Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom has recruited a new head of its Sao Paulo office with the hire of high-profile Shearman & Sterling capital markets partner Richard Aldrich.

Aldrich was the founder and co-head of Shearman's Sao Paulo office, which opened in 2004. He joined the firm in 1975, made partner in 1983, and from 1984 to 1987 headed up the firm's Hong Kong office.

Aldrich's practice focuses on public and private financings and he advises on securities offerings, structured financings, project financings and restructurings. He has worked on several high-profile US/Brazil-related deals and is also the former president of the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce.