BMA Advogados > RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil > Firm Profile

BMA Advogados > The Legal 500 Rankings

Brazil > Capital markets Tier 1

The ‘strong’ team at BMA Advogados is ‘very experienced in capital markets matters’, attracting high-profile instructions from a variety of domestic and international clients, including publicly traded companies and investment banks. The practice’s ‘extensive knowledge in the area and a varied list of transactions’, including all forms of debt and equity listings, as well as regulatory matters, facilitates ‘quality, fast and effective advice’. The ‘highly experienced and knowledgeable‘ practice head Camila Goldberg brings together expertise in public and private offerings, and structured finance. Felipe Prado is often retained by financial institutions, public companies, private equity funds and portfolio managers in equity and debt transactions. Other key partners include Conrado de Castro Stievani, who has 'extensive national and international experience' of acting for issuers, underwriters and placement agents in capital markets deals, and the 'very attentive' Jane Goldman Nusbaum, who stands out for her strong track record in investment funds' offerings and real estate-related capital markets transactions. Luis Eduardo Al-Contar, who joined from Mattos Filho in June 2021 and was recently promoted to senior associate, is another name to note for equity offerings and regulatory issues. Júlia Rodrigues is no longer at the firm.

Brazil > Competition and antitrust Tier 1

Well regarded for its breadth of expertise in competition and antitrust, BMA Advogados is skilled in domestic and cross-border mergers, cartels and unilateral conducts investigations. Although the ‘business-oriented‘ team benefits from its close collaboration with the firm’s corporate and M&A practice, it is able to generate an impressive stream of standalone work, from merger control to behavioural mandates, including abuse of dominance cases, leniency applications and compliance. Practice head Barbara Rosenberg is a seasoned competition lawyer with a long track record in precedent-setting cases in Brazil; she is also regularly retained by companies in the approval of mergers and acquisitions by CADE and in investigations into anti-competitive conduct. These are also key areas of activity for José Inacio Ferraz De Almeida Prado Filho, while Marcos Antonio Exposto often acts in merger review proceedings before CADE for both domestic and cross-border deals. Camilla Paoletti is a name to note for clients from the life sciences, chemicals and consumer goods sectors. Merger notifications, administrative proceedings involving investigations into cartels and competition compliance programmes are among Luiz Antonio Galvão and Maria Amaral de Almeida Sampaio's legal specialisms. Associate Lea Jenner de Faria has notable strength in merger control filings.

Brazil > Corporate and M&A: High-end Tier 1

‘Formed by highly qualified and experienced professionals’, the corporate and M&A team at BMA Advogados attracts instructions from several private and public companies in relation to their largest and most critical domestic and cross-border transactions. Showcasing strong capabilities across the entire spectrum of corporate and transactional matters, the team is engaged by clients operating in an array of industries – including energy, telecoms, oil and gas, retail, agribusiness and mining – with regards to complex M&A deals, corporate restructuring, private equity investments and governance issues. The group, which often collaborates with the litigation practice, is also well versed in corporate and shareholder disputes. Luís Loria Flaks, in Rio de Janeiro, has a wealth of experience in reorganisations, joint ventures and cross-border M&A, while São Paulo-based Roberto Dias Carneiro is a key contact for financial services, construction, energy and agribusiness clients; the pair jointly oversee the department. In the São Paulo office, founding partner Paulo Cezar Aragão has a strong track record in corporate transactions involving Latin American jurisdictions; Monique Mavignier is active in private and public M&A on behalf of sellers and buyers; Ana Paula Reis stands out for her regulatory expertise; and Pedro Henrique Serqueira advises on divestments, joint ventures and commercial agreements. Amir Bocayuva Cunha - who is routinely retained by entrepreneurs, private equity funds and public companies - works out of the Rio de Janeiro office, where he is flanked by senior associates Thiago Pinho and Karina Lerner; both are additional names to note for corporate and M&A matters.

