Reed Smith is pleased to announce that Francisco Rodriguez, a leading partner in the firm’s Global Commercial Disputes practice, has been chosen to serve as its next Miami office managing partner. Rodriguez succeeds Constantine Karides, who served in the Miami leadership role since 2020.
Rodriguez joined Reed Smith in 2022, bringing to the firm a highly acclaimed Latin America-focused international arbitration and litigation practice. He represents multinational companies in the energy, infrastructure, biotech, software, defense, media, hospitality, and financial sectors. Currently serving as vice-chair of the firm’s International Arbitration practice, Rodriguez is widely recognized for his representation of clients in investor-state disputes before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), the ICC International Court of Arbitration (ICC), the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
“Since opening our doors in 2017, our team in Miami has built a formidable presence, forging strong relationships within the region’s business and legal communities, state and local governments, and other stakeholders under the leadership of Constantine Karides and Ed Mullins before him,” said Casey Ryan, Reed Smith’s Global Managing Partner. “We look forward to Francisco leading the office to new heights, building on the momentum we’ve generated as a result of the hard work of our Miami lawyers and staff.”
"Francisco joined Reed Smith almost three years ago and has become part of its fabric ever since,” said Julie Hardin, Managing Partner – Americas. “His ascendance to office managing partner comes at an opportune time, as the firm intensifies its strategic focus on Latin America and our clients doing business there.”
With more than 70 lawyers and staff, the Miami office is an important hub for supporting clients with operations or business interests in South Florida and Latin America. The firm’s Miami-based lawyers provide counsel to clients in each of the firm’s five core industries and represent key practices including litigation, international arbitration, financial services, insurance recovery and crypto and digital assets. Reed Smith’s Miami disputes team was recently named a top firm for cross-border disputes at the Daily Business Review’s Florida Legal Awards. The firm was recognized for its use of creative problem-solving techniques and bold strategies to deliver for its clients in a high-stakes case or collection of cases.
“I am honored to take the baton from Constantine in leading our Miami office at a time when our brand and reputation in the region is rapidly expanding and our roster of clients doing important and exciting work in the region in growing,” said Rodriguez. “The recent boom of Miami and South Florida as a global center for business and culture represents great promise for our local team and the broader Reed Smith network, and we are well positioned to capitalize on that promise.”
Rodriguez added, “I am particularly excited to work with our team to advise companies that are migrating to Miami, as well as those who are turning to Latin America as a growth market. We are committed to Miami and look forward to a bright future in a city known for its vibrancy and creativity.”