Latham & Watkins LLP has a highly sophisticated projects and energy practice that is often engaged for innovative financings using bank and bond debt. It is at the forefront of the use of securitisation techniques to fund energy and infrastructure projects. It is also making further headway in the acquisition of renewables assets - including those financed by hybrid transactions. The firm has brought its expertise in novel areas such as energy transition to the Latin America market, including green hydrogen, carbon capture and battery storage, with Chile, Mexico, Peru and Colombia among its primary markets. Traditionally a sponsor-side practice, the firm has built out its client base to include a greater range of investment and commercial banks, and private equity investors. Gianluca Bacchiocchi and Guido Liniado are key figures in innovative and hybrid financings, including securitisation structures. Head of the Latin America practice Antonio Del Pino is a prominent name in energy and infrastructure M&A and private equity investments. Washington DC’s Carlos Ardila was promoted to the partnership in November 2022. Former global co-chair of the project development and finance practice David Penna joined Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP in May 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Without a doubt, LW is the best law firm in the street for project finance. Their expertise is deep and broad, their response time is incredible, their creativity is impressive, and their commerciality is great.’
‘Gianluca Bacchiochi and Guido Liniado are two of the best lawyers I have ever worked with.’
‘Without a doubt, LW is the best law firm in the street for project finance. Their expertise is deep and broad, their response time is incredible, their creativity is impressive, and their commerciality is great.’
‘Very good team in infrastructure financing in LatAm.’
‘Latham's energy team has a great technical capacity and for me what makes it unique is that they also have a lot of M&A knowledge so for M&A transactions in the energy sector, which is what we hire outside lawyers the most for. it's a plus. They have a very commercial approach and perfectly understand the needs of the client.’
‘The team's insight, experience, innovation and ability to execute are exceptional and that sets it apart from many of the other infra-focused lawyers in Latin America.’
‘Guido Liniado is one of the most versatile lawyers in the industry in Latam and presents practical and efficient solutions to all the challenges of a transaction. His experience and knowledge of the different markets make him a great sponsor adviser.’

Key clients

Ares Capital
ArcLight Capital
Banco BTG Pactual
Banco Santander
BNP Paribas
CDPQ (Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec)
Credit Agricole
Global Infrastructure Partners
GM Holdings
Goldman Sachs & Co
HIF Global
HSBC Global Asset Management
JP Morgan
Matrix Renewables
Paracel
REDEN Group
Scotiabank
Telefónica
VGMobility
Vitol

Work highlights

Advised the banks on the Rumichaca-Pasto Toll Road project.
Advised Global Infrastructure Partners on the acquisition and acquisition financing of Atlas Renewable Energy from Actis.
Advised Scotiabank, BBVA, BMO and Mizuho Bank in connection with a $2.3bn five-year credit facilities provided to Mexico’s TC Energía Mexicana.