Partner, Head of the Latin America affinity group, Americas Regional Managing Partner | Shearman & Sterling LLP
Antonia Stolper
Partner, Head of the Latin America affinity group, Americas Regional Managing Partner | Shearman & Sterling LLP
Number of years practice: 31
Principal practice areas: Capital Markets
Bar admissions: New York
Languages spoken: English, Spanish
Shearman & Sterling’s regional managing partner for the Americas, head of the Latin America affinity group and a member of the firm’s capital markets-Americas practice group, Antonia Stolper ranks as one of the leading private practice lawyers in the US. Stolper advised the underwriters in connection with Vista Oil & Gas, S.A.B. de C.V.’s U.S. initial public offering, the first Mexican company on the New York Stock Exchange in several years. She also advised the initial purchasers in Promecap’s $300m initial public offering on the Mexican Stock Exchange, the second special purpose acquisition company ever to do so.
What differentiates your Mexico-facing practice from those of your US competitors and peers? Over the many years I’ve been working in Mexico, my focus has been entirely in the equity capital markets – advising on transactions such as Vista Oil & Gas’ US IPO and Promecap’s Mexican IPO – which sets me apart from many of my competitors. What are the advantages and disadvantages of advising Mexico-based clients from an office in the United States? From our offices in the US, we are able to bring a hemispheric perspective. We see what is going on throughout the entire Americas region and are able to bring to bear a much broader viewpoint to resolve our clients’ specific problems.
What changes in the commercial and/or legal market do you anticipate in the 12 months ahead in Mexico?
The political shifts in Mexico are spilling into the capital markets, leading investors to be hesitant, specifically in the energy and infrastructure sectors. It is unclear what level of support and management the public sector will receive, so the market will be waiting for a clearer message from the government. Additionally, we will have to watch for the effects of the potential US recession as the two economies are, of course, inextricably linked.
What influence will legal technology have on US/Mexico working practices in the future?
Legal technology will enhance our efficiencies and cost-savings in providing more seamless service to Mexico – both for clients and with local counsel – from New York.
What is your perception of in-house counsel’s priorities in terms of client service when working with US-based law firms?
In my opinion, Mexican companies are sophisticated consumers of legal services and hold their outside counsel to the highest possible standards, expecting high-quality legal advice and responsive client service.