Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP’s core group of Latin America specialists leverages its extensive connections to lenders, sponsors and investors in transactions right across the region. It has an impressive record in the Southern Cone, Andean Region and -more recently- in smaller economies such as Panama and Costa Rica. It has gained further accolades for its work in energy and infrastructure M&A, including its representation of Chile’s SAAM on the sale of its shipping terminal and logistics business in South America, Central America and Florida to Hapag-Lloyd. It is also active in private equity investments into Latin America infrastructure assets, notably advising KKR on a series of fibre optic infrastructure investments. Capital markets fundraisings by energy and infrastructure businesses is another feature of the practice, including offerings to finance major projects. Splitting his time between New York and São Paulo, Todd Crider leads the Latin America team and remains active in M&A and private equity transactions. New York’s Juan Francisco Méndez is also a key partner. Since publication, the team has been further strengthened with the hire of Gabriel Silva (best know for his experience in the digital infrastructure projects segment) from Vinson & Elkins LLP in November 2023.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Exceptional team of professionals who provide a full-time dedicated service to the entrusted assignment.’
‘They know the needs of the clients and accurately advise on the activities and businesses entrusted to them, feeling sure that the agreement reached is the best for the client.’
‘Focused dedication of its partners and senior associates in an efficient and transparent manner.’
‘Among the team members who deserve to be highlighted are Juan Mendez, Jaime Mercado, Todd Crider, Juan Naveira and Borja Marcos.’
‘Great work team, which is always looking for solutions according to the needs of the business, focused on resolving the issues dealt with efficiently.’
‘Excellent professionals, with great knowledge of their subjects and the business. Looking for innovative solutions and according to the client.’
- ‘Gabriel Silva has remarkable experience advising clients on complex cross-border transactions in Latin America, and is our go-to lawyer for several matters. He is a tenacious lawyer who always fights for the interests of his clients without losing sight to being commercial and pleasant to deal with. Gabriel is able to navigate legal challenges in multiple LATAM jurisdictions (including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay) and balance speed, commerciality and tenacity throughout our transactions – all essential in getting a deal done. The debt and equity markets are currently extremely challenging, but Gabriel is able to deliver a deal that achieves deal certainty for the parties, bankability for the lenders and adequate protections for his client.’
Key clients
- América Móvil
- Comisión Federal de Electricidad
- Goldman, Sachs & Co
- Itaú BBA USA Securities
- JP Morgan Securities
- KKR & Co
- Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
- Morgan Stanley
- MSU Energy Holding
- Pan American Energy
- Phoenix Tower International
- SCC Power
- Sudamericana, Agencias Aéreas y Marítimas
Work highlights
- Advised Empresas Gasco and Abastible on their entry into an agreement to sell Gasmar to Inversiones Arco 4.
- Advised Generación Mediterránea on its $130m bond issuance to fund the expansion of the generation capacity of the Ezeiza thermal power plant in Buenos Aires province.
- Represented Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners, as selling shareholder, in the merger between Golar LNG and Stonepeak Infrastructure Fund II Cayman, to sell 100% of Hygo Energy Transition to New Fortress Energy.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Todd Crider, Grenfel Calheiros, Juan Francisco Méndez, Juan Naveira, Paulo Fernando de Menezes Cardoso, Borja Marcos