Latham & Watkins LLP has outstanding M&A and private equity credentials in Latin America, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors. It represents a number of big-name multinationals, such as Telefonica, and Latin American businesses that are frequently involved in transactions in the region. The Latin America team also supports a growing group of private equity players -such as Carlyle Group, Platinum Equity and Global Infrastructure Partners- that are making significant investments and divestments in the region; this includes advising the latter on its acquisition of Saavi Energia and its acquisition of a solar energy portfolio in Chile. The Latin America practice group continues to be especially active in key markets such as Mexico and Chile. Antonio Del Pino is a prolific adviser on corporate, M&A and private equity transactions throughout the region, including many deals valued in excess of $1bn. Madrid partner Ignacio Pallarés is also active in Latin America deals, while associate Alan Rozen impresses on both M&A and private equity matters. The practice was boosted in the energy and infrastructure segments with the November-2020 return of David Penna after a little over a year at the US International Finance Development Corporation.

With the election of Sao Paulo’s Paulo Fernando de Menezes Cardoso to the partnership in January 2022, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP's Latin America practice now features six dedicated partners who are active on M&A transactions. The team is at the forefront of big-ticket private equity investments and exits, along with M&A in the financial services, energy and technology fields (including fintech investments in Brazil). The group has also experienced an uptick in outbound deals from Brazil, Mexico and other jurisdictions; it advised Braskem America, the affiliate of Brazil-based Braskem, on its minority investment into Nexus Circular. Todd Crider heads the Latin America group, dividing his time between New York and Sao Paulo, and has a fine record in private equity and M&A; he led the team that advised Patria on its headline business combination with Moneda Asset Management. New York partner Juan Francisco Méndez has a very strong reputation for deals in Chile, Peru, Colombia and Mexico. Jaime Mercado and the highly-rated emerging talent Juan Naveira are also key names in M&A and private equity, including big-ticket deals. Grenfel Calheiros is a leading name in Sao Paulo. All named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

Clifford Chance has an extensive record in energy and infrastructure transactions in Latin America. It is also at the forefront of advising private equity and financial sponsors on their investments and divestments in the region. With Latin America M&A specialists in its Sao Paulo, New York and Madrid offices, it has a solid pipeline of corporate and M&A engagements. The practice continues to develop its standing in Brazil transactions, notably in the fintech area, which includes venture capital funding arrangements. The Latin America team has also successfully targeted growth markets such as Ecuador and has landed a series of engagements in telecoms and data centre transactions. Sao Paulo managing partner Anthony Oldfield is a seasoned corporate and M&A specialist with impressive connections to Brazilian corporates and investors. David Brinton has an extensive record in energy, infrastructure and natural resources transactions in Latin America, including private equity investments and divestments. Thais Garcia, who recently relocated back to Sao Paulo, is a fast-emerging talent with a burgeoning record in Latin America M&A and private equity transactions, especially in Spanish speaking jurisdictions. Madrid’s Javier Amantegui and Samir Azzouzi are also active in Latin America deals. Senior associate Carla Ruggero is also noted. All named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP ‘s prominence in insurance, infrastructure and private equity is evident in its Latin America M&A practice, along with energy, telecoms and mining. The team is also noted for transactions involving anti-corruption due diligence. It continues to represent a range of private equity houses and financial sponsors such as HIG Capital, CPPIB and Carlyle in Latin America deals, along with a number of international insurance companies. Maurizio Levi-Minzi co-heads the Latin America group and is a prolific adviser on M&A and private equity deals in the region. David Grosgold is highlighted for insurance and financial services deals in the region. At associate level, up-and-comer Sergio Torres is also noted, particularly for Brazil-related deals.

