Francisco J. Cerezo

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 EPC contract, including interactions with the contractor, as well as the contractor’s termination, negotiations with subcontractors, and other steps required for completion
• Advise 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 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 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

The Legal 500 Latin America

• Recommended, Latin America: International Firms Corporate and M&A
• Recommended, Latin America: International Firms City Focus: Miami
  The Legal 500 comments, "Impressed sources report that Francisco Cerezo, 'doesn't take any chances with the quality of the work and provides very high-level support. He is always available and excels not only in terms of legal acumen but also in understanding our needs.'"

Chambers Global

• Latin America-wide Corporate/M&A
• Foreign Expert for Latin America-wide, Latin America-wide, Corporate/M&A
• Foreign Expert for Latin America-wide, USA Corporate/M&A

Chambers USA

• Florida Latin America Investment

Chambers Latin America

• International Counsel - Corporate/M&A

Additional Recognitions

• Latin Lawyer 250 – Corporate and M&A (2016 – Present)
• Latinvex – one of Latin America's Top 100 Lawyers (2015 – Present)
• Top 50 – Americas M&A Dealmaker by the Global M&A Network in the South America and Latin America Dealmakers categories
• Hispanic Business Magazine "50 Influentials" which profiles 50 of the most influential Hispanics in the United States across industries
• Florida Super Lawyers® (2014-Present) and Florida Super Lawyers® – Rising Stars (2009) lists in the areas of international, mergers and acquisitions, and securities and corporate finance
• IFLR 1000 notable practitioner
• 2020 Daily Business Review – Florida Trailblazer: Innovators & Thought Leaders

• Moderator, ICON Summit 2024 - Island Interconnection as a Foundation for Energy Resilience
• Panelist, IBA Mexico City Conference 2024 – Responsible Stewardship of wealth and what does that mean for dynastic structures?
• Panelist, DLA Piper's Latin America Panorama 2023 & 2024
• Panelist, Bringing the world closer: Cross-border investment opportunities for global markets, 23 October 2024
• Panelist, Initial stages of an M&A transaction: Key considerations for legal managers and in-house counsel, 25 September 2024
• Speaker, "Discussing Dubai – Miami Investment Opportunities and What’s on the Horizon," January 2024
• Guest Lecturer, Spring 2021 – Search Funds and M&A - Entrepreneurship through Acquisition, Columbia University Business School (MBA Program)
• Latin Counsel, July 2020, featured Q&A
• Visiting Lecturer, Universidad Torcuato di Tella (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - Advanced Post-Graduate Program on Mergers & Acquisitions (2019 to present)
• Speaker and honoree, The Instituto Europeo de Inteligencias Eficientes (IEIE) Annual Master Mind Latino conference on Latino Leadership, October 2019 
• Panelist, "The Role of Business, Technology and Innovation in Rebuilding Puerto Rico," Nuestro Futuro Symposium, Florida International University, June 2018
• Panel Moderator, "Cornerstone of Puerto Rico's Recovery," P3 Summit, June 2018
• Panelist, United Nations Latino Impact Summit, New York, November 2017
• "PROMESA becomes law: All businesses in Puerto Rico will be affected," July 5, 2016
• Speaker, Albizu University and Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez: Puerto Rico's Crisis and Puerto Rican Diaspora, June 2016
• Panelist, "Cuba: Technology as an Engine of Economic Development," Hispanic National Bar Association Corporate Counsel Conference, March 2016
• Panelist, ''Un Nuevo Mañana, Emerging Issues in US – Cuba Relations,'' University of Pennsylvania Law School Conference, January 2016
• "Argentina: Foreign investors and the coming Macri presidency," December 2, 2015
• Panelist, ''CUBA: Inversión, Comercio y Garantías Financieras,'' Microjuris.com y la Federación Interamericana de Abogados 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!," International Bar Association Annual Conference, 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, Daily Business Review Roundtable - Business Advisory Board Roundtable, November 2012
• Moderator, "International Forum – Brazil – M&A Report," The M&A Advisor 2012 International Summit, New York, October 2012
• Panelist, Daily Business Review Roundtable on 2012 Real Estate and Economic Outlook, December 2011
• Moderator, International Management Network, Latin American Real Estate Opportunity and Private Fund Investing Forum, US, April 2009
• Speaker, CREW Miami, Spheres of Influence: How Foreign Investors are Impacting South Florida's Economy, US, October 2008
• Panelist, Latin American Corporate Counsel Association Roundtable, Argentina, Latin Lawyer magazine, October 2008
• Panelist, Latin American Corporate Counsel Association Roundtable, Costa Rica, Latin Lawyer magazine, June 2008
• Participant, Latin American Corporate Counsel Association Roundtable, Mexico, Latin Lawyer magazine, February 2008

