Carlos Viana > White & Case LLP > Miami, United States > Lawyer Profile

White & Case LLP‘s strong commitment to Latin America has led it to advise on a major pipeline of financings in countries across the region. Unusually, much of its Latin America financing capability is based in Miami, along with New York and Houston. It continues to lead the field in loans to financial institutions, airline restructurings and financings in the energy, power and infrastructure sectors. It has close links to multiple international banks, along with DFIs and agency lenders, though is also known for its extensive borrower client base. The firm has formidable banking and finance teams in New York, Miami, Houston, Mexico City and São Paulo; and the practice continues to advise on large financings in Brazil, Mexico and Central America, while enjoying further growth in Peru transactions. New York partner Sabrena Silver has vast experience in Latin America financings, including structured financings, acquisition financings, bridge loans, private equity financings and restructurings. John Anderson is a pivotal figure in São Paulo, where he has an extensive record in acquisition financings, bilateral and syndicated loans, trade finance and restructurings. Anna Andreeva is making a further impression in corporate loans, acquisition financings and restructurings, leading on many of the firm’s top deals. Carlos Viana has an outstanding record in energy, power and infrastructure financings, along with Sean Goldstein, who combines project finance expertise with extensive project development acumen. Houston based Adrian Leal impresses at associate level. Named individuals are based in Miami unless stated otherwise.

White & Case LLP is outstanding in Latin America energy and infrastructure transactions. The firm’s extensive team, which is spread across its New York, Miami, Washington DC, Houston, Mexico City and São Paulo offices, has a huge market share of the top deals in the region. It houses some of the leading practitioners in the market and is consistently developing new generations of talent. With a client base that ranges from sponsors and investors to banks and DFIs, the Latin America team ‘distinguishes itself through a combination of specialised expertise, innovative problem-solving, and a client-centric approach‘. The energy and infrastructure group frequently works alongside colleagues from the wider regional practice, including M&A, capital markets and restructuring; this includes a number of recent restructurings of longer-term projects. The department has a hugely impressive record in Mexico, Brazil and Chile, and has successfully targeted smaller economies such as the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Paraguay. The firm also stands out for its abilities in construction and project development, with leading figure Sean Goldstein to the fore. Carlos Viana remains highly-rated among clients and peers alike, while New York’s Thomas Pate has impressed in a series of renewable energy deals in Chile and elsewhere. São Paulo’s John Anderson is a native Portuguese speaker and a key name on Brazil deals; and Washington DC-based partner, Martin Menski, leads on many of the agency-related financings in the region. New York-based Raffaele Turco was elevated to the partnership in January 2024. Named individuals are based in Miami unless stated otherwise. Since publication, Ana Maria Arias and Grétel Martínez – both of whom handle project finance and development matters – have been promoted to counsel – effective as of January 2025.

White & Case LLP has the leading Latin America-facing Miami practice of the heavyweight international law firms. It is a dominant force in energy and infrastructure, including both project development and project finance, while remaining at the forefront of acquisition finance and structured financings. Moreover, it has a substantial team dedicated to white-collar crime and government enforcement investigations, along with further strength in international arbitration. In energy and infrastructure, the Miami team has a prestigious client base of sponsors, investors, banks and development finance institutions (DFIs). Carlos Viana has an outstanding reputation for large-scale and headline project financings in multiple jurisdictions, with Sean Goldstein providing further senior-level talent in project development and project finance; he is also a key relationship partner for IDB Invest. Anna Andreeva is further noted for aviation finance and equipment leasing financings, along with project finance and general bank lending. In white-collar crime and government enforcement investigations, Michael Garcia and Maria Beguiristain are top practitioners, achieving additional prominence in sanctions-related cases, cryptocurrency and fintech, along with anti-corruption due diligence in investments and acquisitions. Silvia Marchili, who splits her time between Houston and Miami, is another established name in commercial and investment arbitration in Latin America. Newly minted partner Estefanía San Juan is primarily focused on Latin America commercial and investor-state arbitrations. Head of the Latin America group Christian Hansen is now based in Mexico City.