Firm responds to Venezuela's geopolitical shift as shifting dynamics and prospect of economic transition drive renewed attention to the country's long-term investment potential.

In response to the shifting geopolitical dynamics, increased international engagement, and the prospect of economic transition reshaping Venezuela's investment landscape, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP announces the launch of its Venezuela Practice. Co-led by partners James D. "Jim" Reardon, John F. Haley, and Henry "Buzz" Burwell, the team counsels clients to assess risk and navigate the regulatory and legal complexities of operating in one of the Western Hemisphere's most closely watched emerging markets, including structuring strategic investments.

"Venezuela has long been one of the most legally and commercially complex jurisdictions in the Western Hemisphere, and the current moment demands more than generalist counsel; it demands attorneys who have spent careers at the intersection of international tax, energy, and geopolitical risk," said Reardon, who brings more than 34 years of experience to the multidisciplinary team representing public and private companies in corporate and tax matters, including advising foreign sovereign wealth funds on oil concessions, counseling multinationals on capital repatriation strategies, and structuring cross-border joint ventures across the energy and infrastructure sectors.

"Our practice group brings together the precise combination of tax, M&A, oil and gas, sanctions, and project finance experience that clients operating in or entering Venezuela require. We are ready to help them move forward with clarity and confidence in a rapidly evolving environment."

Counsel for Venezuela’s Unique Legal Framework

Venezuela is entering a pivotal period that could fundamentally alter its commercial environment. Decades of sanctions, asset freezes, trade restrictions, and foreign exchange controls have created a layered regulatory landscape that demands specialized, multidisciplinary legal counsel. As geopolitical engagement with Venezuela evolves and international businesses evaluate their exposure and opportunity in the country, the need for integrated legal, tax, and government relations support has never been more important. The Nelson Mullins team has significant direct, on-the-ground knowledge of Venezuela's regulatory framework.

"Latin America and the Caribbean have long been the focus of my practice, and Venezuela stands apart as a jurisdiction where the complexity of the regulatory environment is matched only by the scale of the opportunity for clients who are properly advised," said Haley, who has been recognized for his international practice with extensive experience in developments and transactions throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. "Our team's ability to handle project finance, capital markets, private equity, and M&A in the region, along with the firm's integrated legal and government relations platform, gives clients a distinct advantage as they evaluate and act on Venezuela's evolving landscape."

The Venezuela Practice draws on the firm's deep bench across Oil & Gas, Trade Controls, Sanctions and OFAC, Mergers & Acquisitions, International Trade and Tariffs, Project Financing, Capital Repatriation, International Arbitration, Wealth Planning, International Tax, and Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure. The Venezuela Practice serves a broad client base, including multinational corporations, financial institutions, general counsel, oil and gas company leaders, import and export professionals, M&A dealmakers, financing partners, and wealth management professionals. The team helps clients navigate the full range of legal, regulatory, and commercial challenges that Venezuela's environment presents, from OFAC compliance and foreign direct investment structuring to cross-border M&A and capital repatriation planning.

About the Nelson Mullins Venezuela Practice 

At Nelson Mullins, we bring an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to Venezuela that goes well beyond what a single practice group can offer. Our practice is comprised of attorneys with deep expertise in international sanctions, export trade controls, cross-border M&A, international tax, and Latin American project finance. We combine legal and government relations capabilities across risk assessment and strategic investment structuring, OFAC, sanctions, and trade controls compliance (including ITAR, EAR, and OISP), cross-border mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures, international contract negotiations and corporate governance, and project financing and capital markets. These services are all delivered through a single, coordinated team that understands both the legal framework and the commercial realities driving client decisions in Venezuela.

We understand the unique advantages, risks, and value-creation pathways available to clients operating in or entering Venezuela. Our attorneys help clients evaluate foreign direct investment structures, identify compliant capital repatriation pathways, navigate foreign exchange controls and withholding tax issues, and manage U.S. reporting obligations. We deliver practical, compliance-forward counsel tailored to each client's specific investment possibilities, business objectives and risk profile in one of the region's most dynamic and challenging jurisdictions.

The Venezuela Practice draws on the full depth of Nelson Mullins' national platform, which includes more than 1,000 attorneys, policy advisors, and professionals across 30 offices in 17 states and Washington, D.C. We provide a collaborative approach to supporting clients across International Tax, Project Financing, Wealth Planning, International Arbitration, Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure, Franchising, and Oil & Gas.

About Nelson Mullins 

Established in 1897, Nelson Mullins is a full-service Am Law 100 firm of more than 1,000 attorneys, policy advisors, and professionals with offices across the United States. For more information, go to www.nelsonmullins.com.