John Guzman
Biography
Overview
John's award-winning practice focuses on representing issuers and investment banks in debt and equity offerings, including initial public offerings, follow-ons, Rule 144A and Regulation S offerings and private placements. He regularly advises issuers and dealer managers in concurrent and stand-alone liability management exercises, and he has experience representing shareholders, companies and financial institutions in acquisitions, equity investments and sales transactions. His extensive experience spans general securities and corporate matters, including governance and compliance matters.
John worked for a year in White & Case's New York office before relocating to São Paulo in 2008. He is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish and English and works closely with companies looking to raise capital in Brazil and in other countries in Latin America, including Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Chile and Mexico.
Experience
Privatization of Eletrobras
Representation of the international underwriters and placement agents in the public offering by Centrais Elétricas Brasileiras S.A. – Eletrobras and BNDES of 697,476,856 common shares, including 9,783,100 American Depositary Shares evidenced by American Depositary Receipts, at a price of R$42.00, in a US$6.9 billion transaction. This is the second-largest equity offering ever by a Brazilian issuer. This transaction was recognized as "Capital Markets Deal of the Year" by Latin Lawyer.
Nubank dual-nation IPO
Representation of the underwriters on Nubank's US$2.6 billion dual initial public offering in New York and São Paulo. At the offer price, Nubank had a market capitalization of approximately US$42 billion, making it the most valuable listed financial institution in Latin America, the largest IPO by a Brazilian company since 2017 and the largest IPO by a Latin American company in 2021. This transaction was recognized as "Deal of the Year" by The Legal 500 Brazil Awards, "Equity Deal of the Year" by IFLR Americas Awards, and "Capital Markets Deal of the Year" by Latin Lawyer.
Acquisition of Colbún Transmisión
Representation of Alfa Desarrollo SpA, a consortium controlled by APG Energy and Infra Investments, S.L.U. and Celeo Redes, S.L.U., as borrower and issuer, in the structuring and closing of the senior secured financing for the US$1.3 billion acquisition of Colbún Transmisión, S.A. (including 899 km of transmission lines and 27 substations).This transaction was awarded "Bond of the Year" by LatinFinance.
Natura multiple offerings
Representation of the initial purchasers in a Rule 144A/Regulation S offering by:
- Natura &Co Luxembourg Holdings S.à r.l. of US$600.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 6.000% senior notes due 2029, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by Natura &Co Holding S.A. and Natura Cosméticos S.A., a Brazilian corporation and global direct-to-consumer beauty company; and
- Natura Cosméticos (the "Company") of US$1 billion aggregate principal amount of its 4.125% Sustainability-Linked Notes Due 2028 (the "Notes"), unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by Natura &Co Holding, a Brazilian corporation (the "Guarantor").
Eneva shares offering
Representation of the placement agents on the offering of 300,000,000 common shares of Eneva S.A., a Brazilian energy company, for the aggregate total amount of R$4.2 billion, which is equivalent to approximately US$780 million. The issuer used the proceeds of the offering to acquire CELSEPAR – Centrais Elétricas de Sergipe Participações S.A., an energy company operating mainly in the state of Sergipe, Brazil.
AEGEA sustainability-linked notes offering
Representation of AEGEA Finance S.à r.l. a wholly owned subsidiary of AEGEA Saneamento e Participações S.A., in connection with its 6.750% Sustainability-Linked Senior Notes due 2029 offering pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act; and a concurrent tender offer in respect of its outstanding US$400 million 5.750% Senior Notes due 2024. The notes were guaranteed by AEGEA Saneamento e Participações S.A., the largest privately owned water and sewage service provider in Brazil based on households served with a 49.5% market share in the private sanitation segment. This deal was named "Water / Sanitation Financing of the Year", by LatinFinance.
Rumo US$500 million green project bond
Representation of the underwriters in connection with a sustainability-linked notes offering of US$500 million 4.200% senior notes due 2032 pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act by Rumo Luxembourg. The notes were guaranteed by Rumo, Brazil's largest logistics operator in terms of total volume transported, providing rail transport logistics, port handling and warehousing services. This transaction was awarded as "Road / Rail Financing of the Year" by LatinFinance.
