Norton Rose Fulbright has extensive links to Latin America, not least through its large Sao Paulo and Mexico City offices. The firm also has Latin America-facing teams in New York, Washington DC, Houston and many other offices. Many in the Latin America team have native fluency in Spanish and Portuguese, handling significant projects in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, México, Peru and jurisdictions throughout the region. The firm continues to impress on a range of energy and infrastructure projects, including large-scale transport and power infrastructure, renewable energy, energy transition and other sustainability-focused projects. New York-based native Spanish speaker Raquel Bierzwinsky (who is dual qualified in New York and Mexico), is an established leader in energy, infrastructure and mining transactions in Latin America, including in Mexico, Colombia, Chile and throughout the region. Washington DC’s Jeremy Hushon is a key partner for representing development banks and ECAs in Latin America financings, particularly in relation to renewable energy projects. Also in Washington DC, Marissa Leigh Alcala is rated for energy projects in the region. Daniel Spencer has an outstanding record in infrastructure, renewable energy and energy transition projects; he recently advised Consorcio Panamá Cuarto Puente on the $1.42bn project financing for the fourth bridge over the Panama Canal. Caspar Davey and José Cobeña, who was promoted to partner level in 2024, are also key team members. Named individuals are based in Sao Paulo unless stated otherwise. Sarah Devine has left the firm.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Norton Rose Fulbright is a powerhouse firm in multilateral representation. They are very experienced and know our internal procedures and requirements in many cases as well or better than our internal legal staff. Also, they have institutional memory for precedents and prior transactions. One cannot go wrong with selecting NRF as external counsel.'
- 'Marissa Leigh Alcala - vastly experienced, is the most effective lawyer I have ever seen at managing multi-billion dollar, multi-lender transactions under difficult situations. She has a delightful personality which she maintains throughout and top-notch professionalism, which imparts a feeling of security. Raquel Bierzwinsky is another outstanding partner. Her sheer capacity for work and outstanding availability are unusual in the industry.'
Key clients
- Consorcio Panamá Cuarto Puente
- Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
- Banco de Desarrollo de América Latina y el Caribe (CAF)
- Citibank
- International Finance Corporation (IFC)
- CIFI Latam
- Engie
- Darby International Capital
- MUFG Bank
- IDB Invest
Work highlights
Acted as legal counsel to Consorcio Panamá Cuarto Puente, a consortium comprised of China Harbour Engineering Company and China Communications Construction Company, in a $1.42bn project financing for the fourth bridge over the Panama Canal.
Represented the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) in the $1bn refinancing of $1.03bn of El Salvador’s outstanding bonds, with the savings dedicated to conservation, water security and ecosystem restoration efforts in the Lempa River watershed.
Represented IDB Invest as lender in the $48m financing to Parques Logísticos Effitek in the financing of Itulpark, Ecuador's first AAA-rated sustainable logistics park located in Quito, Ecuador.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
José Cobeña
Practice head
Raquel Bierzwinsky
Other key lawyers
Jeremy Hushon; Daniel Spencer; Caspar Davey; José Cobeña; Marissa Leigh Alcala