Donald Baker > White & Case LLP > Sao Paulo, Brazil > Lawyer Profile

White & Case LLP has performed admirably in spite of a difficult climate for capital markets issuances, with deal flow from Brazil – the firm’s primary market – remaining strong with a series of bond restructuring engagements. It has a large team of capital markets specialists in São Paulo, along with a significant number of New York partners and associates that have a particular focus on Brazil. Mexico, the Andean region and Argentina are also core markets for the team; 2022 partner-hires Eduardo Flores Herrera and Narciso Campos in Mexico City are both capital markets focused. The firm has also benefitted from its strength in energy and infrastructure, areas where capital markets activity has remained relatively buoyant, and it has leveraged its prominence in liability management to significant effect. The practice group continues to benefit from its exceptional issuer client base that provides a steady pipeline of engagements, while it also maintains strong links to bulge-bracket investment banks and funds – including distressed debt funds – that are increasingly prominent in this space. Further growth in the team has come through the promotion of São Paulo’s Abraham Paul and Miami-based Karen Katri to the partnership. Donald Baker remains the premier international capital markets lawyer in São Paulo, while John Vetterli is global head of capital markets and has a major focus on the Brazil market. São Paulo’s John Guzman is increasingly prominent in Brazil capital markets offerings, and Bibiana Jaimes and the highly-rated Rafael Roberti are also key team members. Sao Paulo associate Beatriz Barros is active team member on many large deals. Named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

White & Case LLP has demonstrated more commitment to Latin America than almost any other international firm in the market. It has large Latin America-focused teams in its Sao Paulo, Mexico City, New York, Miami and Houston offices. It is in Houston where it houses the core of its Latin America M&A team with Rodrigo Dominguez and William Parish having outstanding reputations in Latin America M&A; both have been instrumental in the firm’s recent record of advising on a steady pipeline of headline strategic and private equity transactions. The two are closely linked to oil and gas, LNG, renewables, mining and industrial real estate deals, with Brazil, Mexico and Chile featuring uppermost. Both advised EIG on its joint acquisition with Fluxys of an 80% equity stake in GNL Quintero, the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification terminal in Chile, from Enagas Chile and affiliates of OMERS Infrastructure. Technology is another growth area for the team, notably with a series of fintech deals. The Latin America M&A team has also assembled an enviable client list of Latin American corporates, family groups, multinationals and private equity houses. Sao Paulo’s Donald Baker is widely regarded as the best connected international lawyer in Brazil. Emilio Grandío was elected to the partnership in 2022 and is an emerging talent – particularly in private equity transactions. Luisa Muskus is an impressive associate. All named individuals are based in Houston, unless stated otherwise.