Ms Catherine McCarthy > Clifford Chance > Washington DC, United States > Lawyer Profile

Clifford Chance has remained active across the banking and finance field, with well-developed teams in New York and Washington DC complemented by a sizeable group in Sao Paulo. The firm represents a range of international banks, multilateral agency lenders and Latin American borrowers, particularly Brazilian corporates. The Latin America practice stands out particularly for the extent of its connections to multilateral agencies (MLAs), export credit agencies (ECAs) and development finance institutions (DFIs). The firm is further noted for energy and infrastructure finance, and major restructurings (including Chapter 11 filings) involving Latin America businesses. Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia and Peru are key markets for the team. Fabricio Longhin leads the Americas energy and infrastructure group and has an excellent record in financings across Latin America. Washington DC partners Catherine McCarthy and Lori Bean are experienced figures in representing MLAs, ECAs, DFIs and commercial banks in Latin America financings. New York partner Jennifer DeMarco is a key name in restructurings. New York’s Andrew Young is an emerging talent, while counsel Alberto Haito and New York associate Julian Hurtado Vallejo are also rated by clients. Named individuals are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise. Leading name Chris Willott joined Arnold & Porter in August 2021.

Clifford Chance serves a wide and impressive client base across Latin America. The firm has built extensive connections to investment banks -such as Goldman Sachs- and a range of development banks, including IDB Invest. Moreover, it has a thriving practice acting for export credit agencies (ECAs). While active across the region, it has built an especially prominent position in Colombia, Peru, Argentina and Paraguay, and achieved further growth in Chile; in particular, it has been a dominant force in toll-road financings in Colombia over recent years. The group also continues to be heavily involved in project bond and private-placement financings. Fabricio Longhin has an outstanding record and is a prolific advisor on Latin America project financings, acting for a variety of multilaterals and development banks, investment banks, sponsors and institutional investors. Catherine McCarthy and Lori Ann Bean  represent a large number of ECAs and multilateral agencies, along with several commercial banks, in Latin America project financings. New York partner Hugo Triaca is also a key figure for project bonds and private-placement financings, while Peruvian-American Latin America specialist Jessica Springsteen was elected partner in May 2021. Alberto Haito also impresses at counsel level, leading on many of the team’s key matters. All named individuals are based in Washington DC. Brazil financing specialist Chris Willott left the firm in 2021.