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Rubén Kraiem is a corporate senior counsel who advises clients with business interests in Latin America, as well as companies based in Latin America who are engaged in cross-border acquisitions or financings. Mr. Kraiem has been involved in many significant life sciences, banking and insurance-related acquisitions and joint ventures in Latin America, as well as transactions in industries as diverse as telecommunications, media, real estate development, healthcare, and consumer products.
- Advised One Equity Partners in connection with the acquisition of a minority interest in Grupo Phoenix, a consumer goods packaging company with operations in Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico and the United States.
- Advised Grupo P.I. Mabe, the leading producer of hygienic products in Mexico, on its sale to Ontex Group NV, a publicly listed company based in Belgium.
- Advised Grupo Financiero Banorte, the Mexican financial group, and its affiliate Afore XXI Banorte in the $1.6 billion acquisition of Afore Bancomer from Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA), the Spanish bank, to create Mexico’s largest pension fund. This matter was awarded LatinFinance’s 2013 “Domestic M&A Deal of the Year.”
- Advised Grupo Sura, the Colombian financial group, and its affiliate AFP Integra S.A. in the $516 million acquisition of 50% of AFP Horizonte S.A., the Peruvian pension fund, from BBVA. This matter received two M&A Atlas Awards: “Cross Border Deal of the Year (Large Markets)” and “South America Deal of the Year (Large Markets).”
- Advised GlaxoSmithKline in connection with its acquisition of Laboratorios Phoenix S.A. in Argentina in 2010 and in the subsequent sale of the company to Laboratorio ELEA S.A.C.I.F. y A. in 2018.
- Advised Citigroup in various matters, including in the disposition of its 16% ownership stake in Grupo Aeroméxico SAB; in the sale of its controlling interest in AFP Confía, a pension management company in El Salvador, to Inversiones Atlántida, S.A.; with Grupo Financiero Banamex, in the sale of its merchant acquiring business to an affiliate of EVO Payments International; and the merger of its Chilean operations with Banco de Chile and the acquisition of Banco de Chile’s branches in the United States.
- Advised Tonon Bioenergia S.A. of Brazil in connection with financing obtained from an international bank syndicate.
- Advised Brysam Global Partners in the acquisition of a minority equity interest in BCSC, S.A., a consumer finance company in Colombia.
- Advised AIG-GE Capital Latin American Infrastructure Fund in connection with several investments in (and eventual exit from) companies in Mexico including Axtel S.A. and Cablemás S.A.
Memberships and Affiliations
- Fordham Law School, Adjunct Professor (Climate Change Law & Policy 2006-2009)
- New York University Law School, Distinguished Scholar in Residence (2002-2003)
- Columbia University Business School, Adjunct Professor (1992-1994)
- Harvard College, Teaching Fellow (1980-1981)
- Natural Resources Defense Council, Honorary Trustee
- Resources for the Future, Council Member
February 7, 2019
NEW YORK—Latinvex has named Covington partners Nicole Duclos, Rubén Kraiem, Miguel López Forastier, and Gabriel Mesa among “Latin America’s Top 100 Lawyers” in 2019. Ms. Duclos represents clients in international commercial and investment arbitration, as well as transnational litigation. Clients interviewed by Latinvex praised Ms. Duclos’ extensive arbitration ...
November 8, 2018
NEW YORK—The Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice has presented Covington with the “Good Governance Program” award at its third annual Celebration of International Pro Bono Excellence. The Vance Center recognized Covington for its work on behalf of ACOS Alliance, a coalition of news organizations, freelance journalist associations, and NGOs working ...
Fall 2018, Deal Points
Article contributor
2005-present
Mr. Kraiem frequently contributes articles to Examen, Latin Finance, LatinLaw, The Miami Herald, The Houston Chronicle, the Asian Wall Street Journal, Crítica, and (with Stuart Eizenstat) in Foreign Policy.
