People News & Moves

DLA Piper Continues Expansion in the Americas

Global law firm DLA Piper has opened an office in San Juan, Puerto Rico, expanding the firm’s growing presence and capabilities in the Americas. The office will be initially comprised of partners Nikos Buxeda, Miriam de Lourdes Figueroa, José Alberto Sosa-Lloréns and Manuel López-Zambrana, each of whom have deep roots in Puerto Rico and extensive experience on a wide range of public and private transactions. Buxeda will serve as the office’s managing partner.

“DLA Piper has a growing strategic presence in Latin America and the Caribbean, and we are now in a position to provide the highest level of service on the ground to clients in Puerto Rico, further complementing our platform and services in the region,” said Roger Meltzer, the firm’s global co-chairman and co-chairman of the Americas. “Puerto Rico is at a pivotal moment in its history, and we believe that with the help of these talented lawyers, we can play a role in helping the island overcome its current difficulties and become a vibrant economy again.”

The expansion into Puerto Rico builds on the firms strategy of delivering services to clients not just around the world, but more in the Americas. The firm recently established a cooperation agreement with Martinez Neira Abogados, a leading Colombian law firm, as well as combinations with Gallastegui y Lozano, S.C. in Mexico and Davis LLP in Canada. DLA Piper also has a presence in Brazil through a cooperation agreement with independent firm Campos Mello Advogados and a foreign consultancy.

“We’re excited to formalize our relationship with Nikos, Miriam, José and Manuel, all of whom have worked with DLA Piper in the past,” said Robert Gruendel, co-chair of the firm’s Latin American practice. “Puerto Rico is poised for significant investment in the years ahead, and the new office will work in close coordination with DLA Piper lawyers in the region and around the world.”

BGC Partners Welcomes Berry

Global Brokerage BGC (owner of GFI Group) has appointed Dean Berry to its Global Electronic and Hybrid Execution Team. Berry assumes the role of Managing Director, joining Phil Norton in leading all e-Commerce for the firm.

Berry was most recently the Chief Executive Officer for Global e-Commerce at ICAP. He brings to BGC Partners an impressive track record of leadership, market expertise and innovation, which will complement our top-tier e-Commerce offering, and most notably our hybrid brokerage model. Working alongside Norton, he will dedicate his expertise to all pre- and post-trade, market data, analytics and fully electronic markets across the Firm.

“Dean’s appointment demonstrates our ability to attract the most innovative and sought-after talent in the e-Commerce space.  We look forward to Dean continuing to advance our growing technology offering, of which FENICS is a shining example,” said Shaun D. Lynn.

Chang Appointed Global Head of Metals Products, CME Group

Young-Jin Chang has been named global head of metals products at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME Group). Reporting to Derek Sammann, senior managing director, Global Head of Commodities & Options Products, Chang will be responsible for the strategic development, management and profitability of the global product suite, including both precious and industrial metals. She will continue to be based in Chicago at the company headquarters.

“Young-Jin’s extensive market and customer knowledge will continue to be a tremendous asset as she continues to work with CME Group’s talented Metals team around the world to serve our global customer base,” said Sammann. “Her broad industry experience and track record of successful business building within CME Group will help us further position our Metals business for long-term growth.”

Prior to this appointment, Chang served as Executive Director, Industrial Metals Products with the company in which she was responsible for managing the industrial metals business globally, which includes aluminum, copper, zinc, lead, steel and iron ore. She has also served in various roles of increasing responsibility within the company’s Metals business line.

Before joining CME Group in 2011, Chang was a ferrous alloy trader at the David J. Joseph Company, where she focused on expanding international trading business. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Kalamazoo College and an international MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.