Brazil > Dispute resolution > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

Andrade & Fichtner Advogados delivers ‘an unrivalled level of service’; its lawyers are ‘always available, possess deep legal knowledge coupled with strong business acumen, and are great strategists’. The firm is highly recommended for energy and environmental disputes, as well as disputes involving public bodies. It is currently defending Vale against a R$1.2bn claim brought by the state of Brazil alleging non-performance of a construction agreement for a railway system in Minas Gerais; and represented ThyssenKrupp CSA in a civil action filed by the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro and the state environmental agency seeking the suspension and annulment of the operational license to build a R$8bn steel plant, claiming that it should only have been granted after the submission of a new environmental study. The ‘committed’ Tomaz Lyra provides ‘tailored service’, and is recommended along with José Antonio Fichtner and Sergio Nelson Mannheimer. The ‘intelligent and business-oriented’ Marcela Levy made partner in January 2017.

Specialist dispute resolution firm Ferro, Castro Neves, Daltro & Gomide Advogados covers corporate, construction and administrative disputes, with niche expertise in consumer rights and sports law matters. It is representing a client in proceedings against the Brazilian patent office concerning the potential annulment of all of its patents in Brazil, worth R$2bn. Both domestic and international arbitration are areas of expertise, with the group currently representing Brazil’s largest railway transportation logistics companies in a R$1bn arbitration concerning a shareholders dispute following a public tender offer. Other clients include Construtora Norberto Odebrecht, Cosan, Ipiranga and Prumo Logística. Marcelo Roberto Ferro, José Roberto de Castro Neves and Eduardo Pecoraro are highly recommended.

A heavyweight in dispute resolution, Pinheiro Neto Advogados regularly represents major Brazilian and international corporations in complex litigation and arbitration. Recent examples include defending Apple in consumer and antitrust litigation, and representing Civilport Engenharia in judicial disputes seeking the collection of outstanding payments from a former contractor, Transnordestina Logística. The group continues to defend BHP Billiton against claims by state and federal prosecutors seeking R$155m in damages and compensation after a dam collapse. Gilberto Giusti and Renato Stephan Grion are renowned arbitrators, while Rodrigo Carneiro de Oliveira and Celso Cintra Mori are recommended for litigation.

Sergio Bermudes Advogados focuses entirely on contentious matters, and has an outstanding reputation for both litigation and arbitration. The firm is regularly involved in major cases, and is currently representing Vale, as shareholder of Samarco along with BHP Billiton, in relation to the Bento Rodrigues dam disaster. Other clients include Bradesco, Citibank and Queiroz Galvão. Founding partner Sergio Bermudes is one of the most renowned figures in the market, and is recommended along with Marcio Vieira Souto Costa Ferreira and Fabiano Robalinho Cavalcanti. Henrique Ávila left the firm in January 2017 to work for the National Council of Justice (CNJ).

Wald, Antunes, Vita, Longo e Associados Advogados covers the full range of administrative, commercial and financial disputes, acting for clients such as Camargo Corrêa, Embratel, Oi, Raízen Combustíveis, Votorantim and Whirlpool. The group is involved in ongoing international arbitrations in the areas of M&A, real estate and capital markets, while construction arbitration is another mainstay. Arbitration heavyweight Arnoldo Wald, Alexandre de Mendonça Wald and Mariana Tavares Antunes are standout names. Alberto Camiña Moreira and Rodrigo Kaufmann joined the firm in 2016, increasing the number of partners in the team to nine.

BMA – Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão handled numerous contractual disputes in the infrastructure and construction sectors, including representing Galvão Engenharia in an arbitration regarding additional services performed in the construction of a waterway terminal. Other recent work includes representing BHP Billiton in several cases concerning the Bento Rodrigues dam disaster. Luiz Fernando Fraga and Sergio Fagundes lead the group, which grew to eight partners with the arrival of Sergio Savi from Castro, Barros, Sobral, Gomes Advogados. Name partner and corporate lawyer Francisco Müssnich is recommended for his experience in large national and international arbitrations.