December 21, 2016
NEW YORK—Covington was honored at the Americas M&A Atlas Awards ceremony held in New York on December 6. The firm was recognized for Cross Border Deal of the Year in connection with its representation of Grupo P.I. Mabe S.A., a Mexican manufacturer of disposable hygienic products, in its sale to Ontex, Ltd., a publicly traded international producer of personal ...
December 7, 2016, Covington Alert
In October 2014, the Nagoya Protocol entered into force. It created a new international regulatory system affecting all life science companies that conduct R&D on biological material such as animals, seeds, flowers, viruses, fragrances, flavonoids, essential oils, enzymes, yeasts, and so on. So far, compliance by companies is progressing slowly due to ...
December 9, 2015
NEW YORK, December 9, 2015 - Covington advised Grupo P.I. Mabe, the leading producer of hygienic products in Mexico, on its sale to Ontex Group NV, a publicly listed company based in Belgium. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016. The transaction will require regulatory approvals in Mexico, the US and certain other countries, and has ...
February 4, 2014
NEW YORK, February 4, 2014 — Covington & Burling was recognized by LatinFinance in connection with its 2013 “Domestic M&A Deal of the Year” award, which was given for the $1.73 billion acquisition by Grupo Financiero Banorte and its affiliate Afore XXI Banorte of Afore Bancomer from Spain’s Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria A Covington team led by Rubén Kraiem and ...
1/24/2014
WASHINGTON, DC, January 24, 2014 —Covington & Burling is pleased to announce that Gabriel Mesa has been named to Latinvex’s list of “Latin America’s Top 100 Lawyers.” Mr. Mesa counsels corporations in joint ventures and private mergers and acquisitions in Latin America and other emerging markets, as well as in the United States. Over the past year, he has ...
January 8, 2014, Council of the Americas
Covington Lawyers Recognized by New York Super Lawyers
9/18/2013
NEW YORK, September 18, 2013 — New York Super Lawyers selected 36 Covington & Burling lawyers for its 2013 list of top legal talent. Super Lawyers selects no more than five percent of the total lawyers in the state based on peer review and the publication’s independent research. Twenty-three Covington lawyers were named New York Super Lawyers: • Martin ...
September 9, 2013
NEW YORK, September 9, 2013 — Covington & Burling is expanding its international commercial arbitration capabilities and reach into Latin America with the addition of Nicole Duclos. Ms. Duclos joins the firm’s New York City office as of counsel along with associates Erin Thomas and Thomas Odell. The team’s arrival enhances the firm’s international arbitration ...
June 13, 2013, Covington E-Alert
Covington Advises Grupo Sura in $516 Million Acquisition
4/23/2013
NEW YORK, April 23, 2013 — Covington & Burling advised Sura Asset Management S.A. and AFP Integra S.A., affiliates of the Latin American financial group Grupo de Inversiones Suramericana, in a joint acquisition with Profuturo AFP S.A., an affiliate of The Bank of Nova Scotia, of 100 percent of the shares of AFP Horizonte, S.A., the Peruvian pension fund manager, ...
November 28, 2012
NEW YORK, November 28, 2012— Covington & Burling is advising Grupo Financiero Banorte S.A.B. de C.V., and its affiliate Afore XXI Banorte, S.A. de C.V., in a $1.6-billion acquisition of Afore Bancomer, S.A. de C.V. from the Spanish bank, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A., which would create Mexico’s largest pension fund. Afore Bancomer is Mexico’s second ...
October 23, 2012, Inside EU Life Sciences
Originally published as Covington E-Alert on October 23, 2012 On October 17, 2012, the European Commission presented a proposal that would limit the consumption of food crop biofuels and bioliquids in Europe.1 The proposal is intended to respond to allegations that food crop biofuels and bioliquids result in higher world food prices and indirect land...… ...
Covington Lawyers Recognized by NY Super Lawyers
September 24, 2012
NEW YORK, September 24, 2012 — New York Super Lawyers selected 27 Covington & Burling lawyers for its 2012 list of top legal talent. Super Lawyers selects only five percent of the total lawyers in the state based upon peer review and the publication’s independent research. Nineteen Covington lawyers were named New York Super Lawyers: Jack Bodner, Mergers & ...
