White & Case LLP has performed admirably in spite of a difficult climate for capital markets issuances, with deal flow from Brazil – the firm’s primary market – remaining strong with a series of bond restructuring engagements. It has a large team of capital markets specialists in São Paulo, along with a significant number of New York partners and associates that have a particular focus on Brazil. Mexico, the Andean region and Argentina are also core markets for the team; 2022 partner-hires Eduardo Flores Herrera and Narciso Campos in Mexico City are both capital markets focused. The firm has also benefitted from its strength in energy and infrastructure, areas where capital markets activity has remained relatively buoyant, and it has leveraged its prominence in liability management to significant effect. The practice group continues to benefit from its exceptional issuer client base that provides a steady pipeline of engagements, while it also maintains strong links to bulge-bracket investment banks and funds – including distressed debt funds – that are increasingly prominent in this space. Further growth in the team has come through the promotion of São Paulo’s Abraham Paul and Miami-based Karen Katri to the partnership. Donald Baker remains the premier international capital markets lawyer in São Paulo, while John Vetterli is global head of capital markets and has a major focus on the Brazil market. São Paulo’s John Guzman is increasingly prominent in Brazil capital markets offerings, and Bibiana Jaimes and the highly-rated Rafael Roberti are also key team members. Sao Paulo associate Beatriz Barros is active team member on many large deals. Named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Team focused on client's needs and goals.’
‘Partner Rafael Roberti fully available and gives quick feedback on all matters.’
- ‘W&C has an incredibly strong practice that is particularly active in Brazil. Creative, responsive, smart.’
- ‘Raf Roberti in particular is fantastic. He is deep, incredibly knowledgeable, commercial...just outstanding!’
Key clients
- Banco BTG Pactual
- Itaú
- XP Investimentos
- Banco Bradesco
- Caixa Econômica Federal
- Credit Suisse
- JP Morgan
- Morgan Stanley
- Queiroz Galvão Óleo e Gás
- Sendas Distribuidora
- Oi
- Eneva
- Bank of America
- Banco Mercantil del Norte
- Cydsa
- Lumina Capital Management
- Goldman Sachs
- Equatorial Energia
- AEGEA Finance
- Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio
- Citigroup
- Santander
- XP Investimentos Corretora de Câmbio
- Safra
- Financiera Independencia
- Alpha Credit
Work highlights
- Advised Banco BTG Pactual on the $6.9bn public offering by Centrais Elétricas Brasileiras (Eletrobras) and BNDES of 697,476,856 common shares, including 9,783,100 American Depositary Shares evidenced by American Depositary Receipts.
- Advised Constellation Oil Services Holding on the restructuring of its $1.8bn indebtedness, including New York-law governed bonds, project financing loans and working capital facilities.
- Advised AlphaCredit on its $800m financial and operational restructuring, including its Chapter 11 filing and negotiations with various funded debt creditors.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Carlos Viana, John Vetterli