Clifford Chance houses a fully-rounded Latin America banking and finance practice. It is particularly noted for energy and infrastructure finance, and holds excellent connections to multilateral agencies (MLAs), export credit agencies (ECAs) and development finance institutions (DFIs), primarily through its Washington DC office. IDB Invest, IFC and Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional are amongst its key clients. The firm also has key banking and finance practitioners in its New York, Sao Paulo and Madrid offices. Key markets for the team include Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Peru and Colombia. It has also made a considerable impression on smaller markets such as El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama. Along with new money lending, the firm has an established record in major debt restructurings, especially in the aviation sector. Sustainability-linked financings are another forte, while it has made further inroads in acquisition finance, notably advising the lenders, issuing banks and hedge providers on the $1.2bn equivalent multi-tranche and dual-currency financing for Sociedad Transmisora Metropolitana’s acquisition of the entire stake in Enel Transmisión Chile. Fabricio Longhin has an outstanding reputation in the market, representing agencies, development banks and commercial lenders, amongst others, while partners Jessica Springsteen, Lori Bean and senior counsel Catherine McCarthy are also intensely focused on Latin America. New York partner Douglas Deutsch is noted for debt restructurings. Counsel Alberto Haito is another impressive practitioner. All named individuals are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

Milbank remains a market leader in energy and infrastructure finance. The firm represents a wide range of lenders, Latin American borrowers and financial sponsors in big-ticket and complex financings. The firm also has extensive geographic coverage from Argentina and Brazil to the Andean region, Central America and Mexico. With its long history in project finance, the Latin America team has also built a reputation for excellence in acquisition and leveraged finance, general syndicated lending, and bank-bond financings, among other structures. The highly acclaimed Dan Bartfeld is chair of the global project, energy and infrastructure finance group and has a major focus on Latin America; he continues to work on some of the landmark financings in the region including the $1.25bn financing for infrastructure developments at the Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, Peru. Carlos Albarracin is another Latin America specialist with a mix of bank finance, capital markets and hybrid engagements. Carolina Walther-Meade, Jaime Ramirez and Roland Estevez are also key figures in the team.

Shearman & Sterling LLP has a longstanding presence in the Latin America market, with its banking and finance practice often leading the way in acquisition finance, export finance, structured finance, corporate lending, and restructurings and refinancing. It represents a range of financial institutions, corporates and private equity funds; clients include Barclays, JP Morgan, BNP Paribas, Banamex and Transelec. The team is largely located in New York with support from its established São Paulo office. Denise Grant leads the bank finance, project development and finance practice, and has a long history in Latin America financings, which includes extensive geographic coverage in the region. Promoted to the partnership in 2022, dual-qualified (New York/Peru) Augusto Ruiloba is another key member of the team and is particularly noted for acquisition financings in the mining, energy and other sectors. Cynthia Urda Kassis is a leading name in metals and mining finance.

White & Case LLP is an indisputable leader in Latin America banking and finance. It leads the market in project finance, has a major presence in aviation finance and is active in acquisition finance in the energy and infrastructure fields. It is also at the forefront of debt restructurings and debtor-in-possession (DIP) financings in the region and is further noted for loans to financial institutions in Latin American jurisdictions. Green and sustainability-linked loans are another forte; it represented Petrobras on its debut $1.25bn sustainability-linked loan. The large banking and finance group operates from multiple offices, including Miami, New York, Washington DC, São Paulo and Mexico City. Carlos Viana  is head of the Latin America group and an eminent figure in project finance - although he is active in a range of financings, including syndicated loans. São Paulo executive partner John Anderson is a prominent name in Brazil, especially in the energy sector. New York’s Sabrena Silver has wide-ranging experience in Latin America financings; and Anna Andreeva has made an impression in asset finance, corporate loans and project finance. New York partner Bibiana Jaimes is well regarded for capital markets’ and debt financings. Named individuals are based in Miami unless stated otherwise.

Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP is a long-time leader in Latin America syndicated lending, particularly in Brazil. Much of the credit should go to leading figure Amy Dulin, who has now handed over the baton to Emilio Saiz (elected partner in 2021) and he has stepped up to lead many of the team’s headline financing engagements. The Latin America team has close links to many of the bulge-bracket lenders that are active in Brazil financings as well as elsewhere in the region. Aside from syndicated lending, the team is also noted for bilateral facilities, trade finance, project finance, restructurings and sustainability-linked loans. Moreover, Mark Denham is a leader in the aviation finance segment and has impressed in a series of recent DIP financings. Co-head of the Latin America team, Federico Goudie has close links to the Republic of Paraguay and has advised on a number of financing transactions in the jurisdiction.

Latham & Watkins LLP is at the forefront of the private-credit segment in Latin America financings, building on its long history of bank lending in the region. Much of the practice centres on the energy and infrastructure sectors, with additional growth in fintech. The firm is also rated for its expertise in acquisition finance and hybrid financings involving capital markets components. The Latin America team is close to a range of corporate borrowers, sponsors, commercial banks and institutional investors, and is gaining increasing visibility and traction in the start-up segment. Head of the Latin America group, Antonio Del Pino handles a broad range of transactional matters, including acquisition finance, project finance and hybrid deals. Gianluca Bacchiocchi and Guido Liniado are key figures in the firm’s rising prominence in securitisation and structured financings in the energy and infrastructure segments, along with a wider range of project and infrastructure financings. Newly elected Washington DC partner Carlos Ardila and counsel Marcela Ruenes are also key members of the team. All named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise. David Penna left the firm in May 2023.

Mayer Brown’s status as a global leader in banking and finance, combined with its longstanding commitment to Latin America, forms the basis for a flourishing practice in the region. The firm advises a vast array of big-name lenders, including Latin American and international institutions, with engagements ranging from bulge-bracket project finance to sustainability-linked loans and pioneering structured finance transactions. It continues to be at the forefront of future flow financings, warehouse financing, and supply chain and trade finance, and has also worked on the vast majority of diversified payment rights financings in Latin America. The firm has a presence in Brazil through its association with Tauil & Chequer Advogados and a growing office in Mexico City, coupled with Latin America-focused practitioners in New York, Chicago, Washington DC and other US offices. Chicago partner Douglas Doetsch is head of the Latin America group and a market leader in infrastructure finance and cross-border securitisations, including future cash flow securitisations. Buenos Aires-born Gabriela Sakamoto is another experienced name in project finance, structured finance and acquisition finance, and Chicago partner Juan Pablo Moreno is another key figure on cross-border financings in Latin America, including major project financings and sustainability-linked loans. David Duffee has retired.

Norton Rose Fulbright is unique in having a large banking and finance team in São Paulo, that works alongside Latin America-focused colleagues in New York, Washington DC, Mexico City and other offices. The practice has an extensive record in project finance, acquisition finance, restructurings, trade finance and aviation finance, and is also increasingly making its mark in relation to sustainability-linked financings and ESG loans. The Washington DC office has close connections to agency lenders and DFIs, while the broader team has an impressive portfolio of commercial lender clients and large corporate borrowers. Charles Johnson is a leading figure in structured trade finance, asset finance and restructuring, and – although focused on Brazil – he has broad geographic coverage, including Colombia, Peru, Uruguay and Paraguay. Michael McCourt has impressive connections to Brazilian and international lenders, and has a fine record in structured trade finance, leveraged finance and acquisition finance. Daniel Spencer is a prominent name in project finance and project bonds; while Raquel Bierzwinsky, who splits her time between New York and Mexico City, brings further project finance expertise. In Washington DC, key figures Sarah Devine and Jeremy Hushon frequently represent agencies and DFIs. Counsel Diego Brandão is another prominent team member. All named individuals are based in Sao Paulo unless stated otherwise.