Covington Adds Leading Latin America Attorney
June 13, 2012
NEW YORK, June 13, 2012 — Covington & Burling is strengthening its transactional capabilities in Latin America with the addition of Gabriel Mesa, a senior corporate lawyer with in-depth experience in the region. Mr. Mesa joins the firm’s New York office as of counsel in the firm’s corporate practice where he is expected to advise corporations in joint ventures ...
Covington Advises UCB in Brazil Acquisition
June 4, 2012
NEW YORK, June 4, 2012 — Covington advised UCB S.A. in the acquisition of a majority interest in Meizler Biopharma, S.A., a Brazilian pharmaceutical company that commercializes a portfolio of in-licensed specialty products. The transaction agreements foresee performance related milestone payments in the coming years as well as an option to purchase the ...
November 8, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, November 8, 2011 — Dr. Arturo Valenzuela, a former senior State Department official who held key positions in formulating and executing U.S. foreign policy towards the Americas, is joining Covington & Burling, strengthening the firm’s ability to assist Latin American and U.S.-based corporations expand their global presence. Dr. Valenzuela joins ...
June 10, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, June 10, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP received 123 individual mentions and 45 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2011. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
December 27, 2010, Covington E-Alert
June 16, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, June 16, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 112 individual mentions and 44 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2010. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
June 14, 2010
NEW YORK, June 14, 2010 — GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) plc has announced its acquisition of Laboratorios Phoenix S.A.C.yF., a leading Argentine pharmaceuticals business, for approximately $253 million. Covington & Burling LLP advised GSK on the deal. By acquiring Phoenix, GSK gains access to a broad portfolio of branded generic pharmaceutical products, as well as a ...
4/15/2009
WASHINGTON, DC, April 15, 2009 — Covington & Burling LLP has announced the formation of a Clean Energy and Climate industry group designed to enhance the firm’s ability to help clients navigate the business challenges and opportunities presented by rapidly transforming energy and transportation infrastructures and by developments in climate change policy, both ...
2008, International Business Transactions with Brazil
Covington Advises KKR and Texas Pacific on TXU Corp. LBO
February 26, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC, February 26, 2007 — Private equity firms Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) and Texas Pacific Group (TPG) announced today that they have agreed to acquire Texas power company TXU Corp. for $45 billion. Covington & Burling LLP advised KKR and TPG on environmental, regulatory, and other governmental and public policy aspects of the transaction, ...
Covington Represents Olmeca Investments and Nautilus Gibraltar in Sale of Stock of Cablemás
9/26/2006
NEW YORK, NY, September 26, 2006 — Covington & Burling LLP represented financial investors Olmeca Investments B.V. and Nautilus Gibraltar, SPRL in connection with their agreement to sell their stake in Cablemás, S.A. de C.V., the second largest cable television operator in México, to the founding family of Cablemás. The transaction is expected to close by ...
April 2006, Capital Aberto
2004, 42 Columbia Journal of Transnational Law 715
Limits and Beyond: a report on the global environment
1993, Nathan Cummings Foundation in New York
- Latinvex, “Latin America’s Top 100 Lawyers: Corporate/M&A” (2019)
- Legal 500, "US/Mexico Private Practice Powerlist" (2017, 2019)
- Chambers USA - America's Leading Business Lawyers, Latin American Investment (2013-2018)
- Chambers USA - America's Leading Business Lawyers, Climate Change (2013)
- Chambers Global, Corporate M&A (Latin America) (2014-2019)
- Chambers Latin America, Corporate/M&A (2017-2019)
- Global M&A Network, Top 50: Americas M&A Star Dealmakers (2013)
- Legal 500, Latin American Investment (2014)
- Legal 500 Latin America, Corporate and M&A (2012-2015)
- New York Super Lawyers, International, Business/Corporate, and Energy & Natural Resources (2012-2018)