Baker McKenzie announced today that Steven Sandretto, a veteran corporate lawyer with extensive experience in Latin America, has joined as a partner in New York. Steven has more than 20 years of transactional and advisory experience on US and cross border transactions, particularly involving Brazil, Mexico and throughout Latin America. He is the latest addition to the firm's US-based Latin America team, following the recent arrivals of partners Arturo Carrillo, Michael Fitzgerald, Joy Gallup and Pedro Reyes in New York.
"The latest deal data shows robust transactional activity across Latin America, as businesses continue to see ripe opportunities in LatAm markets," said Baker McKenzie North America Transactional Practice Chair Alan Zoccolillo. "We expect this trend to continue and expanding our transactional team with lawyers of Steven's reputation and caliber enhances our ability to advise clients doing business in the region."
Steven advises clients on capital markets transactions, mergers and acquisitions, bank financings, liability management transactions, and general corporate and securities matters. He represents investment banks and issuers in both international and domestic debt and equity securities offerings, including both SEC registered and Rule 144A/Regulation S transactions. A former in-house lawyer with TelevisaUnivision, Steven also advises on public company reporting and SEC and NYSE compliance and corporate governance matters.
"Steven understands the challenges and pressure that clients face, having practiced both in-house and as outside counsel. Our clients will benefit from his insight and nuanced understanding of the legal landscape, and we are excited to have him join Baker McKenzie," said Baker McKenzie North America Chief Executive Officer Colin Murray.
Baker McKenzie continues to attract sought after practitioners as it further strengthens its global Transactional Practice. In addition to Arturo, Michael, Joy and Pedro joining the Firm, Steven's arrival follows the recent hires of Life Sciences Transactions counsel Mai Zymaris (New York); M&A partners Paolo Ghiglione (Milan), Fernando Torrente (Madrid), and Michael Doumet (Paris); Capital Markets lawyer Sheng Chen (Hong Kong); Derivatives counsel Matthew Smith (New York); and Banking & Finance partners Kevin Whittam (New York), Anthony Kay (London) and Holly Hart (Sydney).
"With more than 800 lawyers across seven jurisdictions in Latin America, Baker McKenzie has a great reputation of providing top-quality legal advice in some of the most significant transactions and legal matters in the region. I am excited to join and collaborate with the team." said Steven.
He added, "It is also somewhat of a homecoming since I practiced together with the firm's recently arrived Latin America focused team in New York for more than 15 years. I look forward to working with Arturo, Michael, Joy and Pedro once again."
A transactional powerhouse with more than 2,500 deal lawyers, Baker McKenzie leads and closes complex deals -- every day. To do so successfully requires deep sector and market expertise, agility and efficient approaches to capture business opportunities while minimizing risk. Located in financial centers and emerging markets, the seasoned transactional team provides seamless counsel through local excellence, deep sector knowledge, commercial acumen and refined transactional techniques to maximize deal certainty and deliver maximum value to clients.