The Latin American Lawyer Energy & Infrastructure Awards 2023, the winners
The winners of The Latin American Lawyer Energy & Infrastructure Awards 2023 were announced during the gala ceremony held at the Tivoli Mofarrej Hotel in São Paulo, on 13th December 2023.
The Energy & Infrastructure Awards recognised the excellence among the Latin American professionals active in this area.
The winners are the following:
IN-HOUSE CATEGORIES
IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Enel Group
The in-house department coordinated a diverse array of operations, encompassing various complexities. The legal team demonstrated exceptional proficiency in navigating the intricate and sensitive facets inherent in large-scale projects, particularly prominent within the Latin American market.
IN-HOUSE COUNSEL OF THE YEAR
Yuri Müller Ledra – ENGIE
Drawing upon years of experience at the pinnacle of the market, the professional has amassed extensive expertise. Skillfully guiding his team of lawyers through challenging operations like acquisitions and financing, he has solidified his status as a top professional within the in-house context.
IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR ENERGY
Eletrobras
The in-house department plays a key role in the legal defense of the company, the lawyers are often occupied in complex process always managed with the maximum expertise and efficiency thanks also to the optimal guidance of the general counsel.
IN-HOUSE COUNSEL OF THE YEAR ENERGY
Daniel Shem Cheng Chen – EDP Brasil
The professional spent more than 13 years being the legal responsible for M&A transactions of the company, he has proven his outstanding expertise in construction, project finance and complex litigation and arbitration cases. The lawyer is a recognized by the market as a key figure in the energy legal field.
IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR INFRASTRUCTURE
ACCIONA Energía
The legal team during the last months was involved in complex operations regarding high profile infrastructure projects. The professionals distinguish themselves for the expertise expressed during the coordination of the legal aspects of high scale operations.
IN-HOUSE COUNSEL OF THE YEAR INFRASTRUCTURE
Inaiê F. Mendes Reis – Prysmian Group
After years of outstanding contributions, the professional has earned a distinguished reputation in the Latin American legal market. This adept lawyer has triumphantly navigated numerous challenging operations in the infrastructure sector, consistently achieving positive outcomes.
IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR RENEWABLES
Recurrent Energy
The company can be placed among the top players of the renewable energy field in Latin America, for this reason the in-house department is one of the most competitive in the market, it’s composed by talented lawyers capable to manage all the various aspects of the legal advice.
IN-HOUSE COUNSEL OF THE YEAR RENEWABLES
Carlos Pompermaier – AES Brasil Energia SA
The professional is guiding a team of lawyers very competent in several areas such as legal, regulatory and compliance. The lawyer was very active during the last months managing delicate operations from acquisitions to strategic arbitration.
IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR OIL & GAS
Shell
During the last months the lawyers managed prominent dispute resolution cases relevant for their economic and strategic values, the in-house team stands out for its technical skills and attention to details while they were working alongside some of the most notorious Brazilian law firms.
IN-HOUSE COUNSEL OF THE YEAR OIL & GAS
Daniel Heilbron Chrispim – Galp Energia
The lawyer has been active in the energy field for several years, he is well known in the market and appreciated by its principal players, he was able to protect the company’s interest, proving excellent legal expertise and leadership skills.
IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR M&A ENERGY/INFRASTRUCTURE
ENGIE
During the recent period, the company was involved in crucial corporate operations relevant for their impact on the market. The in-house department was able to manage the complexity of the legal aspects of those operations obtaining remarkable outcomes.
IN-HOUSE COUNSEL OF THE YEAR M&A ENERGY/INFRASTRUCTURE
Fabiana Molina – Ultragaz
The in-house professional has brilliantly guided the legal team trough important operations faced in a very demanding and fast changing business environment. She has gained during years of activity a solid experience that she expresses efficiently in his activity as legal director.
IN-HOUSE COUNSEL OF THE YEAR LITIGATION/ARBITRATION
André Luiz Cavalcanti – Shell
The professional can be rightfully considered among the best dispute resolution lawyer in the energy in-house legal market. He was involved in very complex arbitration and litigation operations in which he could protect the company’s interest managing even the most complex aspects.