Jones Day has an impressive record in high-value and bulge-bracket deals in Latin America, especially in Brazil and Mexico. The Latin America team frequently represents US-based and European multinationals in Latin America transactions, through its sizeable offices in New York, Miami, Mexico City and Sao Paulo. It is also increasingly active in representing Latin American businesses in outbound acquisitions into the US and Europe. Energy, financial services and technology are amongst its primary sectors. Wade Angus has a long history in Brazil M&A and private equity transactions. Head of the Sao Paulo office and the Latin America region Luis Riesgo is also noted for cross-border deals involving US-based and European businesses. Marcello Hallake is another experienced member of the team, along with Manuel Romano in Mexico City. Of counsel Artur Badra is also rated. All named individuals are based in Sao Paulo unless stated otherwise. Experienced Miami partner Enrique Martin  left the firm in May 2022.

Paul Hastings LLP has continued to develop a wide-ranging and extensive Latin America practice featuring a sizeable M&A team. Led by Michael Fitzgerald, the titan of the Mexico market, the wider team has broad geographic coverage including notable specialist expertise in Brazil, Colombia and Peru. With strong connections to major financial institutions that are active in Latin America, the team has also secured an impressive client base of Latin American businesses. Robert Leung and Mike Huang are prominent in Peru and Colombia deals, representing both domestic businesses and foreign entities; this includes both inbound and outbound transactions. Luke Iovine is another key team member, while highly-rated Sao Paulo partner Jonathan Kellner has made a big impression in the Brazil market in recent years. Sao Paulo associate Filipe Lima also impresses clients. Named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise. Former of counsel Veronica Rodriguez moved in-house at Televisa-Univsion in September 2021.

White & Case LLP has a dynamic Latin America M&A practice with deals throughout the region, particularly Brazil, Mexico, Chile and other larger economies. It continues to be active in energy, infrastructure, technology and financial services. It has also experienced growth in intra-regional deals and with Latin American businesses acquiring assets in the US; it advised QuintoAndar on its headline acquisition of operations of the Navent Group real estate platform in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, and Panama. The firm is noted for both bulge-bracket and mid-cap deals, and benefits from having strong teams in Sao Paulo, Mexico City, Houston, Miami and New York. Rodrigo Dominguez leads the Latin America M&A group and has led the team on a series of headline deals in recent years. William Parish is equally experienced in Latin America M&A, particularly in the energy sector. Sao Paulo office founder Donald Baker provides extensive cross-border M&A experience in Brazil. Marwan Azzi left the firm in 2021. Luisa Muskus impresses at associate level. All named individuals are based in Houston unless stated otherwise.

DLA Piper LLP (US)‘s wide-ranging presence in the region itself, along with Latin America-facing offices in the US, ensure that it is well positioned for cross-border acquisitions, investments and divestments. The Latin America team represents a range of multinationals and an increasing number of private equity houses and other financial sponsors. The firm has a particularly strong Bogota office that has landed a number of big engagements from international clients. The Miami and San Diego offices are also regularly mandated on big-ticket deals. Miami partner Francisco Cerezo is chair of the Latin America corporate and finance practice, and has extensive deal experience in the region. San Diego partner Raul Farias provides further senior level expertise in energy and financial services deals in particular. At associate level, dual-qualified (Miami/Puerto Rico) Joseline Rodríguez is noted.

Head-quartered in Miami, Greenberg Traurig LLP naturally has deep connections to Latin America. It has attracted a wealth of Latin American businesses as clients and has landed a series of impressive engagements from multinationals and financial sponsors with interests and assets in the region. Additionally, it has made a particular impression in SPAC transactions in the region, and has continued to expand its geographic reach beyond its traditional focus on Mexico and Central America; it has a sizeable office in Mexico City. The practice is also noted for representing Latin American businesses in outbound transactions into the US, particularly Florida. Yosbel Ibarra is co-managing shareholder of the Miami office and has decades of experience in Latin America deals. Antonio Peña has become co-chair of the Latin America practice and continues to make an impression in headline transactions, including SPAC deals; he led the team that advised Procaps Group on its business combination with Union Acquisition Corp II, resulting in the first public listing of a Colombian company in over 10 years. Emilio Alvarez-Farré is another hugely experienced Latin America specialist and of counsel Arnaldo Rego is further noted for deals in Brazil and other jurisdictions in the region. Carol Barnhart is another senior name with an impressive track record in Latin America. The practice was further strengthened in August 2022 with the hire of Henry R Roque from Holland & Knight LLP in Miami.

