Mr Hugo Triaca > Clifford Chance > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

Clifford Chance LLP remains a dominant force in Latin America banking and finance, thanks in large part to its close connections to leading development finance institutions (DFIs), multilateral agencies (MLAs) and export credit agencies (ECAs). This is complemented by a lengthy list of commercial lender clients. Although it has successfully targeted the major markets of Mexico, Brazil, Colombia and Chile, the practice has also demonstrated a commitment to smaller jurisdictions such as Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. In addition to a plethora of new money financings, the firm has also achieved a strong position in debt restructurings and refinancings, including those in the aviation sector. It has achieved additional prominence in ESG and sustainability-linked financings. Fabricio Longhin is a partner in the Americas energy and infrastructure group, a top-rated practitioner in project financings throughout Latin America, including toll road financings in Colombia, along with other transport infrastructure and renewable energy financings in multiple jurisdictions; he is also noted for acquisition financings in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Jessica Springsteen, a Peruvian-American, is another key member of the team, recognised for her expertise in renewables and energy transition financings, including green hydrogen and battery storage projects. New York partner Hugo Triaca  is a pivotal member of the Latin America team, showcasing extensive expertise in debt financings and capital markets transactions. Counsel Alberto Haito is another senior member of the practice, often taking leading and key support roles in major energy and infrastructure financings, including those by DFIs, agencies and commercial lenders. Named individuals are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

Clifford Chance has established Latin America-focused capital markets teams in New York and Sao Paulo. Responding to difficult market conditions, the firm has managed to achieve growth in both equity and debt engagements, including follow-on offerings, sovereign and quasi-sovereign issuances, securitisations and structured debt. It has continued to make an impression in sustainability-linked offerings. With its experienced capital markets group in Sao Paulo, it has sustained a solid deal flow, including offerings by financial institutions. Peru, Colombia and Panama are also key markets, while the firm has an impressive track record in Mexico deals. The team features a raft of native Spanish and Portuguese-speaking lawyers with New York, English and Spanish law qualifications. Jonathan Zonis is co-head of the Latin America practice and an experienced figure in capital markets offerings, including sovereign transactions. Hugo Triaca is another experienced partner with a primary focus on Latin America. Sao Paulo managing partner Anthony Oldfield and fellow Sao Paulo partner Patrick Jackson, along with counsel Anja Pfleger Andrade, provide specialist expertise and experience in Brazil equity and debt offerings. Mariana Estévez continues to make an impression having been made partner in 2023. Named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

Clifford Chance is at the forefront of development bank project financings in Latin America, including by both Americas-based and non-Americas-based development finance institutions (DFIs). The firm is also a leader in representing investment banks and is one of few that has an established record with commercial banks in the region. Moreover, it has a strong presence in export credit agency (ECA) financings. It also has a significant market share of loan financings, project bonds and hybrid financings in Colombia, Peru and Paraguay; while its growing presence in Chile saw the firm advise on a series of renewable energy and transmission projects. Smaller jurisdictions, such as Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama have also provided the Latin America team with a stream of engagements. Fabricio Longhin is co-head of the Latin America group and has an outstanding record in projects across the region, notably toll road projects in Colombia. Lori Ann Bean has a background in ECA, DFI and commercial lender financings in Latin America, especially in relation to wind and other renewable energy projects. New York partner Hugo Triaca is a key member of the Latin America team, covering capital markets and lender-driven financings in the energy and infrastructure fields. Madrid’s José Guardo, along with Jessica Springsteen, New York-based Mariana Estévez and counsel Catherine McCarthy are also senior members of the team. Counsels Alberto Haito and Patricio Abal are also increasingly visible. All named individuals are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.