Ranking tables

Capital Markets | Latin America

International Counsel

This sections focuses mainly on transactional work involving capital markets instruments such as Debt & Equity securities; Derivatives; Securitisation; Structured finance (CDOs, repackagings, other synthetic products). Lawyers may represent either issuers (both sovereign and corporate) and/or underwriters, as well as placement agents and broker dealers in public and private placements. Unlike in banking & finance, there is no in-built advantage for firms that exclusively or predominantly represent the financial institution. Investment Fund work, such as fund formation and structuring is highly relevant to this section, except in the case of Brazil where it is a separate section. Firms may also report regulatory securities work but in the main, this is given less weight than transactional work.

Rankings overview for Departments

All Departments profiles

1

Band 1

  1. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
    1
    Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
    Capital Markets
    2025 | Band 1 | 4 Years Ranked
    Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton possesses a top-tier international practice renowned for its ability to handle sophisticated cross-border securities offerings in Latin America. The legal team remains a first port of call for major corporate issuers and prestigious financial institutions acting as underwriters on high-value transactions. The practice group boasts phenomenal expertise in both debt and equity instruments, regularly advising on bond offerings, note issuances and IPOs. Cleary Gottlieb is also highly sought after by governments and state-owned entities to advise on sovereign debt deals.
  2. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
    1
    Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
    Capital Markets
    2025 | Band 1 | 4 Years Ranked
    Davis Polk & Wardwell enjoys an outstanding practice group offering first-class knowledge of international Latin American securities transactions. The legal department caters to an enviable client portfolio of distinguished underwriters and issuers involved in cross-border deals throughout the region, including in Mexico, Colombia and Argentina. Davis Polk & Wardwell benefits from long-standing experience assisting clients with both debt and equity offerings, providing valued expertise in high-yield products, SEC-registered issuances and unregistered securities trading among institutional buyers.
2

Band 2

  1. Milbank LLP
    2
    Milbank LLP
    Capital Markets
    2025 | Band 2 | 4 Years Ranked
    Milbank benefits from a distinguished international practice with long-standing experience advising on high-value securities offerings in key Latin American jurisdictions, including in Chile, Peru and Colombia. The legal team is highly active representing major underwriters and corporate issuers, with a particular focus on transactions concerning the energy sector. Milbank offers profound insight into complex debt and equity offerings, such as liability management matters, note offerings and IPOs.
  2. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
    2
    Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
    Capital Markets
    2025 | Band 2 | 4 Years Ranked
    Simpson Thacher & Bartlett benefits from a prestigious international capital markets group in high demand among corporate and governmental issuers and underwriters. The legal team regularly advises on complex sovereign debt offerings, private placements and liability management issues. The capital markets practice group is equally skilled at handling major equity transactions, such as IPOs and follow-on offerings. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is active throughout Latin America, most notably in Chile and Peru.
  3. White & Case LLP
    2
    White & Case LLP
    Capital Markets
    2025 | Band 2 | 4 Years Ranked
    Celebrated global outfit White & Case benefits from a considerable knowledge of cross-border Latin American securities transactions, especially those concerning Mexico and Chile. The capital markets legal team is highly sought after by both issuers and underwriters for its expertise in major SEC-registered and unregistered offerings. The practice group is routinely instructed to advise on such debt matters as bond issuances and debt reorganisation. White & Case is also called upon to assist with IPOs, secondary offerings and follow-on offerings.
3

Band 3

  1. A&O Shearman
    3
    A&O Shearman
    Capital Markets
    2025 | Band 3 | 4 Years Ranked
    A&O Shearman possesses a renowned practice group with an impressive track record advising on major transactions concerning Chile and Panama, among other key Latin American jurisdictions. The capital markets department handles an array of complex registered and unregistered debt issuances, restructurings, and high-value equity offerings. The legal team caters to an impressive roster of private banks acting as underwriters, in addition to representing state-owned banks and blue-chip companies as issuers.
  2. Baker McKenzie
    3
    Baker McKenzie
    Capital Markets
    2025 | Band 3 | 1 Years Ranked
    Baker McKenzie benefits from a dynamic cross-border securities group in demand for its experience acting on matters involving Mexico, Colombia and Peru. The legal team remains a choice for corporate issuers and discerning financial institutions acting as underwriters in regional transactions. Baker McKenzie is knowledgeable about debt and equity matters, and regularly assists clients with bond issuances, liability management issues, and IPOs.
  3. Clifford Chance LLP
    3
    Clifford Chance LLP
    Capital Markets
    2025 | Band 3 | 4 Years Ranked
    Clifford Chance possesses a significant cross-border capital markets practice with valued experience handling matters across Latin America, with notable activity in Chile, Colombia and Costa Rica. The legal team is most active representing financial institutions as placement agents and underwriters in an array of noteworthy debt and equity issuances. Clifford Chance's capital market department is also recognised for its skill in representing corporate issuers and state-owned entities.
  4. 3
    Linklaters
    Capital Markets
    2025 | Band 3 | 4 Years Ranked
    Admired magic circle firm Linklaters is adept at handling Latin American securities transactions, especially those concerning the Argentine and Chilean markets. The law department has experience acting for key corporate issuers, governments and financial institutions as underwriters on note issuances, bond offerings and liability management matters. The capital markets practice group also advises on equity offerings, such as IPOs and follow-on offerings.
4

Band 4

  1. Arnold & Porter
    4
    Arnold & Porter
    Capital Markets
    2025 | Band 4 | 4 Years Ranked
    Arnold & Porter fields an international practice group with a proven track record representing sovereigns and state-owned entities in high-value debt offerings in Latin America, most notably Colombia and Panama. The legal team regularly advises on bond and note issuances, in addition to debt restructuring matters through tender and exchange offers. Arnold & Porter offers additional expertise in debt deals for private corporate issuers.
  2. 4
    Latham & Watkins LLP
    Capital Markets
    2025 | Band 4 | 1 Years Ranked
    Latham & Watkins houses an active department that is recognised for its expertise and involvement in capital markets matters arising in Latin America. The legal team is noted for its activity in jurisdictions such as Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela, and is routinely sought after to advise corporate issuers and financial institutions on their issuance of medium-term notes and long-term bonds throughout the region. The law firm is also notably engaged in providing field-related regulatory advice. Green Coffee Company is Latham & Watkins' new client roster addition.
  3. 4
    Paul Hastings LLP
    Capital Markets
    2025 | Band 4 | 2 Years Ranked
    Paul Hastings fields a cross-border securities department that is sought after for its expertise pertaining to matters involving Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. Paul Hastings is experienced in debt and equity matters, supporting clients with bond offerings and IPOs. The law firm is routinely engaged by issuers and banks acting as underwriters in transactions across Latin America.
  4. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
    4
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
    Capital Markets
    2025 | Band 4 | 4 Years Ranked
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom benefits from a well-regarded practice group excelling in the handling of cross-border securities transactions in Latin America, particularly in Mexico. The legal department is best known for its expertise in debt transactions, regularly assisting both issuers and underwriters with note issuances and follow-on offerings. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom also advises financial institutions on equity offerings.
  5. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
    4
    Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
    Capital Markets
    2025 | Band 4 | 4 Years Ranked
    Sullivan & Cromwell enjoys an established international practice group well reputed for its experience in significant Latin American securities transactions. The legal team enjoys a strong track record acting for investment banks and multilateral credit agencies on private offerings and SEC-registered debt issuances. The capital markets department offers further expertise representing both governments and underwriters in high-value sovereign debt transactions, including in Argentina and Mexico.