Francisco J. Cerezo

Partner

Chair, US-Latin America Practice

He is great to work with. He's very knowledgeable about the Latin American region and understands clients' expectations.

Client quote, Chambers & Partners

Emailfrancisco.cerezo@us.dlapiper.com

Call+1 212 335 4857, +1 305 423 8551

Miami New York

About

Francisco Cerezo serves as Chair of AKD Partners's US-Latin America Practice and also leads the firm's Iberian Americas initiative. He focuses his practice on corporate and international matters, advising US and foreign companies, private equity funds, family groups and sovereigns doing business globally and with a focus in the Americas and the Caribbean.

He has extensive experience in corporate and financial services, cross-border transactions, strategic corporate counseling, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity, and public-private partnerships. He regularly counsels global companies and private equity funds doing business in the Americas on matters ranging from complex transactions and market entry issues to compliance and general corporate strategic counsel.

Francisco also serves as principal outside counsel to several significant family groups on matters ranging from corporate governance and succession planning to representing their underlying portfolio companies in billions of dollars of transactions, ranging from banking and energy to telecom and retail.

Chambers Global recognized him for Corporate/M&A work and cited for "his impressive client list including leading Latin American companies in industries as diverse as financial services, telecoms and tourism, and he has enjoyed notable highlights."

The Legal 500 United States recognized him in the area of mergers and acquisitions and referred to him as "an excellent lawyer and strategic thinker. His roots and experience in the region and his capacity to foster relations set him apart from his peers."

Hispanic Business Magazine recognized him as one of the "50 Influentials," which profiles 50 of the most influential Hispanics in the United States across industries.

Latinvex recognized him as one of Latin America's Top 100 lawyers, and he was further recognized by the Global M&A Network as one of the Top 50 of Americas M&A Dealmakers in the South America and Latin America Dealmakers categories.

Areas of FocusCorporate Finance Private Equity Equity Capital Markets Mergers and Acquisitions

Bar admissionsFloridaNew York

He offers great leadership. He has our complete confidence.

