DLA Piper has opened its fifth office in Latin America, entering a cooperation agreement with Peruvian firm Pizarro Botto & Escobar Abogados.

The firms will now operate under the name DLA Piper Pizarro Botto Escobar. Based in Lima, Pizarro Botto has a strong reputation across a wide range of sectors including M&A and corporate, banking and finance and projects and infrastructure.

DLA Piper global co-chairman of the Americas Roger Meltzer said: “We now have a presence in five of Latin America’s largest economies, reflecting our investment philosophy in executing a pan-hemispheric strategy through the expansion of our regional network.”

Global co-chairman and co-chairman of DLA’s Latin America practice Juan Picón added: “This is a great opportunity for our global platform, at a time where investments from Europe and China are growing in Latin America, which complements our hemispheric approach.”

Last week, DLA closed two European offices in the space of a week, with joint managing director of Europe and the Middle East Olaf Schmidt citing lack of profitability as the primary motivation behind the firm’s negotiations with DWF and Dentons to move staff, lawyers and premises to the latters’ firms.

Last year Dentons merged with Pan-Central American law firm Muñoz Global, becoming the second international firm to put down roots in Central America.