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has an extensive record in Latin America inbound and outbound transactions, though it is best known for advising major multinationals such as Santander, Mondelēz and Diageo on their interests in the region; this includes headline M&A transactions, joint-ventures and distribution agreements. The core Latin America corporate team, which is largely based in Miami, has also landed a number of inbound deals from Latin America; financial services M&A has been especially prominent. Moreover, its knowledge of the region and expertise in cross-border deals has led to a series of engagements on intra-regional deals, particularly where the contracts are under New York law. The team continues to be noted for its experience in Central America, along with major economies such as Brazil, Argentina and Chile. Its deep cultural and language connection to the region involves three Miami-based Hispanic partners in the highly-rated Fernando Alonso, Fernando Margarit, Uriel Mendieta. Dual-qualified (New York/Miami) associate Gabriel M Lopez is also noted.

Mayer Brown‘s Latin America M&A practice is primarily driven by energy transactions, especially in the oil and gas segment. Through Tauil & Chequer Advogados, its associated firm in Brazil, the firm has landed a series of headline deals in oil and gas, including those linked to Petrobras’s divestment programme. It advised Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CPDQ) on its acquisition, alongside Engie, of the remaining 10% stake in Transportadora Associada de Gás (TAG) from Petrobras; with the original acquisition of the 90% stake, this involved a total investment of more than BRL34.5bn – the largest M&A transaction in Brazilian history. The Latin America team has also advised on a number of LNG-to-power and gas-to-power M&A transactions, and continues to be involved in renewable energy deals in Chile. Houston partners Pablo Ferrante and Jose Valera have a huge amount of experience in energy M&A; in Brazil, Carlos Motta is a key name in Sao Paulo as is Alexandre Chequer in Rio de Janeiro; and in Mexico City, Raúl Fernández-Briseño is the key transactional contact. Vera De Gyarfas moved in-house in July 2021.

Milbank has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to Latin America with corporate and M&A transactions becoming an increasingly important component of the overall regional practice. Much of the corporate and M&A transactional practice centres on energy and infrastructure, with an ever increasing number of private equity and financial sponsor engagements in this space. The firm’s prominence in the aviation sector has also brought it a number of headline restructuring mandates. John Franchini, head of the global corporate practice, is a regular adviser to private equity houses, sovereign wealth funds and other financial sponsors on Latin America-related investments and divestments; he also led the team that advised Cementos Progreso on its agreement to acquire CEMEX’s operations in Costa Rica and El Salvador for some $335m. Francisco Nuñez and Aaron Stine are also up-and-coming names in the team.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP has a healthy track-record in power and renewables deals, including projects acquisitions. Its primary markets are Brazil and Mexico, although it has achieved further growth in Chile and the Southern Cone, along with a number of other jurisdictions. The firm’s prominent Boston office has also played a key role in developing its standing in fintech and life sciences deals in the region, particularly in Brazil. Moreover, its reputation in Latin America has led to a number of outbound engagements as regional businesses seek to invest in and acquire assets in the US. The largely Houston-based Latin America team features practice head John Crespo, Mexico specialist Humberto Padilla Gonzalez and Brazil licensed Felipe Alice. Washington DC partner Ulises Pin is noted for telecoms transactions in the region.

Proskauer Rose LLP has a stable team of Latin America specialists based in its New York and Sao Paulo offices. The group represents a mix of multinationals, multi-latinas and financial sponsors, particularly in the financial services, energy and natural resources, mining and metals, and life sciences industries. It has a small group of sizeable Latin American clients that provide regular engagements, such as BTG Pactual and The Gilinski Group. The head of the Latin America practice, Carlos Martinez, is a seasoned corporate and M&A specialist with inordinate knowledge of the continent, while Daniel Ganitsky , co-head of the M&A practice, can also draw on his longstanding focus on the region. Recent matters saw the pair lead advice to anchor client The Gilinski Group on its two takeover bids in Colombia to acquire Grupo Nutresa and Grupo Suramericana. Other mandates have seen the practice acting in Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay and Peru of late. Both partners are based in New York.