Proskauer Rose LLP’s Latin America group is largely located in New York and São Paulo, with much of its banking and finance practice in the Brazilian city. The team has an excellent record in pre-export finance, acquisition finance, syndicated loans, restructurings and project finance. Moreover, it is one of few firms to have both US and UK qualified lawyers in its São Paulo office. The practice represents an impressive number of Brazilian corporates and banks, along with a series of financial sponsors, and is also noted for cross-border financings to Brazilian banks and financial institutions, and international acquisition financings for Brazilian corporates. Although the São Paulo team has a primary focus on the Brazilian market, it does have a broader geographic, including Chile. New York-based head of the Latin America practice Carlos Martinez is a versatile practitioner with a solid record in restructurings and bank lending. Head of the São Paulo office Antonio Piccirillo is a recognised finance specialist, highlighted for his recent record in acquisition financings and sustainability-linked loans. Dual-qualified (New York/UK) David Fenwick is noted for bank lending, securitisations, and hedging and derivatives transactions; while Fábio Yamada is also rated for bank lending and pre-export financings. Named individuals are based in São Paulo unless stated otherwise.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP has a long history in Latin America and a substantial team spread across its New York and São Paulo offices. The firm has worked hard to bring through a new generation of Latin America-focused partners in recent years and the Latin America group has -in turn- successfully leveraged the firm’s global standing in banking and finance transactions. The practice has an outstanding record in syndicated loans and acquisition finance, and evidences an especially strong record in the Southern Cone. Of late, it has worked on financings for some of Latin America’s largest corporates as well as routinely advising many of the world’s leading banks on financings in the region. Members of the core Latin America group are versatile practitioners, operating across multiple practice areas, although both Juan Naveira and Juan Francisco Méndez are particularly noted for syndicated loans and acquisition financings. The wider firm features banking and finance practitioners that also work on Latin America financings, including a team that advised JP Morgan on LATAM Airlines Group’s $3.7bn DIP term loan agreement. January 2023 saw the retirement of Jaime Mercado as a partner (although he remains at the firm as an of counsel); and the promotion of Borja Marcos – who has a strong record in Latin America financings – to the partnership. Named individuals are based in New York.

Arnold & Porter is widely known for its representation of sovereign and quasi-sovereign entities but also acts for an extensive list of corporate and financial institution clients in Latin America. It has a particularly strong record in Brazil, where team members have worked on a range of project finance, acquisition finance, export prepayment and trade finance, and general corporate lending mandates. The practice is also noted for derivatives, structured finance and securitisations, including future flow diversified payments rights (DPR) transactions. More generally, firm has continued to advice sovereign governments and central banks on major financings, regulatory matters and disputes. Washington DC’s Gregory Harrington and Whitney Debevoise  have extensive sovereign connections, bringing a wealth of engagements; while New York’s Christopher Willott has a fine record in Brazil financings. Raul Herrera (a former IDB General Counsel) has a 25 year track record and experience across the LatAm and Caribbean regions; he and counsel Arturo Caraballo are also key members of the team.

Best known for its restructuring practice in the financial sector – as opposed to banking per se – Dechert LLP has extensive experience in bankruptcy-related and distressed company matters, and enjoys an impressive record in Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Puerto Rico, among other markets. In recent years, it has landed a series of major roles in the aviation sector, including LATAM Airlines’ Chapter 11 bankruptcy. It is also active in representing funds in the restructuring arena. Allan Brilliant is co-chair of the global financial restructuring group and stands out for his work representing bondholders in cross-border restructurings involving Latin America. A partner since 2021, David Herman is another financial restructuring specialist with considerable experience in Latin America, including Chapter 11 processes. Providing additional support, senior Latin America specialist’s broad corporate and securities practice takes in bank and capital markets’ financings. Dual-qualified (New York/Chile) associate Isaac Stevens also impresses clients in financial restructuring and distressed transactions.

