DLA Piper LLP (US) has a well developed Latin America capital markets team spread across its offices in the region and in New York; moreover, many of its practitioners are dual-qualified lawyers in both the US and one-or-other Latin American jurisdiction. The firm has an established record in high-yield debt, medium-term notes, asset backed securities and project bonds, while structured finance and securitisation (including diversified payments rights securitisations) are also fortes for the team – which worked intensively on debt restructurings and liability management transactions during 2022. The group benefits from outstanding links to Latin American corporates and financial institutions. New York partner Christopher Paci is an immensely experienced capital markets specialist with a strong focus on Latin America. Managing partner of the Buenos Aires office Marcelo Etchebarne, who splits his time between Argentina and New York, and is also an experienced capital markers expert.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘In addition to its technical solvency, the DLA team stands out for its enormous willingness and openness to generate solutions in a scenario of permanent change. Its quick reaction and adaptation capacity has allowed us to carry out transactions dynamically and successfully.’

  • ‘Permanent attention, flexibility, predisposition and knowledge of the company.’

Key clients

  • Innergex Renewable Energy
  • Grupo Bafar
  • Empresa Distribuidora y Comercializadora Norte
  • Alsea
  • Banco do Brasil
  • Globant
  • YPF ad hoc bondholder committee
  • Crédito Real
  • Edenor
  • Transtelco Holdings and Transtelco Acquisition III
  • Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior
  • Banco do Brasil

Work highlights

  • Advised Innergex Renewable Energy on a private placement with institutional investors of $710m million senior secured notes by its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Aela Generación.
  • Advised Empresa Distribuidora y Comercializadora Norte on its offer to exchange its $98m outstanding 9.75% senior notes (due 2022) for newly issued 9.75% senior notes (due 2025).
  • Advised Crédito Real on the liability management exercise to refinance its Swiss Franc bonds.

Lawyers

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Christopher Paci, Marcelo Etchebarne