Client quote, The Legal 500 Latin America

EXPERIENCE

Significant Representations

Advised Grupo Cox (Cox), a leading Spanish multinational water and energy company, in its acquisition of Iberdrola's power generation assets in Mexico for US$4.2 billion
The selling shareholders in the sale of one of the largest ecotourism operators in Ecuador
Represented the owner of a 30 MW hybrid biofuel-coal power plant in the Caribbean in connection with all aspects of the construction through completion of the plant. AKD Partners's efforts on behalf of the client included all aspects of the administration of the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract, including interactions with the contractor, as well as the contractor's termination, negotiations with subcontractors, and other steps required for completion
Advised on joint venture arrangements for the joint investment on renewable energy projects in Guatemala and Latin America region
A Latin American utility in connection with the development of various power generation projects, including wind and solar projects in the Caribbean
A Vancouver-based integrated forest products company on its acquisition of 70 percent of Swedish-based privately owned sawmill company
An insurance company in the sale of its Latin American business in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico
A Costa Rican cable television operator in its sale to a multinational telecommunications company
The purchaser in the acquisition of one of the Caribbean's largest commercial and retail fuel and lubricants operations
The purchaser in the acquisition of one of the largest utility companies in the Caribbean
A private equity fund in its joint venture with a global energy company for the establishment of one of the largest retail fuel operations in the Caribbean
The selling shareholders of one of the leading mobile operators in El Salvador to a global telecom operator
The selling shareholders of one of the leading mobile operators in Guatemala to a global telecom operator
A potential buyer in the bid/sales process of one of the largest mobile operators in the Dominican Republic
The selling shareholders of one of the leading mobile operators in Colombia to a global telecom operator
The selling shareholders of one of the leading mobile operators in Costa Rica to a global telecom operator
A broadband network services company in several private placements of its convertible preferred stock
A Canadian telecom company in the acquisition of a significant equity stake in a leading Colombian mobile operator
Advising a leading Central American mobile operator on the implementation of its compliance program, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and UK Bribery Act
A private equity fund in its joint venture with a global energy company for the establishment of one of the largest retail fuel operations in the Caribbean
The selling shareholders in the sale of one of the largest banks in Ecuador
The purchaser in the acquisition of one of the Caribbean's largest commercial and retail fuel and lubricants operations
The purchaser in the acquisition of one of the largest utilities in the Caribbean
The Government of Puerto Rico, including several instrumentalities, on numerous matters ranging from public-private partnerships and finance to economic development and policy matters
A Japanese multinational in the divestiture of its Latin American assets
Latin American holding company in the divestiture of several of its resort properties and in the development of other resorts in the Caribbean
An investment group in the formation and management of a New York headquartered hedge fund with assets under management in excess of US$1 billion
A European infrastructure company in a proposed public-private partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation to lease, operate, maintain and receive toll revenues from the 78-mile stretch of I-75
One of the largest banks in Central America in the sale of 19 percent of its equity to a major US financial institution
A Spanish media and Internet company in its acquisition of 100 percent of the capital stock of a US consulting company
