Donald Baker

Partner, São Paulo

Biography

“Donald Baker has a great reputation… and receives warm praise for his impressive knowledge of the Brazilian market.” He is noted for his ‘extensive cross-border transactional experience’ and is hailed as a ‘seasoned, very hands-on lawyer’.”
Chambers Latin America

Overview

Don advises clients on a broad range of capital markets offerings, corporate finance transactions and corporate matters. He focuses on the Brazilian market and wider Latin American region, where he has amassed extensive knowledge and experience over the course of his career. He regularly works with Brazilian companies and financial institutions and also advises international clients interested in investing in Brazil and elsewhere in Latin America. Don relocated to São Paulo in 1997 to open the Firm's office. He has represented Brazilian and other Latin American issuers in international offerings of debt and equity securities and private placements by an array of Latin American issuers. He is also regularly engaged in cross-border syndicated loans, structured finance and project financing transactions, as well as acquisitions and joint ventures.
Bars and Courts
New York
Florida
Education
JD
University of Miami School of Law
Order of the Coif
BS
Economics
University of Pennsylvania
Wharton School of Finance and Commerce
Languages
English
Portuguese

Experience

Speaking Engagements

"Current Developments in Latin American Cross-Border Securities Transactions", 2013 and 2014: Practicing Law Institute (PLI) first and second annual conferences, São Paulo, (Panelist)

Awards and Recognition

Leading Lawyer ('Star Individual'), Chambers Latin America, Band 1 and above since 2008
Capital Markets: International – Brazil

Chambers Latin America
"Donald Baker is a local favourite and one of the most prominent international counsel for capital markets deals. According to sources, 'He is the absolute benchmark in Brazil,' and 'his wealth of experience makes him very versatile and is key in large transactions.'

Leading Lawyer (Band 1), Band 1, since 2008
Banking & Finance: International – Brazil

Chambers Latin America
"Donald Baker is one of the most prominent figures in this market and comes recommended as a 'practical lawyer who gets things done'."

Leading Lawyer (Band 1), Chambers Global, Band 1, 2011-2014
Corporate: International – Brazil

Leading Individual, The Legal 500, Leading Individual, since 2013
Capital Markets - Latin America: International Law Firms

The Legal 500
"São Paulo partner Donald Baker is a prolific adviser on capital markers issuances in Brazil and elsewhere, and is commended for his experience, expertise and 'client management'."

Leading Lawyer, The Legal Media Group Guide to the World's Leading Lawyers, since 2013
Banking, Finance and Transactional Law: Capital Markets and Banking

Ranked Individual: Capital Markets, Who's Who Legal Brazil, since 2010