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María Luisa Cánovas
           Founder

Languages Spoken: Spanish, English and working knowledge of Portuguese.
Bar Admissions: Spain (1991), Texas (1996), New York (2000)

Professional Experience

Canovas Law PLLC • New York, New York

Founder, M&A (June 1, 2022 - Present)

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 Jones Day • New York, New York

 Partner, M&A (July 2013 – June 1, 2022)

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Hogan Lovells • New York, New York

Partner, M&A (January 2007 – July 2013)

Associate, M&A (July 2004 – December 2006)

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Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. • New York, New York 

Associate – Business International Practice Group (September 1997 – July 2004) M&A practice with an emphasis on energy matters and project development transactions, particularly in Latin America

 

​Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue • Dallas, Texas

Associate – Business Practice Group (June 1995 - September 1997)

Corporate practice with an emphasis on M&A in the U.S.

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J. & B. Cremades y Asociados • Spain • France

Associate (1991 – 1994)

Corporate practice with an emphasis on M&A involving European companies, financial institutions and service firms

Representative Matters

  • Grupo Hame acquires Agrokasa (Peru) (Canovas Law PLLC, 2023). Shortlisted as M&A Deal of 2024 by Latin Lawyer and IFLR Americas.

  • Waterlogic/Culligan acquires controlling stake in Mas Pura (Central America, Chile, Peru, BVI) (Canovas Law PLLC, 2023).

BEFORE CANOVAS LAW PLLC

  • Sanofi sells twelve brands to Hypera Pharma in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico.

  • Solvay sells barium, strontium and sodium percarbonate businesses to Latour Capital in Germany, Spain and Mexico.

  • Portobello Capital portfolio company acquires BDS Natural Products in California.

  • Sanofi sells pack of OTC brands to Laboratorios Sanfer in Argentina, Mexico and Colombia.

  • Sanofi sells pharma manufacturing plants in Venezuela and Colombia.

  • Investcorp International acquires Agromillora Catalana in Spain and the U.S.

  • INVEX Infraestructura acquires Trafigura Mexico Holding B.V.

  • Citibank and BBVA-led syndicate of lenders provide financing to ENAP for expansion of offshore O&G facilities.

  • Livsmart acquires controlling interest in largest producer and distributor of natural juices in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Peru.

  • Betesh International forms joint venture with Devanlay and Lacoste to distribute and sell Lacoste products in Mexico and sixteen other Latin American countries.

  • Grupo Investa acquires RBS Mexico.

  • Tiendas Efe acquires La Curacao, the largest home retailer in Peru (Latin Lawyer Deal of the Year 2012).

  • Represented the acquisition by La Nación, the Argentine media company, of the leading Hispanic written news and information company in the U.S.  Deal of the Year Award 2012, Latin Lawyer (2012)

  • Represented DirecTV Latin America and Sky Brasil in their merger, in which DirecTV acquired the interests of News Corp and Liberty Media in Sky Brazil; represented Hicks Musse in its joint venture with News Corp and Liberty Media.

  • Represented Playa Hotels & Resorts in series of acquisitions of 17 all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Dominican Republic

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