14 July 2026 • 10 minute read

DLA Piper Latin America Panorama newsletter: Midyear update

In the first half of 2026, DLA Piper advised businesses on key regulatory developments and cross-border projects across Latin America, garnering recognition from Chambers Global, Leaders League, The Legal 500, and the Daily Business Review Florida Legal Awards.

DLA Piper also announced regional office leadership updates, new office space in San Juan, and team additions in Mexico City, São Paulo, Santiago, and Lima.

This time period also coincided with the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, hosted across Mexico, Canada, and the US.

Five trends shaping Latin America in 2026

Several themes continue to drive investment activity and strategic decision-making across the region:

Energy transition and infrastructure investment: Continued investment in renewable energy, transmission infrastructure, and energy security
Critical minerals and mining: Growing demand for lithium, copper, rare earth elements, and other resources
Nearshoring and supply chain realignment: Mexico and other markets continue to see manufacturing and supply chain diversification activity
Data centers and digital infrastructure: Rapid expansion of digital infrastructure, cloud services, and artificial intelligence (AI) investments
Regulatory complexity and compliance: Increasing focus on consumer protection, data privacy, sanctions, competition, and emerging technologies

Recognition across Latin America

DLA Piper experienced year-over-year growth in the Chambers Global 2026 rankings, including 31 individual and 19 firm rankings across Latin America
Leaders League 2026 recognized several lawyers from DLA Piper’s Latin America offices
TTR Data ranked DLA Piper’s Latin America offices among the top firms for transaction volume and value
The Legal 500 awards shortlisted DLA Piper’s Mexico City office in 11 categories
Daily Business Review named Partner Francisco J. Cerezo (Miami, New York) a finalist for the Dealmaker of the Year award
The Latin American Corporate Counsel Association recognized DLA Piper’s work in 2025 for advising major banks and companies in Latin America
Latin Lawyer recognized DLA Piper in the “Disputes Deal of the Year” category for its role as counsel to J&F in the settlement of the Eldorado dispute

Office leadership and practice updates

DLA Piper adds Brendan Oviedo to its Energy and Infrastructure practices

DLA Piper welcomed Partner Brendan Oviedo (Lima) to its Energy and Infrastructure practices. Read the full press release.

DLA Piper announces new office leadership

DLA Piper is pleased to announce updates to its regional office leadership across the Americas. Read the full press release.

DLA Piper expands its global Environmental Regulatory practice with Adrián del Paso

DLA Piper is expanding its Environmental Regulatory practice with the addition of Partner Adrián del Paso (Mexico City). Read the full press release.

DLA Piper appoints Jorge Timmermann as Deputy Managing Partner of the Santiago office

DLA Piper has appointed Jorge Timmermann (Santiago) as Deputy Managing Partner of the Santiago office, working alongside Managing Partner Francisca Franzani (Santiago) to lead DLA Piper’s continued growth in Chile. Read the full press release.

To learn more, please visit DLA Piper’s Latin America practice page.

Press releases and client alerts

DLA Piper’s new San Juan office space

DLA Piper has relocated its San Juan office to the T-Mobile Building, located in the heart of the San Patricio commercial district. Read the full press release.

The Volaris–Viva Aerobus merger: Cross-border antitrust and aviation regulatory considerations

Explore the Volaris–Viva Aerobus merger’s antitrust landscape, the US regulatory requirements, and the broader implications for carriers operating in the US–Mexico market. Read the full client alert.

PROFECO Institutional Program 2026–2030: Compliance takeaways for companies operating in Mexico

Mexico’s consumer protection regulator is expected to increase enforcement activity and scrutiny, which may affect how companies operating in Mexico assess compliance obligations, oversight risk, potential penalties, and public exposure. Read the full client alert.

The US authorizes certain oil and gas transactions in Venezuela

The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control published two new Venezuela-related General Licenses (GLs): GL 49, which authorizes negotiations of, and entry into, contingent contracts for certain investments in Venezuela, and GL 50, which authorizes certain transactions related to oil or gas sector operations in Venezuela. Read the full client alert.

