Abe Advogados > Sao Paulo, Brazil > Firm Profile

Abe Advogados
AVENIDA BRIGADEIRO FARIA LIMA 1663
SAO PAULO
Brazil

Brazil > Corporate and M&A: Mid-market Tier 2

Abe Advogados fields a ‘diverse, multidisciplinary team‘ which is a key port of call for clients across the technology, financial services, retail, agribusiness, education and energy sectors. Middle-market domestic and cross-border M&A are a mainstay for the practice, which stands out for its ability to advise international players, including Japanese clients, on the establishing and winding up of local operations. Commended for its ‘high technical quality‘, the department is jointly led by the ‘sharpMarcos Seiiti Abe, who is particularly experienced in M&A involving distressed assets, and Fernando Zanotti Schneider, a key adviser on corporate transactions, joint ventures and foreign investment. William Joji Nakasone, who was promoted to partner in December 2022, brings together experience in M&A, restructurings and corporate governance.

Practice head(s):

Marcos Seiiti Abe; Fernando Zanotti Schneider

Testimonials

‘Abe is a top firm that delivers high-end services to clients. They are always very assertive in terms of providing exactly what the clients need, while being very cost-efficient. This is especially relevant for international clients setting up shop in a difficult market like Brazil.’

‘Marcos Abe is a very sharp lawyer and extremely client-oriented. He rapidly understands the clients’ needs.’

‘Abe’s M&A and Corporate team is creative, innovative, available, flexible and caring. Partner Fernando Zanotti is especially creative, has a broad vision and brings interesting solutions to the cases presented.’

‘Team with good insights and experience. Fast, accurate and objective in the answers.’

‘Marco Seiiti Abe: bold and with great experience. Always available.’

‘It is excellent to work with Abe Advogados; they have a diverse, multidisciplinary team, with high technical quality and an excellent cost-benefit ratio. All deliveries were made on time, meeting the client’s needs – especially considering the client’s urgency factor, which demonstrates the firm’s commitment and partnership.’

‘Partners Fernando Zanotti Schneider and William Joji Nakasone deserve special mention, both for their technical competence and for their professional excellence with regard to client relations, agility, and other relationship factors.’

‘Fluency in the Japanese language and knowledge of Japanese law.’

Key clients

Marubeni Corporation (Pequi Alegre Participações EIRELI)

Marubeni Corporation (Adubos Real)

Agrícola Famosa

Instituto Interelos

Cajueiro Indústria e Comércio de Alimentos

ABCASA

Yachyo Brazil

Atonit

Pravaler

Work highlights

  • Advising Adubos Real on the acquisition of a 100% percent stake of Lemefertil Produtos Agrícola.
  • Advising Atonit on the negotiation with Salesforce (ExactTarget), an American cloud-based software company, for the acquisition of all shares.
  • Ongoing advice to Agrícola Famosa related to the initial acquisition of 39% stake in Agrícola Famosa, by Citri&Co, with the financial backing of Miura Private Equity.

Brazil > Wealth and succession planning Tier 3

With a multidisciplinary team of tax, family, real estate and corporate specialists, Abe Advogados assists high-net-worth individuals and families with wealth and succession planning projects. Showcasing extensive experience in cross-border matters, the team excels in complex offshore structures and asset reorganisations. Focused on corporate and tax-related matters, wealth planning and succession specialist Gabriela Gomes de Andrade heads up the group. She works alongside Rogério Fedele, who is sought after for his expertise in domestic and cross-border tax planning.

Practice head(s):

Gabriela Gomes de Andrade

Brazil > Labour and employment Tier 5

The ‘available, competent, and focused' labour practice at Abe Advogados is adept at handling administrative and judicial proceedings before the Labour Prosecutor's Office, including civil class actions, on behalf of clients from the logistics, financial services, IT and education sectors, to name a few. Practice head Fernanda Garcez Lopes Cunha, who is widely recommended by clients, is active in investigations, litigation and preventive matters. Senior associate Priscila Soeiro Moreira is noted for her experience in lawsuits filed by unions and consultancy work, including due diligence on M&A transactions.

