Shearman & Sterling was named "Best Law Firm: Latin America" at the recent LatinFinance Awards in recognition of the firm's outstanding performance in Latin America and the Caribbean during the past year. Published by LatinFinance, one of the leading sources of financial markets intelligence for Latin America and the Caribbean, the LatinFinance Awards are the most prestigious awards for excellence in Latin American investment banking, capital market issuance and legal advice.
In conferring this award on Shearman & Sterling, LatinFinance noted the firm's ability to achieve "a strong balance during the awards period between different transaction types and among different geographies" in Latin America. In addition, the firm was acknowledged for several key transactions in 2011, including "Best Trade Financing" (Bahia Specialty Cellulose) and "Best Quasi Sovereign Bond" (Petrobras).
Shearman & Sterling worked on several of the most significant deals in Latin America in 2011, including advising on Grupo Sura's $3.8 billion acquisition of ING's Latin American pensions, life insurance and investment management operations; Intergroup's acquisition of InkaFarma and subsequent high-yield bond for Intergroup Retail; Hypermarcas's dollar bond debut; Banco de Nordeste's $300 million bond debut; and Nexus Group's $320 million private equity fund. More recently, the firm once again represented the underwriters on Petrobras's US$7 billion bond issue, the biggest fixed-income offering by a Brazilian company so far in 2012.
Antonia Stolper, head of the firm's Latin America & Caribbean Practice, said, "I am delighted that Shearman & Sterling has received the 'Best Law Firm: Latin America' Award from LatinFinance. This award acknowledges our market-leading practice in Latin America and the capabilities of our outstanding team in New York and São Paulo, as well as our deep understanding of the region's business environment."
Rohan S. Weerasinghe, Senior Partner of the firm, added, "This award reinforces the continued strength of our global platform and, in particular, our historic prominence in Latin America. This is a tribute to our fine lawyers who work on behalf of our clients throughout the region."