Corporate/M&A: Peru

José Daniel Amado is a key name in the firm’s corporate and M&A department. Sources admire his “sophistication, expertise and understanding of multinational corporate legal issues.” This came to the fore when he advised Canadian company Petrominerales on its 100% acquisition of PanAndean Resources and the indirect acquisition of a number of oilfields. He was also retained as local counsel by AEI during its asset sale across Latin America. Roberto MacLean is another “outstanding” lawyer in this area and is also well versed in financial matters. New York has been a strong focal point for advancing his international experience, as he has studied at New York University Law School and practised at White & Case's NYC office. He is admitted in both Peru and New York. Luis Miranda regularly advises clients on corporate acquisitions and restructuring issues. He recently assisted Colombian company Fugro South America with acquisitions in Chile and Peru, and advised Nextel on the corporate reorganisation of its operations in Peru and the transfer of stability agreements.

Julio Salas has been a member of Rodrigo's corporate team for many years and is held in high esteem in the market. Jean Paul Chabaneix leads the practice and is very active in this field. He is a member of the legal committee of the Brazil-Peru Chamber of Commerce and works extensively with Brazilian clients. He recently advised Camil Alimentos on its acquisition of various assets in Peru, and sources describe him as a “serious lawyer with an eye for solutions.” Luis Carlos Rodrigo Prado is the face of the firm's mining practice group and handles a high volume of M&A transactions in the mining sector. He represented First Quantum Minerals in its USD450 million acquisition of Antares Minerals. The younger generation of partners at the firm are also making names for themselves in this sector, such as Duke-educated Luis Enrique Palacios, whom sources commend for his “push and knowledge.” Associate Fernando Hurtado de Mendoza took two Masters degrees in Singapore and has established important connections across Asia. He provides ongoing advice to Samsung of Korea, Daihatsu of Japan and Great Harvest of China on their business operations in Peru. His extensive portfolio of clients includes Indian, Malaysian and Vietnamese companies.

Renato Vázquez Costa is a revered lawyer with a wealth of experience in this field. He has recently become less involved in the day-to-day workings of the department, but is a strong reference point for all corporate/M&A matters. Jorge Ossio Gargurevich puts his fiscal knowledge to good use in corporate work, and is a valued member of the M&A team. He recently advised GeoKinetics on its acquisition of several subsidiaries of Petroleum AS. Javier Tovar Gil is a strategic negotiator much admired for his regulatory and transactional expertise. Liliana Espinosa Reboa is one of the firm's younger generation of lawyers and has a rising profile in the market. She represented Peruvian engineering and construction company Haug in the sale of 70% of its interests to Argentina's Benito Roggio e Hijos.

Mauricio Olaya Nohra leads the department and has become a veritable reference point in corporate work. Sources praise his negotiation skills and meticulous nature. He led the team's participation in one of the most talked about deals in the pharmaceutical market, representing Inkafarma in its sale to Interbank. He also recently advised Corporación Infarmasa on its acquisition by Israeli pharmaceutical company Teva. He previously worked as a foreign associate at Chadbourne & Parke's office in New York. Jorge Muñiz has played a fundamental role in developing the corporate department over the years and is praised for his dedication and drive. Luis Fernando Martinot Oliart is a promising young partner who divides his time between corporate and bankruptcy work. He assisted Olaya with the pharmaceutical deals and sources commend his responsiveness and proactivity. Frank Boyle Yrigoyen has an impressive global track record, having previously studied in both Turin and Bern and worked in Geneva. He divides his time between Lima and Verona, where he works as a consultant to an Italian law firm. He regularly advises investment funds and companies on a broad range of international corporate matters.

José Antonio Payet enjoys a monumental local and international reputation as an esteemed corporate and M&A lawyer. Sources admire that “when he’s involved in a deal, he is on top of everything,” and also praise his creativity and analytical approach. The department has a young generation of partners who follow in Payet’s footsteps. Juan Antonio Egüez stands out as a skilled corporate lawyer who “always knows exactly what the client needs and manages complex issues very well.”

Department head Alberto Rebaza is recognised as a key go-to lawyer for corporate and transactional advice. Sources are effusive in their praise, with one saying: "I have never seen a negotiator like him – he’s on the same level as the top international lawyers.” Gonzalo De Las Casas is a highly regarded bankruptcy expert and is a strong asset to the team for corporate restructuring deals. He represented Grupo República Publicaciones in its acquisition of a third of Ecuadorian television channel Teleamazonas. Juan José Cárdenas is praised by sources for his negotiation skills and “always defends the interests of the client.” Anahi Com is another dedicated and valuable member of the team. She acted alongside De Las Casas in the Grupo República Publicaciones deal.

Guillermo Ferrero Álvarez-Calderón is regarded as a key driving force behind both the corporate team and the firm's overall success in the market. Sources praise his enterprise, resolve and expert handling of M&A transactions. He recently advised Trafigura Beheer on the negotiation and execution of a stock purchase agreement aimed at transferring common voting shares to Volcan for an approximate value of USD450 million. He has an impressive amount of international experience, having worked for two years at Parsons, Behle & Latimer in Salt Lake City and undertaken postgraduate studies at New York University and the University of Cambridge. He is qualified to practise in both Lima and New York. Sources also highlight young partner Alfonso Perez-Bonany as a key team member. He works closely with Ferrero and is increasingly playing a lead role in high-end cases.

Mining expert Emil Ruppert Yáñez is always on hand to manage corporate issues related to the mining sector. However, his participation in Swissport GBH and Aeropuertos del Perú's sale of a 51% indirect interest to Talma Servicios Aeropuertuarios points to an increasingly broader knowledge base and skill set. Juan García Montúfar is a multidisciplinary lawyer who capitalises on his corporate and real estate expertise to advise on a great number of transactions. Oscar Arrús Bellido is best known for his financial focus but is also a rising star in corporate and transactional work. He recently acted as counsel to Mexican construction company Constructoras ICA in connection with purchasing shares from Peruvian company Los Portales. He studied at University Law School, Washington, DC, and subsequently spent two years working at Baker & Hostetler's office in the US capital.

Columbia-educated José Delmar focuses his practice on transactions and is a recognised figure in the field. Sources highlight his negotiation skills, commercial knowledge and dedication to clients. He recently advised American Tower on its acquisition of telecoms equipment and structures from Telefónica, and on a USD90 million sale and leaseback contract. Viviana García leads the firm's Asian practice and handles a wide range of work with companies in China, Korea and India. She advises big-name clients such as Huawei, FHL Games and Tega Group on an array of corporate matters. She speaks Mandarin and previously worked as an associate at King & Wood in Beijing and holds a degree in Asian Studies, majoring in Chinese Studies, from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú.

Following the split of Jorge Avendaño-Forsyth Abogados in April 2012, Albert Forsyth set his own practice Forsyth Abogados, in which he continues to provide solid corporate advice to clients.

Managing partner José Antonio Olaechea is the corporate face of the firm and has broad experience of M&A. Sources hail him as a rainmaker and commend his success in developing the firm's profile in this sector.

Luis Gastañeta Alayza is a key member of the firm's corporate team and is a standout figure in the market. His banking and finance expertise adds further value to his advice on corporate transactions involving financial institutions. He advised Compañía de Minas Buenaventura on its joint venture with Minera Gold Fields to develop the Chucapaca Mining Project.

Juan Luis Hernández is a skilled banking and finance lawyer and employs his transactional expertise to great effect in the corporate sphere. Work highlights include advising Korea Zinc on its acquisition of ICM Pachapaqui for USD47.5 million.