About

Number of years practice: 34 Principal practice areas: Corporate M&A, financings and private equity Bar admissions: New York Languages spoken: English and Spanish

David Mercado is a partner in Cravath, Swaine & Moore’s corporate department. He is considered by clients to be among the most outstanding lawyer in the US currently working on Latin America matters. His practice is diverse, with an emphasis on financings and mergers and acquisitions in Latin America. A significant component of Mercado’s practice involves private equity funds. Mercado has worked on a number of multi-billion dollar deals involving Mexican entities, including advising Becle (Jose Cuervo) on its IPO on the Mexican Stock Exchange and the Latin American Integrated Market. Across the wider Latin America region, he has been involved in offerings for Enel, Endesa, Banco Santander Río, Petrobras, CSN, Colbún, Telefónica Chile, Celulosa Arauco, Inversiones CMPC, ENAP, GP Capital, Pemex, CFE, Telmex, Vitro, United Mexican States, Grupo Lamosa, Banamex, Naspers, Credit Suisse and E-CL, among others. His M&A work includes representing Grupo Modelo in its acquisition by Anheuser‑Busch InBev; Time in its sale of Grupo Expansión to Southern Cross Group, and Anheuser‑Busch InBev in the sale of its 54.5% equity stake in CCBA to Coca‑Cola. Mercado is a member of the American Bar Association, International Bar Association, New York City Bar Association and New York State Bar Association. He speaks frequently on developments in corporate law. He joined Cravath in 1984 and was made a partner at the firm in 1992.