Bio

Carlos Mendez-Penate is co-chair of the firm’s Latin America and the Caribbean Practice Group. With 40 years of experience in the region, he provides clients with the sophisticated guidance needed to complete complex cross-border transactions. Carlos focuses his practice on M&A, capital markets, syndicated and secured lending, project finance, debt restructuring, and real estate transactions. He regularly represents financial institutions and corporations based in Latin America and the Caribbean, steering them through transactions in the United States. Carlos’ clients also include U.S. - and European-based multinational banks, private equity firms, insurance companies, and investment banks seeking opportunities in the region. Born in Havana, Carlos uses his extensive in-country knowledge to help American companies open new markets in Cuba while complying with U.S. regulations. Carlos is frequently sought out by the media for his insights into the legal aspects of doing business in the region. He has appeared in interviews on Bloomberg TV and CNN and has been quoted in The American Lawyer and Forbes, among other publications. The New York Law Journal named him in its 2019 Distinguished Leaders listing, which highlights “lawyers who had great performances while demonstrating clear leadership skills leading to positive outcomes.”