Norton Rose Fulbright continues to stand out for its strong Latin America banking and finance team, spread across its São Paulo, Mexico City, New York and Washington DC offices. The group covers a range of financings, including acquisition finance, aviation finance, project finance, structured trade finance, and restructurings. The multilingual team features a large number of Spanish and Portuguese speakers, including those for whome these are their first languages. The group is particularly known for its formidable team in São Paulo and a Washington DC-based team that represents a range of agency lenders. Moreover, Raquel Bierzwinsky splits her time between New York and Mexico City, and has extensive experience in Mexico energy sector financings, along with transactions in Colombia, Peru, Chile and Argentina. Charles Johnson ('really gets his hands dirty') heads the São Paulo office, where he has been based for over 20 years; he has an outstanding record in structured trade, project, asset and development/export credit agency financings and financial restructuring work. Michael McCourt is another impressive practitioner with experience in trade and structured finance, leveraged and acquisition finance, and debt restructurings. Daniel Spencer is also noted for energy and infrastructure finance, while Washington DC-based Sarah Devine and Jeremy Hushon are prominent figures in agency-lender engagements. Counsels José Cobeña and Diego Brandão ('incredible lawyer'), along with senior associate Cameron Royse, are also key members of the practice. Named individuals are based in São Paulo unless stated otherwise.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Norton Rose is a sophisticated cross-border advice firm. Since we have clients all over the globe, it is helpful and practical to have a global firm with senior partners introducing us to other branches, making sure that we do have a high level of service in different locations, with different partners.'
‘NRF has very collaborative and pro-business people, that make things happen. Besides that, they have a huge background in finance, know about wide range of products, and have the technical skills.’
‘The experience I had was very positive. The individuals were very collaborative and tried to understand the company's side very well to fit direct their knowledge and capabilities to tackle the company's concern. They were always available and able to meet all deadlines and milestones agreed. ’
‘The partner who helps us is Michael McCourt. We use Norton Rose Fulbright for bilateral and syndicated transactions where we have foreign law contracts as part of the structure. Michael speaks Portuguese, which is very helpful with Brazilian clients. He is also a very innovative lawyer, handles negotiations well and focuses on the themes that are relevant to the parties he is assisting (ie. he does not enter into debates for minor points). Last and most important, he is very efficient when it comes to get around dead ends in the negotiations. ’
‘The team stands out in the personal service they provide and has lawyers with great experience. Specifically I want to highlight the service provided by José Cobeña.'
‘Norton Rose is outstanding due to their proximity to their clients and to the fact that they are always concerned to deliver a good job in the transactions they are involved. They are always seeking to improve their relationship with the clients, looking for opportunities where they can be helpful to the companies in their business.’
‘Cameron Royse is an associate who is very dedicated and careful. He is always available to help his clients on different issues and does impressive work in coordinating transactions.'
- 'Diego Brandão is outstanding due to his financial knowledge. Despite being an incredible lawyer, he can also be very helpful to the treasury teams. Charles Johnson is a very experienced lawyer and a partner who likes to be involved in all aspects of the transaction. He really gets his hands dirty, so it is always great to count on his capabilities in projects.’
Key clients
- The AES Corporation
- KfW IPEX
- CABEI
- Deutsche Bank
- Banco del Estado de Chile
- BCI
- IDB Invest
- FinDev Canada
- Braskem
- Banco Rabobank International Brasil
Work highlights
- Advised Vale on the restructuring of the $4bn+ debt of its joint venture company Samarco.
- Represented JPMorgan Chase Bank on the closing of a $300m equivalent COP-indexed credit facility extended to Banco de Comercio Exterior de Colombia (Bancoldex).
- Represented IFC with the financing to Votorantim Cimentos for the Salto de Pirapora plant in São Paulo.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Diego Brandão
José Cobeña
Practice head
Charles Johnson; Raquel Bierzwinsky