Winston & Strawn LLP‘s Latin America group has a substantial emphasis on M&A and private equity. This includes both inbound and outbound transactions. The firm launched a Miami office in May 2022, appointing senior Latin America M&A specialist Enrique Martin (a recruit from Jones Day) as managing partner. The wider team has experienced a further uptick in acquisitions and investments by Latin American businesses in the US, including deals originating from Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador and El Salvador. The firm has made a real impact in Brazil deals following the 2021-hire of ‘incredible lawyer’, Rodrigo Carvalho, the former head of investment banking (legal division) at Bank of America in Brazil, who is now based in Sao Paulo. The Latin America team also continues to be at the forefront of private equity investments and funds formation thanks to the presence of Latin America practice group co-head Talbert Navia. It remains noted for its record in Chile, in part due to its connection to Enel Américas, the Santiago based electricity conglomerate. Co-head of the Latin America team Allen Miller is widely recognised for his record in public M&A for Latin American businesses, including Enel Américas. Kevin Smith is another experienced figure in Latin America M&A and private equity. All named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

Hogan Lovells US LLP has a large Latin America team spread across multiple offices in the Americas, including in Miami, Houston, Mexico City and Sao Paulo. With particular experience in acquisitions of and investments in projects and energy assets, the firm also has a breadth of M&A experience for both corporates and financial investors. Miami office managing partner Jorge Diaz-Silveira is a notable figure in M&A transactions, especially in the projects, energy and infrastructure fields. Juan Francisco Torres Landa is a leading name in Mexico City, where he has extensive experience in cross-border deals.

Holland & Knight LLP has a substantial team of Latin America corporate and M&A specialists. The firm’s Miami and New York offices operate as its principal hubs for servicing the region, these being complemented by the firm’s presence in Mexico City and Bogota. The group represents a range of multinationals with interests and assets in Latin America. It has also landed a number of engagements from private equity investors, making investments and acquisitions in the region. The core Miami team, in particular, has broad geographic coverage, often taking on roles with multi-jurisdictional elements. A team led by George Mencio and Aymee Valdivia advised Mitsubishi Power Americas on the corporate rebranding of Mitsubishi group subsidiaries in the Americas following the termination of the joint-venture between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Hitachi; this involved multiple jurisdictions across Latin America. Danielle Price and Roberto Pupo, chair of the Latin America practice group, are also senior names in Miami with extensive experience in Latin America corporate and M&A matters. Paulo Varnieri has joined the Washington DC office, having been the general counsel for CCR USA, a division of Brazil-based CCR, the large Latin American infrastructure business. The Miami team has also been strengthened with the arrival of corporate partner Alexandra Aguirre –from Morrison Foerster– in June 2022, but subsequently saw the departure of Henry R Roque in August.

Linklaters LLP's core Latin America group demonstrates genuine versatility across practice areas and transaction types. The firm’s longstanding commitment to Latin America, primarily through its New York and Sao Paulo offices, has resulted in a series of major M&A engagements in key growth areas such as agribusiness and SPACs. It advised Bioceres Crop Solutions (BIOX), the Argentina-based crop productivity solutions business, on its merger with Marrone Bio Innovations, the NASDAQ-listed agricultural company. Matthew Poulter is a prominent figure in Sao Paulo with Madrid managing associate Alberto García Linera leading the firm’s Mexico group.

Shearman & Sterling LLP has a long history in Latin America and a substantial global corporate practice, which is frequently deployed on Latin America mandates, including strategic M&A and private equity deals. The firm has an especially strong record in financial services, energy and infrastructure, mining and resources, and media and entertainment. New York’s George Karafotias has advised on a number of deals in the region; Austin-based Cassandra Cuéllar (who made partner in July 2022) is focused on Latin America’s emerging growth segment and undertakes a broad range of corporate transactions, particularly with entrepreneurs, venture capital  investors and corporate venture funds; while Houston counsel Gabriel Salinas is noted for oil-and-gas deals in Mexico and also has a  growing practice in green hydrogen.

