Lefosse Advogados > Sao Paulo, Brazil > Firm Profile

Lefosse Advogados > The Legal 500 Rankings

Brazil > Banking and finance

Commended by clients for its 'in-depth knowledge of the regulations affecting financial institutions in Brazil and globally', the banking and finance practice at Lefosse Advogados is singled out for its transactional capabilities. The firm is home to highly experienced partners well-versed in debt capital markets, securitisations, and various forms of financing deals such as structured, asset, and project finance. Cross-border financings and restructurings also feature on the team's impressive workload, which is further populated by regulatory mandates involving the payments and fintech sectors. The firm’s roster of partners includes Roberto Zarour, who specialises in structured finance, Kenneth Ferreira, a key contact to note for regulatory issues, Ricardo Prado, who focuses on financial and capital markets transactions, and Renata Cardoso, who alongside senior associate Fabio Perez, is praised for her ‘quick deliveries and extreme technical quality of work‘. Miriam Signor is proficient in project finance.

Brazil > Capital markets Tier 1

Considered a ‘national benchmark in capital markets’, Lefosse Advogados offers a ‘great' regulatory and transactional services. Led by managing partner Rodrigo Junqueira, the practice excels in equity capital markets, acting for a wide range of issuers and underwriters in both domestic and cross-border initial and secondary offerings. The team is also noted for its strong capabilities in debt issuances, where it advises banks and issuers. Key corporate partners, including Carlos Mello, provide crucial support to the team. Ricardo Prado, Roberto Zarour, who focuses on capital markets transactions, debt restructurings and structured finance, and senior associate Lucas Padilha are among the lawyers noted for their ‘organised and proactive manner’ and for ‘always bringing innovative ideas to better serve the client’. Other noteworthy individuals include Jana Araujo, who has led on some of the largest equity public offerings in Brazil, Felipe Gibson, Bruno Massis (a key contact for issuers, underwriters, investors, creditors and debtors), and senior associate Mariana Pollini, who handles both DCM and ECM work, including public offerings and private placement of securities.

Tax > Tax advisory Tier 1

Lefosse Advogados has a market-leading team that applies its ‘technical and practical knowledge’ to solving ‘complex tax issues’. The firm’s strong transactional, projects and capital markets practices ensure a regular flow of high-end non-contentious strategic advice in direct and indirect tax matters for domestic and international companies. Clients from an array of sectors, including healthcare, energy, infrastructure, technology and agribusiness, also benefit from a highly experienced litigation team which leads on cases at the local, state and federal levels. Gustavo Lian Haddad excels in tax litigation, while Ricardo Bolan and Gustavo Paes enjoy strong reputations for advisory matters. The ‘objective, accessible, and technical’ Ana Carolina Utimati is a strong performer in administrative and judicial tax litigation, and Vinicius Jucá, who joined from TozziniFreire Advogados in May 2022, is praised for his ‘attention and prompt response to litigation demands’. Clients also single out the ‘helpful and attentive’ partner João Paulo Muntada Cavinatto, who focuses on indirect tax issues.

Tax > Tax litigation Tier 1

Brazil > Wealth and succession planning Tier 1

Highlighted for its 'exceptional technical quality and client focus', full-service law firm Lefosse Advogados‘ wealth planning team collaborates with leading international firms to assist clients in a wide range of cross-border matters, including expatriate wealth management. Frequently retained by ultra-high-net-worth individuals and family-controlled companies, the group demonstrates particular strength in corporate law, succession planning and related tax matters. Andrea Caliento, who is singled out for her 'solid knowledge, organisation and client care skills', manages a broad practice, spanning family disputes, corporate governance, and succession and estate planning. She co-heads the group with tax and wealth planning expert Gustavo Lian Haddad, who is sought after to handle tax litigation cases on behalf of domestic and international clients. Senior associate Ricardo Santos provides key support in wealth planning mandates.