DLA Piper LLP (US)’s sizeable Latin America team in the US alongside practitioners in the region itself, provides a solid platform for a growing banking and finance practice. The firm has built an enviable client base, particularly Latin American borrowers, and is widely recognised for its geographic spread of engagements in project finance and large restructurings. The team was further strengthened by the hire of Latin America banking and finance specialist Robert da Silva Ashley from McDermott Will & Emery LLP in April 2023; splitting his time between New York and Miami, he brings wide-ranging experience in project finance and corporate lending, including wind and solar projects. Margarita Oliva Sainz de Aja is co-regional head of Latin America banking and finance, and is another experienced figure in project finance and general corporate lending. Mexico City partner Edgar Romo and Lima’s Sergio Barboza, are also co-regional heads of the group, and are key figures within the team, along with José Sosa-Lloréns in Puerto Rico. Raul Farias, who splits his time between San Diego and New York has made a big impression in cross-border financings and refinancings, and has also led on a series of large-scale restructuring engagements; he was the lead partner in advising Mexico-based Crédito Real on its $2.9bn global debt restructuring encompassing six different jurisdictions and more than 45 different creditors.

 

Greenberg Traurig LLP’s longstanding commitment to Latin America is increasingly evident with its track record of acquisition finance, structured finance and financial services regulatory work. The firm is a growing force in fintech, cryptocurrency businesses and digital payments systems in Latin America, including start-ups to publicly traded companies. Notably, it is increasingly active in the acquisition of fintech and digital payments businesses by US and international strategic buyers; it advised Paysafe on its acquisition of SafetyPay, a payments platform operating primarily in Latin America. In another growth area, the practice is assisting a number of Latin American financial services clients with their entry into the US market, particularly South Florida. In financings, the firm benefits from an impressive portfolio of Latin American borrower clients. Emilio Alvarez-Farré has an impressive record in Latin America financings, particularly in Mexico, and Marina Olaman-Pal is building the firm’s standing in financial services regulatory, following the June-2022 departure of long-term partner Carl Fornaris.

Hogan Lovells US LLP’s long history in Latin America transactions brings it a wealth of financing engagements, notably project finance and corporate lending matters. Its client base includes IDB Invest, which the New York and Mexico City offices recently advised on a $300m financing to ENGIE Energía for the expansion of Peru’s largest wind farm. The firm is also steadily growing its profile in sustainability-linked finance. Jorge Diaz-Silveira has an outstanding record in Latin America project finance and other financing transactions, particularly in Central America. Mexico City’s Federico De Noriega and New York partner Ricardo Martinez are also key members of the team.

Holland & Knight LLP has a longstanding presence in Latin America banking and finance matters. With a number of finance specialists that have a major focus on the Latin America market, it has attracted a wealth of financial institution clients and routinely lands significant engagements. Much of the Latin America finance team sits in New York and Miami. In New York, Stephen Double is a vastly experienced Latin America expert with a fine record in syndicated lending, acquisition finance, project finance, structured finance and trade finance. Phillip Durham splits his time between New York and Chicago and is a leader in equipment and aviation finance (indeed the firm has a burgeoning record in the latter segment); he led the team that acted for aircraft leasing companies in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of LATAM Airlines. New York and Miami-based Norberto Quintana has close connections to a number of major lenders and is a prominent figure in energy and infrastructure finance, including Colombian toll road projects.

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is widely noted for its extensive connections to multilateral development banks, including IDB Invest and CIFI Latam, which has led to a solid pipeline of financings in the renewables and energy transition areas. It also has strong links to other commercial lenders and the practice has developed a fine record in advising on loans to Latin American financial institutions by multilaterals; it advised Ecuadorian bank Banco de la Produccion (Produbanco) on two loans from International Finance Corporation with an aggregate value of $160m. Fernando Alonso is head of the Latin America group and a versatile practitioner with extensive experience in Latin America financings, including loans to Latin American financial institutions. Washington DC partner Vera Rechsteiner is pivotal to many of the multilateral development bank relationships and lands numerous financing engagements in the energy, oil and gas, and infrastructure segments; while Washington DC’s Alejandro Silva is now also especially active in this area for the IFC and IDB Invest. Fernando Margarit is a leader in digital infrastructure financings, especially subsea fibre optic cable systems. Uriel Mendieta is also experienced in syndicated loans and digital infrastructure finance, and Houston partner Doris Rodríguez is an experienced figure in oil and gas financings. Siddharth Sethy has left the firm to join Prudential Private Capital in March 2022. Named partners are based in Miami unless stated otherwise.

