulations that might impact operations in the region.

In the United States, we practice before all US government agencies with jurisdiction over trade. Representation in the United States is sometimes critical to companies seeking to do business in Latin America. We regularly advise importers on the requirements of customs laws in the US, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, including NAFTA, CAFTA and Mercosur customs provisions, and we advise exporters on compliance with US, UK, and other EU export licensing, embargo and trade sanctions regulations. When a client needs representation in multiple countries in which it does business, such as throughout Central and South America, we rely on a network of local counsel and coordinate their work from a centralised location.

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