Highlights from GLEMEA 2025 in Cyprus

Founded 50 years ago, Nicholson y Cano has grown into one of Argentina's leading full-service law firms. With 30 partners and more than 150 attorneys, the firm has intentionally expanded through a combination of internal talent development and strategic lateral hires, building a large, highly qualified professional team across all major transactional and contentious practice areas.

Today, Nicholson y Cano advises on landmark domestic and cross-border transactions across a broad range of sectors, including energy, M&A, capital markets, infrastructure, agribusiness, and real estate. The firm is consistently recognized in leading international legal directories.

Human-Centered Approach

Nicholson y Cano is defined by a commitment to excellence, client loyalty, and creative legal thinking. The firm fosters a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment where partners and associates work across practice areas to deliver integrated solutions to complex matters.

The firm’s culture is rooted in the transformative power of human connection and the uniqueness of its people, whose shared values are professional excellence, integrity, and teamwork.

Strong International Perspective

The team combines deep knowledge of Argentine law and regulatory frameworks with an international outlook, enabling it to serve both domestic clients and multinational companies in the following practice areas:

• Corporate / M&A
• Banking, Capital Markets & Corporate Finance
• Oil & Gas
• Mining
• Infrastructure
• Agribusiness
• Tax
• Competition & Antitrust
• Litigation & Arbitration
• Compliance & Anti-Corruption
• Public Law
• ESG & Sustainable Finance
• Labor & Employment
• Real Estate
• Insurance
• Data Privacy & Technology
• TMT
• Environmental

Integrated, Full-Service Coverage

Nicholson y Cano is one of Argentina's few genuinely full-service law firms, offering integrated coverage across all major practice areas through a single, highly coordinated team. Key differentiators include:

• Scale and depth: A large, qualified team enables the firm to deploy multidisciplinary task forces for complex, high-stakes matters.
• Track record in landmark transactions: The firm has acted in some of the most significant deals in Argentina's recent history, including RIGI-framework energy projects, privatizations, and major capital markets transactions.
• Sector expertise: Recognized for strength in areas of strategic importance to Argentina's economy, including energy, M&A, capital markets, and agribusiness.
• International reach: Deep experience advising foreign investors and multinational companies on entry into and operations in Argentina, as well as cross-border transactions involving Latin American counterparties.
• Long-term client relationships: A firm culture built on hands-on partner involvement, trust, and consistent responsiveness.

The firm is consistently recognized in leading legal directories, including:

• Chambers & Partners Latin America 2026: Ranked Leading Firm, 5 ranked departments and 12 ranked individuals.
• Legal 500 Argentina: Ranked across 13 practice areas, including Tier 2 in Environment, Insurance, and Real Estate; Tier 3 in Banking & Finance, Compliance, Oil & Gas, Mining, Labour & Employment, Public Law, and TMT; Tier 4 in Corporate & M&A and Dispute Resolution.

Other rankings

• IFLR Banking & Finance and Capital Markets
• Latin Lawyer Award I Project finance: energy and natural resources I Vaca Muerta Pipeline gets US$2 billion financing
• Lexology Index (Who's Who Legal) — Real Estate 2026: Recognized in the Real Estate category, led by partner Agustín Alberto Pérez Cambiasso.
• Leader’s League - Mergers & acquisitions I Corporate / M&A - Tax law I Corporate tax / Banking & finance / Dispute Resolution I Claims and insurance litigation / Arbitration / Competition & Antitrust / Dispute Resolution

Client Success Highlights

The firm has completed the following notable transactions over the past two years:

• Proyecto Vaca Muerta Sur (Vista Energy / Pluspetrol, USD 3 billion, ongoing) — Advised Vista Energy Argentina S.A.U. and Pluspetrol S.A. as shareholders of VMOS S.A.U., a midstream infrastructure company under Argentina's RIGI framework to transport and export crude oil from Vaca Muerta. Scope included shareholders' agreement, option agreements, and crude transport agreements.
• Proyecto LNG — Southern Energy & San Matías Pipeline (Golar LNG, USD 15+ billion, ongoing) — Advised Golar LNG on two projects under Argentina's RIGI framework: a floating LNG production and export vessel (Southern Energy) and the San Matías Pipeline. Both projects involve a consortium of partners including Pan American Energy, YPF, Pampa Energía, and Harbour Energy, and include a 20-year agreement covering renegotiation of the shareholders' agreement and Bareboat Charter Agreement.