Brazil > Corporate and M&A: High-end Tier 2

Praised for its ‘great negotiation skills’, Lefosse Advogados fields a large team that is fully dedicated to corporate law and M&A transactions. The group works with a broad range of corporate clients on a wealth of headline-grabbing transactions, demonstrating particular strength in the education, technology and energy sectors. The firm – which has been experiencing considerable growth in both headcount and market share – is a prime destination for Brazilian and foreign companies, as well as private equity funds and venture capital players engaged in ‘critical transactions’, including cross-border deals. Luiz Octavio Lopes, whose ‘broad legal vision’ is highlighted by clients, has steered the team in an array of M&A transactions of national and international significance. Carlos Mello – one of ‘the best M&A legal advisors in the market’ – is often retained by large Brazilian conglomerates in relation to M&A deals and corporate restructuring matters. André Calumby is turned to by several public companies, private equity firms and venture capital funds seeking advice on the entire spectrum of corporate matters, such as M&A and joint ventures, while recently promoted partner Lígia Padovani is also recommended for corporate restructurings, strategic M&A and private equity investments.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity (and renewable energy)

Rated for the ‘high technical knowledge, creativity and availability‘ of its partners, Lefosse Advogados has an active presence in the electricity space, advising on corporate matters, business transactions, litigation and proceedings before ANEEL. In addition to its robust M&A credentials, the team also handles a steady flow of project structuring matters, with a proven track record in the distributed generation and self-production segments. Raphael Gomes, who is entirely devoted to mandates in the energy and infrastructure spaces, coordinates the practice, which also features Pedro Dante, a key contact for power regulatory issues and energy purchase agreements. Recently promoted partner Bruno Crispim, who has a relevant background at the Chamber of Commercialisation of Electric Energy (CCEE), handles a mix of litigation, M&A, project development and regulatory mandates, while senior associate Renato Edelstein is active in administrative proceedings, distributed generation projects and contractual issues.

Brazil > Life sciences Tier 2

With a strong focus on regulatory matters and proceedings before ANVISA, Lefosse Advogados fields a growing life sciences practice that combines the firm’s previous healthcare expertise with the knowledge of head Rubens Granja, a renowned figure in the market who joined from Kestener e Vieira Advogados at the end of 2021 to kick-start the industry-focused team. The firm assists clients in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, medical devices, goods, biodiversity, and cosmetics segments, which often seek advice on transactions, civil law, clinical trials and public procurement. Counsel Natássia Misae Ueno specialises in administrative and regulatory law, offering advice to clients on negotiations with the federal government and compulsory bidding processes. Also noted, senior associate Júlia de Castro Kesselring focuses on regulatory matters in this space.

Brazil > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

Lefosse Advogados has invested heavily in its restructuring and insolvency practice over the past year with several high-profile partner recruits. These included former Cescon Barrieu practice head Fábio Rosas and partner José Luis de Rosa, who are ‘both very experienced’ in acting for financial institutions, creditors, lenders, and investors in restructurings, judicial and extrajudicial reorganisations and distressed transactions. Bernardo Carneiro, who joined from Chamon Santana Sociedade de Advogados in late 2022, brings a wealth of experience in distressed M&A, DIP lending and credit recovery. They add to an already strong team with proficiency in both contentious and non-contentious matters, particularly for banking clients. Practice head Roberto Zarour possesses expertise in debt restructuring, capital markets and securitisation matters, while Raphael Nehin Corrêa is the name to note for restructuring and insolvency-related litigation.

Brazil > Competition and antitrust Tier 3

Bringing together expertise in compliance, white-collar crime and public law, Lefosse Advogados is well positioned to advise Brazilian and international companies in merger control and conduct cases. Co-head José Carlos Berardo handles contentious and non-contentious matters in this space, ranging from merger filings to cartel cases, leniency agreements and investigations concerning abuse of dominant positions, while fellow co-leader Juliana Daniel specialises in anti-competitive conduct investigations, with a special emphasis on cartels and collusive practices. Also noted, associate Marília Avila is experienced in cross-border mergers and in the structuring of compliance programmes, and Elen Lizas assists with the notification of national and cross-border transactions to the Brazilian Competition Authority. The group was strengthened by the arrival of renowned competition partners Paola Pugliese and Milena Mundim from Demarest Advogados in April 2023. Isabela Martins joined from Inglez, Werneck, Ramos, Cury e Françolin Advogados (IWRCF) in July 2022, while Paula Baqueiro and Diego Matos arrived from CADE in summer 2022.

Brazil > Compliance Tier 3

‘Specialised and business-orientated‘ Lefosse Advogados combines expertise in compliance, white-collar crime, competition and antitrust matters to provide a multi-faceted service to companies from a variety of industries. The firm’s compliance capabilities were bolstered by the arrival of renowned expert Adriana Dantas in August 2022, who joined from her own boutique firm; internal investigations, crisis management and the design, implementation, and monitoring of compliance programmes are among her key legal specialisms. The practice was further strengthened by the addition of Marcelo Ribeiro from the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office in 2023, ‘who is also extremely qualified and active in the market‘. The recent expansion of the compliance department has allowed for an increased intake of matters, such as independent monitorships, representations before the World Bank sanctioning system, and administrative sanctioning procedures before the CGU. Drawing on the firm’s strong profile in the M&A market, the group is also a well-regarded choice for integrity due diligences in the context of corporate transactions. This is a key area of focus for senior associate Astrid Lima Rocha. Another key partner in the team is Juliana Daniel, who advises on internal investigations and the structuring of corporate ethics programmes.

