Baker McKenzie LLP established a formidable Latin America capital markets team in 2023 with the hire of Michael Fitzgerald, a doyen in the sector, and a senior team from Paul Hastings LLP. The group has maintained its legacy status with a series of major engagements in Mexico, including two headline IPOs. The team’s activity levels have been buoyed by Mexico’s FIBRA sector (Mexico’s version of a REIT) and the nation’s burgeoning nearshoring industry; it advised the underwriters on Fibra Uno’s split off of its logistics operations to form Fibra Next, involving a $1bn IPO, the largest out of Mexico in ten years. Moreover, it has expanded its presence in sustainability-linked and green bond offerings, a speciality for Joy Gallup, who is also active in de-SPAC transactions. The New York-based group is working with the firm’s multiple offices around the region to target a greater swathe of issuers outside of Mexico. Arturo Carrillo is another key partner, along with Pedro Reyes and Brazil specialist Steven Sandretto, who joined from Greenberg Traurig LLP in 2023. All named individuals are based in New York.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘This is a group that knows each other very well and works excellently as a team. In all the firms in which they have been, they have known how to stand out.’
‘They are dedicated and extremely hardworking. I also highlight above all the leadership capacity of its main partners and how they add value for their clients.’
‘Vast experience, broad knowledge, creativity, attention to detail ’
‘Total dedication to clients: Michael Fitzgerald, Arturo Carrillo, Joy Gallup.’
‘The team has extensive experience in the area. They know all the participants in the sector very well. They know how the sector works, the times, the time demands etc. Compared to other teams from other firms, this particular team has been in the market for much longer, and have dedicated themselves to the same thing.’
‘Mike Fitzgerald brings great added value to the project. He has a lot of experience and understands very well the specific needs of each client. Arturo Carrillo coordinates the internal and client work teams to maintain order and follow-up in transactions.'
Key clients
- Citigroup, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, BofA Securities, BTG Pactual, BBVA, Scotiabank
- Citigroup, JP Morgan, BBVA
- LatAm Logistic Properties
- Grupo Traxión
- Prize
- IDC Overseas
Work highlights
- Advised the underwriters on Fibra Uno's split off of its logistics operations to form Fibra Next, involving a $1bn IPO, the largest out of Mexico in ten years.
- Represented the dealer managers in connection with the largest corporate tender/exchange offer ever conducted in Latin America.
- Advised LatAm Logistic Properties on its pending business combination with TWOA, a special purpose acquisition company.
Lawyers
Hall of fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Pedro Reyes
Practice head
Michael Fitzgerald