MERCOSUR and the European Union clinch historic deal reshaping transatlantic trade
International
Asunción, January 17, 2026 -The MERCOSUR countries —Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay— signed on Friday an Association Agreement and an Interim Trade Agreement with the European Union, marking a milestone in economic, political and cooperation ties between the two blocs.
The agreements were...
The Venezuela Moment: Sanctions, Oil, and a Surge of Work for Global Law Firms
Venezuela
The Trump administration’s direct intervention in Venezuela in January 2026, followed by the capture of Nicolás Maduro, did more than reshape the region’s geopolitical and energy balance. It also triggered one of the most intense cycles of activity the international legal industry has seen in decade...
Inspiring Women in Law: Sandra Touma’s Visionary Path at VIVANCO & VIVANCO
International, Vivanco & Vivanco
Latin Counsel is delighted to present this exclusive interview as part of our Inspiring Women in Law series.
Today, we sit down with Sandra Touma, Legal Director at VIVANCO & VIVANCO, a firm that has stood as a pillar of the Latin American legal landscape since 1902.
Sandra is much more than an ...
NHG advises MercadoLibre on US$750 million bond issue
Mexico, Nader, Hayaux & Goebel
Nader, Hayaux & Goebel (NHG) advised MercadoLibre, the leading e-commerce and fintech ecosystem in Latin America, on Mexican legal matters related to its USD 750 million issuance of 4.900% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2033, conducted under the company’s U.S. SEC-registered shelf program. This offering...
Claudio Visco, new president of the IBA 2026
International, International Bar Association
The International Bar Association (IBA), the global voice of the legal profession, has announced that Claudio Visco, a senior partner at leading Italian law firm Lipani Legal&Tax, has assumed, as of 1 January 2026, the role of President of the IBA for the 2026 calendar year.
After serving as IBA ...
DLA Piper strengthens its environmental practice with Adrián del Paso
Mexico, DLA Piper
DLA Piper is expanding its Environmental Regulatory practice with the addition of Adrián del Paso as a Partner in the firm’s Mexico City office. Del Paso brings with him his long-standing team.
Del Paso has more than two decades of environmental law, life sciences, and regulatory experience acros...
Gibson Dunn enters Spain with Armando Albarrán, Freshfields veteran
Spain, Gibson Dunn
Gibson Dunn has announced that Armando Albarrán, widely regarded as one of Spain’s leading corporate lawyers, will join the firm as a partner in its private equity and mergers & acquisitions practice groups. Albarrán arrives from Freshfields, where he spent 29 years, and his joining precedes the ope...
Galicia announces its 2026 promotions
Mexico, Galicia
In Galicia, they are very proud to announce the promotions of their partners for 2026, a significant milestone that reflects their unwavering commitment to the comprehensive development of their lawyers and their continuous, specialised and diversified growth.
As a leading law firm in Mexico with...
Inspiring Women in Law: A conversation with Marcela Bernal de Fontanals (Citibank)
El Salvador, In-House Counsel
"When it comes to working with firms, we prioritize trust and experience over legal rankings"
For our "Inspiring Women in Law" section, Latin Counsel is honored to speak with Marcela Bernal de Fontanals, General Counsel and Senior Vice Presiden...
Mayor Mamdani signals aggressive consumer protection enforcement
United States, DLA Piper
DLA Piper | New York City inaugurated its new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, on January 1, 2026. As part of his new administration, Mayor Mamdani appointed former head of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, Samuel Levine, to serve as the Commissioner of New York City’s Depart...
BLP Bolsters Regional Leadership with Promotion of New Partners and Special Counsel
Nicaragua, BLP
BLP Legal | In line with its commitment to talent development, the continuous strengthening of its practice areas, and the promotion of female leadership within the firm, BLP announces the promotion of new Partners and Special Counsel in its Business Law and Labor & Employment practices, further con...
Rebaza advises Grupo Andino on sale of stake in Operadora Portuaria to Grupo Mobiliare
Peru, Rebaza, Alcazar & De las Casas
Rebaza, Alcázar & De Las Casas advised Andino Capital Holding S.A. and Almacenes Financieros S.A., both members of Grupo Andino, in the sale of a 38% stake in the capital stock of Operadora Portuaria S.A. (OPORSA) to Mobiliare Real Estate Solutions Perú S.A.C. The agreed purchase price for the share...