Tax > Customs Tier 1

Brazil > Banking and finance Tier 2

Praised for its ‘above average ability to understand financing transactions‘, BMA Advogados is regularly sought out by major corporate borrowers in complex and high-value deals. The firm’s capabilities encompass a broad range of work, including cross-border restructurings, debtor-in-possession financings, asset-backed securitisations, acquisition financings, and project finance mandates. The practice is led by the versatile and ‘commercially pragmatic‘ Camila Goldberg, who brings extensive experience in structured finance and capital markets matters. Rafael D’Avila Dutra is a recognised expert in project finance, while Anna Carolina Malta regularly represents investment funds and fund managers, and Felipe Prado focuses on payment institutions regulations. With solid credentials in structured finance involving investment funds and securitisation, Jane Goldman is praised for her ‘knowledge of the capital markets and ability to lead on matters’.

City focus - Brasilia > Litigation Tier 2

BMA Advogados‘s Brasília office excels in appellate and judicial review work before the superior courts. Its varied caseload also features antitrust proceedings before the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), administrative improbity matters before the Comptroller General (CGU), and claims against regulatory agencies. The team is led by André Macedo de Oliveira, 'an exceptional lawyer' who is widely recognised for his extensive experience before government agencies and the superior courts. Associates Giovani Menicucci, whose expertise lies in administrative proceedings and judicial challenges involving antitrust law and administrative misconduct, and Sarah Roriz de Freitas, who focuses on litigation before the higher courts, provide key support.

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Arbitration Tier 2

At BMA Advogados, the ‘proactive and accessible‘ dispute resolution practice boasts strong credentials in domestic and international arbitration, and is particularly rated for its experience in high-stakes corporate, commercial and investment-related disputes. A popular choice for companies from the construction, energy and real estate sectors, the team is also well positioned to act for banks and investment funds. André Abbud is a key figure in São Paulo for complex arbitration matters, including those arising from corporate, capital markets, infrastructure and contractual disputes. He jointly leads the team with Pedro De Oliveira Costa in Rio de Janeiro, who handles both arbitral and court proceedings. Luiz Fernando Fraga, a seasoned dispute resolution practitioner with a strong track record in domestic and cross-border arbitration; Mario Gelli; the ‘diligent‘ Rafael da Rocha Castilho; and associate Matheus Rodrigues Barcelos are other names to note in Rio. Gustavo Santos Kulesza, who is based in São Paulo, focuses on post-M&A, contractual and infrastructure arbitration. In the same office, senior lawyer Milena Cecília dos Santos Arbízu and Thais Vieira de Souza Pereira are active in commercial and contractual disputes.

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Litigation Tier 2

Rated for its experience in complex corporate disputes, BMA Advogados‘s dispute resolution group is a go-to choice for blue-chip companies operating in a variety of industries, including retail, engineering, energy, tech, banking and real estate. Combining experience in civil, commercial and administrative disputes, the practice is able to ‘delve into the issues related to the lawsuits in a multidisciplinary manner‘ thanks to the firm’s full-service offering. In São Paulo, Felipe Evaristo dos Santos Galea is counsel of choice for several investment funds and multinationals from the worlds of entertainment, real estate and agribusiness, while André Abbud is regularly retained by financial, energy and insurance clients in relation to corporate, infrastructure and contractual disputes. Based in Rio de Janeiro, Pedro Costa – a ‘meticulous‘ and ‘competent‘ litigator – and Mario Gelli specialise in cases involving business law and succession issues; these are also core areas of activity for Iara Santos Conrado Costa Ferreira. The ‘very diligent‘ Rafael da Rocha Castilho is another key practitioner in civil and corporate litigation. Associate Matheus Rodrigues Barcelos offers key support in judicial proceedings involving construction and corporate law.

