Machado Meyer was awarded Legal Adviser of the Year in Latin America, with judges impressed by the breadth of transactions on which the firm advised.

Machado Meyer operates across diverse sectors, including infrastructure, energy, and regulated industries, offering bespoke legal solutions tailored to each transaction’s unique demands.

The firm’s deep understanding of regulatory frameworks and extensive experience in project finance allow it to structure deals that meet both the legal and financial needs of its clients.

The submission said: “The complexity of our work lies in the regulatory and financing challenges in sectors such as infrastructure and energy, where privatizations and M&A transactions often involve stringent legal frameworks.

“The challenges we address include negotiating complex agreements such as EPCs, O&Ms, and loan agreements while balancing regulatory compliance and client business goals. Our ability to assist in public biddings, navigate contentious and non-contentious matters, and manage high-value infrastructure deals demonstrates our proficiency in overcoming the legal, financial, and regulatory complexities that arise in Brazil’s evolving market.”

Judges were impressed with the firm’s presence across Brazil, with one judge pointing out that the country has a lot going on in the energy and infrastructure sectors.

Another member of the independent judging panel said added that the firm has been involved in very significant transactions.

Machado Meyer advised I Squared Capital on the acquisition of a 49% equity stake in Órigo Energia, a distributed generation company in Brazil. The transaction, valued at $400 million, aims to finance Órigo Energia’s BRL 6 billion ($1.04bn) expansion plan to build new solar farms and significantly increase its installed capacity across multiple states.

The submission said: “The transaction was highly complex due to the need for detailed evaluations in a highly regulated sector. The innovative structure facilitated I Squared Capital’s significant entry into Brazil’s renewable energy market, supporting Órigo Energia’s expansive solar projects. Our expertise was essential in navigating regulatory complexities, ensuring the project aligned with both market demands and I Squared’s global strategy.”