July 2, 2015 – DLA Piper announced today that Francisco J. Cerezo and John L. Murphy have joined the firm’s Miami office as partners in the Corporate and Finance practices, respectively. In addition, Cerezo will serve as DLA Piper’s US Head of Latin America Corporate.
“The addition of Francisco and John underscores DLA Piper’s commitment to growing its presence in the region and building a strong domestic and Latin America transactional practice commensurate with the firm’s global footprint,” said Joe Alexander, DLA Piper’s Southeast US managing partner and chair of the firm’s Southeast US Corporate and Private Equity practice. “Their impressive skill sets and legal acumen will complement the existing capabilities of the Miami office and the sophisticated services our lawyers provide to clients around the world. We very much look forward to continuing to grow our Latin America practice generally and the Miami office specifically.”
Cerezo focuses his practice primarily on international matters, particularly Latin America related cross-border transactions ranging from M&A, joint ventures, and private public partnerships to securities, finance and strategic corporate counseling. He advises US and foreign companies, family groups and sovereigns doing business in the Americas and the Caribbean.
Murphy focuses on international financings, capital markets transactions, M&A, workouts and restructurings, franchising, and general corporate matters. He represents leading foreign and domestic businesses and financial institutions in the US, Latin America and the Caribbean in complex international finance and commercial transactions.
Cerezo and Murphy join DLA Piper from Foley & Lardner, where Cerezo chaired the Latin America practice and co-chaired the International practice.
“Francisco and John have strong track records and have deep knowledge of the Miami, New York and Latin American legal markets,” said Joshua Kaye, managing partner of DLA Piper’s Miami office. “As companies and family offices continue to expand their operations in South Florida, Latin America and globally, Francisco and John will be great assets to clients seeking business counsel as they enter new and emerging markets.”
The arrival of Cerezo and Murphy continues DLA Piper’s strategy of delivering services to clients around the world and in the Americas. In June, DLA Piper established a cooperation agreement with Martinez Neira Abogados, one of Colombia’s leading law firms, to create DLA Piper Martinez Neira. Earlier this year, DLA Piper completed a combination with Gallastegui y Lozano, S.C. in Mexico, which followed the firm’s established presence in Venezuela with DLA Interjuris Abogados, and its cooperation agreement with Campos Mello Advogados and foreign consultancy in Brazil.
Cerezo added: “Over the past few years, DLA Piper has made several strategic expansion moves in Latin America and continued to develop its extensive global footprint and service offerings. With many of our clients largely based in the region or doing business globally, we are excited to join a global, full-service firm with the reach and resources of DLA Piper.”
Cerezo received his J.D. from Columbia Law School, his LL.M. from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, and his B.A. from Washington University.
Murphy received his J.D., M.B.A., and B.S.F.S. from Georgetown University.
