International Finance Lawyer Gregory Harrington Joins Arnold & Porter
Washington, D.C., April 5, 2007 - Arnold & Porter LLP announced that Gregory Harrington has joined the firm as a partner. Mr. Harrington has extensive experience in international financial transactions in Latin America, particularly in the area of debt and equity capital markets, including sovereign debt and project finance. He currently resides in São Paulo, Brazil, but will be returning to the United States by late spring. He is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish.
"Greg's expertise will strengthen Arnold & Porter's international finance practice," said firm Chair Thomas Milch. "His background provides a strong fit with our corporate and financial services groups, and he will provide key support for our New York and London offices. Our transactional practice in Latin America is expanding, and Greg's on-the-ground experience there, especially in Brazil, will be incredibly valuable in servicing clients."
Mr. Harrington has significant experience in private practice, including work in New York, Madrid and São Paulo. He has built a substantial practice involving finance-related transactions, including equity and debt issues, exchange offers and consent solicitations, bank loans, debt renegotiation and private placements.
Mr. Harrington has represented underwriters and issuers on numerous equity and debt transactions, including representing CESP (Companhia Energética de São Paulo) in 2006 in connection with the public offering of its common and preferred shares. Valued at over $1.5 billion, this was the largest equity offering by a Brazilian issuer in the past four years and is believed to be the largest ever by a Brazilian issuer under Rule 144A. The transaction was selected by LatinFinance magazine as Deal of the Year for Best Follow-on Equity, which noted that the deal "stands out for its complexity and tricky timing." Also in 2006, Mr. Harrington advised Banco do Brasil as issuer of $500 million perpetual non-cumulative junior subordinated securities, the first issue ever by a Brazilian bank of "hybrid" capital securities. This transaction also garnered recognition by LatinFinance as Deal of the Year for Best Financial Institution Bond. Mr. Harrington has a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and a B.A. from the Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University.
Commenting on his arrival at Arnold & Porter, Mr. Harrington said, "The firm has established one of the premier practices in international finance in Latin America. I look forward to working with this team of lawyers."
Arnold & Porter LLP is a recognized market leader in representing sovereigns and central banks in their international financial affairs. The firm advises both domestic and international financial institutions on a wide variety of financing opportunities, such as securities offerings, leveraged buyouts, lending activities and debt restructuring. In addition to commercial clients, the firm advises foreign governments and agencies on regulatory issues involving the United States.
Arnold & Porter LLP, an international law firm of approximately 600 attorneys, has offices in Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, London, and Brussels. The firm, founded in 1946, maintains more than 25 practice areas spanning a broad spectrum of the law, with a primary focus on litigation, transactional matters and regulatory issues.