The head of the flagship Latin American private equity practice at New York law firm Grant Herrmann Schwartz & Klinger LLP confirmed his withdrawal from the firm last year and announced the formation of a new firm dedicated to emerging markets private equity.

"Grant Herrmann is a leader in many areas, and we plan to work together very closely in the future," said Kenneth Schwartz, who added that he believed his departure “was in the best interests of our clients and all concerned.”

"I am on very good terms with my former partners, and I am grateful to them for the cooperation which they have shown me. These are never easy things, and it was important to me and to many of the clients who came with us that we not burn any bridges," said Schwartz.

In addition to representing Latin American private equity funds, Schwartz has acted as counsel to Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 S.A. and global investor Eduardo Eurnekian. Schwartz also recently advised a portfolio company of The Blackstone Group L.P. on a special project.

Schwartz said that his new firm, Schwartz Law Firm LLC, was already working on private equity and securities matters in Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Mexico.