Mr Humberto Padilla Gonzalez > Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP > Houston, United States > Lawyer Profile

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP has an outstanding presence in acquisition finance, syndicated and bilateral loans in Brazil and across Latin America. Much credit goes to the experienced and prominent New York partner Thomas Mellor, who has close connections to HSBC, ING and other major lenders. He and the team frequently represent HSBC in new money financings and restructurings; the firm has an established record in bankruptcies and restructurings in Latin America. Mellor is also developing the firm’s standing in private credit and alternative lender transactions, and in litigation funding arrangements. Houston based John Crespo, Felipe Alice and Humberto Padilla Gonzalez provide further senior expertise, particularly in energy and infrastructure financings. Hartford’s Daniel Papermaster and London partner Carter Brod are also active in Latin America financings, including private placement transactions.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s Houston office is home to the core of the firm’s Latin America practice. The team is steeped in energy expertise, including project development and finance, M&A and joint ventures. It has developed an impressive client base, particularly a growing number of large Mexican corporates and financial institutions, along with other multilatinas and a series of private equity houses and asset managers. The team remains noted for energy transactions, including oil and gas, renewables and energy transition deals, and is a growing force in infrastructure projects outside of the energy sector. The Houston group is noted for its cultural affinity with Latin America, with many of its senior practitioners having lived and worked in the region. John Crespo is co-head of the Latin America team, an expert in M&A, joint ventures and project development in multiple jurisdictions across the region, particularly regarding oil and gas. Native Spanish speaker Humberto Padilla Gonzalez is a versatile practitioner with a fine record in M&A, restructurings, private equity investments, along with general corporate, regulatory and securities matters, especially in Mexico. Native Portuguese speaker Felipe Alice is admitted to practice in Brazil, New York and Texas, and maintains an active presence in cross-border Brazil deals, including inbound and outbound transactions, along with matters outside of the jurisdiction.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP continues to stand out for its experience in energy transactions across Latin America, especially in Mexico and Brazil. Banking and telecoms are also key sectors for the Latin America team. Many senior names in the group were educated or have worked in the region itself, and it is replete with native Spanish and Portuguese speakers. The team has developed a hugely impressive client base, which includes a spread of prominent Latin American businesses, along with North American corporates and private equity funds. In particular, the group has worked on a string of deals for Mexican clients of late – including Grupo Elektra and Grupo Mexico – and  is also building its presence in transactions connected to Mexico’s real estate sector. Humberto Padilla Gonzalez (‘a star in Latin America‘) has emerged as a pivotal figure in Latin America M&A, particularly in Mexico. Brazilian partner Felipe Alice has a background in oil-and-gas deals, along with technology transactions. A Bolivia native, John Crespo is co-chair of the Latin America team and a prominent name in oil and gas transactions. Washington DC-based Ulises Pin is a telecoms specialist with a major focus on Latin America. Named individuals are based in Houston unless stated otherwise.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP has a powerful core team of Latin America specialists, primarily located in Houston. With a prestigious history in the oil-and-gas sector, the team acts for a range of major oil-and-gas companies and a number of state-owned enterprises. It also represents a variety of private equity investors, governments and financial institutions. Power and renewables, and telecoms-infrastructure are also areas of notable expertise. Key markets Mexico and Brazil are the team’s primary focus, along with multiple other Latin American jurisdictions. John Crespo is co-chair of the Latin America practice, a native Spanish speaker, and a leader in oil and gas projects and transactions across the region, particularly in Mexico. Felipe Alice is admitted to practice in Brazil, along with New York, Texas, and England and Wales; he remains active in Brazil and Mexico oil-and-gas matters, along with power and renewables engagements. Humberto Padilla Gonzalez has a background in Mexico transactions, including energy deals, while Washington DC’s Ulises Pin is noted for telecoms infrastructure projects. All named individuals are based in Houston unless stated otherwise.