Demarest expands Infrastructure practice area by hiring two new partners

Marina Aidar and Virginia Mesquita, along with three more professionals, will focus on Project Finance

Demarest, one of the most respected law firms in Brazil and Latin America, has announced the hiring of two new partners – Marina Aidar and Virginia Mesquita – for the Infrastructure and Project Finance practice area.

This is a strategic hire to boost the firm’s business and comes at a time when the third edition of Brazil’s Growth Acceleration Program (Programa de Aceleração do Crescimento – PAC) is expected to generate BRL 1.7 trillion in public and private investments over the next four years, through programs divided into nine segments, such as sustainable cities, transport, energy transition and sanitation, among others.

Marina Aidar has extensive experience in Project Finance and advises banks (commercial and development) and companies (Brazilian and international) on structured operations within the infrastructure sector, involving highways, urban mobility, airports, sanitation and energy.

She holds a master’s degree in International Financial Law from King’s College London, a postgraduate degree in Administrative Law from FGV-SP, an Executive MBA in Electricity Sector Business from FGV and a bachelor’s degree in Law from PUC-SP. She has been recognized by leading legal publications – such as Chambers Brazil, Latin Lawyer 250, IFLR1000, Leaders League, Análise Advocacia and Análise Advocacia Mulher.

Also joining Demarest’s infrastructure team is Virginia Mesquita, who holds a PhD in Economic Law from USP, a master’s degree from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and a bachelor’s degree in Law from USP.

With more than 20 years of experience, Virginia has worked in the development team of several infrastructure projects, acted as a consultant to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and participated in the development of major projects, such as the new highway concessions in the state of Paraná, the new Via Dutra concession, the northern stretch of the São Paulo Rodoanel beltway and the concession of Lines 8 and 9 of the São Paulo State Metropolitan Trains – the largest urban mobility concession in Latin America – as well as municipal projects in the public lighting sector.

In addition to being a member of the Electoral and Infrastructure and Development Committees of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB-SP), a member of the Dispute Boards of the Brazilian Center for Mediation and Arbitration (CBMA) and the Brazilian Institute of Administrative Law (IBDA), Virginia is the sector leader at Infra Women for the area of project finance. Virginia has also been recognized by important legal publications, such as the Latin Lawyer 250.

Along with these two partners, three other professionals will bolster the team. Among them is Luana Falkenburger, a senior lawyer specialized in project finance transactions, including the issuance of debentures and credit notes in capital markets, long-term loans with development banks (such as BNDES and BNB), as well as advising on regulatory inquiries and structuring projects in the renewable energy sector. She holds a master’s degree from Columbia University (USA), a master’s degree in Financial and Capital Markets Law from Insper and a bachelor’s degree in Law from USP.

“The infrastructure sector is strategic for the sustainable growth of Brazil and is key to Demarest’s expansion, due to its potential to attract investment and its ability to interact with numerous other practice areas in the firm, such as energy, oil and gas, mining and M&A. The arrival of Marina and Maria Virginia, as well as their team, will reinforce our firm’s work in the Project Finance sector, thanks to the expertise of these renowned professionals in the financing of infrastructure projects with the financial sector and large companies,” says Paulo Coelho da Rocha, Demarest’s managing partner. “Hiring this team of five women for the infrastructure area also demonstrates and reinforces our commitment to diversity and inclusion in our firm,” he adds.

Marina Aidar highlights the opportunities in infrastructure and its positive impact of this sector on the economy. “Our team will seek to advise clients on structuring projects across all segments of the industry, offering high-quality service, with dedication and commitment from all of us,” she says.

“Being able to work in the infrastructure area for a major law firm like Demarest, at a time when all eyes are turned to this sector, challenges us even further to develop innovative financing projects that can help improve concession and PPP mechanisms,” says Virginia.

From left to right: Luana Komatsu Falkenburger (lawyer), Laura Tusco Dantas (intern), Virginia Mesquita and Marina Aidar (partners), Thais Vieira de Freitas (lawyer).