Mr Ricardo Russo > Pinheiro Neto Advogados > Sao Paulo, Brazil > Lawyer Profile

Banks, concessionaires, borrowers and project sponsors turn to Pinheiro Neto Advogados for assistance in all areas of project finance, development and implementation. Drawing on the firm’s strong performance in public law matters and regulated industries, the team brings together practitioners specialised in banking, finance and capital markets, who in addition to handling big-ticket financing deals, are also seasoned in the negotiation of construction contracts, public bids and administrative law matters. Ricardo Russo, an expert in project finance via banking and capital markets instruments, oversees the infrastructure team, which also includes Júlio César Bueno, a name to note for construction and engineering contracts and related dispute resolution. Of counsel Marcos Proença has been particularly active in debt transactions, advising several clients on the issue of infrastructure debentures and bonds. Recently promoted partner Thaís Fernandes Chebatt handles all stages of power, mining and ports projects, while Stephanie Hong primarily focuses on financing and M&A transactions in the infrastructure sector.

Pinheiro Neto Advogados offers a comprehensive capital markets service with the scale to handle an impressive annual volume of debt and equity deals. In addition to high-profile equity listings, where it represents issuers and underwriters, the group is also active on the debt side, including real estate receivables and agribusiness certificates. A popular choice for investment funds-related advice, the team, which brings together practitioners with strong backgrounds in corporate and M&A, banking and project finance, stands out for its regulatory capabilities. Leading partners such as the highly regarded Henrique Lang, Guilherme Sampaio Monteiro, a key contact for listed companies and their shareholders, Jose Luiz Homem de Mello, and Fernando Zorzo, whose ‘remarkable knowledge and experience‘ in IPOs and follow-on offerings is rated by clients, drive the equity side of the practice. Ricardo Russo, who specialises in public offerings of fixed-income instruments issued by local companies and financial institutions, Tiago A. D. Themudo Lessa , who leads the agribusiness-focused group, and the up-and-coming Rafael Gaspar, whose specialisms include derivatives  and agribusiness securitisation structures, are the names to note for DCM transactions. Counsel Marcos Proença leads the capital markets area in the Rio de Janeiro office, focusing on the issuance of bonds and debentures. Recently promoted counsel Camila Misciasci Derisio and senior associate Paula Rodrigues handle both private placements and public offerings of debt and equity securities in Brazil and abroad.