Demarest Advogados is noted for its ‘speedy customer service’ and ‘good value for money’. In one of many energy-related disputes, it is representing Comgás in litigation against ARSESP concerning the state regulator’s obligation to evaluate the price charged by the gas distributor. The ‘competent and knowledgeable’ Luiz Fernando Henry Sant’Anna heads the 11-partner team, which includes the ‘client-oriented’ Rafael Gagliardi; ‘excellent strategist’ Marcelo Inglez de Souza; and Celso Xavier, who is ‘extremely professional and very experienced in the nuances of law’. Newly promoted partner Maria Helena Bragaglia is appreciated for her ‘contagious enthusiasm’; ‘litigation becomes easy, as she takes control’.

L.O. Baptista Advogados’ ‘excellent team works in tune’, and is active across civil class actions, corporate disputes, enforcement suits and administrative proceedings. Canon and sugar producer São Martinho are long-term clients, with André Camerlingo Alves currently involved in the representation of both. The firm has a standout arbitration practice, with the ‘prepared and articulate’ Maurício Almeida Prado, the ‘combative’ Adriana Braghetta and Fernando Marcondes all highly rated; the group is particularly active in large infrastructure project disputes, as well as in national and international contract disputes.

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados’ ‘smart lawyers’ are noted for their ‘diversified industry knowledge’ across corporate, banking, environmental, infrastructure and antitrust matters. Among its recent litigation cases, it is representing América Latina Logística in contractual disputes concerning railway concessions. On the arbitration side, it is representing LATAM Water Participações in proceedings brought by joint venture partner Odebrecht over the potential exclusion of LATAM from the joint venture after the failure to reach an agreement on a financial restructuring. The ‘experienced’ Eliane Cristina Carvalho and Gláucia Mara Coelho are recommended along with newly promoted partners Renata Martins de Oliveira and Lucas de Moraes Sant’Anna.

Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados ‘can be relied on to offer high-quality legal services come rain or shine’. Flávio Pereira Lima is acting for electricity producer CESP against the federal government concerning the payment of compensation for assets returned on the termination of the public concession of the Três Irmãos hydroelectric power plant. ‘Outstanding litigator’ Eduardo Damião Gonçalves has ‘broad knowledge’, and is ‘extremely competent and hardworking’, while ‘fierce litigator’ and newly promoted partner Flávio Spaccaquerche is recommended for infrastructure-related arbitration. Alex Hatanaka, a specialist in financial services disputes, joined from Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

TozziniFreire Advogados’ ‘outstanding’ team has a strong reputation for disputes in the automotive, energy and agriculture sectors. It is representing Ford in litigation with a former dealer concerning statutes of limitation regarding damages arising from contractual default. In other work, the group is representing Oliveira Trust, as fiduciary agent, in litigation regarding the foreclosure of a fiduciary assignment of shares. Arbitration clients include International Indústria Automotiva da América do Sul, Renova Energia and Alstom Brasil Energia e Transporte. ‘Knowledgeable professional’ Fernando Eduardo Serec, Antonio Marzagão Barbuto Neto and Luíz Virgílio Penteado Manente are recommended. Rafael Mimica and Julio Andrade Neves have been promoted to the partnership.

KLA-Koury Lopes Advogados has a growing arbitration practice, and is currently instructed in several commercial disputes. On the litigation side, its recent work includes representing Consórcio Heleno & Fonseca, the consortium retained by Companhia Metropolitana de São Paulo to build two subway stations, concerning a R$290m claim for the public company’s alleged non-compliance with contractual obligations. Having returned from a period as visiting foreign associate at Miller & Chevalier Chartered, Eloy Rizzo is one of three partners on the team, alongside Maria Cristina Junqueira and Tiago Cortez.

Lilla, Huck, Otranto, Camargo Advogados’ 25-strong dispute resolution group has specialist expertise in insurance-related class actions and patent litigation in the pharma sector. On the environmental litigation side, it is defending Enerpeixe against civil actions brought by federal and state public prosecutors over the construction of a hydroelectric power plant. The firm also has experience in national and international arbitrations, in sectors such as construction and energy. Rogério Carmona Bianco, Hermes Marcelo Huck, Fábio Peixinho Gomes Corrêa and Eduardo de Oliveira Lima are recommended.

Siqueira Castro – Advogados gives ‘creative and efficient’ advice. Its recent work includes representing Gas Natural SPS in arbitration proceedings seeking $12m damages for breach of a supply contract for the maintenance of LPG tanks and facilities; and representing Vale in litigation brought by Instituto Aerus de Seguridade Social concerning the use of an allegedly incorrect rate in relation to a contract for the sale of gold. Carlos Roberto Siqueira Castro, Marcos Serra Fioravanti and Fábio Coutinho Kurtz are the key names, with João Daniel Rassi recommended for white-collar crime cases.

Cescon, Barrieu, Flesch & Barreto Advogados’ dispute resolution group, which is co-led by Gabriel Seijo Leal de Figueiredo and Carlos Braga, achieves ‘incredible results’. ‘When facing a complex situation’, Braga ‘jumps into the confusion, devising new options, hunting for new paths of least resistance’; he recently represented Spring Televisão in litigation filed by the federal attorney’s office to annul the allegedly simulated transfer of the TV concession from Abril to the client. Also recommended are the ‘excellent’ Tiago Lopes, and the ‘well-prepared and professional’ Ana Carolina Beneti.

Trench Rossi Wanatabe’s 30-strong team ‘answers questions swiftly and clearly’, provides ‘excellent partner involvement in all cases’, and has a dedicated sub-group for dispute prevention. It is defending Plastivida against an environmental class action filed by the federal and state district attorneys’ offices against 26 industry associations challenging a waste take-back policy which allegedly violates national policy. Another highlight was representing Procter & Gamble in a $130m compensation claim brought by Confederação Brasileira de Futebol for damages concerning the termination of a sponsorship agreement between the two parties. New clients include Nestlé, JBS and Banco Itaú. Practice head Marcio de Souza Polto ‘provides very pragmatic solutions’, and the team also includes Andrea Brick and ‘knowledgeable’ arbitration expert Joaquim Muniz.

Lefosse Advogados is highly recommended for arbitration and pre-arbitration negotiations. It defended AON Affinity in litigation filed by joint venture partner Saúde Dental due to alleged non-performance of contractual obligations. Practice head Pedro Maciel ‘focuses on the most important matters’, and is a specialist in international arbitration. Carlo Verona and Raphael Nehin Corrêa are also recommended.

Leite, Tosto e Barros Advogados Associados has specialist expertise in infrastructure, energy and construction arbitration. Paulo Guilherme Lopes is representing various service providers to Petrobras in arbitral proceedings against the state-owned company for non-payment for work and materials. On the litigation side, recent work includes representing meat processing company JBS in a case against Banco Safra concerning liability for $16m of debt of bankrupt company Independência, following the acquisition of certain production units. Ricardo Tosto is recommended for litigation.

Covering a wide range of corporate and commercial disputes, Lobo de Rizzo Advogados is currently representing Dia Brasil in civil litigation concerning franchise and supply agreements. Other highlights included representing aluminium association ABAL in a class action filed by São Paulo’s public prosecutor challenging the validity of a national reverse logistics agreement. Practice head Luis Fernando Guerrero is also increasingly active in arbitration proceedings.

Arbitration boutique Muriel Medici Franco Advogados, which was established in February 2016, is quickly gaining an excellent reputation. Mainly active in commercial and construction disputes, it specialises in the agribusiness sector. Marcelo Muriel and Fernando Médici Júnior are the names to note.

The ‘professional and knowledgeable’ team at Souto Correa Cesa Lummertz & Amaral Advogados acts across a wide range of litigation and arbitration proceedings. ‘Top-of-the-league’ practitioner Guilherme Rizzo Amaral was recently successful in an appeal for LATAM, in litigation filed by the public attorney’s office concerning a return flight cancellation policy regarding customers who do not attend outbound flights. The group also includes the ‘solution-oriented’ Marcelo Gandelman, who gives ‘very effective advice’.

