Holland & Knight have made their second venture into Latin America, their first being the opening of an office in Bogota, Columbia in 2012. This time they are opening an H& K office in Mexico city, and have plumbed 10 attorneys from Chadbourne & Parke to make it happen (though Chadbourne claims they only lost 3 partners to the venture).
“We see enormous potential in Mexico for the firm and its clients. Mexico is a dynamic market, and many of our clients have operations or interests there,” said Steven Sonberg, managing partner of Holland & Knight.
Making the move means they’ve ended their joint venture with Mexican firm Gallástegui y Lozano, and become their competition, proper. The new firm is to hit things out with corporate and commercial finance, and energy practice. So they’ve brought along the relevant figures, including Chadbourne’s Boris Otto as managing partner; and also partners Alejandro Landa Thierry and José Antonio Prado, as well as two other attorneys of counsel Miriam Grunstein and Leslie Palma.
“We wish the departing attorneys well at their new firm,” said David Schaefer, firm spokesperson. “We remain committed to a strong cross-border, multi-disciplinary Latin America practice, and this includes our Mexico City office.”
The partners for the new firm are led by Latin American practice group leader Roberto Pupo and are made up of 80 bilingual and bicultural attorneys.