Alex Almaguer
Partner, Head of Latin America
London
From Mexico to Argentina, Latin America is a region of transformation and constant progress. Home to approximately 670 million people, the region offers significant opportunities driven by abundant natural resources, economic reform, a growing skilled workforce and continued technological innovation. At the same time, diverse legal systems, political change and evolving regulatory frameworks create a complex operating environment.
With extensive experience across key jurisdictions including Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Chile and Argentina, our team has acted on many high-profile matters of regional significance, providing clients with transactional and regulatory advice.
Over many years, we have built strong relationships with leading firms across Latin America that we know and trust. We are flexible in our approach which allows us to work with our established regional network or our clients' preferred local counsel, ensuring the right team is assembled for each matter to deliver value and minimise spend.
We have particular expertise in supporting insurers with complex (re)insurance matters across the region. Our expertise spans multiple business lines, including energy, property, construction, casualty, mining, marine and transport, trade credit, political risk and violence, specie, fine art, cyber, financial institutions and D&O.
Arbitration is frequently the venue of choice for the resolution of disputes in Latin America in respect of insurance-related issues, but also in other industry sectors such as energy, renewable energy, telecommunications, mining, construction and infrastructure, among others. We have worldwide arbitration expertise in proceedings involving the ICC, AAA, ICDR, LCIA, SIAC, ICSID, CAM-CCBC, UNCITRAL, LMAA and CIArb.
Our corporate team has advised on corporate transactions in Latin America. We have advised mining, retail and technology companies in connection with acquisitions, equity capital raisings, listings in London and debt transactions in connection with assets and businesses located in Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina and a number of other Spanish speaking jurisdictions.
Insurance Partner Alex Almaguer and Corporate Partner James Channo are fluent Spanish speakers.
Key contacts
Work highlights
Global mining reinsurance
Advising 22 reinsurers based in London, Latin America, Middle East, Europe and US. The loss relates to a US $1bn property and business interruption loss following the collapse of a conveyor belt which caused damage to other parts of one of the largest copper mines in Latin America.Political violence coverage
Advising eight reinsurers based in London, Bermuda and the US on a political violence coverage. The loss relates to a US $50 million property and business interruption loss following damage caused by local communities to one of the largest mines in Peru. Similar incidents have occurred elsewhere in the region and so this loss has attracted the interest of the international (re)insurance market.Renewable energy claim
Advising reinsurers on a renewable energy claim arising from a US $11m property damage loss caused by a natural event that damaged wind turbines across multiple wind farms in Bolivia.Specie insurance claim
Advising reinsurers on a specie insurance claim arising from a US $9m loss following the theft of high-value watches and jewellery in Ecuador, involving related criminal proceedings and parallel litigation in a common law jurisdiction.Mining reinsurance
Advising 15 reinsurers based in London, Europe, Asia and Bermuda on a US $75m property damage and business interruption loss arising from a natural event at one of Chile’s largest underground copper mines.General liability claim
Advising reinsurers on a general liability insurance claim. The matter relates to a US $2m loss arising from the administration of a defective product in Peru, involving multiple third-party claims.ICC arbitration
Advised on an ICC arbitration involving the licensing of intellectual property in Brazil.Political risk arbitration
Advised on a political risk BIT/ICSID arbitration arising out of the expropriation of assets in Venezuela.Coverage arbitration
Advised on a coverage arbitration in St Kitts in relation to a power plant fire.Client comments
Leading firm: Insurance – International Counsel.
RPC possesses a well-regarded insurance practice and enjoys a remarkable presence in key Latin American jurisdictions. The practice group caters to a roster of clients spanning an array of sectors, such as power and mining. RPC also boasts expertise in insurance litigation proceedings.
I have full confidence in RPC's legal team as they keep me informed of case developments, local law and settlement prospects. Their responses are prompt and provide clear, reliable guidance.
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