Maria Luisa Canovas has joined the New York Officeof global law firm Jones Day as a partner in the M&A Practice. She was formerly a partner in the New York office of Hogan Lovells.
“Maria Luisa is an important addition to our New York Office. Her arrival reflects our commitment to the growth of our Latin America Practice. She will work closely with the partners and clients of our Mexico City and São Paulo offices, as well as of our Madrid Office and our recently openedMiami Office,” said Wesley Johnson, Partner-in-Charge of Jones Day New York. “Her experience and recognition in the Latin American market makes her a great asset to the strong team we already have in place advising clients on transactions in the region.”
“Having a strong team in New York is as essential to a global Latin America Practice as having offices in Mexico City, Miami, Madrid, and São Paulo, and we have worked hard to have all,” said Luis Riesgo, leader of Jones Day’s Latin America Practice. “Our target is to become the leading global firm in the region, and adding Maria Luisa to our already powerful team is a great step toward achieving our goal.”
Ms. Canovas’ practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and energy transactions, and her clients include major multinational companies and individual investors, as well as private investment funds, venture capital groups, and their portfolio companies. She has extensive experience advising U.S. clients across a range of industries, including hospitality, media, real estate, and energy, on their investments in Latin America, a region where she is ranked among the Top 50 women lawyers (Latinvex 2013). Ms. Canovas also advises clients on a variety of financing alternatives and exit strategies as well as on corporate workouts and restructurings.
“M&A activity in the Latin American region is increasing as multinational companies continue to recognize the importance and opportunities for growth in the region,” said Bob Profusek, leader of Jones Day’s global M&A Practice. “Maria Luisa’s extensive experience advising clients on investments in this region make her a fantastic addition to our strong team of worldwide M&A lawyers.”
A graduate of the Universidad Pontificia de Comillas, Madrid (Law Degree & B.A., Erasmus Scholar), Tufts University (M.A.), The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy (M.A., Fulbright Scholar), and Southern Methodist University (L.L.M.). Ms. Canovas is admitted to the bar in New York, Texas, and Madrid.