Uría Menéndez has a long history in Latin America and has extended its commitment through Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría, its associated regional firm with a Chile- Colombia-Peru footprint. It represents a range of Spanish corporates and investors, such as Telefonica and Repsol, along with other multinationals and financial sponsors. Along with having broad geographic coverage, the firm has also made a commitment to the Cuba market through counsel Lourdes Dávalos, who leads the Cuba desk. Eduardo Rodríguez-Rovira has led the Latin America practice for nearly 20 years and is a seasoned professional in M&A in the region. Juan Martín Perrotto has also spent long periods in the region and is noted for cross-border transactions involving European and Asian investors. Pablo González-Espejo has a long history with Brazil, having launched the firm’s Sao Paulo office in 1999 and was resident there until 2003. All named individuals are based in Madrid.

Vinson & Elkins LLP continues to impress in the energy and infrastructure field, including in investments and acquisitions by private equity funds. The Latin America team has developed its traditional strengths in line with key economic trends, notably in clean energy and digital infrastructure. The relatively recent hires of Eamon Nolan and dual-qualified (Brazil/New York) Gabriel Silva to the New York office have significantly deepened the firm’s Latin America credentials; the former is noted for Mexico power and renewables deals and the latter specialises in Brazil transactions, especially telecoms and digital infrastructure deals. Houston partners Mark Brasher and Alan Alexander are also experienced in Latin America energy deals.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is a growing force in Latin America M&A with experience in multiple jurisdictions across the region. The Latin America team is also especially active in venture capital financings and private equity investments; among a number of venture capital deals, the firm advised Insight Partners as co-lead investor in a $500m Series E investment in Latin American e-commerce platform, Nuvemshop. Maria-Leticia Ossa Daza leads the Latin America practice and recently advised Mexico’s América Móvil on its $6.25bn sale of TracFone Wireless to Verizon Communications. Washington DC partner Jorge Kamine has extensive experience in energy and infrastructure M&A in the region.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP has a substantial focus on Latin America, primarily from its Houston, New York and Los Angeles offices, with additional public law and policy expertise provided by the Washington DC office. The Latin America group is focused on energy, including oil and gas, along with energy transition and renewables transactions. It is also noted for corporate restructurings in the region. The hire of New York partner Sergio Urias from Covington & Burling LLP in June 2022 brings additional senior-level Latin America private equity and M&A experience. Houston’s Matt Kapinos is a key partner.

Allen & Overy LLP‘s established Sao Paulo and New York offices have a fine record in Latin America M&A, particularly in energy, telecoms and technology deals. In Sao Paulo, Bruno Soares leads the Latin America practice group and has strong connections to local, regional and international businesses; he has advised on a series of headline deals in the telecoms industry. New York’s Paul Burns and the immensely experienced Stephen Besen are active in cross-border deals, including in Latin America. Also noted is trilingual, dual-qualified (New York/Sao Paulo) counsel André de Paiva Teixeira.

Brown Rudnick LLP remains highly focused on Latin America, particularly in the distressed M&A, venture capital and blockchain fields. It is also active in general corporate and regulatory matters for multinationals with a presence in Latin America. It has worked on a series of fund investments and exits in Argentina and Brazil, along with mandates in Chile, Colombia, Mexico and many other jurisdictions. It has also worked on SPAC-related deals and hospitality-related projects. Alejandro Fiuza, who practiced for many years at leading Argentine firm Marval O’Farrell Mairal, leads the Latin America team and has extensive experience in M&A and private equity and is lauded for his venture capital capabilities. Adolfo Garcia provides further senior experience and New York partner Clara Krivoy is noted for blockchain transactions and corporate matters involving Latin American family offices. Partners are located in Boston unless otherwise noted.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP has a lengthy history in Latin America and it has a renewed and reinforced focus on M&A and private equity in the region. The firm now counts a range of multinationals, multi-latinas and international financial sponsors among its Latin America client roster. The arrival of dealmaker Marwan Azzi from White & Case LLP in August 2021 is a major boost to its Latin America M&A and private equity credentials; since joining the firm he advised long-term client I-Squared Capital (through ISQ Global Infrastructure Fund III and ISQ Growth Markets Infrastructure Fund), on its agreement to acquire Mexico-headquartered digital-infrastructure service provider, KIO Networks. In addition, Tomer Pinkusiewicz has an extensive record in energy and infrastructure M&A. The team was further strengthened with the hire of former Deloitte Legal Chile partner, corporate and capital markets specialist Ignacio Concha, as of counsel in November 2021. All named figures are based in New York.

