Cescon
Barrieu is a nationally recognized Brazilian firm with five offices located in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte,
Brasília and Salvador.
The firm’s strengths lie in M&A, debt capital markets and project finance.
The banking and finance and capital markets teams have developed strong relationships with international banks, and so most of the banking and project finance transactions are on the lender side.
The debt and equity capital markets team
is focused on the technology and energy industries, working with both issuers and underwriters.
In M&A the team works mostly with strategic buyers and private equity.
The project development team advises developers in all industries, but is particularly active in energy, infrastructure and oil and gas projects.
Key clients of the firm include Oaktree Capital Management, TMF
Brasil, Banco de Investimentos Credit Suisse,
Banoc Modal, Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank Securities and
PetroRio.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
During the research period, the firm was active in banking and finance, capital markets, investment funds, M&A,
projects and restructuring and insolvency.
The banking team
maintained its position of counsel to unique
clients in the fintech industry,
advising them in complex regulatory matters. The team also advised clients on
large-scale cross-border financing transactions.
In capital markets debt, the firm advised clients on innovative bond issuances including sustainability linked bonds. The team was highly active in the agribusiness sector. The equity team
advised issuers and bookrunners on cross-border IPOs and share offerings.
Most of the firm’s investment funds transactions were in the financial services industry, with energy and healthcare being some of the only exceptions. The team advised on fund formation and raising transactions that involved development banks and other international clients.
M&A deals for the firm included
acquisitions, joint
ventures and corporate reorganizations primarily in the renewable energy sector.
Most of the acquisitions were private.
The
projects team was active on the development and financing sides, engaging in
innovative projects in the oil and gas,
energy and transport industries.
While financial services were the main industry focus for the restructuring and insolvency team, the department was active in a myriad of sectors. The firm
advised more creditors than debtors in
complex judicial reorganizations.
In October of 2022, both
partners Fábio
Rosas and José Luis de Rosas
departed from the firm’s restructuring
and insolvency department to join
Lefosse
Advogados.
In February of 2023,
partner Andrea Barbosa Campos was recruited from Paul Hastings to join the
corporate and M&A team.
As a part of its strategy to increase its presence abroad, the firm has opened a new office in Toronto.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Aegea Saneamento $500 million bond issuance
Angra 3 nuclear power plant
project
Banco
do
Brasil
$500 million financing
Equatorial
$1.4 billion acquisition of
Echoenergia
LatAm Airlines $3.7 billion
DIP financing
Marfrig Global Foods $400 million bond issuance
OceanPact Serviços
Marítimos B3 IPO
River Tietê Depollution
project
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Bank lending: Lender side
“Expertise, timing and conducting tough
negotiation with third parties.”
“Responsive, pragmatic, technical.”
“All members of the team are available at any time to discuss any matter you might need. The best team you can hire is the one dedicated to debt issues. This specific team is known for the ability to foresee any need the client may have and to
provide a solution before demanded.”
“Very knowledgeable, pragmatic and business-driven approach.”
“Cescon has a high-level group of attorneys in capital markets, they are very skilled and know the regulations and are up to date with capital markets practices, providing an outstanding job and giving the client a comfort zone, especially in IPOs.”
Capital market: Structured finance and
securitization
“Good knowledge about Brazilian regulation on structured finance and fast on delivering on their assignments.”
“I was impressed by the service
capacity, in terms of strategy, experience and volume of work. A
qualified and numerous
team.”
“Cescon
Barrieu has a high standard in what concerns the attention provided to their clients. Partners are
closely involved in the deals.”
“CBFB has
great experience in both energy law and M&A, which was fundamental to the
great success of the operation. Here in Brazil, the electric sector has massive legal regulation, and their deep knowledge in such area was fundamental to the conclusion of the deal.”
“They are a qualified team, with experience in the area and quick in responses.”
“Highly attentive to the short deadlines of the project, business-orientated approach to all matters discussed with the banks, and showed significant experience with the players at hand, which was extremely on point to close the deal.”
“The Cescon team is very
available, and detail orientated. They have an impressive technique and
provide good solutions for our business issues.”
Isabella Ali
Pontual Braga
“Isabella
Pontual Braga is by far the most promising talent in Cescon
Barrieu. Despite being young for her position, she is the focus point for complex debt financing projects and
masters all the documents,
deadlines and procedures better than anyone involved.
She is able to deliver materials to short deadlines. She is the main reason we refer Cescon
Barrieu debt team to any of our partner companies. Without doubt, the smartest girl in the room.”
“Super-responsive to the short deadlines of the project, highly business-oriented approach.”
Manoela Darcy de Oliveira Miranda
“Manoela has a deep knowledge of corporate law and M&A and is a very pleasant attorney to work with – great hard and soft skills.”
“Cinthia is always available and
provides solid solutions for our propositions.”
“Knowledge, experience, communicability and availability.”
“Technical, responsive, pro-deal, solution driven.”
“A quick thinker, responsive, deep knowledge of the law, and a business-driven approach.”
“Knowledge, conduct through negotiation, and timing.”
“Knowledge, conduct through negotiations.”
“Eduardo Lanna has a deep knowledge of M&A. He is an experienced lawyer with several deals in his curriculum. Eduardo is business-oriented and hands-on.”
“He has knowledge of the subject, innovative and technical solutions, and is always accessible and quick with answers.”
“Daniel is a young star lawyer. He has a deep knowledge of capital markets and can
assist not only in debt but in equity discussions. An excellent negotiator for debt renegotiations and very skilled in equity matters.”
“He has a good knowledge of substantive and procedural law and a sharp strategic vision.”
“Fernanda is a great lawyer and is comfortable
providing legal services in any matter related to capital markets.”
