Norton Rose Fulbright > Sao Paulo, Brazil > Firm Profile

Norton Rose Fulbright > The Legal 500 Rankings

Latin America: International firms > Banking and finance Tier 2

Norton Rose Fulbright has achieved further growth in restructurings and general lending for Brazilian and international banks, along with a notable uptick in ESG and sustainability-linked loans. The firm continues to be at the forefront of rail and metro financings across Latin America and remains active in renewable energy financings in Mexico and elsewhere. Its presence in Sao Paulo and Mexico City is complemented by its US offices, particularly New York and Washington DC, which have teams strongly focused on Latin America. Moreover, its London and other European offices, are integral to international bank relationships that bring the Latin America team a wealth of engagements. Sao Paulo managing partner Charles Johnson has spent more than two decades in Brazil, specialising in structured trade finance, project finance, asset finance and restructurings. Michael McCourt is another key partner in Sao Paulo, along with Daniel Spencer, who is a leader in infrastructure finance across Latin America. Sao Paulo counsel Caspar Davey, a fluent Mandarin speaker, has had a pivotal role in representing Chinese banks and sponsors in Latin America infrastructure financings, particularly in the rail sector. Raquel Bierzwinsky splits her time between New York and Mexico City, and specialises in project finance in Mexico, particularly in the renewable energy field. Washington DC partners Sarah Devine, a Spanish speaker, and Jeremy Hushon, hold strong connections to a wealth of agency lenders that are active in Latin America. London partner Giles Brand is active in offshore oil and gas financings in Brazil.

Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy

Norton Rose Fulbright 's wide-ranging Latin America practice has successfully targeted the energy, mining and infrastructure segments, acting for a variety of commercial lenders, development banks and ECAs, sponsors and developers, and financial investors. It has achieved particular prominence in renewable energy projects, notably in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Peru and many other jurisdictions. The firm is also at the forefront of mining projects, including copper, gold and lithium projects in Chile, Brazil, Mexico and Ecuador, among other countries. Raquel Bierzwinsky is a native Spanish speaker, based in New York and Mexico City, and has a broad practice covering renewable energy, infrastructure and mining in Mexico and the wider region. Sarah Devine and Jeremy Hushon are key figures in Washington DC, where they have close connections to commercial lenders, development banks and agency lenders. New York’s Todd Alexander is an experienced name in renewable energy and energy transition projects. Hernán González in Mexico City and Sao Paulo-based infrastructure finance specialist Daniel Spencer are also important members of the team.

Latin America: International firms > Corporate and M&A

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.