Clifford Chance
We help regional and international clients make the most of the region's healthy diversity of investment opportunities, which enables them to stay busy through all economic life cycles.
Local and regional know-how that delivers results
We were the first global firm with a dedicated Latin America practice providing clients with holistic advice across the region's highly diverse legal, economic and cultural landscapes. We have been working in Latin America for decades and have a long history of acting in the region for all types of clients – corporates, investors, investment banks, commercial lenders, export credit agencies, multilateral and bilateral development agencies and sovereign and sub-sovereign governments.
Our firm is ranked Band 1 and Tier 1 in several practices by Chambers Latin America and Legal 500 Latin America, respectively, and our attorneys are recognized prominently recognized at all levels. For example, we have the most associates listed as Rising Stars in Legal 500 Latin Americafor 2020 among all international firms. Our people and the transactions they work on are often recognized by leading publications as team or transaction of the year. In 2020, we were awarded Deal of the Year designations in LatinFinance and Latin Lawyer. Our expertise and the wealth of our experience across the full range of practices, including capital markets, banking, corporate, project finance, energy & infrastructure, structured finance and litigation, enables us to provide cutting-edge, practical and coordinated legal advice covering the needs of our clients throughout the region.
Few law firms can match our integrated Latin America practice. Our team regularly works on the most sophisticated, cross-border deals for inbound and outbound investments in Latin America.
We offer bespoke teams comprised of partners and associates at all levels who are native or fluent in Spanish, Portuguese and English – and who have a deep cultural understanding of doing business in the region.
As an international law firm, we have advised on client matters in:
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Recent highlights
Deals
- Advised Corporación Financiera de Desarrollo S.A. (COFIDE), the Peruvian state-owned development bank, on (i) an issuance of US$300 million 5.950% Notes due 2029 and (ii) a cash tender offer for its 5.250% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2029.
- Advised a syndicate of lenders, including Scotiabank and SMBC as joint lead arrangers and bookrunners, on the granting of a syndicated US$509 million multiple draw term loan facility to Grupo Energía Bogotá.
- Advised BofA Securities and JP Morgan Securities, as the initial purchasers, on the offering of US$1.5 billion 7.3% notes due 2054 by the Republic of Costa Rica.
- Assisted Actis with its acquisition of a portfolio of combined cycle power plants and a gas pipeline in Mexico, operated by MT Falcon.
- Represented Enel Green Power Costa Rica and Enel Colombia in an ICSID arbitration against the Government of Costa Rica regarding indirect expropriation and other breaches of an investment treaty in relation to two hydroelectric plants.
- Advised Banco Santander, JP Morgan Chase and a group of financial institutions on the US$642 million refinancing of the Pamplona-Cúcuta project in Colombia.
Directory and client comments
- "Clifford Chance's experience in M&A work is very strong. They offer fast response times, and they have a practical approach and knowledge of the industry. I am really very happy with their service."
Chambers Latin America 2025: Corporate M&A (International Counsel) - "Clifford Chance is our key go-to firm, as they have great Spanish-speaking capabilities. They are essential to us when financing projects in Latin America."
Chambers Latin America 2025: Project Finance (International Counsel) – Band 1 - "The great plus of this team is its availability and closeness to the client through a perfect coordination between the members of its offices and teams according to areas of specialization."
Legal 500 Latin America 2025 – Tier 1 - "Clifford Chance's international arbitration team is undoubtedly one of the best for Latin America. They have extensive experience and knowledge and handle cases with complete professionalism."
Legal 500 Latin America 2025: International firms: International arbitration - "At the forefront of green bonds and sustainability-linked financings. ...has earned accolades for its work in infrastructure financings, including toll roads, metro lines, mass transportation systems and port projects."
Legal 500 Latin America 2024: Projects and Energy: International Firms – Tier 1 - "In addition to the experience, the collaboration and support that the firm offers, the transactions in which it has acted as advisor is noteworthy. They stand out considerably for the solidity and clarity with which they present their positions and arguments, as well as the review and delivery times of reviewed documents."
Legal 500 Latin America 2024: Banking and Finance: International Firms – Tier 1
Recent Awards
- Project Finance Deal of the Year: Autopista Magdalena Medio and Autopista del Río Grande
Global Banking & Markets: Latin America Awards 2024 - Bond of the Year: Valia Energia Inaugural International Bond.
LatinFinance Project & Infrastructure Finance Awards 2024 - Port Financing of the Year: Aguadulce
LatinFinance Project & Infrastructure Finance Awards 2024 - Infrastructure Financing of the Year: Caribbean: AES Dominicana Renewables
LatinFinance Project & Infrastructure Finance Awards 2024