Practice head(s):

Fernanda Garcez Lopes Cunha

Testimonials

‘The labour team is great, available, competent, and focused on the client. Partner Fernanda and lawyer Priscila are the highlight of the area.’

‘Fernanda Garcez Lopes Cunha stands out for her availability, knowledge, and client focus, and Priscila Soeiro Moreira is proactive.’

‘The service provided has been very satisfactory. Fernanda Garcez Lopes Cunha and Priscila Soares Moreira are very attentive and always ready to answer any questions and suggest alternatives to help with the process.’

‘Abe Advogados has expertise in labour matters, prompt service, fair prices, in addition to the friendliness and empathy of its partners and associates.’

‘Fernanda Garcez handles our labour matters with mastery, speed and simplicity. She is an incredible professional who I am always happy to recommend.’

‘Attention, agility and quality of advice.’

‘The firm is always “tuned in” to the market, guiding us in the best possible way and according to our needs and objectives. The team is responsive to our questions and is always available.’

‘Partner Fernanda Garcez is always very attentive and responsive to our questions.’

Key clients

Marisa Lojas

Ceva Logistics

Pepperl + Fuchs

International School Serviços de Ensino, Treinamento e Editoração, Franqueadora

I2 – Instituto em Tecnologia e Pesquisa Aplicada

Galápagos Capital e Investimentos em Participações

Omegha Clínica Médica

XCL – Consultoria em Tecnologia da Informação

Vetor Editora

Fast One Sistemas Tecnológicos Eireli

Work highlights

  • Advised Instituto em Tecnologia e Pesquisa Aplicada on  a labour claim regarding the death of an employee.
  • Advising Marisa Lojas on lawsuits related to claims of an economic group.
  • Advising SMC Pneumaticos do Brasil on a matter related to alleged discriminatory dismissal.

Tax > Tax advisory Tier 5

Abe Advogados is an ‘excellent firm’ with a ‘highly qualified, updated and competent’ team of tax lawyers. Equally strong in contentious and non-contentious matters, the practice acts for a broad base of domestic and international clients. Gustavo Barroso Taparelli provides ‘deep technical and business knowledge’ in the context of complex judicial and administrative tax claims. Clients also highlight recently promoted partner Maira Cristina Santos Madeira for her ‘excellent technique‘ and ‘high quality work’. Focused on corporate tax, tax planning and structuring, Juliana Cardoso leads the well-regarded consultancy side of the practice.

Practice head(s):

Gustavo Taparelli; Maira Cristina Santos Madeira; Juliana Cardoso

Testimonials

‘The technical quality, agility in the return and organisation skills differentiate this firm.’

‘Maira Cristina Santos Madeira – helpful, creative and always gets the point across quickly and clearly.’

‘I highlight the high quality of the services provided and understanding of the client’s business and  market. The strategic vision is always focused on the best solution for the client.’

‘Gustavo Taparelli is a lawyer with deep technical and business knowledge, always available to support our company. In addition, he is a professional who is extremely trusted by both this legal manager and our board of directors for his ethical, professional attitude and partnership over the years.’

‘Maira Cristina Santos Madeira has excellent technique, performs high quality work, has a strategic vision, communicates clearly, objectively and quickly.’

‘Excellent firm that is highly qualified, updated and competent.’

Key clients

Sony Brasil

Metalúrgica Schioppa

Ihara Indústrias Químicas

Companhia Brasileira de Tecnologia para E-Commerce (VTEX)

Delta Tanques Armazéns Gerais (Delta Group)

Penske Logistics do Brasil

Agrícola Famosa

Pravaler

Amcel – Amapá Florestal e Celulose

Dow Brasil Indústria e Comércio de Produtos Químicos Ltda. and Dow Brasil Sudeste Industrial  (Dow Group)

Work highlights

  • Advising Sony Brasil on a tax analysis of the storage of its products.
  • Advising Amcel – Amapá Florestal e Celulose on a tax assessment related to fines concerning a special export regime.
  • Representing Metalúrgica Schioppa in a lawsuit to annul a charge by the State of São Paulo linked to its purchase of goods.

