Fernando has over 25 years of experience representing clients in the telecommunications and technology industries, including in a wide array of infrastructure projects, project financings (debt and equity raises), and emerging technologies. Fernando is frequently recognized as a leader in his field based on his legal and industry experience. Fernando’s practice has a particular emphasis on subsea and terrestrial network builds, and he has represented clients with respect to many of the world's most significant and impactful subsea cable system builds. His involvement with these networks is often long term, extending from project inception to service commencement and subsequent commercialization. Fernando counsels his clients on all matters related to such network builds and development, including network supply contract negotiations and development; system construction and implementation issues (permitting, possible force majeure, etc.); consortium agreement negotiations and development; landing party agreements and arrangements; fronthaul and backhaul matters; terrestrial and marine maintenance agreements and arrangements; data center and cable landing station buildouts; colocation agreements; fiber sales (IRU and non-IRU) and exchanges; spectrum sharing arrangements; and related regulatory and network security matters. He also frequently advises his clients regarding network related project financings.

Fernando’s clients include global content providers, multinational telecommunications carriers, technology and media companies, governmental and quasi-governmental entities, equipment vendors, private equity firms, venture capital funds, and financial institutions.

Bar Admissions

Education
JD, Harvard Law School, 1993

BA, Economics, University of Miami, magna cum laude, 1989

• Represents financial institutions and borrowing groups on a wide range of domestic and cross-border financings, including syndicated credits and asset-based and other structured financings
• Represents clients on complex mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances and other corporate transactions across a broad range of sectors, including the transportation, financial services, telecommunications and media sectors
• Represents numerous telecommunications operators and groups on all facets of the construction, development and operation of subsea fiber optic networks in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans and Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas
• Regularly represents domestic and multinational companies in connection with establishing and developing their presence in the United States as well as in connection with their commercial and business activities in Latin America

• Member, International Bar Association
• Member, Council of the Americas
• Member, Spain-US Chamber of Commerce, Florida and New York
• Member, Brazilian-US Chamber of Commerce, Florida and New York
• Member, World Services Group

• Named among Latin America's Top 100 Lawyers for Banking & Finance, Latinvex, 2016.
• Selected as a Leader in Latin American Investment, Florida, Chambers USA, 2009-2011 and 2014-2017 
• Named among the Latin Lawyer 500, International Corporate/M&A; International Banking & Finance; and International Projects & Energy, Latin Lawyer magazine, 2012-2015
• Named among the Latin Lawyer 250, International, Latin Lawyer magazine, 2003-2009, 2014, 2016
• Listed for Mergers & Acquisitions and for International Finance, South Florida Legal Guide, 2014-2016. A description of the selection methodology can be found on South Florida Legal Guide’s webpage.
• Listed as Top Corporate Law Firm in Miami, Legal Industry Research Study, Corporate Board Member magazine and FTI Consulting Inc, 2011
• Team selected for an Award for Excellence in Latin American Investment, Chambers USA, 2009
• Leadership Team, African Telecoms Deal of the Year, Project Finance Magazine, 2007
• Selected for M&A Deal of the Year, Latin Lawyer magazine, 2007
• Named among Top Dealmakers of the Year for International Corporate, Daily Business Review, 2006-2007
• Named among Most Effective Lawyers for International Law, Daily Business Review, 2006
• Selected as a Super Lawyer for Business/Corporate Law, Florida Super Lawyers magazine, 2012-2016. A description of the selection methodology can be found on Super Lawyers’ webpage.
• Named among Florida’s Legal Elite (2008) and for International-Miami (2009), Florida Trend magazine. A description of the selection methodology can be found on Florida Trend’s webpage.

• IRUs and Fiber Optic Cables: An Overview and Examination of Associated Risks, Subtel Forum Magazine