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FEATURE
Fenwick was given an opportunity to be a part of
the office.
While Japan was already the second-largest
economy in the world, many of its companies
were only starting to establish a physical presence
abroad and relatively few were familiar with
the expectations and standards of international
securities offerings. “For two years, I travelled
throughout the country and other parts of Asia
explaining the intricacies and potential liabilities
associated with cross-border offerings,” says Fenwick.
Demand was increasing within Linklaters for
capital markets lawyers experienced in new or
undeveloped markets. For the first time since Latin
America’s debt restructuring in the mid eighties,
Brazilian sovereign and corporate borrowers were
looking abroad for capital.
“At that time, no firms had offices
in Latin America so the work was
serviced mainly from London and
New York. Between 1993 and 1998, I
traveled back and forth between New
York and Latin America on what was at
times a weekly basis,” says Fenwick.
In March 1997, Fenwick became a member of the
partnership at Linklaters, joining a group that was
then composed almost exclusively of Oxbridge
graduates. “When the firm opened an office in
Brazil, I was asked to head up the operation. It
became one of the first international law firms to
open in South America, with São Paulo as its base.”
Within a few years, Linklaters associated with
a Brazilian law firm, reaching a size of over 75
attorneys. “My professional life quickly changed
from spending all my time practicing law to
dividing my time between my roles as co-head of
the office and head of the international practice.”
In the mid to late 1990s, what had been a small
club of international firms in São Paulo began to
expand rapidly. “Although I had not really anticipated
practicing at another firm, that expansion brought
about new opportunities. I was particularly
interested in spending less time on management
issues.” In 2009, Fenwick decided to join Proskauer
Rose, a traditional New York-based firm that was
undergoing a major transformation.
Proskauer, long known for its leading labour,
sports, and entertainment practices, was in the
process of developing its corporate and finance
capabilities and internationalizing its platform.
While best known for representing professional
sporting organizations like the National Basketball
Association, Proskauer also represents major
financial institutions like JP Morgan and Deutsche
Bank, a broad range of companies such as Exxon,
Metlife, and UPS, as well as entertainment-industry
clients such as Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Bono.
In São Paulo for 14 years, Fenwick and his partner
André Ferreira have established a richly textured life.
“We own Teatro Augusta, an independent theatre in
São Paulo, and we also have a farm nearby where
we spend every weekend. Coming from northern
Manitoba and its two- to three-month growing
season, I love that the state of São Paulo is sub-tropical
and extremely fertile.”
Fenwick reflects that, despite the fact that he has
come a long way since the start of his career, most of
the basics remain the same. “I still listen more than I
speak, and read more than I write. The practice of law
remains mostly about bringing people together, and
the critical element in that is carefully building trust
and confidence, which takes time.”
43 ROBSON HALL ALUMNI REPORT