Ricardo Escobar

Partner
Lima
About

Ricardo Escobar advises local and international clients on the implementation of projects and business operations in Peru. He has extensive experience advising investors, SPVs, sponsors, lenders and funds on the legal and financial structuring of infrastructure projects across multiple sectors.

Ricardo's experience includes strategic advisory throughout all stages of a project, with a strong track record in structuring project financing in its various forms, including public-private partnerships (PPPs), infrastructure concessions and private initiatives.

Additionally, Ricardo provides legal advice to infrastructure project sponsors in complex negotiations among members of the special-purpose vehicle (SPV), assisting in aligning interests among shareholders and managing corporate disputes.

He also has significant experience in structuring and executing investor exit processes (M&A), including acquisitions or transfers of equity interests in concession projects. His practice includes advising on the procurement of governmental approvals and on the negotiation and amendment of concession agreements and other regulatory instruments required to implement such transactions.

Until December 2024, Ricardo was the Managing Partner at the Peru office

Areas of FocusFinancial ServicesFinanceDebt Capital MarketsProjects and Project Finance
Bar admissionsPeru

EXPERIENCE

  • Advising a foreign investor on the evaluation of its potential participation in the private initiative for the construction and operation of the Anillo Vial Periférico (Peripheral Ring Road) project before PROINVERSIÓN
  • Advising companies from an international conglomerate and their strategic partners in their participation as bidders in the tender process for the concession of the Longitudinal de la Sierra Highway – Section 4, including the analysis of their potential participation in the bidding consortium and a comprehensive project risk assessment
  • Advising on the acquisition of 100% of the shares of the concessionaire of the General San Martín Port Terminal (Terminal Portuario Paracas), a transaction that required coordination between port infrastructure regulation and the legal regime governing concessions
  • Advising on the initial financing of a natural gas and natural gas liquids transportation project from Camisea, through financing provided by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), as well as on its first corporate bond program
  • Advising the SPV responsible for the concession of the Southern Peru Gas Pipeline Project, a natural gas transportation project with an estimated investment of US$7.34 billion, including strategic advice on the technical and legal structuring of the project, its financing and matters related to its development
  • Advising on the structuring and negotiation of a US$4 billion syndicated loan and a bridge financing of up to US$600 million for the financing of the Energy Security Enhancements and Southern Peru Gas Pipeline Development Project
  • Advising on the qualification process as an oil investor in Peru before PERUPETRO S.A., including regulatory compliance and preparation of the documentation required for the application
  • Advising on an international bond issuance under Rule 144A and Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, for US$940 million, carried out by a company in the liquefied natural gas sector
  • Advising on the financing of an ethanol production project in Piura, through loans granted by the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), FMO, and Interbank, for approximately US$140 million
  • Advising on a S/62 million loan intended to refinance a bridge loan and finance investments to expand and upgrade electricity distribution and transmission infrastructure
  • Advising on a S/36 million loan for the financing of the construction and execution of works on the Óvalo Chancay / DV Variante Pasamayo – Huaral – Acos road segment
  • Advising on a US$562 million bond issuance related to an Interoceanic Highway project, as well as on a US$49.54 million loan granted by the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF)
  • Advising on a US$91 million financing granted by the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) for Section 3 of the Southern Interoceanic Highway, including matters related to the design and implementation of the Annual Works Payment Recognition Certificate (CRPAO) mechanism
Languages
  • Spanish
  • English
  • Portuguese

Awards

Chambers Global

  • Band 5, Peru Banking & Finance (2021 – 2022)
  • Foreign Expert, Venezuela Banking & Finance (2018 – 2021)
  • Band 3, Peru Banking & Finance (2018 – 2019) 

Chambers Latin America

  • Band 5, Peru Banking & Finance (2021 – 2022)
  • Band 4, Peru Banking & Finance (2020)
  • Band 3, Peru Banking & Finance (2018 – 2019)

The Legal 500 Latin America

  • Recommended, Peru Banking and Finance (2018 – 2025)
  • Recommended, Energy and Natural Resources (2025)
  • Recommended, Projects and Infrastructure (2018) 
Other Recognitions
  • IFLR 1000: Highly Regarded Lawyer in Banking, 2018 – 2022 Capital Markets, Corporate/M&A, Project Finance (2018 – 2024)
  • LACCA: Approved in Banking & Finance (2018 – 2021) and Project Finance & Infrastructure (2021)
  • Lexology Index: Recommended Lawyer in Project Finance, (2023 – 2024)
  • Latin Lawyer 250: "Key Partner," Peru, Banking and Finance (2024 – 2025) and Project Finance & Infrastructure (2024) 
Education
  • J.D., Universidad Andrés Bello de Caracas, Venezuela, (1989)

Seminars

Ricardo Escobar moderated the panel titled "Infrastructure in Energy, Mining, and Hydrocarbons Projects: Strategies and Risk Mitigation" during Peru's Investment Summit 2024. This event, focused on "Infrastructure for Development: Challenges and Opportunities for Investment in Peru," was organized by DLA Piper Peru.

Ricardo Escobar, along with the managing partners of DLA Piper Latin America, participated in a regional webinar discussing political, legislative, and regulatory developments in Latin America.

Media Mentions

Prior Experience

Ricardo Escobar held senior legal positions at Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF), regional law firms, and an international law firm based in New York, where he accumulated extensive experience in cross-border legal practice and institutional advisory.

Memberships And Affiliations

  • Lima Bar Association

My latest insights

Past event

The latest political, legislative, and policy developments throughout Latin America

18 July 2023 .2 minute read

News

DLA Piper awarded Latin Lawyer’s 2023 “Deal of the Year” in two categories

17 May 2023 .3 minute read

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Connect

Phone

+1 511 616 1200
(Work, Lima)