Norton Rose Fulbright > Sao Paulo, Brazil > Firm Profile
Norton Rose Fulbright Offices
3900 AVENIDA BRIGADEIRO FARIA LIMA,
SAO PAULO
04538-132
Brazil
Norton Rose Fulbright > The Legal 500 Rankings
Latin America: International firms > Banking and finance Tier 2
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.Practice head(s):
Charles Johnson; Raquel Bierzwinsky
Key clients
KfW IPEX
CABEI
Deutsche Bank
Banco del Estado de Chile
BCI
IDB Invest
FinDev Canada
Braskem
Banco Rabobank International Brasil
BRK Ambiental Participações
Vale
Macquarie
Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden (FMO)
Société de Promotion et de Participation Pour la Coopération Economique (PROPARCO)
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Hedera Investimentos e Participações
Banco Itau BBA
ING Bank
Banco Bradesco
Iochpe Maxion
Corporacion Andina de Fomento (CAF)
Ultrapar Participações
Goldman Sachs
JP Morgan
MUFG Bank, Ltd.
Banco Credit Suisse do Brasil S.A.
Banco ABN Amro
Banco do Brasil
BNDES
DNB Bank
Banco BTG Pactual
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Bank of America
Citibank
Banco Santander
Work highlights
- Represented Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF) in a $300m financing to YPF to finance investments in sustainable projects in Argentina.
- Represented SIMPAR (and certain subsidiaries) in a $250m ESG-related financing with IDB Invest.
- Represented Bradesco as secured creditor in relation to the $1.84bn debt restructuring of Constellation.
Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy
Norton Rose Fulbright has one of the largest teams in the market, spread primarily across its New York, Washington DC, Mexico City and Sao Paulo offices. This affords the Latin America team with a broad and enviable client base of sponsors, commercial banks and agency lenders. The firm has a strong pipeline of engagements, particularly in Brazil and Mexico, but also in other key markets such as Chile, Peru and Colombia. It has achieved further growth in data centre infrastructure projects in Brazil and Mexico, along with further urban infrastructure matters and green technology financings. The team is also active on the acquisition of power and renewables portfolios, including existing assets and those under development, along with the renewables refinancings. In Mexico, it remains focused on pipelines and LNG facilities, among other areas. Native Spanish speaker Raquel Bierzwinsky splits her time between Mexico City and New York, and advises on projects and transactions in multiple market segments - including metro lines and LNG liquefaction projects. Washington DC’s Sarah Devine represents numerous of agency lenders and development banks, and has a prolific recent record in Latin America. Sao Paulo partner Daniel Spencer is an experienced figure in energy and infrastructure projects in South American jurisdictions.Practice head(s):
Keith Martin; Ben Koenigsberg
Testimonials
‘As a team, NRF has attorneys available at all times for our needs in Mexico. They integrate knowledge and ideas to implement new solutions. Unlike other firms, the NRF team comes prepared to meetings, they don’t improvise on the spot. This in turn is also reflected in that the stakeholders are also generally prepared to address the issues.’
‘They have extensive knowledge of the energy sector in Mexico, in state and private companies and within regulatory bodies and State Secretariats. In addition, the attorneys at NRF have the ability to generate useful stakeholder interactions.’
Key clients
US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)
Corporación Andina de Fomento
International Finance Corporation
Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden (FMO)
Inter-American Development Bank
MUFG Bank
Banco Santander
Horizonte Minerals
SIMPAR
Fitesa Naotecidos
Work highlights
- Represented the senior lenders and senior noteholders in the over $2bn restructuring and Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of the 531MW Alto Maipo hydroelectric power project in Chile, sponsored by AES Andes.
- Advised Horizonte Minerals on the $660m finance package for the construction and development of its Araguaia ferronickel mine in Brazil.
- Represented Banco Santander in a $22.3m ECA-backed financing to Brazilian utility company Eletronuclear for the financing of ongoing feasibility studies for the proposed lifetime extension of its Angra 1 nuclear plant.
Latin America: International firms > Corporate and M&A
Norton Rose Fulbright is highly-regarded for energy and infrastructure deals throughout Latin America. Its sizeable offices in Sao Paulo and Mexico City provide it with a platform for numerous Latin America deals, and this is backed by Latin-America focused colleagues in the US and elsewhere. The firm has also built its presence in the SPAC segment and in agribusiness. Sao Paulo partner Silvia Fazio is a specialist in Latin America M&A and Mexico City partner Andrés Nieto, who joined the firm in April 2022, is a well-rounded practitioner with extensive experience in M&A across multiple industries. Since publication, Nieto has left the firm - effective as of December 2023.Practice head(s):
Silvia Fazio; Hernan Gonzalez
Testimonials
‘Customer service and in-depth knowledge of complex M&A issues.’
‘Andrés Nieto is highly professional, with in-depth knowledge of complex international issues. He is always available and takes the time to address any request immediately. Excellent customer service, very reliable and deep knowledge of the subject, not only local, but also international.’
‘Andrés Nieto is the partner who undoubtedly delivers the best quality of services entrusted to him. He is a solid, experienced lawyer who goes over all the details.’
‘They are very well connected worldwide; Silvia Fazio is the key figure.’
Key clients
Equatorial Energia
LATAM Airlines
Suzano
Bemobi
Sumitomo Chemical
Cosan
Clear Channel Brasil
Banco do Brasil
Itau BBA
Osisko Gold Royalties
General Motors
RKIM Limited
Accenture
American International Group
Shell
Agrinam Acquisition Corporation
Work highlights
- Represented Brazil’s Equatorial Energia in a successful bid to purchase the entire issued share capital of Brazil Echoenergia Participações from Ipiranga Fundo de Investimento em Participações Multiestratégia, a fund owned by Actis.
- Advised Sumitomo Chemical Company on its agreement to purchase Nufarm’s crop protection business in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Chile and IP assets in Peru, Uruguay and Ecuador.
- Represented Agrinam Acquisition Corporation, a newly organised special purpose acquisition corporation (SPAC) in its Initial Public Offering (IPO).
Norton Rose Fulbright > Firm Profile
The firm: Norton Rose Fulbright is a global law firm providing the world’s preeminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. The firm has 3000+ lawyers and other legal staff based in more than 50 cities across Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East.
From its offices in São Paulo and Mexico City, Norton Rose Fulbright lawyers advise Brazilian and international clients on English and US law issues throughout Latin America. The majority of the firm’s LatAm team are fluent in both English and Portuguese and include lawyers who are fluent in Spanish, as well as lawyers with Mandarin Chinese language capability. For Brazilian law issues, the firm works with leading Brazilian law firms, with whom it has established relationships and a number of common clients.
Norton Rose Fulbright’s Brazil team has extensive experience in the areas of energy, including oil and gas and renewables; projects; banking and finance; corporate and M&A; bankruptcy; energy, infrastructure and resources; and transport. Working closely with teams in the US and Europe, the firm also advises clients on international dispute resolution and regulatory matters including compliance and investigations.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Partner and Head of São Paulo | Charles Johnson | charles.johnson@nortonrosefulbright.com |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Ms Silvia Fazio | View Profile | ||
Mr Charles Johnson | Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright US Consultores em Direito Estrangeiro | View Profile | |
Mr Michael McCourt | View Profile | ||
Mr Daniel Spencer | Partner | View Profile |
Languages
English (fluent) PortugeseOther
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