Abe Advogados offers comprehensive and high-quality service across the primary areas of law. The firm strives to accompany clients throughout their business cycles and believes that proximity and partnership with clients help the delivery of tailor-made, innovative and tangible solutions.

The firm has a robust and complete structure to offer excellent technical legal services in a simple and speedy fashion so that clients can face the ever-changing business environment stemming from recent technologies and market dynamics.

The firm offers legal services to both companies and individuals on corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, tax and labour law, strategic civil litigation, arbitration, real estate, and contracts. The offering also caters to the needs of individuals with regard to tax planning matters, succession planning, wealth planning, including mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance for family business groups and entrepreneurs from innovation companies.

In sync with the needs of each client, the firm acts with technical excellence and impeccable ethical values to provide a seamless approach to meeting clients’ needs and expectations.

With a multidisciplinary approach and business acumen, we are prepared to manage the most complex legal issues with diligence and represent a wide range of clients from various sectors.

We are headquartered in the city of São Paulo and work in cooperation with a network of firms throughout the country and abroad.

Areas of practice
M&A/corporate:
The practice is engaged in complex domestic and cross-border transactions. We have extensive experience in corporate law and M&A transactions advising national and foreign companies, their partners or shareholders throughout the stages of the transactions, including post-closing in Brazil and abroad.

We combine legal experience with business acumen and focus on mergers and acquisitions and restructuring plans. As we evaluate agreements in every detail, we conduct risk analysis that extends far beyond contractual transaction issues.

Our team also advises on private equity and venture capital projects. The projects are structured in the most efficient formats using appropriate solutions to suit specific business needs.

Our firm advises on the purchase and sale of companies, and on the opening and closing stages preparing all necessary corporate documents. We also help our clients out with their everyday legal needs, preparation of minutes of meetings, shareholders’ agreements, and joint venture contracts.

Tax: Our tax team has in-depth knowledge of the complex Brazilian tax legislation and is fully prepared to advise clients on the mishmash of tax issues affecting business transactions. Acting in tax litigation and advisory matters, the team focuses on designing the best strategy to achieve the most significant results for clients.

The practice has a strong tax litigation team working on clients’ tax assessments and other matters related to liabilities and tax recovery. The firm is also seen as a trusted advisor guiding clients towards the most efficient tax performance in civil and commercial sales agreements, loans, and leasing transactions.

Our team has the required technical knowledge to act in sophisticated lawsuits and advise on transactional deals in partnership with our corporate and regulatory specialists when tax issues may represent a dealbreaker.

Strategic civil litigation and arbitration: We have built a successful track record in strategic litigation and arbitration matters, representing clients in several types of disputes before administrative bodies and courts. Working closely with clients, we understand their business and anticipate specific issues that may interfere in the unfolding of any dispute.

The practice specializes in issues related to commercial and civil law, such as business disputes, civil and administrative liability in general, including those arising from anti-corruption laws.

The firm advises investors and creditors on all matters related to companies in financial difficulties, in and out-of-court recovery, bankruptcy proceedings and debt restructuring.

Contracts: We offer our clients a multidisciplinary team with the necessary experience in the elaboration, negotiation and revision of the most diverse types of contracts.

We are specialized in the preparation and negotiation of contracts including the digital, e-commerce and intellectual property agreements and have the necessary expertise to bring safety and efficiency to the preparation of international contracts.

The firm assists clients with the preparation and analysis of B2B and B2C agreements; banking and supply agreements for products and services, with or without collaterals; acknowledgement of debt; distribution and commercial representation.

Real estate: We advise our clients on real estate developments, structuring, negotiations and operations, including property registration and leasing that involve collateral issues, personal and fiduciary guarantees. We work to ensure proper management and effectiveness of operations to prevent litigation.

We also advise on various issues related to land subdivision and structuring of built-to-suit real estate operations.

Labour: Our labour practice is best known for conducting strategic labour cases, providing technical advice, legal opinions and reports. The area is also recognized for acting in public civil actions, collective actions, and labour actions brought by senior executives.

