Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP operates a versatile Latin America team with members that cover a broad range of transactions. Its long history of working on headline and highly complex transactions in the region means it is widely considered to be a true market leader. Indeed, M&A and private equity transactions form an integral part of its esteemed Latin America practice. The firm’s immense reputation in private equity has brought the Latin America team an increasing number of engagements, including in the digital infrastructure sector; the firm then cemented this with the hire Gabriel Silva from Vinson & Elkins LLP in 2023 to reinforce its capabilities in digital infrastructure M&A and private equity deals, especially in Brazil. In early 2024, it advised KKR on its proposed acquisition of 1,100 wireless communications towers in Colombia from Tigo Colombia. The team has also seen further growth in private equity investments in Mexico’s burgeoning industrial real estate, storage and logistics sectors connected to the nearshoring boom. Todd Crider heads the Latin America team and has an outstanding record in Latin America M&A and private equity deals, having amassed a multitude of headline engagements over the years. Grenfel Calheiros leads the São Paulo office and is an experienced figure in Brazil transactions. Juan Francisco Méndez, Juan Naveira and Borja Marcos are also key partners. Named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘STB have a lot of experience in M&A transactions in LATAM. We have made many transactions with Gabriel Silva's team.’
‘Gabriel Silva is a 4x4, capable of carrying out any transaction. Gabriela Astolphi does an excellent job all around.’
‘STB has one of the best M&A teams we have worked with. High quality in the output, they have a very commercial and strategic approach. They are not limited to the purely legal aspect, which is a good added value.'
‘Todd Crider and Juan Naveira - excellent, with deep knowledge of complex topics in documentation. Always available and with short turnaround times.
Key clients
- Aligned Data Centers
- Ambipar Participações e Empreendimentos
- Andean Telecom Partners
- Copec
- Corporación Grupo Romero
- Crescera
- DigitalBridge
- Genesee & Wyoming
- Gerdau
- Gramercy Funds Management
- Grupo Nutresa
- Highline
- J.P. Morgan Securities
- KKR
- Latitude
- Macquarie
- Mexico Tower Partners
- Scala Data Centers
- SDC Capital
- Sinqia
- Sudamericana, Agencias Aéreas y Marítimas
- Summit IG
Work highlights
- Adivsed Gerdau on the sale of its 49.85% stake in Gerdau Diaco and its 50% stake in Gerdau Metaldom.
- Advised KKR on its acquisition of about 1,100 wireless towers from Tigo Colombia, through its KKR Global Infrastructure Investors IV fund.
- Advised G&W in connection with a proposed majority investment by Grupo México Transportes in G&W’s CG Railway joint venture.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
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Next 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.
Todd Crider