Diaz Reus opens in Suriname, adds Brazil attorney in Miami

The new Paramaribo office adds to the others in the Caribbean: Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, also all headed by David Kock, who also leads the office in the Netherlands.

The legal system in Suriname is very similar to that of Aruba, and that the official language is also Dutch, which makes the country attractive for international legal practice for a law firm with the experience and background of the Diaz Reus team, according to David Kock.

Diaz Reus’ global managing partner Michael Diaz Jr. said: “The opening of the Suriname office comes at a time when there’s a growing global interest for Suriname, particularly due to the development of the oil and gas sector, which is generating significant economic activity, including for American companies”.

The firm has also announced the incorporation of Brazilian lawyer Pedro Romano Fragoso Pires as a foreign legal consultant in Miami. Pedro is a seasoned Brazilian attorney and certified Florida foreign legal consultant with an LLM from the University of Miami. He advises US clients doing business in Brazil and Latin America, and Brazilian clients doing business in the U.S.

With almost three decades of legal experience at major Brazilian and US law firms, he coordinates and supervises legal work in Brazil, serving as leading counsel on corporate and international matters. Pedro also represents and supports Brazilian clients with existing operations in the US as well as Brazilian clients expanding its operations into the US, helping them navigate the US market, particularly Miami, Florida, where he first lived and worked 26 years ago.

Previously, Pedro was a member of prominent global US law firms. Although his core is corporate, Pedro started his career as a labor and employment and commercial litigator so he feels comfortable navigating in other areas. Due to his native Portuguese and knowledge of Brazilian law and the Brazilian culture, Pedro facilitates cross-border matters between the US and Brazil, acting as outside general counsel to his clients and a trusted advisor.

In addition, the firm announced that its partner Javier Coronado has been appointed to the board of directors of the Financial & International Business Association (FIBA), a distinguished group of leaders representing the full range of the international financial ecosystem, including banks, law firms, advisory and compliance firms, fintech and cross-border payment providers, and digital asset and crypto-related businesses.

FIBA serves as a premier hub for the global finance community, bringing together decision-makers and practitioners to address the most pressing issues facing the industry. Through year-round programming, FIBA plays an essential role in supporting the professional development of finance and compliance professionals in the US and around the world.