Mr Fernando Alonso > Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP > Miami, United States > Lawyer Profile

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is widely noted for its extensive connections to multilateral development banks, including IDB Invest and CIFI Latam, which has led to a solid pipeline of financings in the renewables and energy transition areas. It also has strong links to other commercial lenders and the practice has developed a fine record in advising on loans to Latin American financial institutions by multilaterals; it advised Ecuadorian bank Banco de la Produccion (Produbanco) on two loans from International Finance Corporation with an aggregate value of $160m. Fernando Alonso is head of the Latin America group and a versatile practitioner with extensive experience in Latin America financings, including loans to Latin American financial institutions. Washington DC partner Vera Rechsteiner is pivotal to many of the multilateral development bank relationships and lands numerous financing engagements in the energy, oil and gas, and infrastructure segments; while Washington DC’s Alejandro Silva is now also especially active in this area for the IFC and IDB Invest. Fernando Margarit is a leader in digital infrastructure financings, especially subsea fibre optic cable systems. Uriel Mendieta is also experienced in syndicated loans and digital infrastructure finance, and Houston partner Doris Rodríguez is an experienced figure in oil and gas financings. Siddharth Sethy has left the firm to join Prudential Private Capital in March 2022. Named partners are based in Miami unless stated otherwise.

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP’s Miami office houses the core of its Latin America corporate and M&A practice. The group has a stellar record in Central America, although it has broadened its geographic focus in recent years and achieved further growth in outbound transactions and investments from Latin America into North America; notably, it has advised a series of Mexican and Central American family offices and investment vehicles on their investments into the US. The practice is also active in intra-regional deals under New York law and has an impressive track record in fund formation. The team has close links to Latin American financial institutions, family-owned businesses, funds and a range of multinationals. It is also connected to a number of development banks and multilateral agencies, which it advises on equity investments as well as debt financings. Fernando Alonso leads the Latin America team and is immensely experienced in M&A transactions. Fernando Margarit is an experienced Latin America specialist with particular expertise in the telecoms sector. Uriel Mendieta is another fundamental member of the Latin America team, along with associate Gabriel Lopez. All named individuals are based in Miami.

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP’s strong connections to multilateral agencies provides a platform for a raft of energy and infrastructure financings in Latin America. The firm has an impressive history in Mexico and Central America deals, along with engagements in the Southern Cone. It is seeing further growth in renewables and energy transition projects, including green hydrogen and battery storage. The practice is also a leader in digital infrastructure and the specialist niche of subsea fibre-optic cables. Fernando Alonso is chair of the Latin American and Iberian practice group, and has a wide-ranging focus that includes project development and finance. Washington DC partner Vera Rechsteiner has extensive experience in energy and infrastructure financings in Latin America, where she often represents multilateral and commercial lenders. Fernando Margarit is an experienced figure in infrastructure projects (notably telecoms subsea fibre optic cable systems and other digital infrastructure), as is Uriel Mendieta. Houston special counsel Doris Rodríguez provides further senior-level expertise. Chile-qualified Washington DC associate James Channing is also very active in Latin America projects. Named individuals are based in Miami unless stated otherwise.

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP’s Miami office is central to its Latin America practice. It has longstanding links to the region, particularly Central America, although it’s geographical coverage is increasingly extensive. The Miami team, along with colleagues in Washington DC, has developed strong connections to multilateral agency lenders, such as IDB Invest, which has brought a number of financings in the renewables and energy transition areas, along with loans to Latin American financial institutions. The group advises a range of family-owned businesses, funds and multinationals on inbound and outbound transactions; and it has advised a series of family offices in Mexico and Central America on their investments into the US. Fernando Alonso is a hugely experienced Latin America specialist with rich pedigree in M&A, capital markets offerings, debt financings and projects. Fernando Margarit is a leader in telecoms infrastructure projects, including niche expertise in subsea cable systems. Uriel Mendieta is another rounded practitioner with a background in M&A, financings and infrastructure projects.