DLA Piper LLP (US) has a large team of Latin America specialists, spread across its US and Latin America offices. It has extensive connections to developers and project sponsors, and is increasingly building its presence in renewables and energy transition matters (including wind, solar, hydro and battery storage). The practice is also noted for PPP transactions, thanks to its headline role in advising LUMA Energy as the winning bidder in the PPP transaction for the management and operation of the transmission and distribution assets of the state-owned electricity utility in Puerto Rico. The firm is further noted for its M&A expertise in energy and infrastructure, including portfolio acquisitions of renewables assets. Marcello Hallake has joined the New York office from Jones Day, bringing significant energy sector transactional expertise. New York’s Margarita Oliva Sainz de Aja is Latin America head of banking and finance and has an excellent record in project financings in the region. San Juan partner Miriam Figueroa is a key figure in PPPs and infrastructure projects. Santiago partner Diego Peña is also an integral team member, as is Raul Farias in San Diego/New York. Since publication, the practice has been furhter strengthened with the hire of Sao Paulo-based Bruno Soares from A&O Shearman - effective as of February 2024.  

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Key clients

  • Innergex Renewable Energy
  • Luma Energy
  • Companhia Energetica de Minas Gerais (Cemig)
  • Total Energies
  • Empresa Distribuidora y Comercializadora Norte (EDENOR)
  • Puerto Rico Republic – Private Partnership Authority
  • Colbun
  • Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
  • Termoelectrica El Tesorito
  • Eneva
  • CarbonFree Technology
  • SUSI Partners
  • Smitcoms

Work highlights

  • Advised Innergex Renewable Energy, as borrower, on the structuring and execution of a $803m refinancing transaction for its portfolio of assets in Chile.
  • Advised LUMA Energy, as winning bidder, on the PPP transaction for the management and operation of the transmission and distribution assets of the Puerto Rico state-owned electricity utility.
  • Advised Empresa Distribuidora y Comercializadora Norte (Edenor) on the issuance of Class 1 Notes, which marked the issuer’s debut in social bonds issuance.

Lawyers

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Margarita Oliva Sainz de Aja