Herbert Smith Freehills has hired its first Latin American project finance partner for its New York Office.
Edward J. Dougherty is relocating to New York from São Paolo, Brazil, to join the firm as a Partner focusing on project finance, trade finance and syndicated lending in the infrastructure, mining, power, oil & gas and financial sectors across Latin America. HSF opened its New York office in 2012.
Dougherty, who is admitted to the Bar in the State of New York, was previously in the project finance group of Allen & Overy LLP, spending the past three years at the UK Magic Circle firm’s São Paulo office. Prior to A&O, the new partner gained experience in the legal departments of the Brazilian mining company Vale S.A. and the US private sector development agency OPIC, and was at the Brazilian law firm Veirano Advogados.
Dougherty, who speaks fluent Spanish as well as Portuguese, has advised clients in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, Panama, Dominican Republic, Chile and the United States.
HSF says it plans to further grow the New York hub through lateral hires as there are more opportunities to serve existing global clients, existing LatAm based clients and prospective clients investing in and from the region.
Herbert Smith Freehills’ Latin America Group comprises of expert lawyers in New York, Madrid, London, the Australasian offices and other offices across the firm’s network.
In New York, Dougherty’s finance practice is a strategic complement to the projects practice of Juan-Jose Zentner, who joined the office earlier this year. Zentner was previously based in Herbert Smith Freehills’ office in Melbourne, Australia.
Led by international arbitration partner Christian Leathley, the LatAm hub in New York includes other US-, English- and Australian-qualified lawyers, native and fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, with specialist projects and infrastructure and international arbitration experience, many of whom began their careers in Latin America. The practice offers expertise in mining, power, oil & gas and general infrastructure and represents a large number of global firm clients.
“Eager to expand my practice in the competitive marketplace for Latin American legal services, Herbert Smith Freehills’ offering was instantly compelling. The firm is deeply experienced in key industries such as oil and gas and mining, with institutional links to the Japanese trading houses, large Korean conglomerates and Canadian and Australian pension funds that are major players in the project finance space,” says Dougherty.
“And the New York office is fully integrated with the global offering, key for knowledge sharing and cross-selling in a diverse marketplace of multiple jurisdictions. I could not be me more excited to join Herbert Smith Freehills in New York.”
Mr. Leathley, co-head of the firm’s Latin American group, says: “We are building the New York hub of our Latin American practice to better serve clients with interests in the region and seize upon clear opportunity in energy, infrastructure and mining and other industries in which the firm is strong. With a New York-based project finance capability, our very credible and high-quality offering meets the most critical legal needs of clients doing business in Latin America with a multi-lingual team that has deep roots in the region. The development of this capability is key to the firm and we will continue to add strength to our local team. Ed Dougherty is an impressive attorney. He has a breadth of experience and practice building record together with drive, energy and a real love of challenge. We are pleased to welcome him to Herbert Smith Freehills.”
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