José Ignacio Hernández
Senior Specialist — International Arbitration & Sovereign Debt
One of Latin America's foremost experts on public debt and restructurings. Former Special Attorney General of Venezuela. Harvard Kennedy School fellow.
Public Debt & Sovereign Restructurings
Independent advisory on sovereign debt, restructurings, asset recovery, and international arbitration — led by one of Latin America's foremost public-debt experts.
Overview
Aurora's Public Debt practice supports institutional investors, sovereigns, and legal teams navigating sovereign debt, complex restructurings, and the international litigation that often follows. We also provide support in state-investor disputes, particularly in international arbitration. Our work combines macroeconomic and political analysis with deep expertise in the public-law frameworks that determine how sovereign obligations are issued, contested, and enforced.
What we cover
Sovereign Debt Analysis
Independent assessment of sovereign credit, debt sustainability, and the legal architecture behind bond, loan, and bilateral obligations.
Restructurings & Workouts
Strategy and diligence across distressed sovereign situations — collective action clauses, holdout dynamics, comparability of treatment, and Paris Club / IMF interactions.
Asset Recovery & Enforcement
Tracing of sovereign and state-owned assets, sovereign immunity analysis, and enforcement strategy in landmark jurisdictions, including alter-ego and instrumentality claims.
International Arbitration
Expert witness work and advisory on ICSID, UNCITRAL, and ad hoc proceedings, including investment treaty, contract, and concession disputes.
Constitutional & Administrative Law
Comparative analysis of the public-law frameworks that govern sovereign borrowing, oil & gas concessions, and emergency economic regulation.
Latin America Focus
Deep coverage of Venezuela, Argentina, Ecuador, and other Latin American sovereigns — including the legal frameworks underpinning ongoing and prospective restructurings.
Practice lead
What we deliver
- →Sovereign credit and debt-sustainability memos
- →Restructuring scenario analysis and creditor strategy
- →Asset recovery and enforcement diligence
- →Expert witness reports and arbitration support
- →Briefings for investment committees, boards, and counsel
Working a sovereign situation?
Whether you're an investor, counsel, or a sovereign client, we can help you assess the macro, legal, and political dimensions of public-debt and restructuring questions.
Contact Aurora