Flavio Dario Espinal, who has just completed his tenure as ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the United States, and who had also served as permanent representative of his country to the Organization of American States (OAS), has joined global law firm Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.
“Flavio has been active in international business circles for more than a decade through his appointment as ambassador to the United States and to the Organization for American States,” said Alejandro Peña-Prieto, managing partner of Squire Sanders’ Santo Domingo office. “As ambassador to the United States, he was instrumental in implementing DR-CAFTA, the free trade agreement between the United States, Central America and the Dominican Republic, which continues to create interesting business opportunities for our clients. His work with the OAS gives him a regional perspective in an increasingly challenging international environment. He also has a strong grasp of Dominican government, institutions and key players. Our clients will benefit from his unparalleled understanding of the business and institutional culture in the Dominican Republic.”
Peña-Prieto also noted Espinal’s recent appointment by Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernández to a commission overseeing major reform of the Dominican Republic constitution.
“This reform will have significant impact on the Dominican Republic’s business sector, and our clients here in the Dominican Republic and in Asia, Europe and the Americas will benefit from Flavio’s insight on regulatory changes expected by the reform,” Peña-Prieto said.
Espinal said he was drawn to Squire Sanders because of opportunities created by the firm’s well-integrated global practice and recently expanded network in Latin America. Squire Sanders in October established Squire Sanders Legal Counsel Worldwide Network, which includes the firm’s offices in Caracas, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Santo Domingo and well-respected affiliate law firms in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Panamá and Peru. The network combines deep local knowledge with one-stop shop efficiency for clients with business interests in Latin America and the Caribbean Basin.
“Squire Sanders has the broadest regional reach of any US-based law firm operating in Latin America. I am very pleased to join the firm as it continues to develop its leading role in our region,” he said.
Espinal was ambassador to the United States from 2004 until 2009. He was ambassador and permanent representative of the Dominican Republic to the OAS from 1996 until 2000, acting in several key leadership roles. He is a former legal adviser to the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants of the Dominican Republic and is a former dean of the law school and director of the Center for Conflict Resolution at the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra. Espinal has written widely about constitutional law issues. He obtained his Ph.D. in 1996 from the University of Virginia, where he was a Fulbright scholar; his M.A. in 1985 from University of Essex, United Kingdom, and his law degree, summa cum laude, in 1980 from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra.
About Squire Sanders: Founded in 1890, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. has lawyers in 32 offices and 15 countries around the world. With one of the strongest integrated global platforms and a longstanding one-firm philosophy, Squire Sanders provides seamless legal counsel worldwide.
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