The powerhouse corporate group at McConnell Valdés LLC remains a market leader, channeling the experience of its team to advise insurers and national and multinational financial institutions and corporates, across such sectors as hospitality, energy, health, media, entertainment, financial services, aviation and infrastructure, on high-value, cross-border transactions. The practice’s full service covers matters ranging from M&A, public-private partnerships for major infrastructure projects, restructurings and insolvency to municipal financing, creditors’ rights, government affairs and securities. The team is led by Rubén Méndez-Benabe, an expert in representing national banks, institutional lenders, financial institutions and borrowers in complex financings, and corporate group vice-chair Lizzie Portela-Negrón. Fellow vice-chair Ricardo García-Negrón specialises in capital-raising transactions and securities regulatory compliance. Other key figures include Samuel T. Céspedes Jr., who leads the M&A and corporate and public finance groups; Ernesto Mayoral, who brings strength to financial and insurance entities acquisitions; and Jaime González-Suárez, who manages complex municipal finance transactions.

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Key clients

  • Abertis Infraestructuras
  • Aerostar Airport Holdings
  • AmeriNational Community Services
  • Destilería Serrallés
  • FirstBank Puerto Rico
  • Guayacan Fund of Funds VI
  • Insigneo Financial Group
  • Liberty Latin America

Work highlights

  • Represented the Abertis Consortium, as local counsel, in connection with the request for proposals for the financing, operation, maintenance and improvement of the four toll roads issued by the Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnerships Authority.
  • Advised Reden Solar, a French photovoltaic plant developer and operator (a subsidiary of France-based investment companies InfraVia and Eurazeo), and its subsidiary operating companies of Fonroche Energy America, in a $78m credit facility for the financing of two photovoltaic utility-scale solar projects.
  • Advised VRM Penzini Fund I on the purchase of GFC Holdings, owner of Biomass Gren Fuels, a landfill gas facility that exploits renewable landfill methane gas in Puerto Rico.

Lawyers

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.

Rubén Méndez-Benabe, Lizzie Portela-Fernández