Most Highly Regarded Firms: Argentina 2008 - Project Finance
A total of ten experts, hailing from seven firms, are listed in this chapter. These lawyers are recommended for their accomplished representation of sponsors and lenders in project financing and refinancing transactions.
Estudio Beccar Varela has an international reputation in the banking arena and project finance is a growing practice area for the firm. Their experience in this field is wide-ranging and includes infrastructure, oil and gas, mining, power generation and transmission projects. Damián Beccar Varela's practice is far-reaching and his "reputation as a fantastic lawyer" - which earns him a place in the banking, M&A and corporate governance chapters - sees him nominated for his work on projects. Joining him in this section are Javier Luis Magnasco and Roberto Horacio Crouzel. Magnasco's transactional work was praised during our research and Crouzel also came highly recommended.
Marval O'Farrell & Mairal follows closely with two of its most respected practitioners appearing in this section. Described as a "top-tier firm" it is "well known" for its project finance practice. Santiago Carregal is one of the most highly nominated practitioners in our research and clients and peers alike praised his broad experience in the sector. Carregal teaches contracts and modern financial transactions in the banking law postgraduate course at Buenos Aires University. The "great" Roberto Silva also appears in this chapter.
Jose Martinez de Hoz Jr from Pérez Alati Grondona Benites Arntsen & Martinez de Hoz (Jr) was a "certainty" for inclusion in this section. Described as a "terrific lawyer", de Hoz has a respected energy and project finance practice and he also features prominently in the oil and gas, arbitration, and mergers and acquisitions chapters.
Jaime Rafael Fernández Madero from Bruchou Fernández Madero & Lombardi is another prominent name in the market and has been involved in some of the largest project financings in recent years - including the Mega petrochemical project, the AES Paraná electric project and the Autopistas del Sol highways project.
Luis Lucero from Cárdenas Di Cio Romero Tarsitano & Lucero is well known for his project financing within the mining industry and his reputation in both areas secures his inclusion in both chapters. He was the main external legal counsel to the Bajo de la Alumbrera mining project and the Cerro Vanguardia projects. Florencia Heredia from HOLT Abogados is also included in the mining chapter and her practice intersects these two areas. She is a newsletter editor for the IBA's Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law Section. Pedro Pablo Lessa of Le Pera & Lessa completes the picture in this section, receiving high-profile nominations for his project finance practice.