Gaylen Knack, Partner Lathrop GPM, USA - Americas Region Chair, Multilaw

Gaylen Knack is a partner at the U.S.-based law firm of Lathrop GPM in Minneapolis. Recognized nationally and globally by his peers in the legal community, Gaylen assists companies in structuring domestic and international franchise and distribution programs, and advises clients on related business and regulatory issues. He has helped franchisors and other multinational companies address development, regulatory, licensing, supply chain and franchisee dispute issues in nearly 150 countries. In addition, Gaylen advises clients on international trade regulation, trademark, privacy, and corporate law matters. Gaylen's combined 30 years of experience in private practice and as a franchise executive provide him with a unique understanding of the complex business and legal issues that companies face in establishing and operating franchise and other distribution systems. As vice president and general counsel at a U.S.-based franchisor of multiple retail brands, Gaylen developed sales training and compliance, preferred vendor, and other operational standards programs that are integral to the success of expanding franchise programs. He has authored numerous articles and is a frequent presenter on a variety of franchise, licensing and supply chain topics and currently serves as Chair of the Americas Regional Committee for Multilaw, a leading global law firm network. Gaylen has been regularly recognized as a leading franchise attorney in both Chambers Global and Chambers USA for his work in franchising.

Valdo Cestari de Rizzo, Partner - Lobo de Rizzo, Brazil

Valdo is one of the founding partners of Lobo de Rizzo Advogados, and is a specialist in corporate, mergers and acquisitions. He handles sophisticated major domestic and cross-border transactions on behalf of Brazilian and international companies – some of the most important in their sectors – in mergers and acquisitions, structuring joint ventures, commercial contracts, corporate disputes and infrastructure projects. He is graduated in Law from Universidadede São Paulo (USP), 1988; and is a member of the IBA Regulation of Lawyers' Compliance Committee as Vice-Chair for Latin America. Fluent in English and Italian.

Jorge Cervantes Trejo, Partner - Gonzalez Calvillo, Mexico

Jorge Cervantes is a partner in the M&A and Energy & Project Finance practices at Gonzalez Calvillo and is also a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. He has extensive experience and knowledge advising clients in a wide range of complex national and cross-border M&A, finance and infrastructure projects in Mexico, representing sponsors, developers, investors, financial institutions, banks and lenders on all kinds of mergers, acquisitions, sales, dispositions, joint ventures, development of projects and financings transactions. His significant experience encompasses relevant transactions in oil & gas, power generation, renewable energy, storage facilities, pipelines, telecommunications, real estate, hotels, and infrastructure projects in general. Mr. Cervantes obtained his Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Georgetown University in United States and his J.D. from the Escuela Libre de Derechoin Mexico City.

Roberto Pupo, Partner and Chair of the Latin America Practice - Holland & Knight, USA

Roberto R. Pupois an attorney in Holland & Knight's Miami office and co-chair of the South Florida Corporate, M&A and Securities Practice Group, as well as chair of the Latin America Practice Group. He has substantial experience in complex domestic and international mergers and acquisition matters, corporate financings, joint ventures and cross-border transactions. Mr. Pupo represents large U.S., Canadian, European and Latin American corporations, private equity and venture capital funds, corporate groups and family offices in a wide range of corporate transactions, cross-border acquisitions, joint ventures and affiliations. He is also a frequent speaker on a wide range of legal industry matters.

Erika Olguin, Legal Director - Constellation Brands, Inc., Mexico

Erika Olguin is a transactional lawyer with a developed practice in the areas of real estate, construction, corporate law, private equity, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances. She has participated in a wide range of transactions involving local and foreign clients, rendering legal services to companies and individuals in such practice areas, representing clients in stock acquisitions, asset purchases, mergers, joint ventures and commercial transactions in general. She counsels clients in domestic and cross-border transactions involving corporate structures for investments, mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, stock purchase and sale, corporate restructures, guarantee mechanisms, shareholder disputes and foreign investment; leading cross-border transactions with private equity funds with investments in Mexico. Moreover, Erika assists clients in the purchase and sale of real estate properties and portfolios, their project finance, construction and engineering aspects there of, guaranties and structuring of joint ventures for the development of real estate and construction projects in Mexico. Erika was a member of González Calvillo, S.C. for 20 years, and is currently the Legal Director of the Beer Division in Mexico for Constellation Brands, Inc.

Giannina Marin, Vice President and GC - HispAm at American Tower Corporation

Giannina Marin is Vice President & General Counsel for HispAm at American Tower Corporation (ATC). She oversees all legal matters in ATC's 7 markets in Hispanic America, including commercial, compliance, labor, litigation and mergers and acquisitions, among others. Marin works closely with the executive teams across all functions to further the ATC business consistent with corporate goals and company policies. Marin joined ATC in 2014 as Senior Corporate Counsel for Latin America and was responsible for liaising with market teams to advise on commercial transactions and furthering deal review and approvals and corporate compliance. Prior to joining ATC, Marin practiced law in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with the law firm of McAfee & Taft, PC and later the Miami office of the law firm of Holland & Knight, LLP, where, focusing in the healthcare industry, Marin advised clients on complex healthcare regulatory, compliance and licensing matters, as well as represented both healthcare and non-healthcare clients in mergers and acquisitions. Prior to leaving private practice, Marin was recognized in the Rising Stars List of the Oklahoma and Florida Super Lawyers publications. Marin graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance, and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology with a minor in Italian. Marin received her J.D. with honors from the University of Florida, where she was a member of the University of Florida Law Review.

Robinson Redmond, Editor - Global International Capabilities - Chambers and Partners

Robinson started as a researcher on the UK/USA team, before becoming a Deputy Editor on the USA Guide and subsquently being promoted to his current role as Global: International Capabilities Editor. Before joining Chambers Robinson worked in the energy industry, liaising between suppliers and brokers. He graduated with an LLB from the University of Aberdeen in 2012 and went on to intern in South Africa for the Legal Resources Centre, a human rights NGO.