Leading Associates

Banking and finance in Dominican Republic

Castillo y Castillo

The sizeable team at Castillo y Castillo, which is well known for its cross-border work when it comes to project finance transactions, is often involved in loan structuring and securities structuring, as well as being adept at handling matters concerning a wide range of credit facilities. Acquisition finance is another key area of activity. Practice heads Práxedes J. Castillo Báez and debt financing specialist Sebastián Jiménez lead a team which counts local and international banks (including some of the largest in the Dominican Republic) and hotel companies as key clients and has a core strength in working for lenders. The group has a deep bench of junior lawyers, including senior associate Jacqueline Fernández, who has expertise in complex financing transactions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Práxedes J. Castillo Báez; Sebastián Jiménez


Les références

‘The team is distinguished by its knowledge and extensive experience in the areas of law in which they provide services to us. Although they offer us advice in the areas of capital and financing provided by investment assets, their analysis considers the market and regulations corresponding to the particular sector to which the entity or investment asset belongs (such as energy, tourism, free zones, real estate, among others), in addition to the regulations of the stock market.’

‘Sebastián Jiménez and Jacqueline Fernández have provided us with personalised services with unparalleled legal analysis in complex transactions. Additionally, they closely follow up with clients, both in relation to transactions in which they have participated and other queries regarding the normal operation of our business.’

Principaux clients

Banco Popular Dominicano


Altio Safi (Gam Capital)


Banco Multiple Ademi


Banco Sabadell (Miami Branch)


Scotiabank (Dominican Republic)


Banco de Reservas de la República Dominicana


Agence Française de Développement


Asociación Popular de Ahorros y Préstamos (APAP)


Credit Suisse


International Finance Corporation (IFC)


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Banco Sabadell – Miami Branch and a pool of lenders on funding $191.8m for the acquisition of a hotel.
  • Advised Banco Popular Dominicano – Banco Múltiple and a group of lenders on the $190m financing of the construction and development of a new 130MW General Electric combined cycle power generation unit.
  • Advised Banco Popular Dominicano on the funding of $35m for the construction of a second production line for Consorcio Minero Dominicano.

Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernández

Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernández has a deep bench of lawyers who stand out for their ability to assist both local and major global banks as lenders on a range of financial matters, such as syndicated loans, project finance, acquisition finance and asset-based lending, as well as fintech. Clients note the ‘deep commitment, technical ability and impeccable professional ethics‘ on the part of practitioners. Jaime Senior, Sarah De León and firm co-founder Roberto Rizik lead the team; Senior in particular has strong expertise in project finance in the energy sector, as well as the tourism industry. Mary Fernández, who also co-founded the firm, is experienced in matters at the intersection of corporate and banking law. Other notable names include Fernando Marranzini, energy sector expert Carolina Silié and senior associate Elizabeth Silfa, who has a strong recent track record of representing lenders in high-value transactions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jaime Senior; Sarah De León; Roberto Rizik


Les références

‘I recommend Carolina Silié and Jaime Senior as exceptional legal representatives in the field of financial transactions. During our collaboration on various transactions, I have had the privilege of witnessing their deep commitment, technical ability and impeccable professional ethics.’

‘Carolina Silié and Jaime Senior stand out for their solid legal knowledge and their ability to master the most complex challenges in the field of financing.’

‘A multidisciplinary and sophisticated team of lawyers.’

Principaux clients

Playa Hotels and Resorts


Maverick Foods


Playa Grande Holdings


Banco BHD


The Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank)


CIFI


Citibank


Wells Fargo Bank


Bank of America


Norfund


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted as local counsel for Fondo de Inversión Cerrado Libre para el Desarolllo de Infraestructuras Dominicanas I (a Dominican investment fund) and several banks, as lenders, in relation to a credit facility of up to $318m for the construction of a combined cycle power plant.
  • Represented Maverick Foods in the acquisition out of bankruptcy of the business of Munné.
  • Acted as Dominican Republic legal counsel to FinDev Canada and Triodos in relation to the development of a solar energy power generation project in the Dominican Republic.