Amaggi US$750 million sustainability-linked notes offering
Representation of Amaggi Luxembourg International S.à r.l. in connection with a sustainability-linked notes offering of US$750 million 5.250% Notes due 2028 pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act. The notes were guaranteed by André Maggi Participações S.A., Agropecuaria Maggi Ltda. and Amaggi Exportação e Importação Ltda., one of the largest vertically integrated agribusiness companies in Latin America.
Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio common shares offering
Representation of the placement agents in a Rule 144A/Regulation S equity follow-on offering of a total of 47,600,000 common shares of Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio ("CBA") for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately R$904.4 million. Votorantim S.A., CBA's controlling shareholder, acted as a selling shareholder in the offering. The company is the main producer of primary aluminum in Brazil and owns and operates the world’s largest integrated aluminum plant. CBA's common shares trade on the Novo Mercado segment of the São Paulo Stock Exchange (B3 S.A. – Brasil, Bolsa, Balcão).
Usina Coruripe US$300 million senior secured notes offering
Representation of the initial purchasers on the offering of US$300 million aggregate principal amount of 10.000% senior secured notes due February 10, 2027 by Coruripe Netherlands B.V. and guaranteed by S.A. Usina Coruripe Açúcar e Álcool and GTW Agronegócios S.A. Usina Coruripe is a leading Brazilian sugar and ethanol company with five crushing units.
Hapvida follow-on offering
Representation of the placement agents on the follow-on offering of 395,207,520 shares of common stock of Hapvida Participações e Investimentos S.A, a Brazil-based holding healthcare company.
Banco Inter equity follow-on offering
Representation of the placement agents in a Rule 144A/Regulation S equity follow-on offering by Banco Inter, for aggregate gross proceeds of R$5,410.4 million (US$949.6 million). The bank's units, common shares and preferred shares are listed on the Nível 2 segment of the São Paulo Stock Exchange (B3 S.A. – Brasil, Bolsa, Balcão). This deal was named Equity Follow-On of the Year, by LatinFinance.
Alpargatas shares offering
Representation of the placement agents in a Rule 144A/Regulation S equity follow-on offering of a total of 37,500,000 common shares and 57,500,000 preferred shares of Alpargatas S.A. for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately R$2,498.5 million (US$493.7 million). Alpargatas is one of the leading global companies in the development, production and distribution of flip-flops with its Havaianas brand.
Lojas Renner follow-on offering
Representation of Lojas Renner S.A. in a Rule 144A/Regulation S follow-on equity offering of 102,000,000 common shares, resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of approximately R$3.9 billion. Lojas Renner S.A. is one the largest fashion and lifestyle ecosystems in Brazil, offering a broad platform of brands and services to customers.
Equatorial Energia equity offering
Representation of Equatorial Energia S.A., a publicly listed Brazilian energy company, in connection with a 144A/Reg S offering of 118,395,000 common shares at a price per common share of R$23.50, totaling R$2.8 billion (approximately US$540 million).
Award-winning green bond
Representation of the arrangers in the Rule 144A and Regulation S offer and sale of US$500 million 4.875% notes due 2027 by Klabin Finance S.A. a Luxembourg subsidiary of Klabin S.A. Klabin is the largest producer, exporter and recycler of packaging paper in Brazil and one of the largest integrated paper producers in Latin America. The notes proceeds were used to finance and/or refinance eligible green projects. This issuance was named Corporate High-Yield Bond of the Year by LatinFinance.
Award-winning investment grade issuance
Representation of Braskem Netherlands Finance B.V., as issuer, on a Rule 144A and Regulation S offer and sale of US$500 million 3.500% notes due 2023 and US$1.25 billion 4.500% notes due 2028. The notes were guaranteed by Braskem S.A., the largest producer of thermoplastic resins in the Americas. This transaction was named Investment Grade Corporate Bond Deal of the Year by Bonds & Loans Latin America.
Next Generation Partner, Capital Markets, International Firms, The Legal 500 Latin America, 2023
Leading Individual, Capital Markets, International Firms, Chambers Latin America, 2023
Leading Individual, Capital Markets, International Firms, Chambers Brazil, 2022
