Shearman & Sterling has promoted Augusto Ruiloba and Cassandra Cuellar to partner, and Robert O’Leary to counsel in the firm’s Latin America group.

These appointments expand Shearman & Sterling’s deep bench of bilingual lawyers committed to the region and exemplify the firm’s decades-long presence in Latin America across a number of practices including capital markets, banking and acquisition finance, mergers and acquisitions, project finance and infrastructure and disputes and compliance.

Augusto, a native Spanish speaker, has over 15 years of experience working in the region and is a versatile practitioner advising on project development and non-recourse financing, as well acquisition financing, of energy, mining and infrastructure projects; Cassandra has extensive experience representing emerging companies, entrepreneurs and venture capital investors in a broad range of corporate transactions; and Robert regularly advises on a variety of domestic and international project development, limited recourse financing and acquisition financing transactions in the energy, infrastructure and mining sectors.

“Augusto and Robert’s experience and knowledge significantly add to our market-leading capabilities advising clients across Latin America, and to our clients’ growing interest and activity in the clean energy space in the region. Their promotions demonstrate the firm’s continued investment in Latin America,” said Cynthia Urda Kassis, partner, Global Project Development & Finance practice group leader, Metals & Mining Industry coordinator.

“Cassandra’s election to the partnership demonstrates the continued expansion of our Emerging Growth practice in Latin America. Her extensive experience representing emerging growth companies as well as venture capitalists and corporate venture funds will contribute to our focus on this key area of the legal market,” said Carmelo Gordian, Emerging Growth partner at Shearman & Sterling.

“I am confident that our newly promoted colleagues will make a significant contribution to our Latin America team in their new roles, as we continue to grow our capabilities in the region. Supporting and growing our talent pipeline is a key priority for us and integral to offering our clients the highest quality service,” said David Beveridge, Senior Partner at Shearman & Sterling.