Norton Rose Fulbright team wins 2024 ‘Restructuring Deal of the Year’ at IFLR Americas Awards

A cross-border team from Norton Rose Fulbright’s São Paulo and New York offices was recognized by International Financial Law Review (IFLR) at the 2024 Americas Awards in New York City on May 15. The team was among the honorees for the “Restructuring Deal of the Year” for its representation of Vale in Samarco Mineração’s US$4.8 billion debt restructuring.

Samarco, a joint venture between Vale and BHP with mining operations in the states of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo in Brazil, filed for judicial reorganization proceedings in Brazil in 2020 following a dam collapse in 2015 near the town of Mariana in southeastern Brazil. The complex restructuring involved the exchange of the company’s existing financial debt of US$4.8 billion for up to US$3.7 billion of long-term unsecured debt.

The IFLR Americas Awards, now in its 25^th year, celebrate the most innovative cross-border deals closed in 2023 and the lawyers behind them. Winners are selected by IFLR’s editorial team following an open nomination period and an in-depth research process.

Michael McCourt (São Paulo) and Eric Daucher (New York) led the Norton Rose Fulbright team with support from Scott Saks, Frank Vazquez (New York), Cameron Royse and Fernando Almeida (São Paulo).

The transaction also received recognition from Latin Lawyer, winning the “Deal of the Year” in the restructuring category at the 18^th annual Deal of the Year Awards ceremony in São Paulo on May 9.