Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP has a solid background in Latin America banking and finance through its New York and Sao Paulo offices. Indeed, market leading practitioners in New York frequently work alongside Sao Paulo colleagues on Latin America financings and restructurings. Particularly noted for acquisition finance and project finance, the practice has also achieved further growth in sustainability-linked financings; it advised the banks on Mexican multinational Grupo Bimbo’s first-ever sustainability-linked financing. The Latin America team has achieved further prominence in digital banking and debtor-in-possession (DIP) financings. James Florack leads the global finance practice and is also head of the Latin America-wide finance practice; he is highlighted for leveraged and investment-grade lending, structured-finance and sustainability-linked financings. Though better known for capital markets transactions, Maurice Blanco – who splits his time between Sao Paulo and New York – also frequently advises on bank financings. Based in Sao Paulo for 20 years, James Vickers is a hugely experienced Latin America financings specialist. The practice was further strengthened – particularly as regards energy, power and infrastructure financings – with the May-2023 hire of David Penna from Latham & Watkins LLP.