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Arbitration Tier 3

Led by ‘world-class attorney‘ Pedro Maciel, Lefosse Advogados fields a strong arbitration team with experience in domestic and international proceedings, including under the ICC and CAM-CCBC rules. Its varied client portfolio spans Brazilian and foreign companies operating in a wide array of industries, covering construction, energy, retail, technology and infrastructure. The team is especially well placed to advise on corporate and post-M&A arbitrations, but also handles arbitral proceedings concerning commercial contracts, concession agreements and construction projects. Diogo Ciuffo Carneiro, who attracts regular instructions from clients from the logistics, energy and construction sectors, has a wealth of experience in domestic and international arbitration. Recently promoted partner Bernardo Pires excels in M&A disputes. Julio Neves, who acts in both litigation and arbitration, joined from TozziniFreire Advogados in March 2022. Márcio Opromolla is no longer at the firm.

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Litigation Tier 3

Market-leading corporates turn to the dispute resolution team at Lefosse Advogados for its capabilities in big-ticket litigation, encompassing both domestic and cross-border matters. The group is particularly noted for its ‘extensive expertise‘ in corporate, commercial and contractual disputes, and is also well positioned to advise on major class actions and administrative proceedings. Pedro Maciel is a seasoned litigator, and is routinely instructed by clients from the banking, construction, energy and TMT sectors. Raphael Nehin Corrêa handles a mix of commercial, corporate, civil and financial disputes, and is singled out for his track record in judicial restructurings. The highly recommended Diogo Ciuffo Carneiro has the ‘ability to propose innovative solutions‘ in the context of regulatory and business-critical disputes. Key players from the paper and pulp, energy, construction and retail spaces seek Julio Neves‘ assistance in investment and public law-related cases; Neves joined from TozziniFreire Advogados in March 2022. Other core team members include Bernardo Pires, who was welcomed to the partnership in April 2022, and Deborah Nery. Pedro Salarini left the firm in December 2023.

Brazil > Projects and infrastructure Tier 3

The projects team at Lefosse Advogados was recently boosted by the addition of the highly regarded Miriam Signor from Stocche Forbes Advogados, who brings more than two decades of experience in the structuring, financing and implementation of large-scale projects in highly regulated sectors. Rated for its ‘deep knowledge of precedents‘ and attention to client needs, the team has a well-established presence in the energy, telecoms and transport segments, and is adept at assisting sponsors, developers, construction companies and suppliers in all stages of a project. M&A, privatisations and public bids also feature in the firm’s diverse portfolio. Pedro Dante, who specialises in the power sector; Eduardo Carvalhaes, a key contact for administrative proceedings; and Felipe Boechem, who excels in project development and M&A in the oil and gas space, are other key practitioners. Senior associate Mariana David works in cross-border financing and construction matters, while Pedro Pio Borges often acts for publicly-held companies, investment funds and financiers in project finance and M&A deals.

Brazil > Public law Tier 3

The ‘excellent’ public law team at Lefosse Advogados offers domestic and international clients legal support in concessions, PPPs, administrative contracts and public tenders. The group has been particularly busy handling privatisations in key industries, most notably oil and gas, logistics and sanitation. Leading the practice is Eduardo Carvalhaes, who is highly experienced in regulated markets and often handles PPPs, concessions and bids. Senior associates Beatriz Ghosn and Karen Coutinho are noted for their expertise in competitive biddings and administrative proceedings. The team was recently strengthened by the addition of senior associate Mariana Antunes, who joined from Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper in May 2022, and is knowledgeable of the infrastructure, sanitation and logistics sectors.

Brazil > Real estate Tier 3

Lefosse Advogados has a specialised real estate team that assists major corporates, investment funds and banks with ‘great competence’. Clients instruct the team on deals involving a range of asset classes, including commercial, residential, industrial, energy and agribusiness properties. Practice head Andrea Caliento is an ‘excellent lawyer’ who has over two decades’ experience in transactions involving direct and indirect rural and urban property acquisitions. She receives key support from a strong team of associates: Henrique Miguel and Mariana Rodrigues, who handle a variety of real estate transactional matters, and Beatriz Martins, who focuses on the development and implementation of real estate projects.

Brazil > TMT: Cybersecurity and data privacy Tier 3

Noted for its ability to work ‘with clients across borders and languages‘, Lefosse Advogados fields a data protection team which is adept at handling data breaches, information security incident responses and day-to-day compliance matters. The team is called upon by clients operating in a variety of economic sectors, namely agribusiness, technology, tourism and e-commerce, in relation to the implementation of new digital business models and in the negotiation of technology contracts. Paulo Lilla, ‘a standout member of the data privacy practice‘, brings together expertise in internet, technology, privacy and data protection. These are all core areas of focus for senior associate Carla Segala.

Brazil > TMT: Telecoms Tier 3

Submarine cables, optical fibres and telecoms tower-related matters are notable areas of expertise for Lefosse Advogados' telecoms team. Praised for its 'technical and market knowledge', the group handles a host of regulatory, commercial and transactional mandates for industry players, and is also skilled in complex litigation, spanning all sub-sectors, such as telephony, internet, satellite and supporting infrastructure. Department head Eduardo Carvalhaes is singled out for his 'excellent knowledge of the market'; he specialises in public procurement and administrative law matters in the telecoms, media and technology segments. Senior attorney Karen Coutinho - noted for her 'solid knowledge of the telecoms sector' - frequently advises on regulatory, contractual and transactional issues.

Energy and natural resources > Hydrocarbons Tier 4

‘Adept in the review of complex oil and gas contracts‘, Lefosse Advogados is present in the downstream, midstream and upstream segments, demonstrating particular strength in gas-to-power projects. The team handles a mix of regulatory, projects, contentious and transactional matters, but is best known for its deal-making and cross-border capabilities. Led by the highly regarded Felipe Boechem, the department has continued to expand its client roster, most notably in the fuels and biofuels production and distribution sectors. Key support is offered by senior associate André Lemos, who specialises in project development in the hydrocarbons space. The firm’s infrastructure and projects service offering was reinforced by the addition of Miriam Signor in April 2022, who joined from Stocche Forbes Advogados.

Brazil > Environment Tier 4

Lefosse Advogados fields a standalone practice focused on environmental law, which is equipped to handle contentious matters, transactional work and crisis management issues. Benefitting from a close relationship with the firm’s transactional practices, the group is skilled in assessing the environmental risks of M&A, capital markets, financing and real estate deals, and also assists companies in the implementation of their ESG initiatives. Guilherme Mota possesses ‘extensive experience in incidents with great environmental impact’, including dam failures and large fires. Senior associate Gabriela Mello offers support to clients from the infrastructure, mining, energy, real estate, forestry and industrial sectors.

Brazil > Labour and employment Tier 4

Praised for its 'technically prepared and very responsive team', Lefosse Advogados attracts instructions from domestic and international companies seeking assistance in strategic labour law matters, including claims brought by C-level executives and union negotiations. Besides individual and collective claims, the team's broad service offering also covers employment contracts, incentive plans and benefits issues. Practice head Aloizio Lima is skilled in administrative and judicial proceedings. Counsel Paulo Antonio Peressin stands out for his experience in alternative dispute resolution methods.

Brazil > White-collar crime and investigations Tier 4

Lefosse Advogados fields a specialised compliance, investigations and white-collar crime practice, launched in 2019, with ‘extensive experience in complex cases‘ and investigations concerning allegations of fraud, money laundering, tax evasion and environmental crime. The group demonstrates particularly strong capabilities in preventive matters and crisis management, and also excels in the negotiation of plea bargain agreements with the Brazilian authorities. Following her tenure on the Petrobras Integrity Board Committee, the ‘exceptional‘ Adriana Dantas, who has a wealth of experience in compliance and internal investigations, joined in August 2022 with a group of associates, as a result of the incorporation of her former firm Adriana Dantas Advogados. The team was further strengthened by the addition of corporate criminal law expert Marcelo Ribeiro in January 2023, who was previously at the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office; he is skilled in multi-jurisdictional investigations and proceedings related to corruption, money laundering, economic and tax crime. Juliana Daniel is especially active in government enforcement actions and internal investigations. Associates Astrid Lima Rocha and Marina Nicolosi are other names to note for compliance and white-collar crime mandates.

Brazil > Insurance