Brazil > Intellectual property Tier 2

Full-service firm BMA Advogados fields a strong IP practice with expertise in the cosmetics, luxury goods, entertainment and biotech industries. Singled out for its work on behalf of international household clients, the team is routinely engaged in strategic portfolio management, high-stakes transactions and litigation. Practice leader Antonella Carminatti specialises in transactional IP, licensing and litigation matters. Ana Cristina Müller, who has a strong reputation in the biotech sector, heads up the patent and design team, which brings together lawyers, engineers and scientists. The IP litigation group is overseen by Pedro Frankovsky Barroso, who is skilled in complex disputes involving patents, trade marks and copyright issues. Patent attorney Lilian Arcalji utilises her chemical engineering experience to advise clients on the planning and implementation of IP protection strategies, and Pedro Tavares is adept in contentious matters.

Brazil > Real estate Tier 2

BMA Advogados has a strong bench of partners and associates with good credentials across all areas of real estate. Operating from offices in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, the practice has established a good reputation in key asset classes, including shopping centres, industrial facilities, logistics, and office developments. Practitioners regularly handle complex real estate transactions and development projects that involve various aspects of corporate, M&A, tax, and capital markets law. Clients include major domestic and international developers, corporate leaseholders and investment funds. Cristiana Moreira, a key contact for major real estate developers in Brazil, predominantly advises on the structuring of development projects, transactions and construction contracts. Guilherme Zoghbi Ayala handles contractual and transactional matters in this space, while Gustavo Maia do Nascimento is the go-to lawyer for many domestic and international clients in sophisticated real estate deals, including financings, acquisitions of land and implementation of large-scale projects.

Brazil > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

BMA Advogados is recognised for its ‘great ability to think of creative and efficient solutions’ in the context of complex restructuring and insolvency proceedings. The firm remains active in debtor-led matters, though it also sees plenty of activity advising shareholders and creditors. A notable example on the shareholder side is representing BHP Billiton on the debt restructuring of Samarco Mineração, following the tragic rupturing of a dam in the city of Mariana in 2015. The multifaceted practice has good credentials across all work streams, including DIP financings, distressed M&A, and judicial and extra-judicial reorganisations. Practice head Sérgio Savi, a reference for distressed deals and reorganisation proceedings, is backed by a highly experienced team that includes Eduardo Guimarães Wanderley, who ‘combines legal knowledge with an excellent understanding of financial structures for solving insolvency cases’. Other names to note include Luciana Celidonio, who handles debt financings, distressed transactions and bankruptcy-related litigation, and senior lawyer Natalia Yazbek, a key contact for financial institutions, investors, bondholders, fiduciary agents, shareholders and companies in financial distress.

Tax > Tax advisory Tier 2

The ‘highly specialised’ team at BMA Advogados fields a selection of ‘extremely helpful and efficient lawyers’ who ‘provide personalised client service’. The standalone practice possesses a broad range of expertise in tax planning and litigation, handling judicial and administrative cases at every level. Lígia Regini da Silveira, a seasoned tax litigator, spearheads the practice. Another name to note for contentious matters, Maurício Faro draws on his previous experience as a judge at CARF to act for clients in complex administrative cases. The ‘committed and dedicated’ Hermano Notaroberto Barbosa has over two decades of experience in tax litigation before the judicial courts and administrative authorities, which is also a key area of expertise for Letícia Pelisson. José Otavio Faloppa, who focuses on non-contentious matters is also part of the core team. Matheus Bertholo Piconez is no longer at the firm.

Tax > Tax litigation Tier 2

Brazil > Wealth and succession planning Tier 2

At full-service law firm BMA Advogados, the private client team brings together experts from various disciplines, including tax, corporate, capital markets and litigation. The practice is noted for its broad offering, which spans cross-border tax residence matters, succession planning, offshore investments and complex M&A involving family-controlled companies. With more than 20 years of experience advising private banks, multi-family offices and high-net-worth individuals, tax and estate planning specialist Hermano Notaroberto Barbosa co-heads the tax department and is a member of the firm’s French desk. He shares the private client team’s leadership with experienced tax lawyer Débora Bacellar De Almeida, who is active in assisting wealthy families and individuals in cross-border matters, including asset reorganisations, probates and individual taxation. Another key name is Camila Chouzal, who has significant experience handling transactional work, including M&A and corporate reorganisations.

