US-based law firm Chadbourne and Parke is preparing to strengthen its Latin America offering by opening a new office in Brazil’s São Paulo.

The office is still pending approval from the Brazilian authorities, but Chadbourne has commented that it expects the consultancy to be completed and authorised over the next few weeks.

The São Paulo office will be multi-disciplinary, with a range of focuses including project finance, trade finance and corporate legal matters.

Charles O’Neill, the legal firm’s managing partner, remarks: “The success and growth of our Latin America practice, and the increasing significance of Brazil in the world economy, encouraged us to move decisively to gain on-the-ground capabilities in Brazil.”

Furthermore, the firm is taking on two new finance lawyers to serve in Brazil, as well as relocating an existing Chadbourne employee.

Daniel Spencer will join the new office as a specialist in cross border finance, trade finance and securitisation transactions.

Charles Johnson also joins the firm, using his extensive knowledge of Brazil gained from living and working in the country for nearly a decade.

Johnson specialises in structured finance transactions in Latin America.

Finally, Felipe Creazzo will relocate from the firm’s New York office to work on corporate finance, international corporate transactions and mergers and acquisitions.

Chadbourne partner Allen Miller, who co-heads the Latin America practice, notes: “We are delighted to have Charles and Daniel join Chadbourne to help us launch our new venture in Brazil. We will continue to take steps to reinforce the firm’s position as a dominant legal player in the Brazilian market.”