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James P. Patti

Banking & Finance, Capital Markets

"Sources attest that he 'stands out for his dedication to his work, commitment to perfect documentation, and ability to understand the client’s business.'"

Chambers Global

Visión general

Clients leverage Jim Patti’s deep knowledge in emerging markets advising on complex, cutting-edge transactions on matters related to structured finance, Eurobonds, Tier 2/AT1 financings, project finance (principally with airports) and general lending (secured and unsecured).

Jim represents clients involved with transactions in emerging markets, including Brazil, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Russia and Turkey, and has been particularly active in Latin America and Türkiye. His work emphasizes fundraising in all its forms, and he is often involved in complex, cutting-edge transactions for which broad knowledge of the emerging markets is very beneficial. Of note, Jim established the first “future flow“ transactions in Brazil and Peru, the first three MTN programs in Türkiye, the first Basel III-compliant Tier 2 issuance in Türkiye, and the first two cross-border residential mortgage-covered bond programs in Türkiye.

Clients served by Jim include most of the large Turkish banks, banks in Latin America, various IFIs and investors in structured finance transactions.

Experiencia

Represented:

The issuers in the first three MTN programs ever from Türkiye: a $3 billion program for Vakıfbank, a $2.5 billion program for Garanti Bank and a $1.75 billion program for Işbank.
Originators and investors in over 200 “diversified payment rights” (DPR) and other future flow transactions in Türkiye, Brazil, Peru, Kazakhstan, Russia, Panama and elsewhere.
The lenders in numerous telecoms and infrastructure financings, including many with complex intercreditor issues, sponsor support and extensive security packages. These transactions largely involved concession-holders and thus required a focus on the regulatory requirements of the concession, including how security interests in concession-related rights could be obtained and seeking approvals from regulators. The first of these transactions started in 1995 and involved financing for the establishment of Mexico’s primary competitor to the up-until-then monopoly telecom services company, involving multiple ECAs and commercial lenders, sponsor support and (as a public service) complex concession issues. The experience started in that transaction has grown over the past 19 years to cover different industries and countries, and it served as an exceptional foundation for later infrastructure financings.

Garanti Bank in connection with the sale by General Electric Capital Corporation of most of its 21 percent interest in the bank. GECC and the bank’s other principal shareholder sold an aggregate of 24.9 percent of the bank to BBVA for €4.2 billion.
The underwriters in connection with a $300 million Rule 144A offering by the operator of Argentina’s principal airports. This 2010 offering was secured by the issuer’s rights to receive both international passenger-use fees and payments from duty-free shops, a structure that enabled the company to access international investors notwithstanding the country’s extremely low rating. In addition to being selected as the Structured Finance Deal of the Year by Latin Finance in 2013, Latin Finance also selected this transaction as the “Structured Finance Deal of the Quarter Century” in Latin America.
The originator in Brazil’s first-ever “future flow” transaction, recognized as the 2001 emerging market structured financing deal of the year by Structured Finance International and as the Latin American structured financing of the year by Emerging Market Investor. In 2008, this transaction was selected by Latin Finance as the “Most Important Structured Finance Deal in Latin America” for the past 20 years.
Parties in the first-ever “diversified payment rights” transactions in Brazil (originator), Russia (arrangers), Peru (monoline insurer) and Türkiye (arranger).
The arranger or issuer in the first Tier II capital markets transaction for an African bank.
The arranger in the first future flow transaction guaranteed by the Asian Development Bank (in Kazakhstan).
The debtor (Embratel) in one of the most successful corporate debt restructurings during Brazil’s debt crisis in 2002-2003 (over $1 billion).
Along with various partners, a large US corporate (Bell South) in the $5.8 billion sale of its Latin American operations (comprising 10 countries) to Telefónica.

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Reconocimeinto

Listed as a key lawyer for Debt Capital Markets – Legal 500
Known for emerging markets bonds – Legal 500
“Sources attest that he ‘stands out for his dedication to his work, commitment to perfect documentation, and ability to understand the client’s business.’” – Chambers Global
Structured the “Structured Finance Deal of the Quarter Century” in Latin America – Latin Finance
“’Very experienced’ in emerging markets encompassing Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Latin America. His international scope is regularly utilized when advising on infrastructure-related finance, general lending and restructuring matters for domestic and international clients.” – Chambers USA

Educación

The University of Chicago Law School, JD
Georgetown University, BS, magna cum laude

Admisiones

Illinois

Idiomas

English
Spanish