Monday, January 7, 2008
Page 3
Valderrama to Head Latin American Trade Practice at Musick Peeler
By a MetNews Staff Writer
Musick, Peeler & Garett LLP has hired three lawyers away from Carlsmith Ball LLP to start an international trade team focusing on Latin America.
Carlos J. Valderrama, who will head the downtown Los Angeles-based practice, joined Musick Peeler on Dec., 17 along with Stephen L. Bradford and Randolph G. Muhlestein, the firm said in a release. The three were together at Carlsmith Ball for 15 years.
The move was made, Valderrama said yesterday, because “Musick is a much better platform for us” with “much broader practice groups.” The firm has offices spread throughout California including major cities like San Francisco and San Diego in addition to Los Angeles, he noted.
Valderrama also said the San Diego office could be helpful in establishing business with Mexico.
Bradford and Muhlestein each have extensive experience in corporate law in both the U.S. and Latin America, and Valderrama is an international trade professional who is currently a member of the International Committee of the California Chamber of Commerce and served as California trade representative under governors George Deukmejian and Pete Wilson.
The team represents a large portfolio of clients doing business internationally, many of which are U.S. companies doing business in Mexico. It represents numerous clients in Latin America that operate within California as well.
“Carlsmith Ball is a great firm,” Valderrama said. “...Our hope is that our clients will be able to benefit from the larger practice group. It gives us more horse power.”
Valderrama said his team’s experience will bring a lot to its new firm. In addition to each attorney having over 20 years experience practicing law, they are all bilingual and have spent significant time in Latin America.
“They can understand the idiosyncrasies of dealing with business in other cultures,” he said.
Managing partner Joe De Briyn said in a statement:
“We are delighted to welcome Carlos, Steve and Randy to our firm. Their knowledge of Latin American international trade concerns blends perfectly with our depth of expertise in California business and general corporate law. No other California law firm our size has this skill set.”
Musick Peeler employs over 100 attorneys.
Copyright 2008, Metropolitan News Company