Latham & Watkins LLP's highly developed Latin America team has demonstrated a considerable commitment to the energy and infrastructure sectors, including project finance, acquisition finance and M&A. The team is also at the forefront of hybrid capital markets and bank finance transactions in the area. It is making further headway in energy transition matters, including green hydrogen, battery storage and carbon sequestration, along with continued activity in LNG projects and transactions. Additionally, it remains active in greenfield and brownfield project bonds, social bonds and sustainability bonds, along with the securitisation of receivables for infrastructure projects. Gianluca Bacchiocchi is a senior figure in project finance, securitisations and hybrid transactions in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Native Spanish speaker Guido Liniado is also highly rated in project finance, project bonds, securitisation and other forms of structured finance for energy and infrastructure assets. Latin America practice co-chair Antonio Del Pino is a big name in project finance and M&A across the energy and infrastructure sectors. Christopher Cross is another senior practitioner with a background in oil and gas transactions in Latin America, most recently advising the ECAs in the project financing of floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units in Brazil. Washington DC-based Carlos Ardila continues to make an impression in Latin America project finance and energy M&A, following his elevation to the partnership in 2023. Counsel Marcela Ruenes is another core member of the team, while Houston-based senior associate Taylor López joined from Baker Botts L.L.P. in July 2023. All named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team led by Guido Liniado has accompanied us in all the international financing processes that we have carried out. We feel very comfortable with his pro-business approach, his advice (always relevant) and his efficiency in the negotiations and the process. It is distinguished from other firms by the practicality and pragmatism with which it conducts its transactions.’

  • ‘Guido Liniado is the partner in charge of the process and is directly involved from start to finish, which gives us a lot of peace of mind and security throughout the process. Guido involves his team and trains/accompanies them permanently. Guido is differentiated by his extensive experience, understanding of various jurisdictions, his intellectual capacity to understand problems and propose viable/balanced solutions, and his legal pragmatism.'

Key clients

  • Esentia Energy Systems
  • SBM Brazil Project Lenders
  • Tamandare Lenders
  • BlackRock
  • Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP)
  • BNP Paribas
  • ConocoPhillips
  • Denham Capital
  • Mombak
  • Banco Santander
  • Scotiabank
  • ING
  • Vitol
  • EIG Global Energy Partners
  • Repsol
  • Andes Mining & Energy (AME)
  • Natixis
  • Mizuho
  • Banistmo
  • MUFG

Work highlights

  • Advised a consortium of 13 international banks with insurance cover from four international Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) in the project financing of Almirante Tamandaré floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit in Brazil.
  • Advised Esentia Energy Systems in a project refinancing in connection with various pipeline operations located in Mexico.
  • Advised Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) on a project financing related to its joint investment with AES Andes in a new portfolio of renewable projects.

Lawyers

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.
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.

Antonio Del Pino, Gianluca Bacchiocchi