Antonio Del Pino > Latham & Watkins LLP > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

Latham & Watkins LLP‘s depth of resources and commitment to Latin America is bringing it significant rewards including in new money financings, refinancings, and restructurings and special-situations transactions. It is also noted for bank and bond financings. The Latin America team represents a range of international banks, financial sponsors and corporate borrowers, particularly in the energy sector. Although the firm’s core Latin America group is active in the banking and finance segment, the firm is able to draw on a much wider spread of partners and senior individuals that frequently advise on deals in the region. Antonio Del Pino leads the Latin America team and leverages his versatility and experience in multiple regional financings. Gianluca Bacchiocchi is a senior figure in Latin America project finance, project bonds and structured financings. Washington DC’s David Penna provides further extensive experience in energy, power and infrastructure financings. Guido Liniado is another emerging talent, as is Marcela Ruenes, who was promoted to counsel in January 2022. Veronica Relea moved to Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP in September 2021.

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.

Latham & Watkins LLP  has deep ties to Latin America and a growing team of senior practitioners that specialise in the projects and energy sphere. Many in the group were born or lived in the region for many years, while others have specialised in Latin America transactions for long periods. The department also has a broad swathe of expertise: from project bonds and acquisition financings, to bank/bond financings, project development and project finance, along with M&A and private equity investments. The group represents an impressive range of banks, sponsors and developers, and financial investors. It continues to make a further impression in bank and bond financings, multi-source financings, and more recently project bond financings, thanks to the presence of Gianluca Bacchiocchi and Guido Liniado, who joined the firm in 2021; the two have extended the firm’s presence in key jurisdictions such as Colombia and Brazil, as well as bringing tighter connections to major investment banks. The Latin America team is also particularly noted for its role in renewable energy portfolio acquisitions and investments by private equity houses. Washington DC partner David Penna is global co-chair of the project development and finance practice and has a strong focus on Latin America. Latin America co-head Antonio Del Pino  is noted for energy M&A and project finance. Washington DC associate Carlos Ardila is another important member of the team; indeed, since publication, he has been raised to the partnership – effective November 2022.