Jiménez Peña

Jiménez Peña's full-service banking and finance offering is often involved in complex and cross-border transactions, including corporate and project finance, with an emphasis on the energy, retail and hospitality spaces. The team, which is also skilled in handling investment mandates and sustainability-linked facilities, stands out for its representation of lenders. Founding partner and practice co-head Marcos Peña Rodríguez is noted for his experience in local and cross-border financings, particularly in the energy sector. Fellow practice head Katherine Rosa also specialises in the project finance and development sphere. Jennifer Beauchamps advises local and multinational entities on corporate and project finance, and senior associate Gisselle Valera is a key contact for the group’s energy matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Marcos Peña Rodríguez; Katherine Rosa


Les références

‘The Jimenez Peña team provides holistic and comprehensive support, accompanying the client at each stage of a project. The team’s sense of urgency and availability undoubtedly aligns with the client’s requirements.’

‘Marcos Peña stands out for his empathy and availability to the client, providing continuous support and accurate recommendations.’

Principaux clients

Banco BHD Leon


Banco Centroamericano de Integración Económica


Citibank


Asociación Popular de Ahorros y Préstamos


Interamerican Development Bank (IDB) (and later IDB Invest)


International Finance Corporation (IFC)


Banco Activo


Advanced Asset Management


Corporación Interamericana para el Financiamiento de Infraestructura (CIFI)


Société de Promotion et de Participation Pour la Coopération Economique (PROPARCO)


Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF)


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IDB Invest) on the $600m funding for the development and operation of a gas-fired combined cycle power plant.
  • Advised Acciona Energía and Cotosolar Holding, mainly composed of GP Capital Partners, JMMB República Dominicana and Fondo Energía Sostenible FES, on the financing for the development of one of the largest photovoltaic parks in Central America and the Caribbean, with a total capacity of 162.6MWp.
  • Advised MPC Capital and GP Capital Partners on the financing for the development of the second phase of the Monte Plata solar project, with a total capacity of 60MWn, for the amount of $45m.

ECIJA DVMS

ECIJA DVMS is particularly well placed to assist clients, including an impressive roster of large multinational banks, with project finance mandates, including advising on the use of trusts for the financing of construction and infrastructure projects and other matters. The team is also noted for its experience in capital markets transactions. Polibio Valenzuela and Christian Molina head up the team; the former is adept at advising lenders and borrowers on project finance, asset-based financings and securities offerings, while the latter specialises in trusts law. Elsewhere in the team, Gabriel Dejarden is a key contact for corporate finance.

Responsables de la pratique:

Polibio Valenzuela; Christian Molina


Les références

‘One of the most professional and skilled teams on the market. Always focused on delivering quality work based on best practices. Their work methodology allows them to cover different projects, complying with the times and scope required of them.’

‘It seems to me that the most outstanding thing about the team, or at least the members we have worked with like Polibio Valenzuela and Christian Molina, is their availability to clients and the support they give us in the early phases of any project we work on together, and then their continuous follow up.’

‘ECIJA has a multidisciplinary team, which is highly trained and demonstrates highly specialised experience with the regulated markets. They are innovative, agile and open-minded. They know how to analyse business models and their implications, providing strategic and convenient solutions for their clients.’

Principaux clients

TC Latin American Partners


CCI Puesto de Bolsa


Grupo Ramos


Panac Hotels Dominicana


Ministerio de Vivienda y Edificaciones (Ministry of Housing and Construction)


Fiduciaria Reservas


Asset Wealth Management


Asociación de Fiduciarias Dominicanas


ING Bank


Italbank International


Oikocredit Ecumenical Development Cooperative Society


Bancaribe International Bank


Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI/BCIE)


Elliott Management Corporation


The OPEC Fund for International Development


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted the Ministry of Housing with all legal and strategic matters concerning the development and financing of over 7,500 low-income homes in the Dominican Republic, for a total government investment of approximately $400m.
  • Assisted CCI Puesto de Bolsa with the structuring of a corporate bond issuance valued at $95 mn.
  • Assisted Capital, Credito e Inversiones with negotiations with the fund manager in order to channel investments into a fund which is focused on acquiring Latin music rights.

