Robert O'Leary > Shearman & Sterling LLP > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

Shearman & Sterling LLP‘s longstanding links to Latin America ensured a steady flow of energy and infrastructure engagements in 2021 and into 2022, notably in Chile, Mexico, El Salvador, Panama and the Dominican Republic. It continues to be active across the spectrum of power and renewables, mining and natural resources, oil and gas, and infrastructure projects, representing a range of banks, development banks and multilateral agencies, financial investors and sponsors. Cynthia Urda Kassis heads the mining and metals practice, and has a particular focus on Latin America, which includes additional expertise in power and renewables. Promoted to partner in July 2022, Augusto Ruiloba is a pivotal team member on many of the practice’s headline engagements, particularly the financing of energy, mining and infrastructure projects; and newly appointed counsel Robert O’Leary is gaining profile in project development matters. The firm’s Latin America capital markets team provides additional expertise on project bonds. However, Gregory Tan and former head of the Latin America group Alexandro Padrés  left the firm in May 2022.

Shearman & Sterling LLP is a longstanding leader in Latin America banking and finance. It continues to standout for its presence in acquisition financings, general corporate lending, structured financings, and refinancings, including ESG and sustainability-linked loans. The experienced team is also noted for its expertise across the bank and bond-driven financings’ segments. It has strong connections to a range of international banks, Latin American lenders, multilaterals and ECAs, as well as Latin American borrowers – notably in the oil and gas, mining and natural resources, and power sectors. Denise Grant is a giant in the market, most notably across acquisition financings, project finance and restructurings. The firm’s global project development and finance head, Cynthia Urda Kassis, has an outstanding record in mining and resources financings; while, Augusto Ruiloba and Robert O’Leary (appointed partner and counsel, respectively, in July 2022) impress with regard to non-recourse and acquisition financing of energy, mining and infrastructure projects. All named individuals are based in New York. Former practice co-head Alexandro Padrés left the firm in May 2022.