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Bruno Soares

Partner

Office Managing Partner, São Paulo

US-LatAm Practice Group Regional Co-Leader, US-Brazilian Initiative

About

Bruno Soares has more than 20 years' working experience in Latin America and Africa relating to a variety of transactions including banking, projects, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and capital markets – particularly on the energy, natural resources, infrastructure, and data/fintech sectors.

Bar AdmissionsBrazilNew York

EXPERIENCE

  • Represented clients in the development and US$3.1 billion project financing of an integrated steel mill in the State of Ceará, Brazil, including on its various bridge and equity loans and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts
  • Represented clients in the acquisition, financing and refinancing (through a project financing) of an iron ore mine and associated rail and port facilities in Brazil
  • Represented a number of banks, borrowers and sponsors in over 80 structured financing facilities for Brazilian and Latin American soft commodities, metals and mining, and petrochemicals producers relating to exports of soybeans, cotton lint, corn, beef & poultry, pulp & paper, cotton lint, processed tobacco, alcohol, sugar, ethanol and other commodities
  • Represented one of the world's largest iron ore mining companies in the review and re-negotiation with strategic customers of its iron ore and coal supply/sale and purchase agreements
  • Represented a syndicate of Asian and Western commercial banks in the acquisition, financing and refinancing (through a project financing) of a US$3.1 billion hydroelectric power plant in Peru
  • Represented a syndicate of banks in the restructuring of the post-delivery long-term financing of an offshore drilling rig, including its security package in the eight jurisdictions involved in the original financing and the final negotiations of the financing payoff
  • Represented clients in the acquisition and US$500 million financing of a fiber optic submarine cable company and related infrastructure with operations in over 10 jurisdictions within the Americas
  • Represented the largest Latin American credit and debit card processing company in the contractual framework with a US multinational technology company to launch their payment platform in Brazil and allow for cash payments and transfers to be made via their instant messaging application globally. This transformational transaction marks the first time a payment platform was available in Latin America and cash payments and transfers could be made via an instant messaging application globally, it was also a first-of-its-kind product and platform in Brazil
  • Represented one of the largest independent owners, operators and developers of shared telecommunications infrastructure in the world by tower count, in the acquisition of a Brazilian-headquartered cell tower infrastructure solutions provider over 2,000 cell towers in operation in Brazil, Peru and Colombia
  • Represented one of the world's largest iron ore mining companies in various corporate and M&A transactions globally including acquisitions, business combinations and/or dispositions
  • Acted for a leading Brazilian beef producer in its US$565 million acquisition of a beef business and its confined cattle feeding ranch in the US
Languages
  • Portuguese
  • Spanish
  • English
  • German
Education

    AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

    Chambers Latin America

    • Band 4, International Counsel Project Finance, (2022)
    • Band 4, International Counsel Banking & Finance, (2022)
    • Band 3, Brazil Banking & Finance, (2017 – 2018)
    • Band 4, Latin America-wide Banking & Finance, (2016 – 2021)
    • Band 4, Latin America-wide Projects, (2016 – 2020)

    The Legal 500 United States

    • Recommended, Project Finance, (2025)
     
    Additional Recognitions

    Leaders League

    • Highly Recommended, Brazil Capital Markets, Best International Law Firms, (2025)
    • Recommended, Brazil Mergers & Acquisitions, Best International Law Firms, (2025)

    Latinvex

    • Top 100 Lawyers in Latin America, Banking & Finance and Project Finance, (2020 – 2021, 2025)

    LACCA Approved

    • Banking & Finance, (2024)

    IFLR1000

    • Notable Practitioner, (2019 – 2024)

    Pro Bono

    Bruno works with several charities and organizations in Brazil on a regular basis. 

    Media Mentions

    Prior Experience

    • Large Am Law 100 International Firm, New York, US and São Paulo, Brazil
      • Partner, São Paulo, (2010 – 2023)
      • Senior Counsel, São Paulo, (2008 – 2010
      • Associate, New York, (2006 – 2007)
    • Large Am Law 100 International Firm, New York, US
      • Latin America Counsel, (2005 – 2006)
    • Large Am Law 100 International Firm, New York, US
      • International Associate, (2003 – 2005)
    • Large Brazilian Firm, São Paulo, Brazil
      • Senior Associate, (2001 – 2002)
    • Large Brazilian Firm, São Paulo, Brazil
      • Senior Associate, (April 2001 – October 2001)
    • Large Brazilian Conglomerate, São Paulo, Brazil
      • In-House Counsel, (1997 – 2001)

    *Services in São Paulo are provided by DLA Piper LLP (US) Consultores Em Direito Estrangeiro/Direito Norte-Americano, a Brazilian foreign legal consultancy with a registered office in the in the City of São Paulo.

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