Francisco heads the firm’s Latin America Business Team and is former Co-Practice Leader of Reed Smith's International Arbitration Group. He advises clients around the world on complex commercial, commodities, construction, energy, joint venture, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, partnership, and renewables matters (including biomass, solar, battery storage, and wind) advocating in both English and Spanish. Francisco’s most recent representations involve large-scale disputes in: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, England, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Spain, Switzerland, the United States and Venezuela.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Representation of equipment supplier against contractor in an international arbitration seated in Mexico City arising from the supply, installation, and commissioning of equipment in multiple offshore platforms. Obtained a favorable award in full Spanish language proceeding in excess of USD 60 million.
Representation of a multinational contractor in a successful billion dollar ICC construction arbitration, in Spanish, adverse to a state petroleum company arising from the revamping, modernization, and expansion of an oil refinery and pipelines.
Representation of multinational energy company in an ICC arbitration related to a flagship gas station in Mexico. Secured multimillion dollar award including fees.
Representation of equipment supplier against contractor in an international arbitration seated in Mexico City arising from the supply, installation, and commissioning of equipment in multiple offshore platforms. Obtained a favorable award in full Spanish language proceeding in excess of USD 60 million.
Representation of a multinational contractor in a successful billion dollar ICC construction arbitration, in Spanish, adverse to a state petroleum company arising from the revamping, modernization, and expansion of an oil refinery and pipelines.
Representation of multinational energy company in an ICC arbitration related to a flagship gas station in Mexico. Secured multimillion dollar award including fees.
Representation of joint venture partner in a dispute involving AAA arbitration, state court proceedings, and ICC claims involving misrepresentations inducing investment in the creation and development of a specialized manufacturing facility.
Representation of renewables company against hedge fund in dispute arising from the construction of a wind farm in Latin America. Successful outcome for ICC proceeding seated in New York, pursuant to New York law.
Representation of international oil field services provider in all Spanish language arbitration regarding the provision of millions of dollars in disputed services.
Representation of joint venture partner in an ICC arbitration related to the awarding of a public concession. The proceedings were seated in New York and applied both Delaware and New York law.
Representation of equipment manufacturer against a Latin American Consortium related to the provision of engineering, procurement, construction, assembly, counting, commissioning, testing, start-up, operation and maintenance services for certain power plants in various pumping stations located throughout Colombia.
Representation of multinational company in a mining arbitration before the Lima Chamber of Commerce involving an electrical and process control system programming dispute.
Representation of European technology company against a state owned electricity commission in multimillion dollar international arbitration arising from the construction of a power facility.
Representation of equipment and services provider at AAA arbitration arising out of a project for the design and construction of a new combined cycle natural-gas-fueled power plant.
Representation of renewables equipment and services supplier in a Spanish language international arbitration in Lima, Peru adverse to a logistics and supply company regarding its deficient and defective provision of services resulting in liquidated damages and multiple contractual breaches.
Representation of multinational company against international contractors in an ICC arbitration seated in London related to the construction of a power generation facility in Latina America.
Representation of international equipment and technology provider in and ICC proceeding arising out of the development of a combined-cycle generation facility in Argentina.
Representation of renewable energy company involving construction disputes in Dominican Republic windfarm project involving a PPA.
Representation of international machinery manufacturer at arbitration regarding the generation of electricity.
Representation of a large international oil field services provider in an ad hoc international arbitration related to agency services in Azerbaijan.
Representation of an oil and gas exploration company in an LCIA arbitration arising from the breach of a drilling contract and the recovery of spread costs.
Representation of a multinational corporation in an ICC arbitration relating to a retail sales dispute arising out of an international joint venture dispute in Latin America.
Representation of a U.S. production company regarding ongoing LNG plant gas allocation dispute in East Africa.
Representation of an international corporation in the enforcement of a multimillion dollar arbitral award under the Inter-American Convention on International Commercial Arbitration ("Panama Convention").
Representation of a multinational commodities trading and logistics company in an ICDR arbitration regarding contaminated bunker fuel oil.
Representation of former airline in a breach of contract case securing a multimillion dollar judgment.
Recognitions
- Included in the Jus Connect 2023 Powerlist of Most Active Male Arbitration Lawyers
- Ranked in Chambers USA for Texas Construction, 2023-2025 and Nationwide Construction: International Disputes, 2024-2025
- “Highly recommended” in 2023-2024 edition of the Latin Lawyer 250 – Arbitration
Credentials
Education
Education
- Columbia Law School, 2003, J.D., Managing Editor, Columbia Human Rights Law Review; Spanish JLM; President Latino Law Student Association
- Rice University, 2000, B.A., cum laude
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- New York
- Texas
Professional affiliations
Professional affiliations
- Institute of Transnational Arbitration (ITA), Americas Initiative
- Society of Construction Law North America
- International Law Section (ILS) of the State Bar of Texas
- International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution, CPR Arbitration Committee
- Leadership Houston Class XXX
- State Bar of Texas (Litigation Section)
- Houston Bar Association (Litigation and International Law Sections)
- Houston International Arbitration Club (HIAC)
- Human Rights Initiative of North Texas
News
1 / 19
Insights
Events
1 / 4