Stocche Forbes Advogados provides ‘legal guidance in a timely manner’ in litigation and administrative proceedings, and has recently been active in environmental, real estate and construction disputes. Rafael Passaro is ‘particularly outstanding’, with ‘a very accurate view of the economic side of an arbitration procedure’, and the team also includes Domingos Fernando Refinetti. Andritz, Cargill Agrícola, Cielo and Odebrecht have recently instructed the firm.

Praised for its ‘excellent response times’ and ‘consistently high-quality advice’, Veirano Advogados specialises in product liability and consumer litigation. In a highlight case, the group succeeded in substantially reducing damages claims filed by Indústria de Plásticos Pampa against its client Masterfoods concerning the release of particles at a production plant. Rosângela Delgado, Luiz Guilherme Migliora and José Carlos Wahle now co-lead the practice following Daniel Coelho’s departure to found Moreira Coelho Advogados Associados. Mateus Carreteiro, who focuses on arbitration, was promoted to the partnership in January 2017 together with Pedro Boueri Affonso de Almeida.

The ‘efficient and technically strong’Antonio Celso Fonseca Pugliese leads Vella Pugliese Buosi e Guidoni Advogados’ dispute resolution department, which receives a steady flow of mandates from the firm’s corporate and M&A department. Its client portfolio includes national and international corporations from a wide range of sectors, and its focus on the international side is expected to increase as it has recently signed a strategic alliance with Dentons.

Arruda Alvim & Thereza Alvim Advocacia e Consultoria Jurídica focuses on collective actions and civil procedures, and its arbitration practice is growing in profile. Araken de Assis is recommended, along with the firm’s renowned founding partners.

Azevedo Sette Advogados handles both strategic and mass litigation, and has specialist expertise in the TMT sector. Recent work includes representing Electronic Arts in litigation brought by 150 plaintiffs concering its FIFA video game. Other clients include Microsoft, Acer, Twitter, Toyota and Mercedes-Benz. Ricardo Azevedo Sette and Paulo Ciari de Almeida Filho are recommended.

The ‘helpful, knowledgeable and very available’ team at Castro, Barros, Sobral, Gomes Advogados receives a steady flow of mandates through the firm’s corporate and banking and finance practices. It is active in credit collection litigation, recently representing Banco Sistema in a R$40m case; the lead partner was Alexandre Espínola Catramby, who ‘eloquently conveys his opinions’, and is ‘aware of his cases’ every last detail’. Other names to note are José Augusto Leal and the ‘detail-oriented and very knowledgeable’ Olympio Carvalho.

‘Straight to the point’, Levy & Salomão is ‘able to mobilise a high-end team at short notice’. With niche expertise in aircraft accident cases, it is representing Airbus in litigation brought by Itaú Seguros concerning payments made to relatives of the victims of an air crash in 2007, as well as in two cases brought by relatives. The ‘strategic’ Bolívar Moura Rocha and Angela Di Franco also regularly handle litigation in the telecoms sector.

Tauil & Chequer Advogados in association with Mayer Brown has ‘a real understanding of urgency in addressing issues’, and is currently defending Chevron Brasil Upstream Frade in litigation brought by fishermen who allegedly suffered moral damages and loss of profit after an oil spill. Gustavo Fernandes de Andrade, Roberto Figueiredo, Luciana Celidonio and Leonardo Morato are recommended. Brasília-based Luís Adams, a former Attorney General, has joined the group, while Bernardo Weaver left after only a short period at the firm.

Bichara Advogados is active across a wide range of disputes. A highlight was defending Acciona in a class action filed by the municipality of Sapucaia concerning the collection of tolls on a 400km federal highway, while other recent clients include Oi, MRS Logística and Multiplan. Adriana Astuto and Diogo Ciuffo are recommended.

CMT – Carvalho, Machado e Timm Advogados’ dispute resolution team, headed by Luciano Benetti Timm, has experience across a wide range of sectors. In the public sphere, it defended SBS Engenharia e Construções in litigation concerning allegedly poor-quality asphalt; and represented a road concession group in several cases against the state of Rio Grande do Sul concerning the expiration date and renewal of a public contract.

