The international law firm Chadbourne & Parke LLP today announced that it has expanded its Mexico City office with the hiring of a prominent energy lawyer and an employment attorney.
Jose Antonio Prado Carranza, has joined the firm as international partner, bolstering Chadbourne’s M&A and Finance capabilities in the region. At the same time, Leslie Maribel Palma Rojano joined the Mexico City office as international counsel in the labor and employment practice.
Mr. Prado comes to Chadbourne with substantial experience in the Mexican energy industry. Prior to joining the firm he served as general counsel for Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE), Mexico’s state-owned electric facility. Before that, he worked at Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), Mexico’s state-owned petroleum company, where he served as chief legal officer for control and compliance (2010), as well as general counsel for contracts and corporate affairs (2002-2006).
Mr. Prado’s other senior advisory positions in Mexico’s energy sector include serving as general counsel to the hydrocarbons section of the Mexican Ministry of Energy, as well as general counsel to the Mexico and Latin America operations of Koch Industries, Inc — the biggest private sector industrial conglomerate in the petrochemical sector.
Prior to joining the Firm, Ms. Palma worked as a senior associate at the Mexico City office of Basham, Ringe y Correa, S.C. She also worked at Thompson & Knight Abogados, S.C. and Thacher Proffitt & Wood S.C. Additionally, she was an attorney at Servicios Administrativos Walmart S. de R.L. de C.V., the company’s Mexico unit.
At the law firms, Ms. Palma advised on individual corporate employment issues, provided advice on general corporate and administrative matters, individual bargaining and conciliation of labor issues within companies, employment litigation, audits and due diligence to domestic and foreign clients in labor matters and administrative disputes before the Ministry of Labor Law and the Federal Court of Fiscal and Administrative Justice.
While at Walmart, she was a specialist in labor and employment law, coordinated individual or collective procedures and provided legal advice to all Walmart Mexico affiliates, and coordinated the work of external law firms.
“Latin America continues to be a key growth region in Chadbourne’s emerging markets strategy,” said Chadbourne’s worldwide Managing Partner Andrew Giaccia. “Jose joins one of the world’s leading global energy practices. His unique background and extensive experience in Mexico’s power, oil and gas industries make him the perfect addition to our highly respected energy team. Additionally, Leslie brings the ability to more comprehensively assist our clients with quality advice in the important area of Mexican employment law.”
“We are delighted that Jose and Leslie have chosen to join Chadbourne,” said Allen Miller, co-head of Chadbourne’s Latin America practice. “We are busier than ever in Mexico and in the Latin America practice generally and the addition of Jose and Leslie, coming on the heels of our hiring Margarita Oliva Sainz de Aja in New York and Silvia Fazio in São Paulo, expands our capabilities to service clients in our core areas in the region.”
Boris Otto, Managing Partner of Chadbourne’s Mexico City office added, “I want to welcome both Jose and Leslie to the office and to Chadbourne. They each have a profound understanding of their practice areas and of law and business. Their additions create the opportunity for the firm to become an even bigger player in Mexico. We are excited about our prospects for 2013 and beyond.”
With offices in Mexico and Brazil and a dedicated Latin America practice based in offices in the US and London, Chadbourne is among the premier international law firms serving the Latin America region. Chadbourne is the only international law firm ranked by 2013 Chambers Latin America in all six ranking categories for international law firms. The ranking categories are: Banking and Finance, Capital Markets, Corporate/M&A, Insurance, International Arbitration, and Projects. Chadbourne was also ranked across multiple disciplines in the inaugural issue of Legal 500 Latin America 2012.
Mr. Prado earned his J.D., honors, from the Universidad Panamericana, Mexico City and his LL.M., from Tulane Law School, New Orleans. He completed a High Management Enterprises Program at the Instituto Panamericano de Alta Dirección de Empresa, Mexico City in 2004.
Ms. Palma received her law degree from Universidad Iberoamericana S.C. She has been recognized by Chambers and Partners Latin America in 2010, 2011 and 2012 in the Labor and Employment Mexico category.
