Antonio Del Pino > Latham & Watkins LLP > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

Latham & Watkins LLP has a well-developed Latin America M&A and private equity practice that has a longstanding focus on energy and infrastructure. It has further extended its presence in energy transition and renewables deals, while it has also established a foothold in emerging company and venture capital transactions; it advised fintech operation Evertec, on its headline acquisition of Brazil-based financial management software solutions business, Sinqia. It has further deepened its presence in big-ticket private equity transactions, including advising Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) on its investment in Trabajos Maritimos as part of a joint strategy with Grupo Romero to expand and develop port and mining-adjacent infrastructure throughout the Andean region. The firm remains close to a number of major multinationals that have interests or assets in the region, along with a growing group of multilatinas. Antonio Del Pino chairs the Latin America practice and is a recognised leader in M&A and private equity transactions. Madrid partner Ignacio Pallarés plays a key role in representing Spanish corporates in cross-border transactions involving Latin America. Young Washington DC partner Carlos Ardila remains active in energy and infrastructure M&A and private equity deals, while Eli Curi has played a central role in building the firm’s standing in emerging growth technology company transactions in the region. Francisco Lanusse is a key associate on many of the firm’s prime Latin America deals. All named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

Latham & Watkins LLP has an outstanding record in energy and infrastructure finance. It continues to work on big-ticket acquisition financings and project financings, remaining at the forefront of highly structured transactions and hybrid transactions involving bank and bond debt. It has led the field in leveraged and acquisition finance, continuing to advise a raft of financial sponsors and their portfolio companies, along with multiple corporate borrowers and bank lenders. The practice has made a further impression in digital infrastructure financings. Special situations and restructuring specialists also play a key role in the success of the Latin America practice. Antonio Del Pino is chair of the Latin America team, bringing extensive expertise in a range of practice areas, including acquisition finance and project finance. Guido Liniado has a background in energy and infrastructure finance, including project finance, acquisition and leveraged finance, multi-source financings and structured finance. Washington DC’s Carlos Ardila, promoted to the partnership in 2023, is another experienced figure in energy and infrastructure finance, including acquisition financings, as is counsel Marcela Ruenes, who has extensive knowledge of the Mexico and wider Latin America market. San Diego partner Sony Ben-Moshe has vast experience in leveraged and secured financings in Latin America.

Latham & Watkins LLP‘s highly developed Latin America team has demonstrated a considerable commitment to the energy and infrastructure sectors, including project finance, acquisition finance and M&A. The team is also at the forefront of hybrid capital markets and bank finance transactions in the area. It is making further headway in energy transition matters, including green hydrogen, battery storage and carbon sequestration, along with continued activity in LNG projects and transactions. Additionally, it remains active in greenfield and brownfield project bonds, social bonds and sustainability bonds, along with the securitisation of receivables for infrastructure projects. Gianluca Bacchiocchi is a senior figure in project finance, securitisations and hybrid transactions in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Native Spanish speaker Guido Liniado is also highly rated in project finance, project bonds, securitisation and other forms of structured finance for energy and infrastructure assets. Latin America practice co-chair Antonio Del Pino is a big name in project finance and M&A across the energy and infrastructure sectors. Christopher Cross is another senior practitioner with a background in oil and gas transactions in Latin America, most recently advising the ECAs in the project financing of floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units in Brazil. Washington DC-based Carlos Ardila continues to make an impression in Latin America project finance and energy M&A, following his elevation to the partnership in 2023. Counsel Marcela Ruenes is another core member of the team, while Houston-based senior associate Taylor López joined from Baker Botts L.L.P. in July 2023. All named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.