DLA Piper appoints new co-chair of Latin America practice

DLA Piper has recruited Dino Barajas as a partner in Los Angeles, and who will serve as co-chair of the firm’s US Projects and Infrastructure practice and the Latin American corporate and finance practice.

Barajas, who joins the firm from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, focuses on domestic and international project development and finance, with particular emphasis on Latin American infrastructure projects, debt financings and mergers and acquisitions. He regularly represents lenders, investors and developers in a wide range of domestic and international project financings in the energy, power, infrastructure and commercial sectors, as well as in traditional banking, structured finance, mergers and acquisitions, and joint ventures, according to DLA Piper.

Barajas has spearheaded the Latin America practices at three international law firms and has accumulated numerous individual accolades and Deals of the Year throughout his career. He is recognised as one of the leading project finance and Latin America practitioners by various industry rankings, the law firm said.

“Dino brings decades of experience and has advised on complex transactions in more than 15 countries throughout the Americas. His addition strengthens our international and domestic project finance, energy and infrastructure capabilities significantly,” said John Cusack, global co-chair of DLA Piper’s finance practice. “He is a well-known and highly respected practitioner in the US, Mexico and throughout Latin America, and as we continue to expand our practice in the region, his experience serving clients in this important market will be an asset to our team.”

“I’m looking forward to collaborating with Dino to continue to build our capabilities in the region and to broaden the scope and experience we can bring to our clients as they plan their own expansion and navigate the unique complexities of today’s market,” said Francisco Cerezo, co-chair of the firm’s Latin American Corporate and Finance practice.

“Latin America has been an important strategic focus for the firm for some years, and I look forward to working with Dino and Francisco on deepening our ties there and further strengthening our platform for our clients and across our global platform,” Roger Meltzer, DLA Piper’s global and Americas co-chairman, and chair of the firm’s Latin America practice, said.

“Dino’s skillset and practice align closely with our priorities, as we continue to strategically grow our presence in Los Angeles to meet the needs of clients in California and across our global platform,” said Angela Agrusa, managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles offices. “He has led a number of high-profile transactions and is regularly recognised as a leader in the areas of energy and project finance, and we are thrilled that our clients will benefit from his insights and counsel.”

Barajas received his JD from Harvard Law School and his B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles.