Wilson Elser has a thriving Latin American practice.  Led by Co-Chairmen Ricardo J. Cata of our Miami office and E. Stratton Horres Jr.  of our Dallas office, members of our Latin American practice group, who reside in 10 Wilson Elser offices nationwide, have been actively representing clients in Mexico and the Latin American region for more than 10 years.  We are thoroughly familiar with the legal framework and unique issues that arise in the region.  We have ties in many Latin American countries and a deep understanding of the local legal and business practices in each of those countries.   
 
The strength of our Latin American practice is derived from our strategically located “gateway” offices in Houston, Dallas, Miami, Los Angeles and San Diego, which can provide a rapid response and effective service to the Latin American market.  Members of the group are well versed in resolving Latin American cases filed in the United States, including jurisdiction, choice of law, and forum non conveniens defenses, as well as the enforcement of international arbitration clauses.  Our Latin American practice group members, some of whom speak fluent Spanish and/or Portuguese, have substantial experience in the business, legal and regulatory environments of Latin American countries.  Our members are knowledgeable about U.S., Asian and European laws and regulations, as well as international and foreign investment law.  This in-depth knowledge enables our lawyers to readily advise Latin American clients in business transactions with counterparts throughout the world.
 
Wilson Elser regularly provides a wide range of services to Latin American clients in a variety of areas.  These include corporations, directors and officers, employers, factories (maquilladoras), manufacturers and suppliers, managers, multinational corporations, insurers, joint ventures, hotels and resorts (insured and direct representation), premises owners, real estate brokers, developers and owners, retailers and the transportation industry.  Wilson Elser’s Latin American practice has developed a strong client base in Mexico over the last decade.  In particular, we have handled many cases for all major Mexican insurance companies involving hotel and resort liability and product liability in Florida and other U.S. jurisdictions, as well as supervised subrogation claims in Mexico against a premises security company.  
 
Our Latin American practice provides a direct resource to an ever-expanding Latin American client base.  We enjoy an excellent reputation in Mexico and have developed close relationships with a network of law firms in the rest of Latin America that we value and trust.  To meet the needs of the emerging markets in Latin America, Wilson Elser has established an affiliation with the law firm of Rubio Villegas y Associados, S.C. in Mexico City.  Rubio Villegas y Associados was established in 1966 and is the fifth largest and fastest growing law firm in Mexico, with approximately 40 attorneys.