Projects: Latin America-wide (Desks Based Abroad)

THE FIRM The Americas energy and infrastructure group at Clifford Chance benefits from the deep resources of the firm's global network and places great emphasis on staffing deals with lawyers who are familiar with the relevant jurisdiction. In infrastructure matters, the group has been advising Goldman Sachs on a USD100 million bond to finance the expansion of Peru's Paita port. It also represented a consortium of commercial banks in regards to a USD582 million financing of the Panama City Metro.

Sources say: "Great support in very challenging negotiations and a pleasure to work with."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Christopher McIsaac co-heads the group out of Washington, DC and is admired by peers, who say: "He's great to have on the other side of a deal." He recently closed a USD180 million deal on behalf of the Inter-American Development Bank and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, relating to the renovation of Juan Santamaría International Airport in Costa Rica.  

The practice benefits greatly from the experience of fellow co-head David Evans. He recently represented Compañía Hondureña de Energía Renovable in the financing of a major hydroelectric project.

Lori Ann Bean advised IFC and a commercial banking syndicate on the USD400 million financing of a renewable energy project in Peru.  

Fabricio Longhin earns client praise for his negotiation skills, which he has lately put to the test on the Paita project bond deal.

Clients regard Catherine McCarthy as a "go-to lawyer" for complex project financings. She has taken the lead role on the Panama City Metro deal.

Associate Rosalia Roman is celebrated by clients for her "very accurate and meaningful contributions" to project-related negotiations.

São Paulo-based Christopher Willott is a project finance specialist who returned to the firm in 2011 after a spell at Linklaters.

THE FIRM This firm's projects practice has a broad geographical and industrial scope. Prominent mining specialist Richard Brach retired in late 2011 and the group will miss his input but clients remain satisfied with the depth of the team's resources. Recent work highlights include representing the lenders syndicate, led by the Inter-American Development Bank, in a dual-tranche deal to finance the Santos port expansion in Brazil. The team also counselled several Asian lenders, including a consortium comprising Itochu, Marubeni and Mitsui, on providing USD750 million of financing for the expansion of Petróleo de Venezuela's El Palito oil refinery.

Sources say: "Fantastic lender work and one of the deepest projects teams around."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers have great respect for Daniel Bartfeld, who is "smart, friendly and great to work with." Clients are similarly impressed and praise his depth of experience, which makes him "a creative problem-solver and a fine negotiator."

Jonathan Green's well-regarded domestic practice is complemented by regular involvement in high-value Latin American deals. He advised a consortium consisting of Abertis and Goldman Sachs on a USD1.13 billion toll road project in Puerto Rico. 

Demonstrating the esteem in which he is held, Glenn Gerstell serves on President Obama's National Infrastructure Advisory Council. He continues to advise on project finance deals in Latin America, acting for clients such as Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and Citigroup Global Markets.

Los Angeles-based Allan Marks is highlighted for the invaluable experience he gained working on a number of Latin American toll road and oilfield projects.

Carolina Walther-Meade impresses senior lawyers with her language skills, and by being a "very technically adept" lawyer with a "sharp and practical" approach.

Senior associate Roland Estevez formed part of the team advising the lenders on a USD692 million debt facility destined to finance the Schahin Group's purchase of a drilling ship.  

Finance partner Carlos Albarracín joined the practice in late 2012 from a rival firm. He is an Argentine native who is well established in New York. He is hailed by sources as a "proactive and assertive lawyer."

THE FIRM Shearman is widely respected for having one of the leading practices in the area, which is well positioned to advise on finance matters out of New York and has an impressive track record on the development side. Current highlights include advising the Inter-American Development Bank and Brazil's Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES) on plans for a high-speed train link between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. In mining, the firm has advised Barrick Gold on its USD4.7 billion financing of a bi-national gold and silver mine on the Chile-Argentina border, while in energy matters it has been involved in the financing of a number of renewables projects in Central America.

Sources say: "A highly accomplished team, excellent at managing all sides on complex deals."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources cite the impressive stewardship of senior partner Cynthia Urda Kassis as a key driver of the practice's success and reputation. She draws much peer respect for her experience and "ability to remain calm under pressure." She acted for Canada's Quadra FNX Mining on a joint venture with Sumitomo to develop the Sierra Gorda copper-molybdenum mine in Chile.

Another key member of Shearman's projects team is Gregory Tan. He has been busy advising the Central American Bank for Economic Integration on financing a hydroelectric project being developed by Brazilian entities Electrobras and Grupo Queiroz Galvão in Nicaragua.

Also in Nicaragua, Howard Steinberg advised an IFC-led syndicate on the USD160 million second phase financing for the San Jacinto-Tizate geothermal project.

