Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP remains at the forefront of international capital markets offerings in Latin America. With an impressive team spread across its New York and Sao Paulo offices, it routinely lands many of the region’s top engagements. Despite a slowdown in equity offerings out of Latin America, the firm has advised on a high proportion of the market’s follow-on offerings. The Latin America department also remains active in the small number of SEC-registered offerings originating from the region. In 2023, the team worked on two SEC-registered IPOs out of Mexico, including representing the underwriters in Corporación Inmobiliaria Vesta’s IPO on NYSE, the largest Mexico IPO in the US in over a decade. The team has experienced further growth in investment grade debt offerings by repeat issuers. Brazil and Mexico are the team’s primary markets, followed by Chile. Todd Crider heads the Latin America practice, splitting his time between New York and Sao Paulo, and often working on headline capital markets offerings. Head of the Sao Paulo office Grenfel Calheiros has an outstanding record in Brazil offerings and is supported by emerging partner Paulo Fernando de Menezes Cardoso; it is one of few leading international firms to have two Brazilian native partners in Sao Paulo. In New York, Juan Francisco Méndez has worked on many of the biggest deals in the region over recent years, while Juan Naveira and senior counsel Kirsten Davis are also highly-regarded capital markets experts.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Juan Naveira has always been willing to answer concerns and resolve problems that arise, keeping in mind the client's interests.'
‘Empathy, commitment, professionalism, both from Juan Naveira and Jon Vicuña and the rest of the team.’
‘It is a very solid team, with a lot of technical knowledge and a good mix of very experienced people and younger ones. They are always coordinated with each other to provide the best service.’
‘Very proactive, commercial and knowledgeable about the region and the products. Top 3 law firm we work with in Latam.’
‘The STB team with which we work with some frequency is led by Juan Mendez, a professional with extensive experience, very detailed in analysis, and knowledge of many precedents that allow us to improve any proposal. He is always very willing to discuss to reach a point that satisfies all parties.’
‘They have one of the best teams in LATAM, they are constructive and have a lot of credibility with the banks. They know their business very well and are able to offer the best service.'
‘We primarily work with Juan Mendez and Kirsten Davis. They are hyper committed and communicative, and shine best when analysing complex regulatory questions which some of their competitors are less equipped to handle. They consistently prove to be thoughtful technicians, and are extremely reliable.’
‘Juan Mendez and Kirsten Davis are the "dream team" for any capital market transaction. Jomar Vargas (associate) is also excellent. The entire Simpson team is always available at any time and day. They have a very fast response time, even when there is a lot of documentation to write.’

Key clients

Ambipar
América Móvil (as underwriters' counsel)
BBVA Mexico
Bci
Braskem
BRF
CVC
DASA
Dominican Republic
FIBRA Prologis
Grupo Casas Bahia
Hidrovias do Brasil
Localiza Rent a Car
MRV
Oncoclínicas
Republic of Guatemala
Seacrest
TelevisaUnivision
Viveo

Work highlights

Advised the underwriters in Corporación Inmobiliaria Vesta's IPO on NYSE, the largest Mexico IPO in the US in over a decade.
Represented Ambipar in its R$717m follow-on equity offering of common shares on the São Paulo Stock Exchange (B3).
Representated the Republic of Guatemala in the issuance and sale of $565m of its 7.050% Notes due 2032.