OMG

The team at OMG, whose clients include leading domestic and international banks and financial institutions such as Banco Popular Dominicano, is well known for its regulatory advice in the banking sector, but also stands out for its project financing work, particularly in the energy and tourism spheres. As a group, practitioners ‘provide responsive, well-rounded and comprehensive support on financing transactions involving Dominican Republic assets or entities’. Leading the team are transactional expert Manuel Troncoso and firm president Leonel Melo, who are both multidisciplinary practitioners able to bring to bear expertise in corporate and tax issues when handling financial transactions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Manuel Troncoso; Leonel Melo


Les références

‘The OMG team provide responsive, well-rounded and comprehensive support on financing transactions involving Dominican Republic assets or entities.’

‘Excellent professionals with extensive experience and knowledge of the subject matter.’

‘They stand out for their availability, in-depth knowledge and recognition in the industry.’

Principaux clients

BanReservas


GCS International


SIBA Energy Corporation


Codevi


INICIA


CIFI


BPR Bank


The Bank of Nova Scotia


Banco Popular Dominicano


San Pedro Bio-Energy


Primma Valores, Puesto de Bolsa


Alpha Finanzas


Bolsa y Mercado de Valores de la Republica Dominicana


Haina Investment


Fiduciaria Reservas


Akuo Energy


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted as lead counsel for Dominican fintech GCS International in the sale of 100% of its parent company to Grupo Popular.
  • Acted as Dominican Republic counsel for INICIA in a financing deal of up to $330m for Gerdau Metaldom, Four Bells Resources and Diaco Pamco SPV 1.
  • Acted for SIBA in securing a new financing for a 252MW combined-cycle gas-fired power project in the Dominican Republic.

Pellerano Nadal

Noted for 'analysing issues in depth', Pellerano Nadal's banking and finance team regularly advises on syndicated loans, real estate and project finance (including in the renewable energy sector) and capital markets transactions. Luis Rafael Pellerano, who is particularly adept when it comes to cross-border transactions, and Marielle Garrigó, an experienced banking, capital markets and project finance lawyer, sit at the helm of the team. Urania Paulino is a key figure on the regulatory side and senior associate Eduardo Pellerano has a strong suit in project finance.

Responsables de la pratique:

Luis Rafael Pellerano, Marielle Garrigó


Les références

‘Pellerano Nadal offers assertive responses to the questions we have asked, analysing issues in depth and highlighting important aspects that we must keep in mind when making decisions.’

Principaux clients

J.P. Morgan Securities and Citigroup Global Markets


Cap Cana


Inter-American Development Bank


Bladex


Instituto Nacional de Aguas Potables y Alcantarillados (INAPA)


International Finance Corporation


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented J.P. Morgan Securities and Citigroup Global Markets in the issuance of sovereign bonds and their placement in the format of global depository notes to foreign investors, and assisted with the first liability management transaction carried out in the local market by the Dominican Republic.
  • Supported IDB Invest’s syndicate (Bladex, JP Morgan, and Scotia Bank) with a refinancing and midi-perm financing initiative for AES’ extensive array of renewable projects throughout the Dominican Republic.
  • Advising the Inter-American Development Bank on the restructuring of a $135m financing for a new Four Seasons hotel development by Cisneros Real Estate.

Pereyra & Asociados

Pereyra & Asociados is well versed in advising major foreign and domestic banks and regulatory institutions. The team’s skill in financial transactions, including real estate finance, is complemented by its financial regulatory expertise and strengths in M&A and litigation in the banking sphere. Founding partner Luis Miguel Pereyra, who is experienced in corporate finance, and Emma Mejía Batlle, who has been particularly active in advising banks and other financial services clients on corporate matters, head up the team.

