Yosbel A. Ibarra advises clients on complex business transactions, including acquisitions, joint ventures and financing transactions. He has represented U.S., European and Latin American clients on M&A, private equity and venture capital transactions across several industries, including agribusiness, entertainment, financial services, fisheries, food, gaming, hotel & tourism, manufacturing, medical equipment, packaging, pharmaceuticals, real estate, technology, and transportation. In addition, he has represented clients on debt financing transactions, particularly cross-border financings throughout Latin America. Yosbel has also represented infrastructure companies on public private partnership projects, including notable projects such as the Port of Miami Tunnel and Presidio Parkway. Fluent in Spanish, he has represented a number of Latin American family groups and high-net-worth individuals in connection with their in-bound and out-bound investment activities. Areas of Concentration · Mergers and acquisitions · Financing transactions · Private equity and venture capital · Joint ventures Significant Representations Mergers & Acquisitions · Represented Brightstar Corp., a global leader in solutions for the wireless industry, in its acquisition of eSecuritel, a leading provider of cell phone and wireless products insurance services. · Represented Delcop Group in its acquisition of certain Colombian assets of Xerox Corp. · Represented a Mexican infrastructure fund in its acquisition and lease-back of telecommunication assets throughout Mexico. · Represented Malher, a Central American-based manufacturer and distributor of culinary products and powdered beverages, in its sale of a majority participation to Nestle S.A. · Represented an international event entertainment company in connection with its sale of an equity interest to a private equity group. · Member of team representing European-based energy fund in its acquisition of gasoline retail stations, aviation fuel supply business and storage terminals in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. · Advised Colombian investors in the acquisition of a minority interest in the assets of a Latin American private equity fund. · Represented private equity group in the acquisition of a controlling interest in the operations of a paper mill in Louisiana. · Represented Brazilian agribusiness in its acquisition of a Kentucky-based natural food additives company. · Represented investor group in the formation and launch of Volaris, a low-cost Mexican airline. · Represented Central American-based special purpose fund in its acquisition of the stock of a Colombian packaging manufacturer. · Represented Venezuelan company investing in a U.S.-based mobile virtual network operator focused on the U.S. Hispanic market. · Represented consortium of investors in the purchase of substantially all of the Latin American and Caribbean operations of McDonald's Corporation for approximately US$700 million. · Represented majority shareholders of Banagricola S.A., one of El Salvador's largest financial institutions, in the sale to Bancolombia of up to 100% of the bank through parallel tender offers in El Salvador and Panama for approximately US$900 million. · Advised majority shareholders in the sale of a controlling interest of Banco Occidente, one of Guatemala's oldest financial institutions, to Banco Industrial. · Represented majority shareholders in the sale of a controlling interest of Banco Salvadoreño to Banistmo through a tender offer process in El Salvador. Joint Ventures · Represented one of the largest real estate developers in the U.S. in a number of joint venture and development projects throughout Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Argentina and Brazil. · Represented New York-based hedge fund in its joint venture with a casino operator in Maine. · Represented Spanish tourism and sightseeing company in its joint venture with a U.S. operator. · Represented Japanese trading company in connection with joint ventures in the U.S. Project Finance · Represented Spanish infrastructure company in proposed bid to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Presidio Parkway Project, consisting of replacing portions of the south access to the Golden Gate Bridge. · Counsel on U.S. financing matters to Spanish company operating toll road concession in Europe. · Advised on corporate law matters as counsel to the lenders financing the construction of the I-4/Lee Roy Selmon Expressway Connector Interchange. · Represented Spanish infrastructure company short-listed on Alligator Alley Toll-Road Project, a proposed public-private partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation to lease, operate, maintain and receive toll revenues from the 78-mile stretch of I-75 known as "Alligator Alley". · Represented Bouygues Travaux Publics, S.A. and Meridiam Infrastructure Fund as the successful bidders on the Port of Miami Tunnel Project, a public-private partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation to design, finance, build, operate and maintain a tunnel connecting I-395 with the Port of Miami. Financings · Counsel to several portfolio companies of real estate fund in connection with financings for projects in Mexico and Panama. · Counsel to Chilean bank syndicate on U.S. law matters. · Advised Louisiana paper mill on term loan facility. · Advised international financial institution on restructuring of US$80 million credit facility issued to Central American media and telecommunications company. · Advised Peruvian fishmeal company in US$31 million credit facility and subsequent US$185 million refinancing through a syndicated loan facility. · Represented supplier of telecommunication network equipment in connection with vendor financings. Corporate Representation · General outside counsel to Grupo Phoenix, a leading packaging company with operations in Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico and the U.S. · Advise international digital imaging solutions company on Latin American matters. · Advise New York-based specialty finance company in connection with regulatory matters and acquisitions. · Advise Guatemalan financial institution on U.S. law matters. · Advise a number of European and Latin American companies doing business in the U.S., including a Spanish manufacturer and distributor of specialty foods, a Spanish tourism and sightseeing company, and an Argentine web-based technology company. Representation of Family Groups and Individual Investors · Represented internationally renowned recording artist in connection with investments and business ventures. · Represented Central American family group making limited partnership investment in private equity fund. · Represented high-net-worth individual investing in Colombian gold mining company. · Represented Guatemalan family group investing in web-based entertainment company. · Represented family-owned U.S. agribusiness in negotiating with Honduran supplier. · Represented European and Latin American individuals in the acquisition of assets, including real estate, throughout the U.S. Professional & Community Involvement · Member, International Bar Association · Member, American Bar Association Awards & Recognition · Member, team selected by Chambers and Partners for "Corporate & Finance - Law Firm of the Year (Florida-Based)" Award, Chambers Latin America Awards, 2010 and 2011 · Member, team selected by Chambers and Partners for "Focus on Latin America - Law Firm of the Year (Florida-Based)" Award, Chambers Latin America Inaugural Awards for Excellence, 2009 · Listed, "Corporate & Finance Latin America," Chambers & Partners Global, 2008-2011 · Listed, Chambers & Partners USA Guide, an annual listing of the leading business lawyers and law firms in the world, 2008-2011 · Listed, "Corporate M&A," Chambers & Partners Latin America, 2009 · Selected, Super Lawyers magazine, 2009 · Member, team ranked as the No.1 corporate law firm in Miami as selected by corporate directors, in the annual "Legal Industry Research Study" by Corporate Board Member magazine and FTI Consulting Inc. (ninth year), 2002-2009, 2011 (2010 study did not include rankings by city.) · Recipient, "M&A Deal of the Year Award," Latin Lawyer Magazine, 2008 · Listed, "Future Stars of America," The Times, 2008 |