Linklaters LLP's core Latin America practice operates from its New York, Sao Paulo and Madrid offices. Many in the team have extensive experience in financings, particularly in the renewables segment and it has become a real force in sustainability-linked financings. One recent mandate saw Michael Bassett and counsel Alejandro Gordano led the team that advised ENGIE Energía Perú on an up to $300m loan granted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and IDB Invest for the development of its Punta Lomitas wind farm project. The firm also has developed an especially strong record in Peru. With over 25 years' experience, corporate-finance veteran Conrado Tenaglia co-heads the Latin America group in conjunction with Sao Paulo partner Matthew Poulter who is highly regarded for syndicated loans and infrastructure finance. Madrid-based managing associate Alberto García Linera leads the Mexico group and has experience across an array of cross-border finance matters.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP has an established record in Latin America finance. With its close links to a growing number of international financial institutions, it is best known for corporate lending; HSBC has been a major client for many years and Deutsche Bank is a new name on its client list. Restructuring and securitisation are also fortes for the Latin America team, which has achieved further growth in debt private placements and fintech matters. Thomas Mellor has a long history of syndicated finance, club deals and trade finance in Brazil and elsewhere in the region. Hartford partner Daniel Papermaster has additional experience in financings, restructurings, and private placement financings, particularly in Chile, Peru and Mexico - although his experience reaches further afield.

Winston & Strawn LLP continues to significantly expand its banking and finance offering, primarily through the launch of a large Latin America-focused Miami office in 2022. This has provided the Latin America practice with considerable depth in project finance, bank regulatory matters, fintech, digital payments and digital assets. In project finance, Richard Puttré has a long history in energy and infrastructure financings, especially for Spanish construction companies and other sponsors. This builds on the firm’s pre-existing expertise in Latin America project financings, including in the renewable energy sector; it has an especially strong record in Chile. The new Miami office also includes partner Craig Rasile, an experienced figure in bankruptcy and restructuring, including Latin America engagements. Carl Fornaris joined from Greenberg Traurig LLP to co-chair the financial services group and the digital assets & blockchain technology team, and has an extensive background in Latin America. Kimberly Prior and Daniel Stabile also co-head the digital assets & blockchain technology group. Other key partners include Talbert Navia and Allen Miller who co-chair the Latin America team from New York; and the highly-rated Rodrigo Carvalho, managing partner of the São Paulo office. Los Angeles-based Francisco Flores is highly rated for structured finance transactions in Latin America. All named individuals are based in Miami unless stated otherwise.

Cuatrecasas’ multi-office strategy in Latin America continues to pay dividends. The offices in Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Peru advise a range of financial institutions, funds and corporates on acquisition finance, project finance, trade finance, and refinancings and restructurings, among other matters. It is noted for Spanish law-governed financings and has landed a number of major restructuring engagements. Bogota partner Manuel Quinche leads the team and has a fine record in corporate lending, project finance and real estate finance. Santiago’s Roberto Guerrero V has impressed in the restructuring field and Lima partner Aldo Reggiardo is well regarded for project finance. Mexico City partner León López is another important figure in project finance; while Madrid partner Carlos Lasarte regularly advises on Spanish law financings in Latin America, notably advising Bancóldex on its Spanish law bilateral loan agreement with BBVA.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP has an established record in energy and infrastructure financings, including bank debt and bond issuances. The firm also has a presence in corporate lending and restructurings, and has developed strong connections to both lenders and Latin American borrowers. Tomer Pinkusiewicz leads the Latin America team and has an excellent reputation in infrastructure financings, including bank and bond debt. Toren Murphy is also active on project financings in the region, while Anita Girdhari is noted for transportation infrastructure financings and public-private-partnerships.