Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP has an outstanding presence in acquisition finance, syndicated and bilateral loans in Brazil and across Latin America. Much credit goes to the experienced and prominent New York partner Thomas Mellor, who has close connections to HSBC, ING and other major lenders. He and the team frequently represent HSBC in new money financings and restructurings; the firm has an established record in bankruptcies and restructurings in Latin America. Mellor is also developing the firm’s standing in private credit and alternative lender transactions, and in litigation funding arrangements. Houston based John Crespo, Felipe Alice and Humberto Padilla Gonzalez provide further senior expertise, particularly in energy and infrastructure financings. Hartford’s Daniel Papermaster and London partner Carter Brod are also active in Latin America financings, including private placement transactions.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘It is a solid team with good technical training and customer service. It is a very specialised team, which makes it have a plus over other firms with a lower level of specialisation in financing issues.’

  • ‘Thomas Mellor not only has a great technical level, but he also has 'people skills' that make transactions flow more easily.'

Key clients

  • HSBC US
  • HSBC Mexico
  • HSBC Brazil
  • HSBC UK
  • HSBC Bermuda
  • HSBC Singapore
  • ING
  • National Bank of Kuwait
  • Prudential
  • MetLife
  • Teachers
  • Bank of America
  • Fuyo Leasing
  • SMBC
  • Norinchukin
  • Cerberus Capital Management
  • Credit Suisse
  • Deutsche Bank

Work highlights

  • Represent ING Capital in closing a highly structured $80m leveraged acquisition finance loan.
  • Represented CEMEX in a MX$10bn Variable Rate Note transaction under Mexican law.
  • Represented HSBC on a variety of Latin America finance matters, including loans and restructurings.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Thomas Mellor, John Crespo