Mr Hugo Triaca > Clifford Chance > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

Clifford Chance undertakes a variety of transactional work in the alternative energy space, but is perhaps best known for its involvement in the financing of renewable energy projects across the United States. The firm is a popular destination among US-based investment banks active in the Latin American energy sector, and is also often engaged in multilateral and export credit agency financings in LATAM and Africa. Department head Lori Bean, who is based in Washington DC, and is counsel of choice for numerous commercial banks and institutional investors in the development of renewable energy projects. She receives key support from Fabricio Longhin , who also works out of DC, and advises on all aspects of project development, concession contracts and financing matters. Hugo Triaca  in New York is particularly noted for his experience in equity and debt offerings, and corporate governance.

Clifford Chance has an impressive mix of equity and debt offerings involving US and non-US issuers. This includes IPOs, equity offerings, investment grade and high-yield debt, covered bonds, project bonds and other transactions. The firm has gained further recognition for ESG and sustainability-linked offerings, including green and social bonds. Much of its global offering practice is centred on Latin America, where it represents a long list of issuers, including sovereigns and quasi-sovereigns such as the Republic of Guatemala and BNDES. Jonathan Zonis  leads the Latin America team and is the former co-head of the Americas capital markets group; he has worked extensively throughout the Latin America region, particularly focusing on Brazil, where the firm has a substantial Sao Paulo team, and helping to develop the firm’s standing in sovereign debt. Hugo Triaca  has also made a considerable impact on the practice, adding connections and experience in multiple Spanish-speaking jurisdictions. Per Chilstrom  has left the team to join Fenwick & West LLP.

Clifford Chance continues to be recognised for its prominence in REIT and Latin America offerings. Its global standing makes it especially well-equipped to handle US offerings by overseas issuers. It is also prominent in closed-end fund offerings in the US market. Andrew Epstein and Kathleen Werner  are leading figures in REIT offerings, including equity REITs and mortgage REITs, along with SPAC IPOs. Jonathan Zonis  is co-head of Americas capital markets and is noted for Latin America offerings and issuances from other parts of the globe, while Hugo Triaca  is another key name for Latin America offerings. Clifford Cone  is closely associated with fund offerings. All named individuals are based in New York.

Clifford Chance has a healthy mix of issuer and underwriter engagements, being noted especially for real estate, specialty finance and Latin America deals. The firm has gained further recognition for ESG, green and sustainability-linked offerings, along with debt restructuring-related transactions. Gary Brooks  is a prominent name in high-yield debt and leveraged finance, and has strong connections to underwriters. Jonathan Zonis  and Hugo Triaca  are also rated for high-yield debt deals originating in Latin America.

Clifford Chance operates a broad-based practice covering investment grade, high-yield, covered bonds, project bonds and other capital markets transactions. The firm is particularly known for offerings by REITs and Latin American entities, including sovereign and sub-sovereign issuers. Closed end fund offerings and debt restructuring exercises are also fortes for the team. Andrew Epstein is an experienced figure in debt offerings by REITs, along with co-head of the department Kathleen Werner. Fellow co-head Jonathan Zonis and Hugo Triaca are key names in Latin America transactions, including sovereign bond offerings. Larry Medvinsky and Per Chilstrom have both left the firm.

Clifford Chance has continued to make a further impression in sovereign offerings and remains a major player in key markets such as Colombia, while retaining high levels of activity across all geographic regions. The firm is noted for transactions across the equity and debt product range from IPOs to high-yield debt offerings. Its substantial team in Sao Paulo makes the firm well-equipped in Brazil offerings, while a large New York group has a major focus on the wider Latin America region. Jonathan Zonis has a long track record in Latin America capital markets transactions, including sovereign offerings. Hugo Triaca is another ‘outstanding’ member of the team, active in equity and debt transactions across the region. Sao Paulo’s Patrick Jackson, who was promoted to partner in May 2022, and counsel Anja Pfleger Andrade are also key names. Named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise. Anand Saha has left the firm.

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.