José Antonio Morán advises on bank lending, including cross-border and project finance — with an emphasis on energy and infrastructure projects. He has represented clients in numerous high-value deals, including one recognized by Thomson Project Finance International as “the largest merger and acquisition deal in Latin America.” Mr. Moran was named a leading lawyer in the Credit and Syndicated Transactions practice in Illinois by the Legal 500 2007 Guide. In addition to his practice, he serves as a lecturer at Loyola University School of Law in the Comparative Law Seminar on Legal Systems in the Americas.

Practice Focus

Mr. Morán concentrates primarily on transactions in the US, Spain and Latin America. He has assisted major US banks and institutional lenders in negotiating and drafting documents regarding loan syndications for Latin American borrowers, as well as US and European-based oil and gas companies in Latin America in acquisitions. He has also represented Latin American issuers in connection with the offering of American Depository Receipts in the US and listing on the New York Stock Exchange.

Mr. Morán serves as counsel in major project finance and infrastructure transactions, moving complex projects through development, financial closings and operations.

Representative Legal Matters

• Represented the Gas Natural Group, as purchaser in connection with the implementation and performance of the Share Purchase Agreement with Electricite de France and Mitsubishi Corporation.
• Represented Gas Natural SDG, S.A. in connection with its USD30 billion unsolicited offer to acquire Endesa, S.A.
• Representation of a major international pipeline, oil and gas company and an international oil and gas field services company as co-venturers in all phases of a BOO project in northeastern Venenezuela for medium and high pressure facilities for the compression of natural gas and reinjection into the El Furrial oil field, including creation of a joint venture project company, negotiation and documentation of major equipment purchase contracts and EPC contracts, and negotiation of terms for financing from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.  
• Represented the Bank of Montreal, acting through its Toronto branch, as borrower in connection with a credit facility for an amount in Mexican pesos not exceeding the equivalent of USD100 million provided by Banco Inbursa, S.A., Institucion de Banca Multiple, Grupo Financiero Inbursa, as Lender.
• Represented the concessionaire for the railway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific coasts between the Panamanian ports of Colon and Balboa in connection with the debt and equity financing for renovation costs sponsored by the International Finance Corporation.
• Advised the sponsors and project companies in Argentina in connection with the renegotiation of approximately USD1 billion in multi-lateral and bank indebtedness. The project companies are engaged in providing potable water and wastewater services in Buenos Aires and two provincial capitals.

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Madrid Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• District of Columbia Bar

Admission

New York~United States (2008)
District of Columbia~United States (2001)
Illinois~United States (2000)
Madrid~Spain (1994)

Education

Loyola University Chicago School of Law  (J.D.) (1999)
Fordham University School of Law  (LL.M.) (1996)
Complutense University of Madrid  (J.D.) (1994)