We provide extensive legal advice on matters related to labour judicial and administrative litigation, helping clients in different types of disputes and litigation throughout the country.

The firm is strongly involved in the conduct of administrative actions pending with the Labour Prosecution Office, in defence of the clients’ interests in notifications of infringement still pending with the Ministry of Labour.

The team is strongly engaged in giving lectures and training to keep clients well informed and prepared to comply with the new labour legislation.

Wealth planning and related litigation: The wealth planning practice advises the segment consisting of entrepreneurs, family businesses and groups of partners and senior executives.

We offer legal services covering tax planning, wealth and succession planning for individuals. The practice is oftentimes engaged in cross borders matters including tax planning prior to immigration.

We also provide litigation legal services in connection with related matters, such as disputes between heirs and partners and divorce, as well as individual tax lawsuits.

We have a team made up of professionals with a diversity of legal specialities such as corporate law, contracts, civil law focusing on family and succession, tax and economic criminal law. Our cross-disciplinary practice advises clients on overly sensitive matters involving the perpetuity of their family wealth and businesses. The team works in collaboration to deliver a unique and comprehensive solution to each client.

Venture capital: The venture capital department is active in all series of investment rounds, including cross-border ones and venture debt.  Our team navigate throughout the VC ecosystem, clearly understanding the needs and particularity of each player. Our tailor-made approach allows us to provide full and value-adding legal services to VC funds, CVCs and other investors, whether as lead or follower investors, as well as to startups in investment rounds or in the legal preparation phase for future rounds.

Mixing an agile, creative and experienced venture capital team with high qualified professionals in all fields of Law relevant to the projects, our firm can provide full legal due diligences on target companies, conduct complex corporate restructurings, tax planning and other important legal steps necessary to the rounds.

Our team members are active in initiatives aimed at developing the VC ecosystem, keeping updated of the market trends and best practices. We are members of the Brazilian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (ABVCAP), with representatives in the Regulation, Venture Capital and Corporate Venture Capital committees. Furthermore, our firm is an official partner of the “Scale-up in Brazil”, a program launched by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex Brasil) to select and accelerate foreign startups to initiate or expand their business in Brazil.

Japan desk: The Japanese community in Brazil is one of the largest in the world and Japan has invested in a number of different business segments in this country. This is a promising scenario, in which we can offer high quality technical services, literally speaking the same language as our clients. The creation of our Japan desk became a natural extension of the personalized services we offer to Japanese companies doing business in Brazil and Brazilian companies doing business in Japan.

The desk assists clients to overcome increasingly complex issues regarding Brazilian laws, regulations and customs in corporate, civil, labour and other fields of law.

Social responsibility
Abe Advogados firmly believes in extending access to the judiciary system and adequate methods of dispute resolution, either directly or indirectly, to create opportunities for people in situations of vulnerability. We undertake social actions, and we encourage our staff to get involved in different social projects.

Department Name Email Telephone
M&A/Corporate and Contracts Marcos Seiiti Abe marcos.abe@abeadvogados.com.br +55 11 3512-1303
Strategic Civil Litigation and Arbitration, Real Estate and Contracts Ricardo Pinto da Rocha Neto ricardo.rocha@abeadvogados.com.br +55 11 3512-1303
Tax Gustavo Barroso Taparelli gustavo.taparelli@abeadvogados.com.br +55 11 3512-1315
Strategic Civil Litigation and Arbitration and Real Estate Rafael Macedo Pezeta rafael.pezeta@abeadvogados.com.br +55 11 3512-1376
Labor Fernanda Garcez Lopes Cunha fernanda.garcez@abeadvogados.com.br +55 11 3512-1310
M&A/Corporate and Contracts Fernando Zanotti Schneider fernando.zanotti@abeadvogados.com.br +55 11 3512-1303
Tax Maira Cristina Santos Madeira maira.madeira@abeadvogados.com.br +55 11 3512-1353
Venture Capital William Joji Nakasone william.nakasone@abeadvogados.com.br +55 11 3512-1331
Partners : 8
Lawyers : 35
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