Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is a titan of the Latin American market with an exceptional record in capital markets offerings, including those by sovereigns, state-owned enterprises and large corporates. Team members are praised by clients for their experience, accessibility and involvement in deals. The firm is a dominant force in Mexico and has a substantial market share of Brazil transactions. It remains active in liability management deals and issuances in local currencies. In the sovereign debt segment, the pratice has executed deals for the United Mexican States (Mexico), Dominican Republic, Republic of Uruguay and Republic of Chile as issuer or underwriter’s counsel, and it remains prominent in ESG and sustainability-linked offerings; it advised América Móvil on its inaugural sustainable bond offering in the international capital markets. Jorge Juantorena is a leading name in Mexico offerings and issuances by sovereign governments. Licensed to practice in Mexico and New York, Manuel Silva has a growing reputation in Mexico, Brazil and in sovereign offerings. Top practitioner Juan Giráldez is a key name in Sao Paulo, where the highly-rated Jonathan Mendes de Oliveira was elected to the partnership in 2024. Former partner Nicolas Grabar is now senior counsel. All named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise. Emilio Minvielle has left the firm.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Availability, fast responses, understanding of our structure and business over time, partnership in working with us overtime and structuring legal fees that make sense in such context.’
‘Jonathan Mendes de Oliveira and associate David Schechtman - always delivering more than expected while working in our projects and/or supporting our internal legal counsels in routine legal matters.’
‘Thorough advice and fast responses.'
‘Partners/associates are very experienced, easy to work with, accessible and really involved in the deal. Special mention to Juan Giraldez, who always elegantly brings something to the table.’
‘It is a team that, although it has been reconfigured, never ceases to have excellent quality, not only technical, but also human. The treatment is always cordial and the client's needs are always attended to in record time.’
‘Individuals alway try to bring solutions.’
‘Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP has incredible resources to deliver the best work for their clients. They have a team composed by high-level attorneys that are always available to help clients with different legal aspects.’
‘Juan Giraldez is a very experienced partner who tries to get involved as much as he can in the transactions. He is always able to provide the best legal advice for his clients and always manages to gather a high-quality team to assist the companies with their projects. Jonathan Mendes de Oliveira is a very didactic lawyer and always available to clarify the questions of his clients in regard to the US Capital Markets. He has a great capability of delivering a good job and to achieve the expectations of his clients.’
Key clients
- America Movil
- BBVA (Designated Underwriters Counsel)
- CFE
- Codelco
- Companhia Paranaense De Energia – COPEL
- Dominican Republic
- FEMSA
- Infracommerce
- Inter & Co
- Pampa Energia
- Petrobras
- Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex)
- Republic of Chile
- Republic of Uruguay
- Seacrest
- State of Paraná
- United Mexican States
- Vale
- YPF
Work highlights
- Represented Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL) and the State of Paraná in the privatisation of COPEL.
- Represented FEMSA in a series of transactions in connection with its divestment of its stake in the Heineken Group.
- Represented the United Mexican States in a registered offering of €2bn of its 4.4899% global bonds due 2032, tied to the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Lawyers
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