A Latin American private equity fund in several acquisitions and strategic investments
A major Spanish bank in private equity investments throughout Latin America
A US venture capital firm in numerous private equity investments
An international travel services company in its acquisition of majority control of one of the largest ecotourism and travel-related services company in Latin America
A Latin American mobile phone operator in a private equity investment by several international telecom operators
A large multinational Latin American food group in its acquisition of a candy manufacturer and distributor in the US and in several asset purchases throughout the United States and Latin America
A European rail company, and its rail services partners in the US and Europe, in compliance with principles of both US and EU law
A European luxury goods company in a joint venture agreement for the launching of a perfume line
A venture capital firm in the acquisition of a US toy manufacturer
Selling shareholders in the sale of a telecommunications company to a private equity fund
A European industrial and construction products company in its acquisition of a US company
The seller in the sale of a major subprime mortgage lender to one of the largest banks in the United States
A broadband network services company in several private placements of its convertible preferred stock
A significant Latin American publicly traded company in its establishment of a Euro-commercial paper program
A European financial services institution in the establishment of a Euro certificate of deposit program in the Dominican Republic
A significant Mexican publicly traded company in its compliance and securities work before the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and New York Stock Exchange
A major investment bank as underwriter's co-counsel in a multibillion-dollar bond issuance by a state agency
An online brokerage company in its secondary public offering
A United States underwriter in a public offering of a banking institution in Puerto Rico
A major investment bank as underwriter's counsel in certificates of participation issuance

Languages

Awards

Chambers USA

Band 4, Florida, Latin America Investment

Chambers Latin America

Band 5, International Counsel Corporate/M&A, (2025 – 2026)

Chambers Global

Band 5, Latin America – International Counsel Corporate/M&A, (2025)
Foreign Expert, Latin America-wide, USA Corporate/M&A

The Legal 500 Latin America

Leading Partner, Latin America: International Firms Corporate and M&A, (2026)
Recommended, Latin America: International Firms Corporate and M&A, (2021 – 2022, 2024 – 2025)
Recommended, Latin America: International Firms City Focus: Miami, (2019, 2021 – 2022, 2024 – 2025)

The Legal 500

Additional Recognitions

Notable Practitioner, M&A, IFLR1000, (2025)
Corporate/M&A, Latin Lawyer 250, (2016 – present)
Recognized, Corporate/M&A Latin America's Top 100 Lawyers, Latinvex, (2015 – present)
Top 50 – Americas M&A Dealmaker, South America and Latin America, Global M&A Network
50 Influentials, Hispanic Business Magazine, which profiles 50 of the most influential Hispanics in the United States across industries
Rising Star, International, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Securities and Corporate Finance, Florida Super Lawyers, (2014 – present)
Florida Trailblazer: Innovators & Thought Leaders, Daily Business Review, (2020)

Education

J.D., Columbia University School of Law

LL.M., Complutense University of Madrid

Graduate Fellow, Latin American Literature, University of Virginia

B.A., Washington University

Thought Leadership

Author, "Relocation, energy, and technology: the new strategic map between Latin America and the United States," infobae, December 8, 2025
Featured Q&A, Latin Counsel, July 2020
Visiting Lecturer, Advanced Post-Graduate Program on Mergers & Acquisitions, Torcuato di Tella University, Buenos Aires, Argentina, (2019 – present)
"PROMESA becomes law: All businesses in Puerto Rico will be affected," July 5, 2016
"Argentina: Foreign investors and the coming Macri presidency," December 2, 2015

