Mr Alejandro Gordano > A&O Shearman > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

After a tumultuous 2023 which saw the departures of partner Grissel Mercado and counsel Maria Larsen, and the subsequent hire of former Linklaters LLP counsel, Alejandro Gordano, as a partner, the capital markets practice at the newly combined A&O Shearman has emerged with a bench of considerable strength. A senior figure, of counsel Antonia Stolper handles primarily US capital markets and global ECM work, but has a long history and strong profile across the Latin America region. David Flechner has built a strong reputation in Brazil, Mexico and other Latin American jurisdictions, covering a range of equity and debt transactions, including a number of IPOs and follow-on offerings in Brazil. New York’s Manuel Orillac and Sao Paulo-based Roberta Cherman are also key figures in the Latin America capital markets group; while the aforementioned Gordano is particulary experienced in ESG-segment capital markets mandates. More broadly, the team is making an impression in sustainability-linked bonds and ESG-related offerings in general, along with project bonds, where the capital markets department often works alongside colleagues in the project finance group. Since publication, Sao Paulo-based counsel Jonathan Lewis has left the firm – effective as of February 2024.

A&O Shearman has a strong record in global offerings, advising a vast array of issuers and underwriters; it has particularly close connections to bulge-bracket investment banks. It continues to be amongst the leading firms in global bonds. For Canadian offerings, Jason Lehner is a key capital markets practitioner in New York, is head of the metals and mining practice, and also managing partner of the Toronto office. Hired from Linklaters LLP in August 2023, Alejandro Gordano is noted for ESG-related offerings across Latin America, including sustainability-linked bonds issued by sovereign states. Former partner and now of counsel Antonia Stolper remains active in Latin America deals. Grissel Mercado has left the firm.

A&O Shearman has an outstanding reputation in investment grade debt offerings, especially for underwriters, though with an established record in issuer-side engagements too. It continues to advise issuers and underwriters in headline and big-ticket debt offerings, including those in the financial services and asset management, energy and power, telecoms, healthcare and biotechnology sectors. With Canada-focused lawyers in New York and an office in Toronto, it is at the forefront of representing clients in bond offerings by Canadian financial institutions and other issuers. Lona Nallengara leads many of the firm’s top engagements and previously held senior positions at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Ilir Mujalovic and Richard Alsop  are also key partners, alongside Jason Lehner , who splits his time between New York and Toronto. Alejandro Gordano has joined from Linklaters LLP, while Grissel Mercado has left the firm. All other named partners are based in New York.