• Moderator, LACCA Regional Miami Meeting – Panel: Navigating shifting tides amid political and regulatory changes, December 4, 2024 
• Intro Speaker, Chambers Latin America Awards 2024, November 22, 2024
• Speaker, DLA Piper & Chambers panel – Forecast 2025: Opportunities and challenges in the Americas, November 22, 2024
• Panelist, Bringing the world closer: Cross-border investment opportunities for global markets, 23 October 2024
• Speaker, internal webinar during LatAm Week 2024: "What is DLA Piper’s LatAm offering and what are the cross-border opportunities?", October 21, 2024
• Moderator, ICON Summit 2024 - Island Interconnection as a Foundation for Energy Resilience, October 15, 2024
• Panelist, Initial stages of an M&A transaction: Key considerations for legal managers and in-house counsel, 25 September 2024
• Panelist, IBA Mexico City Conference 2024 – Responsible Stewardship of wealth and what does that mean for dynastic structures? September 19, 2024
• Panelist, VII Congreso Iberoamericano CEAPI (Consejo Empresarial Alianza por Iberoamérica), “Emprendiendo desde el Family Office, de una a múltiples empresas”, June 17, 2024
• Speaker, Legal 500 GC Powerlist: Latin America Private Equity Virtual Roundtable hosted by DLA Piper, April 4, 2024
• Panelist, UK Geographies Fortnight 2024: Latin America & the UK: Trends and Investment Strategies in a Renewed Relationship, 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, Spring 2021 – Search Funds and M&A - Entrepreneurship through Acquisition, Columbia University Business School (MBA Program)
• Speaker and honoree, The Instituto Europeo de Inteligencias Eficientes (IEIE) Annual Master Mind Latino conference on Latino Leadership, October 2019 
• Panelist, "The Role of Business, Technology and Innovation in Rebuilding Puerto Rico," Nuestro Futuro Symposium, Florida International University, June 2018
• Panel Moderator, "Cornerstone of Puerto Rico's Recovery," P3 Summit, June 2018
• Panelist, United Nations Latino Impact Summit, New York, November 2017
• Speaker, Albizu University and Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez: Puerto Rico's Crisis and Puerto Rican Diaspora, June 2016
• Panelist, "Cuba: Technology as an Engine of Economic Development," Hispanic National Bar Association Corporate Counsel Conference, March 2016
• Panelist, ''Un Nuevo Mañana, Emerging Issues in US – Cuba Relations,'' University of Pennsylvania Law School Conference, January 2016
• Panelist, ''CUBA: Inversión, Comercio y Garantías Financieras,'' Microjuris.com y la Federación Interamericana de Abogados 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!," International Bar Association Annual Conference, 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, Daily Business Review Roundtable - Business Advisory Board Roundtable, November 2012
• Moderator, "International Forum – Brazil – M&A Report," The M&A Advisor 2012 International Summit, New York, October 2012
• Panelist, Daily Business Review Roundtable on 2012 Real Estate and Economic Outlook, December 2011
• Moderator, International Management Network, Latin American Real Estate Opportunity and Private Fund Investing Forum, US, April 2009
• Speaker, CREW Miami, Spheres of Influence: How Foreign Investors are Impacting South Florida's Economy, US, October 2008
• Panelist, Latin American Corporate Counsel Association Roundtable, Argentina, Latin Lawyer magazine, October 2008
• Panelist, Latin American Corporate Counsel Association Roundtable, Costa Rica, Latin Lawyer magazine, June 2008
• Participant, Latin American Corporate Counsel Association Roundtable, Mexico, Latin Lawyer magazine, February 2008

