Hoet Peláez Castillo & Duque Caracas

Fernando Peláez-Pier is a graduate of the Iberoamericana University, Mexico City; Paris University (diplôme d’études supérieures); and the University of the Andes, Merida, Venezuela. He joined Bentata Hoet & Asociados (now Hoet Peláez Castillo & Duque) in 1977, where he currently leads as one of its corporate partners and contributes to the strategic direction of the firm.

Mr Peláez-Pier is a prominent member of the global legal fraternity and, as an expert on inward investment, has helped several of the largest multinational corporations develop their businesses in Venezuela. He practises in the areas of contract negotiations, mergers & acquisitions, foreign investments, project finance and alternative dispute resolution.

Prior to joining the firm, he was responsible for setting up the London office of Bomchil, Castro, Goodrich, Claro, Arosemena & Associates and was director of their Paris and London offices from 1972 to 1976. He was an associate at Goodrich, Riquelme & Associates, Mexico City from 1967 to 1972.

Mr Peláez-Pier was chairman of the Federation of Binational Chambers of Commerce of the European Community (FEDEUROPA) 1981 to 1982; Lex Mundi chairman, 1992 to 1993; and currently he is president of the International Bar Association. Before his election as president, he was vice-president during 2007 to 2008; IBA secretary general 2005 to 2006; and Section on Business Law (SBL) secretary treasurer 1998 to 2000, SBL vice chair 2000 to 2002, and SBL 2002 to 2004.

He is a member of the International Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Interamerican Bar Association, and the Advisory Board of the Institute of International and Comparative Law.

Mr Peláez-Pier speaks Spanish, English and French.