Advocacia Fernando Rudge Leite has ‘a solid team of excellent professionals’, making it ‘a great long-term partner’. The ‘solution-oriented’ Luiz Antonio Gomiero Júnior regularly represents Brazilian companies in construction, mining, agribusiness and real estate litigation.

At Gasparini, De Cresci e Nogueira de Lima Advogados, Pedro Paulo Wendel Gasparini represented General Motors in a number of product liability cases. Helena Najjar Abdo is now with Cescon, Barrieu, Flesch & Barreto Advogados, while Christian Garcia Vieira joined from Mateucci Advogados.

The ‘highly professional’ team at Grebler Advogados, led by Eduardo Grebler, is a heavyweight in Minas Gerais arbitration, and is active before numerous arbitration chambers. Its recent work includes a case concerning mining exploration royalties, and a case filed against a real estate corporation concerning breach of contract for the acquisition of land and the construction of a business complex. Flávia Bittar Neves is also recommended.

The ‘engaged and flexible team’ at Inglez, Werneck, Ramos, Cury e Françolin Advogados (IWRCF) is regularly instructed by major international clients, particularly in the automotive sector: names include Nissan, Volkswagen and Volvo. Andréa Pitthan Françolin ‘understands her clients’ needs’, and ‘never gives up’; and Renato José Cury is ‘very well prepared’.

Lobo & Ibeas is experienced in handling commercial arbitration for large Brazilian clients. Ricardo Ramalho Almeida is recommended along with name partners Carlos Augusto da Silveira Lobo and Hugo Ibeas.

Focusing on public sector disputes, Manesco, Ramires, Perez, Azevedo Marques Sociedade de Advogados has recently represented clients in construction, energy and infrastructure-related arbitrations. Name partners Ane Elisa Perez and Floriano de Azevedo Marques Neto are recommended.

At Soares Bumachar Chagas Barros Advogados, ‘excellent strategist’ Laura Bumachar provides ‘impeccable service’, and is representing Mercado Livre in indemnification litigation filed by Vahrcav Participações seeking compensation for the publication of false information published on the defendant’s website by users.

Andréa Rodrigues Seco leads Almeida Advogados’ dispute resolution team, which represented Construtora Mello Azevedo in litigation concerning the construction of houses and sanitary infrastructure. Mercado Livre is also an active client.

Cascione, Pulino, Boulos & Santos Advogados defended Sherwin-Williams against a compensation claim filed by Nils Defesa Anticorrosiva for alleged losses arising from the termination of commercial representation and distribution agreements. Aurélio Marchini Santos is ‘clear and insightful’.

De Vivo, Whitaker e Castro Advogados successfully defended Avon Cosméticos in litigation filed by Cine Telões concerning termination of an alleged abusive contract. Managing partner and consumer law expert Gustavo Lorenzi de Castro is the key figure.

LL Advogados specialises in environmental and infrastructure-related class actions, with particular experience in litigation relating to ports. Luiz Eduardo Lessa Silva and Rodrigo Ponce Bueno are key partners.

Mundie e Advogados specialises in energy and telecoms sector disputes, recently representing several power generation clients in litigation. Carlos Forbes, Cristiano Carlos Kozan and Marco Vanin Gasparetti are the three partners in the team.

Nogueira, Elias, Laskowski & Matias Advogados represented real estate firm Cyrela in a dispute with a former joint venture partner concerning responsibility for debts. Rubens Carmo Elias Filho and Carla Maluf Elias are recommended.

The ‘proactive, responsible and technically excellent’ team at Rolim, Viotti & Leite Campos Advogados represented Grupo Gerdau in litigation to recover possession of real estate. Other clients include Claro, Kinross and Mercedes-Benz.

Ulhôa Canto, Rezende e Guerra Advogados has particular strength in tax, administrative and consumer protection cases. Marcelo Beltrão da Fonseca represented Eletropaulo in litigation aiming to suspend an administrative order by electricity regulator ANEEL to recalculate past tariffs.

Warde Advogados handles commercial contract disputes, and recently represented Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional in several litigation cases and administrative proceedings. Walfrido Jorge Warde Júnior is ‘an excellent negotiator’.