Financial Times Recognizes Chadbourne Among 25 Most Innovative Law Firms in North America

Chadbourne Listed as a Top Innovator for Second Consecutive Year

Chadbourne & Parke LLP was recognized as one of the most innovative law firms in North America in the 2016 edition of the Financial Times “North America Innovative Lawyers” survey. The feature surveyed top firms in the Americas, ranking them based on the level of innovation of their client service, corporate social responsibility, and the way they conduct the business of law.

Based on nearly 300 submissions from law firms across the country, the Financial Times identified 25 firms “who are rethinking their businesses and service offerings” and “score highly for their relevance to clients and for answering their otherwise unmet needs.” These top innovative firms–the “FT 25 North America”–represent the group with the highest total score across 18 different categories that researchers examined. As part of the research, the FT interviewed and spoke with nearly 400 clients, lawyers and experts between August and November 2016.

In addition to its overall recognition, the Financial Times identified three Chadbourne matters for their creative approach to solving legal, business and societal issues. One of the transactions that was singled out for recognition was Chadbourne’s work on Apex Clean Energy’s 217 MW renewable portfolio deal. One of the projects in the deal benefitted from a novel 10-year proxy revenue swap, which is a brand new risk management tool for hedging wind volume risks. This “wind hedge” is designed to mitigate weather risk for renewable energy projects that rely on solar or wind power. This deal was recognized in the category of “New Products and Techniques” by the FT.

Another transaction that was singled out for recognition was the firm’s work on the Red Dorsal bond offering, which finances a major new fiber optic project in Peru. Chadbourne represented TV Azteca and Tendai, concessionaires and sponsors of the deal, in this US$274 million project bond offering. The proceeds will finance the construction of a fiber optic network in 339 communities throughout Peru, and will facilitate the commercialization of telecommunications services in these areas. This project is a true greenfield project bond transaction and it will benefit the entire country. The transaction was highly commended in the category of “Innovation in legal work in Latin America.”

In the “Social Responsibility” category, Chadbourne was recognized for winning a US$28 million verdict for the family of slain Chilean folk singer Víctor Jara, who was brutally murdered by military personnel in 1973. The Chadbourne team worked on the case for more than three years, interviewing witnesses, taking depositions and diligently collecting evidence in both Chile and the United States. The project culminated in an eight-day jury trial at the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida, during which testimony from fifteen witnesses was presented, along with other documentary evidence. After deliberations, the jury concluded the evidence was sufficient to establish that the defendant was responsible for the torture and extra-judicial killing of Victor Jara, and awarded US$28 million to his family. 

About Chadbourne & Parke

For more than a century, Chadbourne & Parke has counseled innovators around the world. We are a full-service law firm that leverages the extraordinary talent from our network of international offices to offer the highest caliber client service in more than 80 countries and across every region on the globe. Today, we are recognized internationally for our groundbreaking work in emerging economies and our deep experience in energy and infrastructure, corporate and finance transactions, international disputes, and bankruptcy and financial restructuring.

Originally prepared by Chadbourne & Parke. Chadbourne & Parke combined with Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP on June 30, 2017 and is now known as Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP.