Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is one of the premier international law firms with a strong and long-term focus on Latin America. Through its key offices in New York and Sao Paulo, the firm has successfully targeted the telecoms and digital infrastructure arena, particularly in relation to private equity investments. The hire of Gabriel Silva from Vinson & Elkins LLP in November 2023 has only cemented the Latin America team’s leading position in the digital infrastructure segment. In other work, the team has supported KKR in a series of strategic initiatives in Latin America, including the expansion of open access fibre optic investments in Peru, Colombia and Chile. Aside from KKR, the firm continues to advise a broad range of sponsors, lenders and investors in energy and infrastructure transactions across the region. Grenfel Calheiros leads the Sao Paulo office and has a fine record in acquisition financings in the energy sector, along with sustainability-linked financings. Juan Naveira is another key partner for energy and infrastructure transactions, along with Juan Francisco Méndez and Todd Crider. Named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team is very diverse and has Latin American lawyers, which makes the work easier, since they understand the complexities of the region. They are very up to date and updated with what is happening in each country, they have a general view of the region that adds value. In addition, they have good relations with all counterparties, especially financial entities, which also makes negotiations flow on excellent terms.’
‘They have great availability. I especially highlight partner Juan Mendez.'
‘They were always up to the challenge, even in highly complex situations. After so many years, we continue to choose them, without a doubt.’
Key clients
- América Móvil
- Comisión Federal de Electricidad
- Goldman, Sachs & Co.
- Itaú BBA USA Securities
- J.P. Morgan Securities
- KKR & Co
- Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
- Morgan Stanley & Co
- MSU Energy Holding
- Pan American Energy
- Phoenix Tower International
- SCC Power
- DigitalBridge
- Macquarie
- SDC Capital
- Aligned Data Centers
- Scala Data Centers
- Highline
- Andean Telecom Partners
- Mexico Tower Partners
- Summit IG
- Latitude SH
- Sudamericana, Agencias Aéreas y Marítimas
Work highlights
- Representation of COPEC in connection with the sale of MAPCO Express, a subsidiary that operates a network of 304 fuel services stations and convenience stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
- Represented the lenders in the successful disbursement of a $500m senior secured term loan facility made available to 3R Lux.
- Advised Grupo Romero on its sale of a 50% stake in Trabajos Maritimos to Global Infrastructure Partners.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Todd Crider