Brings extensive experience in international M&A, joint ventures and privatizations and a focus on Latin America and Spain

Xavier Ruiz has joined Holland & Knight’s New York office as a partner in its international cross-border transactions and Latin America practice groups. Mr. Ruiz brings a background in sophisticated cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, finance transactions and privatizations. In his previous law firm work, he led the Spanish/Latin American practice for two international firms.

Mr. Ruiz has counseled companies on cross-border matters throughout Latin America, Asia and Europe.  In particular, he has a roster of significant clients in Spain. For five years, Mr. Ruiz has served as chairman of the Spain-U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The industries in which he has experience include auto, insurance, energy, construction, engineering, telecommunications, banking and finance.

“We are excited about the international reach that Xavier offers our firm,” said George Mencio, co-leader of the firm’s International and Cross Border practice. “He enables us to continue our expansion in Latin America and also strengthens our relationships with many Spanish companies doing business in the U.S. and Latin America.

“I am looking forward to working with the numerous lawyers at Holland & Knight who work in Spain and Latin America and who are able to do deals and prosecute disputes in Spanish,” said Mr. Ruiz.  “The firm’s commitment to Latin America and the resources in Bogota and Mexico City were attractive to me and will serve to help my clients do business in the region.”

Mr. Ruiz received a law degree from the University of Barcelona in 1982, an M.C.L. cum laude from Vrije Universiteit Brussel in 1986 and an LL.M. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1987 where he studied as a Fulbright scholar. He is fluent in Spanish, Catalan and English. He most recently was a partner at K&L Gates.

Formed in 1981, Holland & Knight’s Latin America practice group includes more than 80 attorneys with in-depth experience in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity and financing transactions, and business disputes in and involving Latin America in commercial centers throughout the world.