Media coverage

Co-Managing Partners of DLA Piper’s Mexico City office, Mauricio Valdespino and Edgar Romo (both Mexico City), were quoted in Reforma’s article, which discussed expectations regarding T-MEC, legal certainty, and border investment activity.
Francisco J. Cerezo (Miami, New York), Partner and lead of DLA Piper’s US–Latin America practice, was quoted in LexLatin on sectors emerging as the main drivers of strategic investment in the region.
Managing Partner of DLA Piper’s Santiago office, Francisca Franzani (Santiago), shared her perspective on leadership, compliance, and the role of the corporate lawyer with LexLatin.
Partner Nicolás Orezzoli (Santiago) joined DLA Piper, and the move was covered by Latin Lawyer.
Partners Luis Parada and Macarena Gatica, and Associate Ignacio Abogabir (all Santiago) authored the HR.com article, “Understanding AI Regulations and Workforce Decisions In Latin America.”
Partner Janine Guzmán and Attorney Xana Connelly (both San Juan) authored the Corporate Compliance Insights article, “Latin American Employers Cannot Treat US Immigration as a Transactional Exercise Anymore.”
Santiago Office Managing Partner Francisca Franzani and Partner Matías Zegers (both Santiago) were featured in a Law.com article discussing expectations regarding the Kast administration’s approach to investment in sectors such as mining and infrastructure.
Partner Brendan Oviedo (Lima) was quoted in SE Semana Económica’s article about the rapid growth of the renewable energy market, driven by regulatory, economic, and sustainability factors.
Partner Amadeu Ribeiro (New York, São Paulo) hosted the latest BrazilCham Talks podcast episode, focused on considerations for Brazilian companies selling in the US. The conversation features Aron Schreier, CEO of Sandler by Strategic Edge and Principal at Cresa, sharing US sales insights. Tune in to hear the full podcast.

Regional highlights

DLA Piper hosts the 25th edition of the Latin America Tax Webinar

DLA Piper hosted the 25th edition of the Latin America Tax Webinar, which outlined the international tax reforms affecting operations planning in the region for fiscal year 2026.

DLA Piper in Madrid: Networking

DLA Piper hosted an exclusive networking event with clients and colleagues at the Hotel Santo Mauro in Madrid.

DLA Piper sponsors the IJLATAM event

DLA Piper participated in IJLATAM 2026 in Miami, where Partners Robert da Silva Ashley (Miami, New York) and Bruno Soares (São Paulo) spoke on key panels focused on private credit and energy infrastructure.

DLA Piper’s Mexico City office hosts the Chambers Latin America Awards

Ahead of the awards ceremony, DLA Piper hosted a networking event with several firms in Latin America, reinforcing collaboration across the region. During the ceremony, Francisco J. Cerezo (Miami, New York) delivered welcome remarks, highlighting the shared commitment to impact beyond the practice of law.

Networking in Punta del Este, Uruguay

DLA Piper Partners participated in the IBA Mergers & Acquisitions in Latin America conference in Punta del Este, Uruguay. The event focused on cross-border transaction dynamics and legal challenges across the Americas.

DLA Piper’s San Juan office celebrates its 10th anniversary at the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico

DLA Piper marked a decade of hosting the traditional Octavitas event, bringing together clients, colleagues, and friends in celebration at the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico.

DLA Piper’s Mexico City office hosts an evening of dialogue with US Ambassador to Mexico Ronald D. Johnson

DLA Piper’s Mexico City office welcomed US Ambassador to Mexico Ronald D. Johnson for an evening of dialogue focused on geopolitical trends, investment opportunities, and regional strategy.

DLA Piper’s Santiago office hosts a roundtable on data protection in fintech

The roundtable discussion, “Data Protection in Fintech: New Regulation and Practical Challenges,” was led by Partner Macarena Gatica and Deputy Managing Partner Jorge Timmermann (both Santiago), in collaboration with FinteChile. The discussion focused on new compliance standards, primary regulatory risks for fintech companies, and the practical challenges of adapting data-driven business models to the requirements of Law No. 21,719.

DLA Piper inaugurates its new office space in San Juan

To commemorate the opening of DLA Piper’s new San Juan office space, a reception and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held. Pictured are Partners Sonia I. Torres Pabón (San Juan); Nikos Buxeda (San Juan, New York); Margarita Mercado (San Juan); Nereida Melendez-Rivera (San Juan); José A. Sosa-Lloréns (San Juan, New York); Miriam Figueroa (San Juan, New York); Janine Guzmán (San Juan); and Manuel López-Zambrana (San Juan).

Our global economy: Entering a new era

DLA Piper’s Mexico City office (June 8, 2026) and Santiago office (June 10, 2026) each hosted a conversation with the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Lord David Cameron. Lord Cameron shared his perspectives on global issues, including trade policies affecting supply chains, the implications of the global tech race on national security, and the management of geopolitical risk in today’s landscape.

DLA Piper co-hosts the Chile Venture Capital Summit 2026

Hosted by DLA Piper in collaboration with Endeavor, the summit brought together key players in the venture capital ecosystem across Chile and the broader region. During the event, panelists addressed topics such as fundraising, the challenges and opportunities of exits in Latin America, and trends shaping the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Pérez Art Museum Miami’s (PAMM) 17th Annual Corporate Luncheon

DLA Piper Partners Joseline Rodriguez and Maximilian Viski-Hanka (both Miami) and Of Counsel Diego R. Figueroa Rodriguez (New York, Miami) attended PAMM’s 17th Annual Corporate Luncheon, an afternoon celebrating the intersection of art, wellness, and civic leadership.

Meet the Latin America leadership team

Learn more about the leadership team in Latin America here.

Check out the Panorama podcast

DLA Piper’s Panorama podcast covers the latest business, legal, economic, and political trends shaping the marketplace and influencing businesses. Listen to the podcast through these platforms: