HOLLAND & KNIGHT WELCOMES NEW PARTNER TO CROSS BORDER TRANSACTIONS AND LATIN AMERICA PRACTICE GROUP IN NEW YORK - Top Stories news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
Top Stories

HOLLAND & KNIGHT WELCOMES NEW PARTNER TO CROSS BORDER TRANSACTIONS AND LATIN AMERICA PRACTICE GROUP IN NEW YORK

Published by Gbaf News

Posted on March 14, 2014

2 min read

· Last updated: November 21, 2018

Add as preferred source on Google

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

Xavier Ruiz Joins Holland & Knight

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.

Ruiz Xavier

Ruiz Xavier

Expertise in Cross-Border Transactions

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.

Firm Leadership Welcomes New Partner

“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.”

Xavier Ruiz’s Educational Background

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.

Overview of Holland & Knight's Latin America Group

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.

Key Takeaways

  • Xavier Ruiz joins Holland & Knight’s New York office as partner focusing on cross‑border transactions and Latin America practice.
  • He brings deep experience in cross‑border M&A, joint ventures, finance and privatizations, having led Spanish/Latin American practices at prior firms.
  • Ruiz’s background includes serving as chairman of the Spain‑U.S. Chamber of Commerce and fluency in Spanish, Catalan and English.
  • The firm’s strong Latin America footprint—with offices in Bogotá, Mexico City, Monterrey and more than 200 Latin America–focused attorneys—made it an attractive platform for expansion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What expertise does Xavier Ruiz bring to Holland & Knight?
Extensive experience in cross‑border M&A, joint ventures, finance transactions and privatizations, with leadership of Spanish/Latin American practices at prior firms.
Why did Holland & Knight find Ruiz’s addition significant?
He strengthens the firm’s international reach, especially in Latin America and with Spanish clients, complementing its existing offices in Bogotá and Mexico City.
What languages does Xavier Ruiz speak?
He is fluent in Spanish, Catalan and English.
What is Holland & Knight’s Latin America presence?
The firm has over 200 attorneys in its Latin America practice, with offices in Bogotá, Mexico City and Monterrey, and strong cross‑border capabilities.

Tags

Related Articles

More from Top Stories

Explore more articles in the Top Stories category