Mr David Brinton > Clifford Chance > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

Sarah Jones and Benjamin Sibbett  co-head the New York-based Clifford Chance team, which primarily advises on multi-jurisdictional M&A and joint ventures across the life sciences, pharmaceutical, and energy sectors. Jones frequently assists multinational corporations with cross-border acquisitions, whilst Sibbett chiefly counsels domestic and international clients with deals in the media and industrials sectors. Neil Barlow focuses on private equity transactions, David Brinton is an expert on reorganizations and investments, whilst Kevin Lehpamer is knowledgeable on leveraged buyouts. Matthew Warner and Christine Kim are also highlighted as key contacts.

Cross-border deals are a standout area of focus for the team at Clifford Chance, which regularly leverages the firm’s global network and cross-practice offering to advise major domestic and international private equity clients such as EQT, KKR and Cinven on a broad range of transactions. The team is capable of handling complex domestic take-private acquisitions, carve-outs, and fund mergers, and it also advises private equity clients in connection with the launch of innovative projects, including Sixth Street’s joint venture with six leading soccer clubs to launch the Soccer Champions Tour platform. Sports and entertainment-focused private equity expert Neil Barlow is a key contact for this line of work and co-leads the practice with Kevin Lehpamer, who handles a broad range of transactions particularly in the healthcare, retail and tech sectors. M&A expert David Brinton is also recommended.

Clifford Chance targets Latin America corporate and M&A work, primarily through its New York and Sao Paulo offices. In addition, the launch of a Houston office in 2023 has enabled the firm to bolster its standing in energy transactions in Latin America, particularly in Mexico; Spanish speaking counsel Joshua Bernard joined the Houston team in January 2024 from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, bringing Latin America-specific expertise in M&A, joint-ventures and private equity transactions. Over recent years, the firm’s efforts have centred on South America, particularly energy and infrastructure transactions, and financial sponsor-led deals. It frequently advises consortiums on their bids for brownfield and greenfield projects. In Sao Paulo, the large team has developed a fine record in financial institutions M&A and fintech transactions, along with energy and infrastructure. The Sao Paulo office is also working with private capital investors in the distressed asset space. The firm’s connections in Asia and the Middle East have also brought it a number of M&A and investment engagements relating to Latin America. Sao Paulo managing partner Anthony Oldfield is a leading name in Brazil M&A and is a growing force in venture capital and fintech transactions in the jurisdiction. Splitting her time between Sao Paulo and New York, Thais Garcia (‘highly visible in LatAm and a stand-out M&A partner‘) has become a pivotal figure in the team, particularly in representing private equity and financial sponsors in their investments in energy and infrastructure assets. New York’s David Brinton remains a prominent figure in energy and infrastructure transactions, including financial sponsor-driven deals in Latin America. New York-based Carla Ruggero (dual-qualified in Argentina and New York) was promoted to the partnership in May 2024 and continues to advise a range of financial sponsors and Latin American corporates. Madrid based Javier Amantegui and Samir Azzouzi are also active in Latin America private equity transactions.