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 marks MercadoLibre’s first debt issuance following its achievement of investment-grade ratings from S&P and Fitch, an important milestone reflecting strong credit fundamentals and strategic financial positioning.
NHG’s role focused on the legal analysis and support associated with the guarantees provided by MercadoLibre’s subsidiaries in Mexico...
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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...
Newsletter
Through this form, you can subscribe to our weekly newsletter, where you will receive updated information on:
Relevant new legislation.
Noteworthy transactions involving law firms.
News from the law firms themselves.
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...
Carey advises Live Nation on the landmark acquisition of majority control of Movistar Arena
Chile, Carey
Carey – In a move that redefines the entertainment landscape in the Southern Cone, Live Nation Entertainment has announced the formal closing of its strategic partnership with BeLive Entertainment Group. Through this agreement, the global firm becomes the majority stakeholder in Movistar Arena Santi...
Energy Security and Arbitral Recovery: Foreign Investment Prospects in the New Venezuela
International, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer | The recent removal of President Maduro from Venezuela has triggered a flurry of political activity. However, the legal implications are also far-reaching, with important considerations for foreign investors.
In the immediate term, we can expect former Vice Preside...
El Salvador approves reforms to the Free Trade Zone Law
El Salvador, EY Law
The purpose of these reforms is to increase domestic and foreign investment and boost the country’s competitiveness and productivity, in line with the new dynamics of international trade.
EY Law | On 23 December 2025, the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador approved the Legislative Decree containing amendments to the Free Trade Zones, I...
Bomchil advises ICBC on Camuzzi Gas loans
Argentina, Bomchil
Bomchil advised Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Argentina) S.A.U. ("ICBC") on the granting of loans to Camuzzi Gas Pampeana S.A. ("CGP") and Camuzzi Gas del Sur S.A. ("CGS" and, together with CGP, the "Borrowers"), for the amounts of US$30,000,000 and US$10,000,000, respectively. The funds ...
Fernando Carreño: Leadership and Vision at the Opening of Von Wobeser’s New Polanco Offices
Mexico, Von Wobeser y Sierra
"This inauguration is a firm step toward the future, without losing sight of the principles that have defined us since 1986."
Latin Counsel has had the privilege of interviewing Fernando Carreño, a partner at Von Wobeser y Sierra, one of Mexico’s leading law firms. With a car...
How E-commerce and the Digital Economy Are Transforming International Freight Transport in Guatemala
Guatemala, Alegalis
Alegalis | E-commerce has gone from being a trend to a fundamental driver of the global economy, and Guatemala is no exception. More and more companies—from large exporters to SMEs—are integrating digital platforms to manage sales, logistics, and business relationships internationally. But what does...
From the river Thames to Colombia: extradition and forensic keys in the thallium poisoning case
Colombia, Diaz Reus
Diaz Reus | A Technical-Investigative Analysis of Criminal Responsibility, Mental Health, and International Judicial Cooperation
The case of the poisoning of minors in Colombia through the ingestion of raspberries contaminated with thallium has quickly transcended the domestic criminal sphere to ...
Bomchil and Marval advise on PSA Finance Argentina’s triple-series notes issuance
Argentina, Bomchil | Marval O’Farrell Mairal
In a significant capital markets transaction, Bomchil and Marval O’Farrell Mairal provided legal counsel on PSA Finance Argentina’s successful issuance of three distinct series of notes totaling over ARS 24.5 billion and 12 million UVA. Issued under PSA’s Global Notes Program on December 19, 2025, t...
Benefits and opportunities of investing or living in Las Terrenas, Samaná, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic, Guzmán Ariza
Guzman Ariza - Investing or living in Las Terrenas, Samaná, Dominican Republic offers a mix of financial upside, lifestyle perks, and strategic opportunities.
Real Estate Investment Potential
High Capital Gains: Property prices have risen steadily over the last decade. As infrastructure improv...
Bulk Sales: how to ensure your Deal is Valid
Costa Rica, Arias Law
Arias Law | For anyone considering acquiring part of a business unit or its assets, it is essential to understand the legal implications of the transaction before moving forward. Determining whether your transaction qualifies as a bulk sale (purchase of a commercial establishment) and securing prope...
TozziniFreire and Machado Meyer lead strategic alliance between Petrobras and Lightsource bp
Brazil, TozziniFreire Advogados
Brazilian oil company Petrobras finalized the acquisition of 49.99% of Lightsource bp subsidiaries in Brazil, an operation aimed at developing onshore renewable energy projects. The transaction will be structured as a joint venture with shared management.
TozziniFreire Advogados represented the b...
Inspiring Women in Law: A Conversation with María Teresa Jayo, Business Law Manager at Beiersdorf
Mexico, In-House Counsel
"Legal teams must be architects of integrity within every organization"
Latin Counsel has had the pleasure of conversing with María Teresa Jayo, Business Law Manager at Beiersdorf, whose 17-year career illustrates the succ...
Treasury to Reveal Major "Zero-Profit" Taxpayers in Costa Rica
Costa Rica, EY Law
EY Law | In compliance with the new Fiscal Transparency Law No. 10808, EY Law informs of the Ministry of Finance’s new obligation to annually publish the list of large taxpayers reporting zero profits or losses.
This obligation was established in the Fiscal Transparency Law No. 10808, published i...
Green Data Centers: The Opportunity That Could Transform the Costa Rican Economy
Costa Rica, BLP Legal
The new "gold rush" isn’t found in mines—it’s in data.
The explosion of Artificial Intelligence and cloud services has triggered a global race to build data centers that are larger, more powerful, and, above all, more energy-efficient.
International investment banks agree: this will be one of ...
MERCOSUR Closes 2025 with Trade Milestones and a Strong Demand to the European Union
Latin America-wide
FOZ DO IGUAÇU, Brazil – Within the framework of the LXVII MERCOSUR Summit of Presidents, held on December 20, regional leaders consolidated an agenda focused on economic openness, regulatory modernization, and physical integration, setting the roadmap for the start of 2026.
The meeting brought to...
Pérez-Llorca promotes 12 new partners
Spain, Perez-Llorca
Pérez-Llorca announced today the promotion of twelve professionals to partner in recognition of their track record, commitment, technical excellence and contribution to the growth of the firm. In this way, the firm reinforces its leadership and its commitment to developing talent in its various offi...
Aeronautics Authority Modifies Building Heights in Guatemala City: Key Industry Impacts
Guatemala, Alegalis
Alegalis - On October 21 of this year, the Director General of the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics issued Resolution RES-DS-464-2025, in which he immediately REVOKED Administrative Resolution RES-DS-084-2020, issued on February 5, 2020, by the then Director General of Civil Aeronautics; thi...
One year has passed since the new Personal Data Protection Act came into legal force.
Chile, Bofill Mir
Bofill Mir - There is one year left before Law No. 21,719 comes into force, substantially amending Law No. 19,628, which will henceforth be known as the Personal Data Protection Law ("LPDP").
The new regulatory framework represents a profound transformation of the Chilean personal data protection...
A century of protection for industrial designs
Peru, OMC Abogados
OMC Abogados - This November marked 100 years since Industrial Designs first received international legal protection, following the creation of the Hague System which today operates under the administration of WIPO: the World Intellectual Property Organization. In its early years, the system include...
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