Mr. Costa's practice also involves management of local counsel in complex corporate and finance transactions, commercial litigation and administrative proceedings before regulatory agencies. Mr. Costa has experience representing clients in international arbitrations under the Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce involving contracts governed by Brazilian law.

Prior to joining Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, Mr. Costa practiced law for 10 years in Brazil, concentrating on regulatory and transactional corporate, finance and telecommunication/technology issues.

Representative Matters

Represented lender extending a $150 million credit facility in connection with perfection of collateral security on borrower's assets located in Bolivia, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Nigeria, Oman, Panama, the Netherlands and Venezuela.

Represented lender in multiple credit facilities involving perfection of collateral security on borrower's assets in Belgium, Canada, China, Egypt, Germany, Luxembourg, Mexico, Luxembourg, Spain, St. Croix, United Kingdom, Venezuela and Vietnam.

Represented Brazilian power distribution company in series of loans extended by the Inter-American Development Bank and B lenders.

On-going representation of major international banks in trade finance transactions supported by the U.S. Export-Import Bank, ranging from working capital facilities, to short- and medium-term borrower credit and aircraft finance.

Represented long-distance telecommunications service provider in regulatory proceeding in Brazil involving survey of competition rules regarding access to local markets in the United States, Latin America, European Union and its member states, and Asia.

Represented internet service provider in regulatory and government relations matters in Latin America, including representation before Brazil's telecommunications agency (ANATEL) in connection with development of proposal for non-metered Internet access.

Represented several U.S.-based investors in mergers or acquisitions involving stock or assets of companies located in Brazil.

Publications and Speeches

Moderator, "Legal Infrastructure for Energy Integration Agreements in the Southern Cone", 4th Annual Energy Integration Congress in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, October 2007

"New Trends in Commercial Lending in Latin America", Financier Worldwide Magazine Supplement Opportunities in Emerging Markets, March 2007

"Operações Internacionais de Crédito (International Finance Transactions)", International Business Communications' legal newsletter, November 2006.

"Challenges, Opportunities Face Telecoms Regulators-Brazil," Business News Americas, January 2003.

"Tax Aspects of Doing Business in Brazil," Brazil-Texas Chamber of Commerce, Houston, Texas, October 2004.

"New Trends in Project Development in Latin America," First Annual International Project Development Conference, International Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, Houston, Texas, September 2004.

"Legal Aspects of Internet Access in Latin America," Fifth Annual Latin American Telecom and I.T. Conference, North Texas Global Telecommunications Society, Dallas, Texas, June 2003.