Gunderson Dettmer LLP, a leader in start-ups, growth company and venture capital transactions, has successfully targeted the Latin America region, with strong activity levels in Brazil, Mexico and Chile. Its New York team has built an impressive record in representing venture capital funds and emerging companies in Brazil deals, with Silicon Valley and San Francisco groups targeting the Mexico market. Much of the firm’s practice in Latin America centres on digital, e-commerce and the broader technology sector. Brian Hutchings  is a key figure in New York for Brazil deals, while Daniel Green  is building his reputation in Mexico and Chile transactions. Since research concluded, the firm has announced the opening of a Sao Paulo office – effective July 2022 – which is to become the hub of its engagement in the Latin American region.

McDermott Will & Emery LLP‘s Latin America practice is primarily located in Miami and Dallas. Noted for its expertise in real estate investments and transactions, the team is also active in manufacturing, technology and retail, among other sectors. It represents a number of prominent corporates, along with a wide-range of Latin American high-net-worth individuals and family offices (especially those based in Mexico and Brazil) on cross-border investments and divestments in the US. The team has specific capabilities in cross-border tax structuring expertise. Dallas partner Manuel Rajunov is key for tax-driven transactional engagements and is also admitted in Mexico. Miami’s Michael Silva is an experienced figure in tax and funds formation engagements

Morrison Foerster has made a significant impact in Latin America since launching its Miami office in 2019. The core team led by the highly rated Randy Bullard, is known for representing SoftBank Latin America Fund in a range of headline acquisitions and investments across the region. Beyond this anchor client, the group has also advised a number of other large multinationals and international investors; a case in point was its advice to Uber Technologies on the acquisition of a majority stake in Cornershop, the Chilean grocery delivery company. Indeed, a healthy proportion of the Latin America corporate practice centres on technology and fintech matters. Dual-qualified associate Ludovica Gardani (Florida/New York) is also noted. All named individuals are based in Miami. However, Alexandra Aguirre left the firm in June 2022, followed by Juan Delgado and associate Axel Miranda the following month.

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP has achieved further growth in Latin American engagements, particularly in Brazil. The expanding team features a number of Brazilian natives, including co-head of the Latin America group Jackson Hwu who is an experienced figure in the country’s tech and venture capital sector. His team, which includes Leandro Molina and Caio Prado (in New York and Miami, respectively), represents a range of international and Latin American venture capital funds and a multitude of start-ups and emerging companies. The group has also landed a number of outbound deals for Brazilian clients looking to acquire assets in the US. The wider Latin America group is also active in venture capital and M&A transactions across Latin America, notably Central America and the Caribbean. John Haley is co-head of the Latin America team and has extensive experience in corporate transactions in the region, especially in the energy and infrastructure sectors.

Norton Rose Fulbright is building its name in Latin America M&A, especially in energy, infrastructure and technology deals. Having a sizeable presence in Sao Paulo and Mexico City brings it additional credibility and has led to engagements on a series of headline and high-value transactions. Sao Paulo partner Silvia Fazio is an experienced figure in Brazil transactions, including energy and infrastructure deals. Raquel Bierzwinsky divides her time between New York and Mexico City and has an increasingly prominent corporate and transactional aspect in addition to her well-known finance capabilities; the M&A and capital markets credentials of the latter office has been further strengthened with the April-2022 hire of  Andrés Nieto from Creel Abogados, SC.

Ropes & Gray LLP is known for private equity funds formation and investments in Latin America. The firm’s outstanding private equity client base brings it a steady pipeline of Latin America engagements, including in Brazil and Mexico. Chicago partner Matthew Posthuma has extensive experience in fund formation and investments in Latin America, particularly in the real estate sector.