Latin America
For more than 80 years, Akin has advised global companies, sponsors and financial institutions on Latin American matters where legal, commercial, regulatory and policy issues intersect. We help clients pursue opportunities and manage risk through an integrated platform spanning transactions, restructuring, public policy, international trade, sanctions, investigations and dispute resolution.
Our Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking lawyers have practiced as in-house and external counsel in the region, and we work with leading local firms to deliver counsel that reflects global standards and local realities.
M&A and Private Equity
Akin advises private equity sponsors and corporate clients on their most complex transactions across Latin America. We integrate a global M&A practice with market-leading tax, finance, regulatory, public policy and executive compensation teams to structure and execute deals throughout the capital structure—from control acquisitions and growth investments to carve-outs, joint ventures and exits.
Drawing on deep familiarity with regional deal structures and cross-border dynamics—and the perspective of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking lawyers attuned to the region’s business cultures—we help clients navigate local regulatory regimes, government relations and jurisdiction-specific risks with the precision that high-stakes investments demand. Working seamlessly alongside leading local counsel across the region’s key jurisdictions, we deliver coordinated, on-the-ground execution from first approach through closing.
Financial Restructuring
Akin’s financial restructuring practice is a recognized powerhouse, with more than 100 lawyers dedicated to distressed situations across the world. Companies, ad hoc groups, official and informal creditors’ committees and institutional investors trust us with their most complex restructuring, liability management and special situations matters, no matter how many borders they cross.
Energy, Projects & Energy Transition
Akin has long focused on Latin America, bringing extensive experience advising on energy projects and transactions across virtually every sector of the region’s economies. Our market-leading energy practice is home to elite dealmakers trusted by the world’s largest companies and investors for both traditional oil & gas and energy transition matters. With deep regional knowledge and proprietary insights, we help clients navigate complex, high-value energy transactions to advance their strategic investment goals. We represent developers, sponsors, lenders and government entities across conventional and renewable power, oil & gas and the energy transition—spanning project development, financing, regulatory matters and public-private partnerships throughout the project lifecycle.
International Trade
Akin’s international trade team is one of the largest international trade practices in the world. Our comprehensive offerings include all of the substantive international trade disciplines, including export controls, economic sanctions, customs, antibribery/anticorruption, antiboycott, trade policy, antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) litigation, climate change, World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute resolution and sustainability.
Lobbying & Public Policy
Akin’s lobbying & public policy practice combines the largest bipartisan government relations practice in Washington with deep regional experience to help clients navigate the evolving political, regulatory and commercial landscape across the United States and Latin America.
We advise Latin American companies, investors, trade associations, and sovereign entities seeking to engage with the U.S. federal government, as well as U.S.-based companies, trade groups and entities pursuing business opportunities, investments and strategic initiatives throughout Latin America. Our team provides strategic counsel on cross-border legislative, regulatory, trade, geopolitical and public policy matters that shape business across the hemisphere.
Our Latin America team includes professionals who are from the region, native Spanish speakers, and advisors with firsthand experience working throughout Latin America. We leverage longstanding relationships with policymakers in Washington, government officials across the region, diplomatic missions, and business leaders to help clients build trusted relationships and advance their strategic objectives.
Mining, Minerals & Materials
Akin advises mining companies, sponsors, offtakers and financial institutions across the full spectrum of mining and critical minerals—from project development, permitting and finance to M&A, supply chain arrangements and commercial contracts. Latin America anchors global supply chains for energy-transition minerals. Our team brings integrated regulatory, transactional and dispute resolution capabilities to mining companies and investors navigating strategic opportunities in the region.
White Collar Defense & Government Investigations
Akin’s white collar team advises companies and individuals facing anti-corruption investigations, sanctions and export control inquiries, and matters arising from U.S. foreign terrorist organization designations in Latin America. We conduct internal investigations, defend against allegations of wrongdoing, coordinate cross-border responses to U.S. government investigations with local counsel and design compliance programs tailored to the region.
Litigation and International Arbitration
Akin represents multinationals, investors and states in commercial and investor-state arbitrations arising from Latin American investments and operations, principally in the energy, infrastructure and mining sectors. We handle the related U.S. court proceedings, including provisional relief, motions to compel arbitration, anti-suit injunctions, and actions to confirm or vacate awards.