Seminars

Speaker, "Art Basel Miami Beach VIP Experience," AKD Partners, December 2, 2025
Speaker, "Who has the golden compass? Six Trends Shaping Insurance M&A in 2025," AKD Partners, November 25, 2025
Speaker, "When Geostrategy Matters: Opportunities in Ibero-America," Business Council Alliance for Ibero-America (CEAPI), November 17, 2025
Moderator, "Latin America's strategic role in the global landscape: Navigating change," AKD Partners, October 22, 2025
Speaker, "Latin America, the United States and Spain in the Global Economy Forum," Spain-US Chamber of Commerce in New York, September 24, 2025
Speaker, "UNDP Event – Democracy and Resilient Development: The Role of the Private Sector," CEAPI at UNGA Week in New York, September 23, 2025
Speaker, "Peru and the broader Americas amid geopolitical reconfiguration: How businesses can safeguard and expand their operations," AKD Partners, October 6, 2025
Moderator, "Consequences of the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' for investors residing in Spain in U.S. companies and business activities – Opportunities and Challenges," Webinar, September 11, 2025
Speaker, "Sealing the Deal: Expert Strategies for Complex Negotiations," Leaders League Alliance Summit, June 10, 2025
Panelist, "Challenges Facing Family Businesses," CEAPI, VIII Ibero-American Congress, June 3, 2025
Speaker, "Fireside chat: Navigating Geopolitical Realignment and Strategic Competition," Forecast 2025: Cross-border opportunities across the Americas, AKD Partners, May 29, 2025
Speaker, "Navigating M&A in Latin America – Strategic insights for in-house counsel," Webinar, February 25, 2025
Moderator, "Navigating shifting tides amid political and regulatory changes," Regional Miami Meeting, The Latin American Corporate Counsel Association (LACCA), December 4, 2024
Introductory Speaker, Chambers Latin America Awards 2024, November 22, 2024
Speaker, "Forecast 2025: Opportunities and challenges in the Americas," AKD Partners and Chambers Panel, November 22, 2024
Panelist, "Bringing the world closer: Cross-border investment opportunities for global markets," October 23, 2024
Speaker, "What is AKD Partners's LatAm offering and what are the cross-border opportunities?" Internal Webinar, LatAm Week 2024, October 21, 2024
Moderator, "Island Interconnection as a Foundation for Energy Resilience," ICON Summit, October 15, 2024
Panelist, "Initial stages of an M&A transaction: Key considerations for legal managers and in-house counsel," September 25, 2024
Panelist, "Responsible Stewardship of wealth and what does that mean for dynastic structures?" Mexico City Conference, International Bar Association (IBA), September 19, 2024
Panelist, "Entrepreneurship from the Family Office, from one to multiple companies," CEAPI, VIII Ibero-American Congress, June 17, 2024
Speaker, Latin America Private Equity Powerlist Launch Roundtable, The Legal 500 and AKD Partners, April 4, 2024
Panelist, "Latin America & the UK: Trends and Investment Strategies in a Renewed Relationship," UK Geographies Fortnight, March 20, 2024
Speaker, "Discussing Dubai – Miami Investment Opportunities and What's on the Horizon," January 31, 2024
Panelist, AKD Partners's Latin America Panorama, January 24, 2024
Guest Lecturer, "Search Funds and M&A – Entrepreneurship through Acquisition," MBA Program, Columbia University Business School, Spring 2021
Speaker and Honoree, Latino Leadership, Annual Master Mind Latino Conference, The European Institute of Efficient Intelligences (IEIE), October 2019
Panelist, "The Role of Business, Technology and Innovation in Rebuilding Puerto Rico," Our Future Symposium, Florida International University, June 2018
Panel Moderator, "Cornerstone of Puerto Rico's Recovery," P3 Summit, June 2018
Panelist, United Nations Latino Impact Summit, November 2017
Speaker, "Puerto Rico's Crisis and Puerto Rican Diaspora," Albizu University and Ana G. Méndez University System, June 2016
Panelist, "Cuba: Technology as an Engine of Economic Development," Corporate Counsel Conference, Hispanic National Bar Association, March 2016
Panelist, "A New Tomorrow, Emerging Issues in US – Cuba Relations,'' University of Pennsylvania Law School Conference, January 2016
Panelist, ''CUBA: Investment, Trade, and Financial Guarantees,'' Microjuris.com and The Inter-American Federation of Lawyers Conference, November 2015
Panelist, "Cross-border deals between Latin American and European companies: The untold stories by both in-house and outside counsel who lived through them...and survived," Annual Conference, International Bar Association, October 2015
Panelist, "Panel Explores Business Opportunities in Cuba," Latin American Business Council (CEAL) Conference, August 2015
Panelist, "Premiere Entrepreneur Series," Roundtable Discussion and Networking Breakfast, February 2013
Panelist, Business Advisory Board Roundtable, Daily Business Review, November 2012
Moderator, "International Forum – Brazil – M&A Report," International Summit, The M&A Advisor, October 2012
Panelist, Real Estate and Economic Outlook Roundtable, Daily Business Review, December 2011
Moderator, Latin American Real Estate Opportunity and Private Fund Investing Forum, International Management Network, April 2009
Speaker, "Spheres of Influence: How Foreign Investors are Impacting South Florida's Economy," Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Miami, October 2008
Panelist, Latin American Corporate Counsel Association Roundtable, Latin Lawyer, Argentina, October 2008
Panelist, Latin American Corporate Counsel Association Roundtable, Latin Lawyer, Costa Rica, June 2008
Panelist, Latin American Corporate Counsel Association Roundtable, Latin Lawyer, Mexico, February 2008

