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Greg Barnett

Three years ago, Greg Barnett did what few U.S. lawyers normally do. He moved to Brazil, all to better understand the challenges that foreigners face while doing business abroad. Advising U.S. clients on deals in Latin America from an office in Miami works for some lawyers. For Barnett, however, it didn’t – at least, not at that time. “I thought, how could I honestly help clients doing business in Latin America if I have only practiced law in the United States,” he said.

After nearly three years advising multinationals on complex business transactions at Miami’s Greenberg Traurig, Barnett set out for Latin America. Landing in the region’s largest economic hub, São Paulo, Brazil, Barnett quickly learned Portuguese and joined Brazilian law firm Angélico Advogados. While managing the firm’s international legal services team, Barnett represented clients from North, Central, and South America, as well as Africa and Europe. Today, Barnett is part of a small group of U.S. trained lawyers with legal and business experience both in the United States and Latin America.

Now, Barnett is back in Miami, this time opening his own law firm – LatAm Legal Services. The firm will focus on what Barnett knows best – helping US clients who are investing and doing business in Latin America. “Latin America is an attractive market with immense opportunity, yet it also presents enormous challenges,” says Barnett. “Clients need a trusted adviser to help them overcome these challenges – someone with practical experience.”

LatAm Legal Services will also help Latin American clients who are doing business in the United States, according to a press release. Entrepreneurs from Latin America are increasingly interested in the United States as a stable investment alternative. However, it can be difficult to find a law firm that understands the needs of Latin American clients. “It’s more than just knowing the law or speaking the language,” says Barnett. “It’s about understanding the client’s culture and helping them operate in a new environment.”

U.S. law firms handling international business transactions is nothing new, but few focus their practice entirely on Latin America. LatAm Legal Services is different; it is all about Latin America. The firm provides legal and business solutions based on experience acquired while living, studying, and working abroad.