PRIVATE PRACTICE CATEGORIES
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
Mattos Filho
Situated at the pinnacle of the Latin American legal market, the firm navigates numerous challenges while offering strategic counsel to prominent companies in Brazil. The team comprises accomplished lawyers renowned for their strategic acumen and meticulous attention to detail, earning appreciation for their exceptional expertise.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR
Carlos Vilhena – Pinheiro Neto Advogados
The professional is considered one of the most influential figures in the sector thanks to his outstanding track record of complex operations managed skillfully. The lawyer advised the top player in the mining industries always distinguishing himself for the approach and business-oriented mindset.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR ENERGY
Machado Meyer
The law firm team in the last months provided a multidisciplinary advisory to very important companies in the Brazilian market, the professionals have proven to be able to manage the various legal aspects of the energy sector always aiming to the most suitable resolution.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR ENERGY
Raphael Gomes – Lefosse
The lawyer guides the law firm team in the main energy projects including M&As, self-production structures and litigation matters. The professional was involved recently in a very important privatisation of a prominent energy company for a value of several billions.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR INFRASTRUCTURE
BMA Advogados
The law firm team has assisted important clients in public procurement processes for the acquisition of new projects such as urban parks, port terminals, water and sewage. The professionals are talented lawyers capable to work under pressure never losing the focus.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR INFRASTRUCTURE
Jose Roberto B. Martins – Trench Rossi Watanabe
The lawyer has garnered a stellar reputation among clients and competitors alike. For several years, he has operated at the top of various industries, offering invaluable advice in diverse realms such as mining, petrochemicals, infrastructure, and public and regulatory matters.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR FINANCE
Pinheiro Neto Advogados
The law firm team has been involved in very ambitious financial projects in the energy & infrastructure fields in which the lawyers have distinguished themselves for their precise and punctual advisory never losing sight of the global picture.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR FINANCE
Grenfel S. Calheiros – Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
The lawyer advises several clients in Latin America and especially Brazil, he is appreciated for the quality of the service provided based on a wide expertise at 360 degrees of the finance sector.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR PROJECT FINANCE
TozziniFreire Advogados
The law firm is active at many levels in the industry, the lawyers have managed wide scale projects very important for their impact on the sector. The clients often express esteem for the legal team which can be rightfully placed at the top of the market.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR M&A ENERGY
Tozzini Freire Advogados
During the last 12 months the legal team operates on groundbreaking operations in the Brazilian territory. The lawyers have provided invaluable advice on highly delicate and innovative aspects of the projects. Their commitment to excellence distinguishes them, marking their operations as truly exceptional.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR M&A ENERGY
Giovani Loss – Mattos Filho
The lawyer is specialised in energy, oil & gas industry and he is well appreciated for having coordinated the legal aspects of merger and acquisition transactions. The professional is esteemed by the principal companies in the sector for his credibility and reliability.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR M&A INFRASTRUCTURE
Tauil & Chequer Advogados in association with Mayer Brown
The law firm team is composed by a solid and competitive group of professionals capable to provide a very efficient and precise advice for multi-jurisdictional transactions between the most relevant in the Brazilian territory.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR M&A INFRASTRUCTURE
Sergio Amiel – Garrigues
The professional guide the M&A team in the law firm, his clients can count on his significant experience in local and cross border transactions that the lawyer expresses through the sophistication and efficiency of the service he provides.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR ADMINISTRATIVE & ENVIRONMENTAL
Luis Fernando Macías Gómez – Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría
The professional is one of the best exponents of environmental law in Latin America, he has been involved in many projects regarding international organizations, national and multinational companies in complex environmental business.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR LITIGATION
BMA Advogados
The law firm directs a substantial portion of its efforts towards dispute resolution operations, serving as legal advisors to significant Brazilian companies. Renowned in the market, the professionals are esteemed for their competitiveness, grounded in a profound understanding of the business landscape.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR ARBITRATION
ECIJA GPA
The law firm’s dispute resolution team represents an excellence in Ecuador and Latin America in general, the professionals have been involved in national and international operations regarding several aspects of the energy industry obtaining competitive results and the appreciation of the market.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR ARBITRATION
Diogo Carneiro – Lefosse
The lawyer stands out in the market for his vast experience in dispute resolution, he followed complex cases of national and international arbitrations. He is considered a reference figure in the practice for his outstanding track record.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Dentons Cárdenas & Cárdenas
The law firm has been advising an innovative project in Colombia with the aim of fostering and promoting energy-efficient and sustainable urban development. The professionals managed successfully the various legal aspects in which they were involved.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR MINING
Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos
The law firm can count on some of the most experienced individuals in the mining sector, they have been advising local and international companies providing a multidisciplinary service. The professionals have acquired during the years the status of leader of the sector in Chile.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR MINING
Jose Vicente Zapata Lugo – Holland & Knight
The professional coordinated his team brilliantly in several operations in the mining and infrastructure sector. The lawyer is a reference figure in the energy field for his technical skills and results oriented approach, for those reasons he is considered a reliable professional by the market.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR RENEWABLES
Dentons Cárdenas & Cárdenas
The team has orchestrated the legal aspects of expansive projects in Latin America. The professionals have collaborated with prominent energy companies, showcasing not only their technical prowess but also their in-depth understanding of the market dynamics.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR RENEWABLES
Paolo Salerno – Salerno & Asociados
The professional is one of the most specialized figures in the energy sector, he has followed important operations in environmental and renewable. He is considered by the market a reliable energy lawyer capable of finding the client’s most suitable solutions.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR OIL & GAS
Tauil & Chequer Advogados in association with Mayer Brown
The law firm represents the excellence in the sector in Brazil, according to their track record the professionals are some of the most competitive and reliable lawyers in oil & gas who stand out for their detailed knowledge of the market.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR OIL & GAS
Alexandre Bittencourt Calmon – Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper
The professional has proven several times his deep knowledge in oil and gas concession contracts, he is capable to provide a 360 Degree advise on the delicate aspects involved in the wider operations in the field.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR ENERGY TAX
EY
The professionals of the law firm are experts in the fiscal area, and they are guided wisely by the expertise and experience of the head partner. They are able to manage very complicated operations in which their technical skills often made the difference.
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR ENERGY TAX
Marcelo Reinecken – Veirano Advogados
The professional is the leader of the tax practice in the Brasilia office, he is one of the most skilled professional in the fiscal area which developed during his several years of experience a remarkable track record of deals concluded along very influential corporations.
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR CRIMINAL LAW
Caro & Asociados
The law firm can be placed among the pick of the white-collar crime practice, the professionals have been coordinating, during the last months, many complex cases always keeping an optimum ratio of deals concluded successfully.
