Hughes Hubbard Recognized for Finance and Arbitration in Legal 500 Latin America 2027

Hughes Hubbard earned rankings for Banking & Finance and International Arbitration in the Legal 500 Latin America 2027 guide, along with a Tier 1 City Focus ranking for Miami.

The firm earned a Tier 3 ranking for Banking & Finance, with Legal 500 citing its experience in syndicated and bilateral loan facilities, including acquisition, trade, corporate and project finance, as well as financial restructuring. Clients praised the team’s partner involvement, technical expertise, business-oriented approach and personalized attention.

The guide highlighted Emilio Saiz for his experience in Latin American financings, particularly in Brazil; Andrés Berry for his acquisition, fund and asset-based finance work; and Mark Denham for his experience in debt portfolio transactions, restructurings and aviation finance. Berry received particular client praise for his “leadership, business acumen, and ability to manage sophisticated transactions across multiple jurisdictions.”

Legal 500 also highlighted the firm’s representation of Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior (Bladex) in Grupo Estrella’s acquisition of Cemex’s operations in Panama. Bladex and Wells Fargo were named among the practice’s key clients.

In its Tier 1 City Focus ranking for Miami, Legal 500 described Hughes Hubbard as a “banking and finance powerhouse in Latin America,” highlighting the practice’s work for international and Latin American banks and financial institutions. The guide recognized Saiz’s leadership of the Miami office and Latin America practice and noted the team’s work on major financings for Brazilian and other Latin American borrowers. It also highlighted Saiz’s work advising a global bank syndicate led by Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank on $2 billion in revolving credit facilities for Vale and Vale Base Metals, as well as Denham’s aviation finance practice.

Hughes Hubbard also earned a Tier 4 ranking for International Arbitration, with Legal 500 citing the firm’s representation of Latin American sovereigns in high-stakes treaty and commercial disputes, particularly those involving mining, natural resources and environmental issues.

The guide recognized Gaela Gehring Flores for her sovereign representation work across Panama, Colombia and Peru, and Diego Durán De La Vega for his work on private-sector and investor-led claims involving oil and gas, manufacturing and energy infrastructure. Brian Vaca, Eleanor Erney and Shayda Vance were also highlighted for their work on cross-border disputes and major ICSID and ICC proceedings.

The Republic of Panama and Republic of Colombia were named as key clients, and Legal 500 highlighted the firm’s work related to the Cobre Panamá copper mine. Client feedback praised the team’s internal communication and service, with Durán De La Vega and Lennart Vazzoler specifically recognized for their “commitment, responsibility, honesty, dedication, understanding, and excellent service.”