Speaking the Language of Success in Spanish Latin America and Brazil
For decades, in nearly every country in Latin America, Vinson & Elkins lawyers have worked on diverse projects, representing clients in cutting-edge energy, infrastructure, and finance transactions. But business today often crosses multiple borders and requires a depth of experience that reaches across the globe. V&E brings deep connections in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America to transactions being done throughout Latin America. Beyond our widely recognized leadership in the global energy industry, our law firm also brings significant understanding of English law, and a record of success in conducting complex transactions throughout this region. We seek to strengthen our global reach by collaborating with local law firms and business contacts in Brazil and elsewhere in Latin America.
Bringing Multiple Practice Strengths to Latin American Business
In Latin America and around the globe, V&E brings the rich experience of multiple practices to
transactions involving energy and clean energy, technology, intellectual property, project finance and development, real estate, securities, and telecommunications. Our lawyers have counseled clients doing business in Latin America on energy transactions, international disputes, mergers and acquisitions, project finance, and structuring and financing complex and innovative projects.
From LNG, to FPSOs, to Clean Energy/Renewables, V&E Translates Transactions into Energy
At Vinson & Elkins, we draw on the deep experience and knowledge that makes us a premier energy law firm to help clients in Brazil and Latin America conduct energy transactions of all sizes and complexities. We have unparalleled experience in transactions involving Chinese and other Asian companies investing in energy assets across Latin America. In addition, recent developments in Brazil’s pre-salt area have sparked renewed interest in that region, particularly offshore oil leases.
In Brazil, V&E lawyers have handled upstream mergers and acquisitions, and transactions involving exploration blocks offshore Brazil, including structuring and preparation of related joint venture and joint operating arrangements. V&E has also represented large energy companies in the negotiation of charter, purchase option, and O&M agreements for floating production, storage, and offloading facilities.
Vinson & Elkins’ experience in the energy industry in Brazil has not been confined to the upstream oil and gas sector. Our lawyers have also been involved in the purchase, sale, and development of major interests in the power generation, gas transmission, and gas distribution sectors.
Latin America Recognition
Our law firm has consistently been recognized for our accomplishments in representing client interests in Latin America, including: - Received high honors in Projects (Latin America), 2009 Chambers Global
- #1 in South and Central American M&A (by number of deals), mergermarket’s 2008 league tables
- #1 in Corporate Infrastructure Finance: Latin America (closed deals), Infrastructure Journal's 2008 Year-End league tables
- Among the top five law firms in Project Finance: Latin America (closed deals), Infrastructure Journal's 2008 Year-End league tables
- Among the top law firms in Latin American Investment, Chambers USA 2007
- Advised clients on projects that earned a “Deal of the Year” award in Latin America in recent years:
- NRG Energy, Inc.’s $288 million sale of a power plant in Brazil – Project Finance magazine’s 2008 Latin American Renewables Deal of the Year
- AES Gener S.A.’s nearly $1.0 billion financing of a power plant in Chile – Project Finance International’s 2008 Power Deal of the Year (Americas), Infrastructure Journal’s 2008 Power Deal of the Year, Power Finance & Risk's 2008 Deal of the Year (Americas), and Latin Finance’s 2008 Best Project Finance Deal
- BG International’s project development and financing of a $1.3 billion LNG import terminal in
Chile – Project Finance International’s 2008 Oil & Gas Deal of the Year (Americas) and Project Finance’s 2008 Latin American Oil & Gas Deal of the Year
Experience Counts: Representative Engagements in Latin America
To find out more about our law firm’s experience in the region, please view selected Vinson & Elkins engagements in: