WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Dentons announced today the appointment of Jorge Alers to the new position of Chief Executive Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean, marking the global law firm’s focused positioning for presence, client service and growth in the region. In this role, Alers will help Dentons meet its goal for whole firm combinations in Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean, building on the Firm’s current client service reach throughout the region. 

The strong upward momentum of Latin American economies presents public and private companies with tremendous opportunities. Dentons’ global platform and deep industry capabilities are ideally suited for Latin American law firms hoping to serve effectively their clients, both in the region and around the globe.

“The combination that created Dentons provided the Firm with a presence in every major region of the globe except Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Elliott Portnoy, Dentons Global CEO. “A meaningful presence throughout the region will further our goal of providing clients with the highest caliber legal counsel wherever they need it.”

“The success of Dentons in its first 18 months confirms our client-centric growth strategy and global vision,” said Joe Andrew, Dentons Global Chair. “We believe Jorge combines the necessary talent and experience uniquely suited for success in Latin America and the Caribbean.”

“I am excited to join a leadership team that is committed to Latin America and the many opportunities that exist there,” said Alers. “I look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues as Dentons expands its presence and deepens its client relationships throughout the region.”

A dual citizen of Costa Rica and the United States, Alers recently concluded service as the General Counsel and General Manager of the Legal Department of the Inter-American Development Bank. The Inter-American Development Bank is the largest international source of development financing in Latin America and the Caribbean, providing $12 billion in loans and grants to 26 countries to support economic development, social development and regional integration by lending to governments, including State corporations, and to private enterprises.

Alers previously was a Partner and Head of the Latin America Practice Group at Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, as well as a Partner and Head of the Latin American Practice Group for Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering in Washington, DC. In these roles, he focused on providing legal support to international clients making investments in emerging markets, with a particular focus on the Latin American region. Alers has been a guest lecturer at Harvard Law School, Wharton, American University and at numerous conferences on private equity and project finance, among other areas of international finance. He earned his JD from Harvard Law School and his undergraduate degree from Colorado State University.

About Dentons

Dentons is a global law firm driven to provide clients a competitive edge in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. A top 20 firm on the Acritas 2013 Global Elite Brand Index, Dentons is committed to challenging the status quo in delivering consistent and uncompromising quality in new and inventive ways. Dentons was formed by the combination of international law firm Salans LLP, Canadian law firm Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP (FMC) and international law firm SNR Denton. Dentons’ clients now benefit from approximately 2,600 lawyers and professionals in more than 75 locations spanning 50-plus countries across Africa, Asia Pacific, Canada, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Russia and the CIS, the UK and the US. The firm serves the local, regional and global needs of a broad spectrum of clients, including private and public corporations; governments and government agencies; small businesses and startups; entrepreneurs; and individuals.