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Latin and South America
Our Latin America group focuses on international legal advice for high net worth families in or investing in the region as well as international banks, trust companies, local law firms and other professionals providing wealth planning services in the region and in particular in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. We provide cross-border advice in key areas such as:
- Trusts and other fiduciary structures
- Foreign investment and tax structuring
- Succession planning
- Inbound US investment and tax structuring
- Cryptocurrency and digital assets
- Dispute resolution
- Commercial and real estate advice
- Special assets (art, aircraft, yachts, horses, sports teams, etc.)
- Immigration, citizenship and residency relocation planning
Recent recognition
Track record
Internal investigation into fraud, tax avoidance and suspected bribery
Assisting in respect of a corporate client’s Latin American subsidiary.
Colombia v Ecuador
Advising the Republic of Colombia in a dispute with Ecuador before the International Court of Justice regarding aerial herbicide spraying and international environmental law.
Enforcement of arbitration award in the District of Colombia made in investor-State proceedings against a CIS state
Recognition and enforcement of an SCC award before District Court for the District of Columbia on behalf of successful claimants in an investor-State arbitration against a CIS State.
Representing the Claimant in an LCIA arbitration
Representing the Claimant in an LCIA arbitration relating to gold mining licences and permits in South America.
Advice following the Madoff investment scandal
Following the Madoff scandal we advised the investment arm of a bank trustee with numerous Central and Latin American settlors / beneficiaries who had exposure to Madoff.
Argentinean hotel chain investment work
We provided thorough advice to an Argentinean hotel chain on tax optimizing its global structure for US investment and expansion. This included extensive pre-IPO planning, interim financing structuring, a review of the fund documents and the creation of convertible notes for a special class of investors.
Brazilian family offshore structuring
We worked alongside Brazilian counsel to advise a client on the FATCA and CRS reporting requirements applicable to their complex succession structure for his offshore assets. These included a private trust company, trusts, companies and other entities, a private investment fund and multiple investment accounts, and involved the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Switzerland and the US. The advice also needed to take into account the client's plans to relocate his family from Brazil to London, and possibly thereafter to New York City.
Chilean child US tax
A Chilean family's child was an accidental American by virtue of birth, and we helped them to address US tax reporting issues and eliminate future entanglement with the US.
Chilean investment in gold producer
A Chilean client engaged us to advise on their investment in the AIM-listed Brazilian gold producer Serabi Gold.
Chilean US family tax work
Working with a Chilean–US family, we helped to address compliance deficiencies in their family wealth succession planning structure. Small modifications to the structure substantially decreased US annual taxation and simplified reporting, addressing the US family members' income tax, FBAR and FATCA reporting issues. We also liaised with Chilean banks to quickly unfreeze needed accounts.
Experience
As a firm built around the needs of individuals and families, we offer an exceptional service to private clients. Wherever you are, and whatever you need, our lawyers are here to help.
ImmigrationWhether you are an individual, a family or an employer, our lawyers know each country’s systems and speak the local language, helping you to navigate through what can be opaque processes.
Wealth structuringWe help individuals, families, and their advisors to plan for the future, getting to know their unique requirements and finding solutions that meet them. Those with international interests will receive seamless support thanks to our global presence.
With a team of more than 150 specialist tax lawyers, who are qualified in jurisdictions around the world, we are perfectly placed to handle even the most complex, cross-border tax issues.
Commercial litigationOur highly skilled commercial litigators assist with complex, multi-jurisdictional cases of all kinds, whether acting for an investor, business or brand.
As one of the largest teams of trust, estate and inheritance dispute lawyers in the world, we draw on extensive experience to explore your succession dispute and find the best available solution.
Real estateOur lawyers have experience with all kinds of property transactions. Whether you’re a business building a global presence, or an individual looking to acquire a new home, we’re here to help.
Our team
Christina M. Baltz
Partner | New York
Giulia Cipollini
Partner | Milan
Josefina Colomar
Partner | New York
Rosa Ertze
Partner | New York
Fernando Gandioli
Partner | Milan
Reaz H. Jafri
Of Counsel | New York
Ivan A. Sacks
Partner | New York
Sandra Viana
Partner | New York
Typical clients and industries include
Aviation and marine
Buying a yacht or private jet should be a pleasure, not a headache. Our global team can cover all the technical aspects of each transaction, as well as the tax treatment of luxury assets. Find Out MoreCrypto and digital assets
Well versed in both the legal and technical languages of decentralized finance, our global team can support anyone wanting to navigate the fast-changing world of blockchain, cryptocurrency and digital assets. Find Out MoreHow else can we help?
We offer a full range of services to individuals and businesses. Find out how we can help you solve challenges and maximize opportunities.
Get in touch
Our website will give you a flavour of the advice we provide - if you would like to talk to us for more information, please contact our client services team who will be happy to assist.