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Manuel Garciadiaz

Lawyers

Head of our Latin America practice. Has worked on landmark corporate offerings and transactions in the region. Latin Lawyer’s 2021 “International Lawyer of the Year.”

Manuel is head of our Latin America practice and has worked on many of the most significant capital markets, cross-border M&A and project finance transactions and debt restructurings in Latin America.

Latin Lawyer selected Manuel as its 2021 “International Lawyer of the Year.” Chambers Latin America ranks him in Band 1 for capital markets in the region and quotes a source describing him as “the go-to lawyer in any sophisticated transaction involving Latin American companies.”

Manuel’s capital markets practice includes high-yield debt offerings, IPOs and exchange offers. He has worked on more than 300 debt and equity financings involving Latin American issuers. In M&A, he advises both acquirers and target companies. Clients also look to Manuel for advice on structured and project financings, liability management and debt restructurings.

Manuel’s clients have included Banco Credito del Peru, Cosan, Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley, Natura, Patria, Santander, Vinci Partners and XP.

Experience highlights

  • Nubank on its $2.6 billion IPO, Santander Brasil on its $7.6 billion IPO, OGX Petróleo e Gás on its $4.1 billion IPO, XP on its $2.3 billion IPO and the underwriters on the $5.7 billion IPO by BB Seguridade, $3.4 billion IPO by BM&F and $2.7 billion IPO by PagSeguro (among the largest IPOs in Latin America)
  • Odebrecht Oil & Gas on its $1.7 billion project bond (largest project bond offering by Latin American corporate issuer) and its $5 billion debt restructuring
  • Brazilian government on $19 billion privatization of Telebrás (largest privatization in Latin America), including initial SEC registration of 12 new spinoff telecommunications carriers
  • MMX Mineração on its break up into three different companies and subsequent sale of one of them to Anglo American for $5.6 billion
  • Cosan on its $12 billion joint venture with Shell
  • Lenders on $4 billion project financing of Hamaca, a heavy crude oil project in Venezuela
View more experience

Credentials

Recognition

Latin Lawyer – “International Lawyer of the Year,” 2021

Chambers Latin America and Global – Capital Markets – International Counsel, Latin America, Band 1

Chambers Latin America and Global – Corporate/M&A – International Counsel, Latin America

Chambers Brazil and Global – Capital Markets (International Firms), Brazil, Band 1

Chambers Brazil and Global – Banking & Finance (International Firms), Brazil

Chambers Brazil and Global – Corporate/M&A (International Firms), Brazil

IFLR1000 – Banking, Capital Markets, M&A, Brazil, Highly Regarded

Legal 500 Latin America – Capital Markets, Corporate/M&A

Legal 500 U.S. – Capital Markets: Global Offerings

Latin Business Chronicle – “Latin Legal Star,” 2019

American Lawyer − “Dealmaker of the Year,” 2008

Education
J.D., Harvard Law School
  • Managing Editor, Harvard Law Review
M.P.P., Harvard Kennedy School
M.A., Yale University
B.A., Yale University
  • summa cum laude
Clerkships
Law Clerk, Hon. Diarmuid F. O'Scannlain, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 1996-1997
Professional history
  • Partner, 2005-present
  • Davis Polk since 1998
Qualifications and admissions
  • São Paulo
  • State of New York
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