Francisco Balduzzi Recognized with the 2025 Lexology Client Choice Award for M&A

Francisco Balduzzi of Womble Bond Dickinson has been recognized as a 2025 Lexology Client Choice Award winner in the “M&A and Governance” category and ranked in the same category under the Global Elite Thought Leaders. Established in 2005, Client Choice recognizes those law firms and partners around the world that stand apart for the excellent client care they provide and the quality of their service. This is the second consecutive year he has been honored with this recognition, which drew more than 2,500 nominations this year.

Balduzzi’s practice focuses on cross-border M&A and transactions with a strong emphasis on Latin America. He brings extensive experience in the Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) sector, particularly in energy services (oil, gas, and power), metals, and mining. Balduzzi serves as the Co-Head of the firm’s Metals and Mining Subsector and is the former Head of Legal LATAM and Asia Pacific for one of the world’s largest gold mining companies.

Balduzzi’s recent projects include assisting energy services companies in the divestiture and acquisition of assets in the US and Latin America, assisting Latin American energy companies in developing and acquiring oil & gas upstream and renewable projects in the U.S., and advising mining companies on mineral offtake agreements related issues.

A member of Womble’s Latin America Team led by José Luis Vittor, Balduzzi is part of a seasoned group of attorneys with decades of experience navigating cross-border transactions and providing legal, business, and regulatory guidance across Latin America. He is based in the firm’s Houston office, which serves as a hub for Womble’s prominent Energy and Natural Resources practice.

Jeffrey Whittle, Managing Partner of Womble Bond Dickinson’s Houston office, commented, “Francisco is highly deserving of this recognition. We’ve seen robust growth in M&A activity in Houston’s energy and natural resources sector, and Francisco has been instrumental in leading many of these transactions. His leadership, dedication, and exceptional service to clients have been truly remarkable.”

Established in 2005, the Lexology Client Choice Awards recognizes those law firms and partners around the world that stand apart for the excellent client care they provide and the quality of their service. The criteria for this recognition focus on an ability to add real value to clients' business above and beyond the other players in the market. Law firms and partners can only be nominated by corporate counsel.