Brazil > Environment Tier 3

BMA Advogados is skilled at handling a broad range of environmental mandates, ranging from strategic lawsuits and complex regulatory matters to transactions with considerable environmental implications. The team, which is well versed in ESG compliance and climate change issues, often advises domestic and foreign clients on carbon market regulations and projects, water pollution, mining damages and related liabilities in Brazil. Rio de Janeiro-based Marcio Pereira balances a busy caseload featuring high-profile instructions from the fields of energy, oil and gas, infrastructure, mining, telecoms, forestry and agribusiness. Marina Maciel in São Paulo handles both non-contentious work and litigation, and has recently advised on licensing issues, M&A deals and administrative proceedings. Since publication, Beatriz Paulo De Frontin has left the firm, effective as of November 2023.

Brazil > Labour and employment Tier 3

BMA Advogados is well equipped to handle various contentions and non-contentious labour matters, ranging from employment contracts to collective bargaining agreements, class actions, and individual claims filed by senior executives. The group, which draws on the firm’s strong transactional capabilities, is also often called upon to advise on the employment aspects of large-scale corporate deals. Cibelle Linero acts for both domestic and international companies in litigation and consultancy matters. Senior associate Fernanda Rochael Nasciutti is also active in employment matters, including judicial and administrative proceedings, transactions, pension and social security matters. Since publication, Luiz Marcelo Figueiras de Góis has left the firm, effective as of July 2023.

Brazil > Public law Tier 3

Based in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, the public law group at BMA Advogados is noted for its expertise in regulated sectors. The team is well versed in licensing processes, public biddings, concessions and competitive contracting procedures. Public law litigation, including administrative proceedings, judicial reviews and government disputes, is also at the core of the practice. Well regarded for her experience in infrastructure projects in the sanitation, logistics and transport segments, Ana Cândida de Mello Carvalho leads on major concessions and bidding procedures. She jointly heads up the team with José Guilherme Berman, whose practice covers regulatory enforcement, compliance, investigations and litigation. Associate Mayna Dias Melo is often engaged in administrative law matters and concessions.

Brazil > TMT: Cybersecurity and data privacy Tier 3

The data privacy and cybersecurity practice at BMA Advogados is skilled in responding to adverse scenarios and managing security and cyberattack crises, including ransomware cases. In addition to its crisis management and litigation capabilities, the 'team of highly qualified professionals' is also regarded for its experience in data compliance projects and data transfers. 'Well-known for his knowledge of privacy', Felipe Palhares is the main reference in the team for domestic and international clients seeking advice on the processing of personal data, new product launches, interactions with regulators and data breaches. Bárbara de Oliveira Iszlaji and Fernanda Villela Viana are also active in the practice.

Brazil > Compliance Tier 4

BMA Advogados acts for clients from highly-regulated sectors, namely asset management firms, fintechs and healthcare companies, in a range of issues related to corporate governance and compliance. A key contact for financial institutions, investment funds and fund managers, Anna Carolina Malta Spilborghs has a wealth of experience in internal investigations concerning anti-corruption, internal fraud and harassment. She oversees the practice with André Macedo De Oliveira, who regularly represents clients before government agencies and the superior courts, and José Guilherme Berman, whose solid experience in public law make him a first-choice for administrative misconduct matters. Senior associate João Rodrigues da Costa Bonvicino is experienced in sensitive corporate investigations.

Brazil > Insurance Tier 4

BMA Advogados has a highly respected insurance team which regularly advises buyers and sellers on various high-profile transactions. Corporate acquisitions and restructurings within the insurance sector are core areas of strength for the group, which also provides support on regulatory and tax issues pertaining to the industry. Rio de Janeiro-based corporate partner Henrique Vargas Gama Beloch spearheads the team and offers substantial expertise in regulatory matters. Other lead contacts include tax partner Maurício Pereira Faro, and litigator Pedro Oliveira Da Costa. Senior associate Adriano Carneiro is also recommended on the corporate side.

Brazil > TMT: Media Tier 4