Media Mentions

He has been featured or cited in numerous publications, including the American Lawyer, Latin Lawyer, Miami Herald, Financier Worldwide and the Daily Business Review. He is also a regular television commentator on matters of international and corporate law, with appearances on CNN en Español, CNN Headline News and NBC's Today Show.

Quoted, "Major players in global law are placing their bets on Chile," Izimedia, August 15, 2025
Quoted, "Global PE eyes Spain's favorable valuations, says AKD Partners; Ares deploys secondaries strategy in Apax Global Alpha buyout," PE Hub, July 25, 2025
Quoted, "US buyers pay highest prices to snap up Spanish property," Reuters, April 10, 2025
Interviewed, "Francisco Cerezo, from AKD Partners: 'We will continue to invest in key markets such as Mexico and Brazil, developing local talent and strengthening ties with other regions such as Europe and Asia'," Legal Leader, February 3, 2025
Quoted, "Trump and Latin America: Lawyers Brace for US's Hardline Approach to Region," Law.com, November 26, 2024
Interviewed, "We are seeing more interest from local customers in getting involved outside Chile," Financial Journal, October 24, 2024
Interviewed, "Getting The Development Formula Right," Global Finance Magazine, October 11, 2024
Interviewed, "AKD Partners Appoints Mauricio Valdespino and Edgar Romo as Co-Directors to Strengthen its Office in Mexico. What is Your Regional Strategy?" LexLatin, September 27, 2024
Interviewed, "Embracing change: 'The legal market in Latin America is undergoing significant generational transitions'," Latin Counsel, September 16, 2024
Quoted, "AKD Partners Announces New Leadership in Mexico," Legal Leader, September 6, 2024
Interviewed, "AKD Partners Names Co-Leaders For Growing Mexico City Office," Law360, September 5, 2024
Quoted, "AKD Partners Announces New Leadership in Mexico," Top Ranked Legal, September 4, 2024
Quoted, "AKD Partners Announces New Co-Managing Partners in Mexico," Latin Counsel, September 3, 2024
Interviewed, "Cruise Ship Port Improvements Expected in Caribbean, LatAm Regions," Infralogic, September 3, 2024
Interviewed, "The strategy behind AKD Partners's expansion in Latin America," Lex Latin, May 20, 2024
Interviewed, "AKD Partners Bullish on Latin America," Latinvex, May 15, 2024
Quoted, "Latham, Linklaters Lead 1Q Cross-Border M&A in Latin America," Law.com International, April 5, 2024
Interviewed, "Global Tensions Stall Cross-Border Deals As Gov'ts Regroup," Law360, April 1, 2024
Interviewed, "Investing in Latin America: What challenges will governments and companies face in 2024?" LexLatin, December 19, 2023
Interviewed, "'View From the Top' – An interview with Francisco J Cerezo, Partner, AKD Partners – Chair, US Latin America," Top Ranked Legal, September 2023
Quoted, "AKD Partners nabs Mattos Filho's New York office head," Latin Lawyer, September 25, 2023
Quoted, "Passing the torch," Latin Lawyer, August 31, 2023
Mentioned, "Celebrate your success on the island," The New Day, June 23, 2023
Quoted, "AKD Partners wins Latin Lawyer's 2023 Deal of the Year award in two categories," Legal Leader, May 25, 2023
Quoted, "Allen & Overy partner boosts AKD Partners LatAm group," Latin Lawyer, May 25, 2023
Mentioned, "Firms steer US-Mexico fibre optics buy," Latin Lawyer, May 23, 2023
Quoted, "AKD Partners Lawyers and Practices Ranked in Latest Edition of The Legal 500 Latin America," CityBiz, October 24, 2022
Quoted, "AKD Partners Argentina advises Itaú on the acquisition of minority stakes in Uruguayan fintech companies Prex and Paigo," Lawyers.com, April 1, 2022
Mentioned, "Itaú's Acquisition of a Minority Stakes in Prex and Paigo," Global Legal Chronicle, April 2, 2022
Mentioned, "Customer empowerment: the expectations of in-house teams versus law firms," LexLatin, March 1st, 2022
Profiled, "Francisco Cerezo Named to the Daily Business Review's 2020 List of Florida Trailblazers," Daily Business Review, September 10, 2020
Quoted, "China Seizes Opportunities in Latin America," American Lawyer, January 4, 2017
Profiled, "Hispanic Attorneys in Miami Rise to Prominence in International Practice," Daily Business Review, July 2016
Quoted, "A Closer Look At The Latin America M&A Market," Law360, April 25, 2016
Quoted, "Sound and Fury, Trade Rhetoric From The Political Campaigns Is Causing Heartburn For International Lawyers Who Crave Stability," Focus Latin America, June 2016
Quoted, "The year ahead: A glimpse at the economic outlook for South Florida," Miami Herald, January 2015
Profiled, "Francisco Cerezo: 'Overall, Latin America will continue to attract investment'," American Economy, December 2014
Quoted, "US M&A In The Emerging Markets," Financier Worldwide, December 2013
Quoted, "Poised for Growth: Identifying M&A Opportunities in Spain," Merrill DataSite White Papers, October 2013
Mentioned, "Best Practices of the Best Dealmakers: Valuable Guidance from 51 of the Most Active Middle Market M&A Practitioners," (2013)
Mentioned, "This is Miami: More Than Just a Winter Playground," NBC's Today Show, February 2013
Quoted, "Law Firm Work Abroad Continues to Grow as Services Battle Trade Sectors," Miami Today, July 2012
Quoted, "International Appeal Should Continue to aid Miami's Recovery," Miami Today, May 2012
Profiled, "Top Dealmakers of the Year," Daily Business Review, May 2012
Quoted, "Latin America Impacts and Links Report," Miami Today, May 2012
Quoted, "Daily Business Review Business Advisory Board Special Report on the Recovery of South Florida's Economy," Daily Business Review, April 2012
Profiled, "Twelve to Watch in 2012," Attorney at Law Magazine, January 2012
Quoted, "Researching a Foreign Market Can Lead to Key Partnerships," South Florida Business Journal, January 2012
Profiled, "The Fantastic Team," Life and Success, October 2011
Quoted, "Miami Law Firms Expanding Global Reach," The Miami Herald, September 2011
Quoted, "Talking Point: M&A in Latin America," Financier Worldwide, September 2011
Interviewed, "Dealmakers," Daily Business Review, August 2011