Responsables de la pratique:

Luis Miguel Pereyra; Emma Mejía Batlle


Cáceres Torres

Corporate and banking boutique Cáceres Torres is particularly adept at advising major banks on their day-to-day operations in the Dominican Republic and also has a great deal of expertise in advising international banks on cross-border transactions, including loans to Dominican companies. Gelda María Cáceres heads the department; her broad practice takes in advising banking clients on financial transactions and the offer of new products. Managing partner Juan Manuel Cáceres and founding partner Rafael Cáceres are also key contacts.

Responsables de la pratique:

Gelda María Cáceres


Les références

‘The firm always has a good team of professionals who are capable of meeting the needs of the bank and our clients in a reasonable period of time.’

‘Gelda Cáceres participates in many of the different calls and meetings with clients. All the partners and lawyers really understand the concept of ‘keeping the client at the centre’, which is very much in line with our strategy.’

Principaux clients

Scotiabank- Dominican Republic


The Bank of Nova Scotia- Toronto


Scania Latin America


Garcia Goico y Asociados


Principaux dossiers


Guzmán Ariza

With a presence in both Punta Cana and Santo Domingo, Guzmán Ariza is well equipped to handle a range of banking and finance issues, including advising leading banks on syndicated loans and cross-border transactions. Among the matters for which the group is best known are restructurings, but it is also frequently engaged on project finance mandates in the energy, real estate, tourism and infrastructure sectors. The team is led by the quartet of Fabio J. Guzmán Saladin, Alberto Reyes Báez, Alfredo Guzmán Saladín and Fabio J. Guzmán Ariza.

Responsables de la pratique:

Fabio J. Guzmán Saladín; Alberto Reyes Báez; Alfredo Guzmán Saladín; Fabio J. Guzmán Ariza


Principaux clients

MetroBank/Global Bank


BANESCO USA


Scotiabank


Warburtons International


Blue Orchard


PAWA Dominicana (Pan Am World Airways Dominicana)


POSCO Engineering


12Tree Finance


UBS Group Investment Bank


General Cocoa Company – Coffee America


Distinct Investment Holdings – Renova Expert


Arconim Constructora


Potentia Renewables (Emerald Solar Energy)


Trevi-Galante


Tecnove Group


Schrader Camargo


JTI – Japan Tobacco International


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Banesco USA on a secure loan of over $15m to be disbursed to AG Investment Partners, a Panamanian company.
  • Assisted Scotiabank with the drafting and registration of local collateral and security agreements for a financing operation in the Dominican Republic, between Scotiabank and Continental Sports.
  • Assisted Warburton International with a secured loan transaction to Wiric Dominicana.

Russin, Vecchi & Heredia Bonetti

Russin, Vecchi & Heredia Bonetti advises a wide range of financial institutions, including international banks and wealth management companies, on acquisition finance, project finance (spanning the energy, mining, manufacturing, tourism and real estate spheres) and financial restructuring. Managing partner Georges Santoni Recio, who leads the team alongside Luis Heredia Valenzuela and international project finance expert José Maldonado Stark, is known for his work assisting multilateral lenders. At associate level, Laura Fernández-Peix is a key contact for the group’s corporate and project finance and fintech work.

Responsables de la pratique:

Georges Santoni Recio; Luis Heredia Valenzuela; José Maldonado Stark


Les références

‘It is a very specialised and sophisticated team, with many years of experience, and that gives us great peace of mind due to its reputation, work ethic and ability to identify critical points in transactions.’ 

‘José Maldonado Stark is one of the most experienced lawyers in the Dominican Republic, which helps when consulting on local regulations. He is a lawyer with a long history and a lot of respect in the country.’

Principaux dossiers