André Thiollier: The Cross-Border Dealmaker Bridging Silicon Valley and Latin America

André Thiollier, a partner in Foley & Lardner LLP’s Silicon Valley office, is redefining what it means to be a modern cross-border dealmaker and transactional lawyer. Recently named a 2025 Latin America Business Leadership Honoree by the Silicon Valley Business Journal (SVBJ), Thiollier stands at the intersection of law, technology, and international growth—connecting Silicon Valley’s dealmaking engine with Latin America’s booming innovation hubs.

A Truly International Legal Profile

Fluent in Portuguese and Spanish, and licensed to practice in California, New York, and Brazil, Thiollier holds degrees from the University of Chicago Law School and the prestigious Catholic University of São Paulo Law School. His legal career spans top-tier firms in New York, São Paulo, Madrid, and Silicon Valley—making him a trusted advisor on some of the region’s most complex and high-stakes cross-border transactions.

The esteemed Latin American Latinvex has named Thiollier as one of the top 100 Latin American lawyers among Global law firms.

Recognition as a Regional Leader

Thiollier’s selection by SVBJ as a 2025 honoree comes at a time when Latin America is becoming a strategic priority for Silicon Valley:

• $30B+ in VC raised since 2021
• Cloud market projected to reach $30B by 2027
• Digital payments expected to hit $650B by 2025
• Tech outsourcing growing toward $100B by 2030

“Being an American lawyer with Latin American background does not necessarily cross the bridge, one needs to speak the language but most of all he or she needs to know the culture. That’s a great tool to bridge the gap,” Thiollier told SVBJ.

Strategic Insight and Public Voice

In a December 2024 interview with BM&C News, the cross-border dealmaker Silicon Valley Lawyer commented on the shifting VC landscape:

“The big question is the size of the curve during the cycle… Investors are cautious, but still see Latin America as a growth engine.”

He’s also a frequent commentator on the rise of Latin American fintech giants like Nubank, iFood, Mercado Libre, and Brazil’s revolutionary real-time payment network Pix, now serving over 160 million users.

Building the Future of Cross-Border Innovation

Thiollier exemplifies the modern legal leader: not just navigating regulation and structure, but also enabling scalable, borderless innovation. His recognition underscores a broader shift in how legal strategy, market insight, and cultural intelligence are shaping the next generation of transnational deals.

As a cross-border and dealmaker Silicon Valley lawyer, André Thiollier dives deep into the nuances of multiple and complex jurisdictional deals which specific rules may affect his clients in order to accomplish strategic transactional goals.