Robert Freedman's clients laud his great renewables expertise, "superb business acumen and legal understanding."

THE FIRM This firm is most celebrated for its work in project finance, and also handles a considerable number of development mandates. On the finance side, the team represented the syndicate in a USD1.5 billion bond offering by Odebrecht Óleo e Gás, providing the issuer with capital to build the Norbe VIII and Norbe IX drillships.

Sources say: "A great team – extremely knowledgeable, focused and full of drive."

KEY INDIVIDUALS New York-based Troy Alexander's finance experience spans several industries, not least telecoms and mining. His track record in Latin America takes in finance work on coal-fired and hydroelectric power stations, toll roads and port projects.

Victor DeSantis is a long-standing presence in the market and is hugely respected by peers, who say: "He's in a different league to many of the rest of us." He advised HSBC and BNP Paribas as lead arrangers of an 18-strong syndicate on the Odebrecht drillship finance deal.

According to clients, Carlos Viana's prime strengths are his "impressive technical skills and strong knowledge of the local market." He practises from the firm's Miami office.

Ned Neaher is championed by peers as a "busy and well-regarded projects lawyer." 

Sean Goldstein is based in the firm's Mexico City office. He recently advised Chilean state oil company Empresa Nacional del Petróleo on an export credit and loan facility to develop the Aconcagua refinery.  

THE FIRM This magic circle firm's project finance clients include global financial heavyweights such as Crédit Agricole and HSBC, as well as dominant regional players Odebrecht and Ecopetrol. The team advised the latter on the formation of special purpose vehicle Oleoducto Bicentenario de Colombia to construct an oil pipeline. Other work highlights include representing the lead arrangers in a USD700 million financing for the Fenix gas-fired power plant in Peru.

Sources say: "Senior and experienced partners with a business mindset."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Kartheiser is co-head of the firm's Latin America practice. Sources praise his language skills and his "willingness to roll up his sleeves and work side-by-side with the client, rather than always rely on his associates."

Clients are impressed by the "outstanding advice" they receive from associate Sami Mir. Sources also note that his technical knowledge is such that "he asks questions that not even the internal engineers think of."

Mir frequently works closely with veteran finance partner David Slade, whose mandates have recently included representing the consortium funding the Etileno XXI petrochemical facility in Veracruz, Mexico.

Dolly Mirchandani impresses clients with her ability to "deal with all aspects of very complex projects." She recently advised Colbun in connection with coal supply agreements for a project in Chile.

THE FIRM Latin American matters make up a significant portion of this firm's infrastructure, projects and public finance practice caseload. The firm's on-the-ground presence in Caracas gives it the edge in handling Venezuelan mandates. It recently represented Petróleos de Venezuela in negotiating a USD20 billion infrastructure loan with China Development Bank and a repayment agreement involving the sale of oil to the China United National Oil Company. Elsewhere in the region, the firm advised the Panamanian government on an EPC contract for the construction of the Panama City Metro.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice co-head Miguel Zaldivar advised state-owned Compañia Hidroeléctrica Coca Codo Sinclair on the structuring of a USD1.7 billion loan from the Export-Import Bank of China, intended to finance the construction of a hydroelectric project that will supply more than half of Ecuador's energy requirements. 

Experienced partner José Valdivia draws praise for his client focus, efficiency and clarity of advice.

Jorge Diaz-Silveira also drew praise for his client service skills. He has been advising Recursos Naturales y Celulosas on development and finance issues relating to a USD250 million hydroelectric project in Guatemala.

THE FIRM This firm's impressive all-round projects practice is active throughout the finance and development stages, and has notable experience in public-private partnerships. The team has undergone a number of personnel changes in recent times, with Stephen Hood and James Vickers departing for Davis Polk & Wardwell, but remains one of the most active in the region. It has handled an increasing number of renewable energy mandates, including representing Spanish company Preneal as it sold a wind-power project in Mexico to a consortium led by Macquarie Mexican Infrastructure Fund.

Sources say: "Undoubtedly a major player in the projects space."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Barry Machlin co-heads the firm's global projects practice out of Chicago and is considered "a sharp guy who really knows his way around the project finance sector." He represented the Korea Development Bank, Export Development Canada and US Ex-Im Bank as lead arrangers in the USD850 million financing of the Boleo mining project in Baja California Sur.

Christopher Erckert is also based in Chicago. He has been involved in a number of Peruvian deals of late, and is respected by peers as being "very easy to work with."

New York partner George Miller combines an impressive domestic practice with frequent Latin American engagements. Highlights include representing Siemens Financial Services as it helped fund toll road projects in Puerto Rico.  

