The IJInvestor Rising Star of the Year Award in Latin America was given to João Villa, senior associate at Lefosse Advogados, with judges impressed by his experience in the infrastructure market.

One judge said: “João demonstrates a clear depth of knowledge in PF/infrastructure, with meaningful involvement on high profile transactions.”

João has been working in the infrastructure and project finance practice for over 13 years. He has extensive knowledge and experience in advising commercial banks, multilateral development banks and multinational companies on the structuring, development and financing of projects.

In 2019, João moved to the US to pursue an LLM Degree from the New York University (NYU). After completing the LLM course, João passed the Bar exam and became a licensed attorney in the State of New York. During his time in the US, João worked as an international associate at Milbank in 2020 and as a permanent associate at White & Case from 2021 to 2023. At that time, although he was working from a New York law perspective, his area of practice remained project finance and infrastructure.

After leaving White & Case, João returned to Brazil and joined Lefosse Advogados, a prominent firm that is experiencing rapid growth.

João has been involved in several of the largest infrastructure projects in Brazil, including: 

• the financing of BRL 470 million ($81m) to SABESP for the depollution of the Tietê river in the State of São Paulo, Brazil
• the financing of $1.6 billion to CELSE – Centrais Elétricas de Sergipe for the development, construction, operation and maintenance of the largest thermal power plant in Latin America
• the financing of $5 billion to Petróleo Brasileiro – Petrobras with a syndicate of 17 international banks for the refinancing in full of an existing revolving credit facility and general corporate purposes

Recently, João advised

• a syndicate of international banks for the financing of up to $600 million to Bracell
• TransNorte Energia in the issuance of a standby letter of credit by Banco Itaú S.A., in the amount of BRL 800 million, to secure the obligations of TransNorte Energia arising from the long-term financing contracted with Banco da Amazônia
• a syndicate of international banks in the refinancing of Transportadora Associada de Gás - TAG, including the preparation and negotiation of a Facility Agreement in the amount of more than $6 billion.