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, “Trump and Latin America: Lawyers Brace for US's Hardline Approach to Region”, Law.com, November 26
• Interviewed, "Vemos más interés de clientes locales por involucrarse fuera de Chile", Diario Financiero, 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, "Abrazando el cambio: «El mercado legal en América Latina está experimentando transiciones generacionales significativas»", Latin Counsel, September, 16 2024
• Quoted, "DLA Piper Announces New Leadership in Mexico", Lider Legal, 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 Anuncia Nuevos Socios Co-Directores en México", Latin Counsel, September 3, 2024
• Interviewed, “Cruise Ship Port Improvements Expected in Caribbean, LatAm Regions", Infralogic, September 3, 2024
• Interviewed, ”La estrategia detrás de la expansión en Latinoamérica de DLA Piper”, 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, "Fondeo en Latinoamérica: ¿Qué desafíos enfrentarán Gobiernos y empresas en 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
• DLA Piper nabs Mattos Filho's New York office head - Latin Lawyer
• Quoted, "Passing the torch," Latin Lawyer, August 31, 2023
• Mentioned, "Celebra su éxito en la isla," El Nuevo Dia, June 23, 2023
• Quoted, "DLA Piper galardonada con el premio "Deal of the Year" 2023 de Latin Lawyer en dos categorías," Líder Legal, 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 asesora a Itaú en la adquisición de participaciones minoritarias en las fintech uruguayas Prex y Paigo," Abogados, April 1, 2022
• Tagged, "Itaú's Acquisition of a Minority Stakes in Prex and Paigo," Global Legal Chronicle, April 2, 2022 [content only available to members]
• Lex Latin, "Empoderamiento del cliente: las expectativas de los in-house frente a las firmas"
  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: 'vista en su totalidad, América Latina continuará atrayendo inversiones,'" América Economía, 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 Paper, October 2013
• Included and cited, "Best Practices of the Best Dealmakers: Valuable Guidance from 51 of the Most Active Middle Market M&A Practitioners," 2013
• Appeared, "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," 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, "El Equipo Fantastico," Vida Y Exito, October 2011 
• Quoted, "Miami Law Firms Expanding Global Reach," The Miami Herald, September 2011 
• Quoted, "TalkingPoint: M&A in Latin America," Financier Worldwide, September 2011 
• Profiled, "Dealmakers," Daily Business Review, August 2011

• DLA Piper: Americas forecast 2025: Opportunities and challenges with Ambassador McKinley, December 17, 2024
• DLA Piper: From US security & intelligence services to the private sector, navigating and mitigating risk - A conversation with DC Page, October 17, 2024
• DLA Piper: Deepening ties between the Iberian Peninsula and the Americas – A conversation with Nuria Vilanova, September 9, 2024
• DLA Piper: Bridges and opportunities between Europe and the Americas – A conversation with Pablo Casado, July 23, 2024
• DLA Piper: Brazil: A conversation on the landscape of opportunities ahead, June 14, 2024
• The Legal Podcast: Un ex de la CIA en el equipo de DLA Piper | Francisco Cerezo (DLA Piper), May 9, 2024
• DLA Piper: Economic ties between the UK and Latin America: A conversation with Vincent Keaveny, former Lord Mayor and Sheriff of the City of London and partner at DLA Piper, March 28, 2024
• DLA Piper: Artificial Intelligence and Latin America, A Brave New World: A conversation with Tony Navarro, February 8, 2024
• DLA Piper: State of Affairs in Latin America – A conversation with Ambassador Michael McKinley, January 25, 2024

• Council of the Americas
• Consejo Empresarial de América Latina (CEAL)
• Consejo Empresarial Alianza por Iberoamérica (CEAPI)
• American Bar Association
• International Bar Association
• New York State Bar Association
• Florida Bar
• Consejo Empresarial Alianza por Iberoamérica (CEAPI)

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• DLA Piper Global Scholarships Programme, Board Member
• Lawyers for Children America, Inc. 
• Columbia University School of Law Alumni Association
• PRxPR, Advisory Board Member