White & Case LLP has a diverse practice across jurisdictions and transaction types. It consistently operates at the top of the market, particularly in Brazil, where it is long-established and has one of the leading São Paulo teams. It has advised on a series of recent equity offerings in Brazil, including a sizeable market share of secondary and follow-on offerings, and has experienced further growth in liability management engagements. It remains active in M&A-driven transactions and restructuring-related matters; the firm is debtor counsel to a large number of Brazilian corporates. Donald Baker is the market leader in São Paulo amongst international firms, having opened the office there in 1997 and developed outstanding links to Brazilian corporates and financial institutions. John Vetterli is global head of capital markets and has a long track record in Latin America offerings, having been located in Sao Paulo earlier in his career. John Guzman is another prominent figure in São Paulo, having led teams on a multitude of headline deals, while Rafael Roberti is an up-and-coming name and 'a leader in transactions', along with Bibiana Jaimes. In Miami, Karen Katri was elected to the partnership in 2023; and in Sao Paulo Beatriz Barros is an up-and-coming associate of note. All named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘They provide superior service within the required times. Additionally, they are friendly and patient as they provide services to foreigners and are willing to explain the foreign standard.’
‘Timely, clear responses that protect the client's interests.’
‘They have extensive experience in capital markets matters. They provide practical and understandable advice. They manage a good speed in their work. Their fees are reasonable for the service they provide. Great human touch from lawyers.’
‘They are lawyers who have handled these type of matters on multiple occasions and master them perfectly. In addition, they know most of the institutions and people involved in a transaction, and their conduct is impeccable.'
‘Very good practice with a presence in Latin America, and with lawyers with extensive knowledge. It compares favourably with other firms in the sense that it is a firm with a business vision.'
‘Their lawyers are not only widely trained to face the strongest challenges of complex transactions, but they are practical and have the necessary business vision. Specifically, Rafael Roberti, partner of the firm, is a more than capable person, and a leader in transactions. He has a special ability to reach solutions quickly.’
Key clients
- JBS
- The Republic of Suriname
- Companhia Brasileira de Distribuição
- Cydsa
- Ad hoc committee of Corporacion Pesquera Inca
- The Bank of Nova Scotia
- AEGEA
- Natura & Co
- Minerva
- Embraer
- Sendas Distribuidora
- Vamos
- Grupo Éxito
- CM Hospitalar
- Hapvida Participações
Work highlights
- Advised JBS, the world’s largest food company, on its proposed SEC-registered dual listing in New York and Sao Paulo.
- Advised Grupo Éxito (GPA) on the spin-off of its NYSE-listed subsidiary Almacenes Éxito.
- Advised Minerva Luxembourg on a $1bn bond offering.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
John Guzman
White & Case LLPNext Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Christian Hansen, John Vetterli