Practice Expertise
- Banking & Finance
- Energy & Infrastructure
- Private Equity & Venture Capital
Areas of Practice
- Banking & Finance
- Energy & Infrastructure
- Private Equity & Venture Capital
WSG Practice Industries
Profile
Julio Castellanos, Partner at San José, with 18 years of experience, stands out in Banking & Finance, Private Capital & Venture, and Energy & Infrastructure. He advises national and international financial entities on loans for energy and infrastructure projects. He is a specialist in capital market operations and public works concession contracts. Julio is recognized by Chambers & Partners for his extensive knowledge and skills in integrating international teams. He joined BLP in 2011.
Education
Courses in Financial Derivatives and International Derivative Swaps, International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA).
Master in Banking and Financial Law, Boston University, United States, 2009.
Law degree, Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho, Costa Rica, 2003.
Areas of Practice
- Banking & Finance
- Energy & Infrastructure
- Private Equity & Venture Capital
Professional Career
Significant Accomplishments
Avianca financial restructuring process. BLP advised Latin American airline Avianca on the restructuring process to obtain short-term financing and eliminate more than $1 billion in liabilities. In October 2021, the airline received court approval for its restructuring plan in New York. The financing plan earned Latin Finance’s Deal of the Year citation.
The Republic of Costa Rica issues $1.5 billion in Eurobonds. BLP acted as local advisor to the banking group comprised of Santander US Capital Markets LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, who acted as initial purchasers and joint bookrunners in the issuance of $1.5 billion in foreign currency bonds with a yield of 6.55%, maturing in 2034.
The largest green bond placement in Central America and the Caribbean by a 100% renewable energy company. BLP in Costa Rica advised Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC on the issuance by Investment Energy Resources Limited of $700 million in 6.25% Fixed Rate Secured Notes maturing in 2029.
Invest and Liberty Costa Rica structure largest Sustainability-Linked Bond (SLB) for the Digital Infrastructure sector in Costa Rica. BLP has advised both Liberty Costa Rica in its capacity as issuer and IDB Invest as structuring bank on the issuance of an SLB as part of the financing to Liberty Costa Rica for a total amount of $450 million to increase access to 4G and 5G digital infrastructure and broadband quality in Costa Rica.
The Latin American Reserve Fund (FLAR) approves a $1.1 billion credit for the Central Bank. BLP advised FLAR in granting the loan, which has a term of three years with a one-year grace period for principal repayment. The loan strengthens Costa Rica’s macroeconomic and financial stability, supporting the country’s efforts to continue advancing in fiscal consolidation and the capacity of monetary policy to face the impact of adverse external shocks.
First issuance of a Social Bond in Costa Rica. BLP has advised IDB Invest as lead arranger/investor and FinDev Canada as an investor in the first social bond issuance in Costa Rica. This private dematerialized subordinated bond series totals up to $75 million, issued by Banco Nacional de Costa Rica (BNCR).
Celsia sells part of its assets in Central America. BLP advised Celsia on selling certain generation assets in Costa Rica to EnfraGen, including the review and structure of local aspects under Costa Rican law and the review of the Stock Purchase Agreement and accessory documents.
Financing of hotel projects in Papagayo, Costa Rica. BLP advised, as Costa Rican local counsel, on a total return swap (TRS) with Blackstone, which aims to finance the development of two hotel projects located in Papagayo, Costa Rica, consisting t of a Four Seasons Hotel and an Andaz Hotel.
Grupo Unicomer on a syndicated loan for US$350 million. BLP advised on a $350 million loan transaction granted to Grupo Unicomer by a pool of syndicated banks, in which several subsidiaries of Unicomer in LATAM and the Caribbean have acted as guarantors. Our legal guidance spanned the entire process, from negotiations to signing the credit agreement, and included the preparation and execution of creative local documentation, such as acknowledgments, security trusts, and promissory notes.
The first issuance of international and local bonds for infrastructure financing in Costa Rica. The BLP team advised Autopistas del Sol, a subsidiary of Globalvía, on issuing senior secured notes in international markets for $300 million and $50.75 million within local markets, the first time an infrastructure company has issued international and local bonds simultaneously in Costa Rica.
Professional Associations
Avianca financial restructuring process. BLP advised Latin American airline Avianca on the restructuring process to obtain short-term financing and eliminate more than $1 billion in liabilities. In October 2021, the airline received court approval for its restructuring plan in New York. The financing plan earned Latin Finance’s Deal of the Year citation.
The Republic of Costa Rica issues $1.5 billion in Eurobonds. BLP acted as local advisor to the banking group comprised of Santander US Capital Markets LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, who acted as initial purchasers and joint bookrunners in the issuance of $1.5 billion in foreign currency bonds with a yield of 6.55%, maturing in 2034.
The largest green bond placement in Central America and the Caribbean by a 100% renewable energy company. BLP in Costa Rica advised Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC on the issuance by Investment Energy Resources Limited of $700 million in 6.25% Fixed Rate Secured Notes maturing in 2029.
Invest and Liberty Costa Rica structure largest Sustainability-Linked Bond (SLB) for the Digital Infrastructure sector in Costa Rica. BLP has advised both Liberty Costa Rica in its capacity as issuer and IDB Invest as structuring bank on the issuance of an SLB as part of the financing to Liberty Costa Rica for a total amount of $450 million to increase access to 4G and 5G digital infrastructure and broadband quality in Costa Rica.
The Latin American Reserve Fund (FLAR) approves a $1.1 billion credit for the Central Bank. BLP advised FLAR in granting the loan, which has a term of three years with a one-year grace period for principal repayment. The loan strengthens Costa Rica’s macroeconomic and financial stability, supporting the country’s efforts to continue advancing in fiscal consolidation and the capacity of monetary policy to face the impact of adverse external shocks.
First issuance of a Social Bond in Costa Rica. BLP has advised IDB Invest as lead arranger/investor and FinDev Canada as an investor in the first social bond issuance in Costa Rica. This private dematerialized subordinated bond series totals up to $75 million, issued by Banco Nacional de Costa Rica (BNCR).
Celsia sells part of its assets in Central America. BLP advised Celsia on selling certain generation assets in Costa Rica to EnfraGen, including the review and structure of local aspects under Costa Rican law and the review of the Stock Purchase Agreement and accessory documents.
Financing of hotel projects in Papagayo, Costa Rica. BLP advised, as Costa Rican local counsel, on a total return swap (TRS) with Blackstone, which aims to finance the development of two hotel projects located in Papagayo, Costa Rica, consisting t of a Four Seasons Hotel and an Andaz Hotel.
Grupo Unicomer on a syndicated loan for US$350 million. BLP advised on a $350 million loan transaction granted to Grupo Unicomer by a pool of syndicated banks, in which several subsidiaries of Unicomer in LATAM and the Caribbean have acted as guarantors. Our legal guidance spanned the entire process, from negotiations to signing the credit agreement, and included the preparation and execution of creative local documentation, such as acknowledgments, security trusts, and promissory notes.
The first issuance of international and local bonds for infrastructure financing in Costa Rica. The BLP team advised Autopistas del Sol, a subsidiary of Globalvía, on issuing senior secured notes in international markets for $300 million and $50.75 million within local markets, the first time an infrastructure company has issued international and local bonds simultaneously in Costa Rica.
Professional Associations
- Costa Rica Bar Association: Member of the Board of Directors
- International Bar Association (IBA): Miembro
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