Sabrena Silver

Partner, New York

Biography

Overview

Sabrena has more than 20 years' experience in completing US domestic and cross-border financing transactions. She advises financial institutions and companies on complex financing transactions, including structured finance deals, acquisition financings, syndicated and bilateral loans, bridge loans, margin loans, investment grade loans, private equity and hedge fund financings, private banking transactions, debt restructurings, sovereign loans, trade financings, supplier financings, receivables purchases and non-performing loan (NPL) transactions.

Sabrena's broad international experience spans Europe, Asia and Latin America. She has a particular focus in Latin America, and has completed transactions in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru, as well as other Latin American jurisdictions.

Named by Chambers Global in 2023 as a Foreign Expert in Banking & Finance in Latin America, and as a "Leading Lawyer" in 2023 by The Legal 500 Latin America: Banking & Finance, Sabrena has led on many high-profile finance deals.

Bars and Courts
New York
New Jersey
Education
JD
Fordham University School of Law
BA
Simon's Rock of Bard College
Languages
English
Spanish

Experience

Sustainability-linked revolving credit agreement for Vesta        
Representation of The Bank of Nova Scotia and BBVA Mexico, S.A., as Sustainability Agents, and Scotiabank Inverlat, S.A. and other banks as lenders, in a US$200 million sustainability-linked revolving credit agreement in favor of Corporación Inmobiliaria Vesta, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: VESTA), a Mexican public company engaged in the real estate sector, including the development, acquisition, sale and leasing of industrial buildings and distribution centers. The credit agreement and guaranty are governed by New York law, the proceeds of which will be used for general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its subsidiaries. The credit agreement includes a target regarding the number of Green Building Certifications associated with the Vesta's Gross Leasable Area ("GLA").

Senior unsecured bridge loan for Alicorp Peru 
Representation of the the Joint Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners, and Scotiabank Peru S.A.A., as Administrative Agent in connection with Alicorp S.A.A.'s US$500 million senior unsecured bridge loan for the acquisition of Intradevco Industrial S.A.

Senior unsecured term loan provided to Nubank
Representation of Citibank, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and HSBC, as Lenders, in connection with a senior unsecured term loan provided to Nubank. The financing involved a three-year credit line in Mexican and Colombian pesos, in a total aggregate amount equivalent to US$650 million. The proceeds will be used for Nubank's expansion in Mexico and Colombia. Nubank is one of the largest financial institutions in Latin America and one of the fastest growing fintech companies in the world.

Sustainability linked bilateral loan to Cálidda
Representation The Bank of Nova Scotia, the leading Canada-based global banking and financial services company, as lender, sustainability agent, sole arranger and sole bookrunner in connection with a sustainability linked bilateral loan to Gas Natural de Lima y Callao (Cálidda), the largest gas distribution company in Peru.

Novator's acquisition of Avantel 
Representation of Novator on its acquisition of Avantel SAS, a provider of telecommunications services in Colombia, and advice on the ongoing restructuring proceedings.

Avianca Holdings chapter 11 bankruptcy filing
Representation of the Lenders in connection with the restructuring of the financing among USAVFlow Limited, as Borrower, Avianca Holdings S.A. and its subsidiaries as guarantors and/or receivables sellers and the Lenders: in connection with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing of Avianca Holdings S.A. in May of 2020 amidst the historic airline industry disruption brought about by COVID-19. This transaction was named "Restructuring Deal of the Year", by Latin Lawyer.

Revolving loan facility to Bunge Limited 
Representation of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, ABN AMRO Bank N.V. and ING Bank N.V. as lenders and joint lead arrangers in a US$700 million revolving loan facility granted to Bunge Limited Finance Corp., an American agribusiness and food company. On satisfaction of certain conditions following the sale of a majority interest in certain Brazilian subsidiaries, the revolving loan facility converted to a pre-export loan facility to such Brazilian subsidiaries.

Bayport Management Ltd's transactions
Representation of Bayport Management Ltd (BML), a leading emerging market financial services group, and its subsidiaries, in connection with:

  • a US$200 million financing with US International Development Finance Corporation 
  • with its entry into a MXN1.5 billion secured loan agreement with a syndicate of leading international lenders.
  • the restructuring of its South African business; and
  • its entry into a COP-denominated secured loan agreement of up to US$150 million through a Colombian trust established by Bayport Colombia S.A., as borrower, and a syndicate of leading international lenders.
Publications

Co-author, "Acquisition Finance in Latin America: Navigating Diverse Legal Complexities in the Region", International Comparative Legal Guide, April 2020

Co-author, "Acquisition Finance in Latin America: Navigating Diverse Legal Complexities in the Region", International Comparative Legal Guide, April 2019

Co-author, "Acquisition Finance in Latin America: Navigating Diverse Legal Complexities in the Region", International Comparative Legal Guide, April 2018

Co-author, "Acquisition Finance in Latin America: Navigating Diverse Legal Complexities in the Region", LSTA 2018 Loan Market Chronicle, February 2018

Awards and Recognition

Leading Individual, Banking & Finance, The Legal 500 Latin America, 2023

Banking & Finance: Foreign Expert for Latin America-wide, Chambers Global 2020 - 2023

GC Powerlist, Mexico, The Legal 500, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022

Leading Individual, Banking and Finance, Chambers Latin America, 2016 - 2023

Rising Star, IFLR1000 Leading Lawyer, 2020 – 2023

Latin America's Top 100 Female Lawyers, Latinvex, 2014 – 2020