THE FIRM This compact team has a formidable reputation for handling mining projects. It advises industry heavyweights such as Rio Tinto, Kinross Gold, Sumitomo and Nippon Steel on some of the most significant projects in the region. A recent standout engagement involved acting for Sumitomo and Quadra FNX Mining as they formed a joint venture for a copper-molybdenum project at Sierra Gorda, in Chile. In Guyana, the team is advising First Bauxite on contractual and licensing issues relating to a chemical grade bauxite deposit.

Sources say: "A fantastic firm with a great mining practice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sergio Galvis heads the firm's Latin America group and plays a prominent role in many of its projects deals. He is acting for Inmet Mining and Minera Panamá on a major copper project in the country, involving the construction of a 300 MW coal-fired power plant. He is also the firm's lead counsel to Kinross Gold.  

Christopher Mann is part of the team advising Chilean mining company Minera Escondida on agreeing funding for its open-pit copper project.

THE FIRM Chadbourne & Parke is well known for its projects capabilities, and a substantial part of the practice is dedicated to renewable energy projects, with a focus on wind and solar power. It advised the lenders syndicate, led by Corporación Andina de Fomento, on a USD239 million loan made to Argentine company Renova for the construction of a soybean biofuel plant. In another highlight, it acted for Grupo ACS on a securitisation deal guaranteed by the Peruvian government, intended to finance the construction of a wastewater treatment facility.

Sources say: "A cohesive team with hands-on partner involvement." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Rohit Chaudhry is described as "a luminary in project finance." Sources go on to praise him as "one of the brightest lawyers you'll ever meet – he's able to think commercially and respond appropriately to the client's needs." 

THE FIRM This firm opened an office in São Paulo in 2011 but its New York office continues to co-ordinate much of the firm's work in the projects space. Cleary Gottlieb has an outstanding reputation for transactional work and has established strong relationships with many of the continent's dominant financial institutions. The team is advising Fintech Energy on its investment in Argentina's Emgasud, which owns and operates the country's largest wind farm.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Cooper has an outstanding finance reputation and provides regular regional counsel to Deutsche Bank. "He's clear-sighted and easy to deal with," say peers.

Jeffrey Lewis has been advising French energy company GDF SUEZ on matters relating to its Andina thermal power plant project in northern Chile.

Chantal Kordula is celebrated for her work in the M&A and project finance field.

THE FIRM This firm is well recognised for its international capital markets expertise, and is a natural choice for bond-related project finance matters. Sources report increased activity in the sector, with a particular emphasis on Brazil, where the firm has won several mandates to represent branches of leading conglomerate Odebrecht. In one such deal, the firm advised Odebrecht Transport and DP World on the USD1.1 billion financing of a mixed-use container port terminal at Santos.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Stephen Hood joined the firm in 2011 and has become one of its key São Paulo representatives. "He's very smart and very experienced," say sources, highlighting his Brazilian expertise. Hood has been providing funding advice to regular client ViaQuatro, holder of the Line 4 São Paulo metro extension concession. 

James Vickers is also based in São Paulo. He works closely with Hood on a number of matters, including advising Odebrecht Panama on road-building contacts with the Panamanian government. 

Project finance veteran Waide Warner has more than 30 years' experience in the area. He has been busy of late advising Polietilenos de America, a joint venture between Petroquímica de Venezuela and Braskem for the development of a polyethylene project.

THE FIRM This firm's projects work takes place primarily in the finance arena. It regularly works for the likes of the Inter-American Development Bank and IFC, and is currently advising a syndicate of multilateral lenders on hydroelectric power plant projects in Honduras and Panama.

Sources say: "Lawyers with great negotiating skills as well as legal expertise." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Washington, DC-based Jeffrey Goodman focuses on project finance and has extensive experience of working on Latin American deals. Peers laud him as "a great lawyer and a great person to work with."

THE FIRM Energy projects are this group's forte, and it has advised power companies such as Seaboard, Gas Natural and Forbes Energy on projects in the region. Recent mandates include representing a major independent power producer in agreeing EPC agreements for a coal-fired power station in Guatemala.

Sources say: "A team that understands the idiosyncrasies of the different markets."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients praise George Crady's energy projects expertise and that he "respects our cost-conscious approach." His recent work highlights include advising a major energy company on the construction of a gas pipeline in Puerto Rico.

Kenneth Culotta acted for Uruguayan utilities provider UTE/ANCAP on matters relating to the construction and development of a floating LNG receiving terminal.  

THE FIRM The core of Latham & Watkins' projects team is located in New York and Washington, DC but the practice spans several other offices, including San Diego and London. The group typically represents projects companies, leveraging off the firm's impressive M&A client roster. The team has been representing Ospraie, Fermaca Global and Tarahumra Pipelines regarding a gas pipeline connecting El Paso, Texas, with state-owned power plants in Chihuahua, Mexico. Other clients include Ecopetrol and Norsk Hydro.

Sources say: "Lawyers who understand that getting a deal done means making trade-offs, and give invaluable advice on what trade-offs to make." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers champion John Sachs as "an excellent lawyer with a broad-based practice." He has 30 years' project finance experience and a track record that includes mandates from the Brazilian and Colombian governments. 

Sources are full of praise for Antonio Del Pino and Christopher Cross, who practise out of New York. Both lawyers are championed by clients for their "deep insight and understanding of business issues." 

THE FIRM Linklaters has had a long-running association with Lefosse Advogados in Brazil and the two firms frequently combine to handle domestic and regional projects matters. The Linklaters team recently represented Schahin Engenharia in connection with the financing of two drillships being built in China for leasing to Petrobras.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Matthew Hagopian is a senior projects lawyer noted for his expertise relating to LNG projects. "He's an excellent lawyer who always does a fine job," say sources. 

THE FIRM This team is especially active in Central America and has particular expertise in renewable energies. Notable highlights include representing a European sponsor in connection with the financing of a 30 MW hydroelectric facility in Guatemala. The Inter-American Development Bank is perhaps the team's most significant client, which it recently advised on an agreement for the financing of a hotel development in Costa Rica. Outside Central America, the firm advised a US wind farm developer on projects in Argentina, Brazil and Chile.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients praise Vera Rechsteiner as "an outstanding lawyer with a great understanding of the business rationale behind a client's needs." She has been acting for the developer of a gas-fired power plant in El Salvador, and working with the Inter-American Development Bank on the Costa Rican hotel project.

THE FIRM This global heavyweight has been making giant strides into Latin America in recent years, entering into local alliances and opening offices in Miami, São Paulo, Caracas and Mexico City. That said, much of its Latin American projects work is co-ordinated by partners in Chicago and New York. The firm has been advising GNL Mejillones, BNP Paribas and Petrobras America on a range of Latin American infrastructure and mining projects, and the market anticipates that the team's activity will grow.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Chicago-based Gianluca Bacchiocchi leads much of the firm's debt market project finance work. He advised BNP Paribas Securities on its involvement in a USD300 million bond offering to finance the Trujillo-Sullana section of Peru's Autopista del Sol toll road. 

THE FIRM This magic circle firm's Americas energy and infrastructure practice is based in its New York office. Acting for lenders as well as developers, the compact but growing team punches above its weight, playing a leading role in major infrastructure projects across the continent. It has been busy advising the Goldman Sachs-Abertis consortium on its participation in the Puerto Rico toll road concession, and counselled Rabobank Nederland on providing a USD45 million loan to Mexican forest products company Copamex, intended to finance planting and distribution operations.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Melissa Raciti-Knapp is co-head of the firm's Latin America practice and earns praise for her Spanish language skills. She has recently been advising Banco Sabadell on a USD69.3 million refinancing for a hotel project in Puerto Rico. 

THE FIRM This compact team is emerging as a major project finance practice. It counts such luminaries as Banco Votorantim, HSBC and Banco Itau among its clients, and sources consistently praise the work of the São Paulo office. Highlights include advising WestLB as part of a syndicate financing the construction of three oil platforms destined for use by Petrobras.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Antonio Piccirillo and David Fenwick front the firm's São Paulo office and are held in high esteem in the Brazilian market. Fenwick's negotiating skills are seen to be his primary strength, with one source saying: "He's very bright but ensures to make his points delicately and patiently." Piccirillo draws peer praise for being "fair and balanced, and always good to work with."  

THE FIRM Skadden's energy and infrastructure projects group is highly regarded by fellow practitioners, who attest to its regular involvement in major projects across Latin America. In a recent highlight, the team helped Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 raise USD800 million of capital for an airport network upgrade project.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS New York partner Harold Moore co-leads the practice and is the main contact point.

THE FIRM The firm is primarily active in the region for oil and gas clients on upstream and downstream projects. Kosmos Energy is a key client and regularly instructs the firm regarding contract negotiations with the government of Suriname, in relation to assets in the Guyana-Suriname basin. The firm also advised Ecopetrol on upstream contracts relating to Colombia's unconventional gas resources. The firm remains committed to Latin America despite closing its Mexico City office in early 2012.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Derman is the key contact for clients at this firm.