M&A & Corporate

• Fusión Ledesma (USD 5 million) — Lead legal adviser on the merger by absorption of Ledesma Frutas S.A. by Ledesma SAAI, including transaction documents, merger prospectus, and CNV/ByMA authorizations.
• Fusión compañías de seguros — Grupo Galicia (September 2025, ongoing) — Advised on the corporate reorganization of five insurance companies within Grupo Galicia through two mergers by absorption, providing support on all corporate and regulatory matters, including obtaining approvals before the Superintendencia de Seguros de la Nación and the Inspección General de Justicia. Coordinated with tax advisors on all aspects relating to the tax-free reorganization.
• Venta QatarEnergy / ExxonMobil Exploration Argentina (USD 1.7 billion) — Advised QatarEnergy on the sale of its 30% stake in ExxonMobil Exploration Argentina S.A. to Pluspetrol, covering assets in Neuquén province including pipeline participations in Oldelval.
• Santa Juana Farmland Fund (USD 270 million+, ongoing) — Advised Santa Juana Ltd. on the divestment of agro-industrial assets across Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, addressing tax, FX, and regulatory restrictions applicable to foreign ownership of rural land.

Banking & Capital Markets

• IPO San Miguel S.A. (USD 58 million) — Advised on the IPO of 955,303,128 new shares listed on ByMA, including conversion of subordinated loans to equity. Organizer Bank: Santander; AR Partners and Puente also involved.
• Fusión MatbaRofex-MAE / A3 (2024) — Advised Matba Rofex SA on its merger with Mercado Abierto Electrónico SA and the creation of the resulting entity A3 S.A., covering all corporate and regulatory aspects and obtaining authorizations before the Comisión Nacional de Valores and other regulatory bodies. Included filing before the national competition authority.
• Préstamo Sindicado ACA (USD 80 million) — Acted as local Argentine counsel to FMO on a syndicated loan led by FMO and Rabobank for Asociación de Cooperativas Argentinas (ACA), one of Argentina's largest grain producers.

15 Years of Globalaw Collaboration

For more than 15 years, Nicholson y Cano’s has provided legal assistance to clients of Globalaw member firms in a wide range of practice areas and industries. The firm actively participates in network initiatives and previously hosted the Globalaw Americas meeting in Buenos Aires.

For more information, visit: www.nicholsonycano.com.ar.

In the past, third-country citizens (citizens of a country outside of the European Union) always required a valid residence permit (“Niederlassungsbewilligung”) in order to obtain a work permit and be employed in Austria. As a consequence, many skilled workers, who were citizens of third countries and resided in regions close to the Austrian border, could not work in Austria, even if no suitable workforce was available on the Austrian labour market. Vacancies regularly remained unfilled, exacerbating the shortage of skilled workers in Austria. To address this shortage of skilled workers and to provide third-country citizens residing in neighbouring countries with access to the Austrian labour market, legislative measures have now been implemented in Austria.

Effective from 1 December 2025, a new settlement permit for ‘cross-border workers’ (“Aufenthaltsberechtigung Grenzgänger”) was introduced. The settlement permit for ‘cross-border workers’ is a combined work and settlement permit for individuals who reside in a country bordering Austria. It entitles the holder to stay in Austria temporarily for the purpose of employment without establishing a residence.

In order to obtain a settlement permit for ‘cross border workers’, the (future) employee must have a long-term residence permit with unrestricted access to the labour market in a neighbouring country of Austria. Consequently, certain individuals are not eligible, such as seasonal workers or students. Furthermore, the place of prospective employment must be located in an administrative district of Austria that borders the neighboring country directly. A further prerequisite for the granting of a settlement permit for ‘cross-border workers’ is a positive assessment by the Public Employment Agency, confirming that no suitable replacement worker is available on the Austrian labour market and that the general requirements for a national work permit are met. Finally, the employee must return to his main residence in the neighbouring country at least once a week. For example, a Japanese citizen, having a permanent residence- and work permit in Slovenia may work in the Austrian border region with Slovenia, provided that the other requirements are met.

An application for a settlement permit may be submitted to the competent residence authority at the (future) place of employment by either the employer or the employee him/herself. An employment contract and a statement from the employer confirming the employee’s (future) employment with him/her must be submitted with the application. The settlement permit is usually issued for a period of 12 months and can subsequently be renewed.

The introduction of this new status facilitates the recruiting of skilled workers in border regions and enables third-country nationals residing in a neighbouring country to access the Austrian labour market. It is expected that through this legislative measure, a contribution will be made towards addressing the shortage of skilled workers.

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For more information, contact:

Dr. Philipp Spatz, LL.M.

p.spatz@hba.at

Mag. Markus Koroschetz

m.koroschetz@hba.at

hba Rechtsanwälte GmbH

The Globalaw APAC Regional Meeting (GLAPRM) took place April 15-18, 2026, at The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore.

This year’s meeting theme focused on both emerging leaders and emerging legal topics, reflecting Globalaw’s commitment to positioning the network for lasting success by fostering and developing multi-jurisdictional and cross-generational relationships.

The collaboration between senior attorneys and young lawyers across our member firms broadened the conversation, strengthened peer-to-peer connections, and provided countless opportunities to learn from professionals at all levels.

We warmly thank our event sponsors, Legora, AESIS, and MDD, for helping us create a successful, memorable meeting!

Community Impact

During the meeting, the Globalaw Foundation made a $5,000 contribution to Pro Bono SG and heard remarks from Deputy CEO Chengying Cia. The largest pro bono legal organisation in Singapore, Pro Bono SG reflects the Globalaw Foundation’s mission of expanding access to justice by serving more than 16,000 vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals and organisations in FY24/25 through legal awareness, advice and advocacy.

Business & Social Programme Highlights

Where to Next?

• EMEA Regional Meeting, Berlin

• GWI Annual Meeting, Poland

• Annual Members Meeting, Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Austin, Texas | Hosted by Jackson Walker

DeBenedetti Majewski Szcześniak (DMS) is a distinguished Polish boutique law firm established in 2004 by C. David DeBenedetti, Dariusz Szcześniak, and Jarosław Majewski.

DMS was created to deliver the expertise, representation, and strategic business advisory services typical of a large firm, while providing the personalized attention and bespoke service of a boutique practice.

Rooted in trust and respect, DMS delivers comprehensive legal solutions for complex business challenges and projects demanding extensive knowledge and experience.

Business-Focused Outcomes

The firm seamlessly integrates dispute resolution and transactional advisory services, matching the caliber of international firms while ensuring greater accessibility and a more client-centric approach. DMS acts as a true business partner—responsible, precise, and fully attuned to each client’s objectives.

With a team of recognized experts and respected authorities, DMS combines deep legal expertise with practical, business-oriented solutions tailored to the needs of institutional and corporate clients.

Complex Subject Matter Experts

DMS specialises in corporate and commercial disputes, criminal and fiscal-criminal law, mergers and acquisitions and financial transactions.

The firm handles complex, multi-layered, and often high-profile matters for leading Polish and international financial institutions, insurance companies, banking and financial entities, investment funds, and companies across technology, real estate, and manufacturing sectors.

Thoughtful, Innovative Solutions

DMS is renowned for delivering thoughtful, innovative legal solutions that empower clients to strengthen their market position, achieve their goals, and effectively manage legal risk.

By integrating litigation and transactional expertise to provide legal support that truly advances business interests, DMS serves clients such as Fidera Group, Elliott Advisors (UK) Ltd, Vienna Insurance Group AG Wiener Versicherung Gruppe, Uber, JP Morgan Securities Plc., ALLIANZ Global, Palram, Heiztechnik, and Schuler Pressen GmbH.

Clients benefit from DMS’s top-tier market precision, along with direct access to partners. The firm is consistently recognized by leading legal directories, including Chambers and Partners, Forbes, The Legal 500, and IFLR1000.

A 20-Year Globalaw History

For more than 20 years, DMS’s Globalaw membership has enabled the firm to address cross-border transactions and international disputes involving Poland. Founding partner C. David DeBenedetti is the President-elect of Globalaw, and the firm plays an active role in the network’s Sports Law Taskforce. This fall, DMS will host the Globalaw Women’s Initiative Meeting in Warsaw.

DMS works closely with Globalaw member firms worldwide, including those in the U.S., on complex regulatory matters (such as SEC compliance), providing clients with coordinated, multi-jurisdictional advice. In partnership with New York member firm Olshan, DMS advised on Polish and U.S. regulatory issues for a Polish investment fund. The firm also has a strong track record of collaboration with G.J. Pelaghias LLC in Cyprus, Cohen Amir-Aslani in France and MOLITOR in Luxembourg.

For more information, visit: https://dms-legal.com/en/