Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados > São Paulo, Brazil > Firm Profile

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados > The Legal 500 Rankings

Brazil > Banking and finance

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is noted for providing ‘excellent and high quality services’ to a wide range of clients, including major domestic and international banks, payment and financial institutions, fintech companies, and investment funds. The firm has developed an excellent reputation for high-value cross-border acquisition and project financings, and is well versed in sophisticated refinancings and structured products. Its fintech capabilities are also noteworthy; the group is seen with great regularity advising on strategic partnership agreements and product launches. Adriano Schnur leads the well-regarded team, which also includes Nei Schilling Zelmanovits, a veteran in transactional, regulatory and administrative matters involving the financial industry, and the recommended Eduardo Avila de Castro, who is deeply knowledgeable of banking and insurance regulations. Structured finance is a core area of activity for Rafael Carretero, while Bruno Racy primarily handles financings involving the infrastructure sector and regulated markets. Renato Gomes Ribeiro Maggio is also singled out for his combined ‘knowledge of credit/civil code and banking regulation’.

City focus - Brasilia > Litigation Tier 1

The Brasília-based dispute resolution team at Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is routinely sought out by private pension funds and companies from regulated industries, including oil and gas, financial services, healthcare, and telecoms. Particularly known for securing wins for industry associations before the superior courts, the team is well equipped to act in administrative and judicial proceedings of national relevance. Practice head Cristiane Romano has a reputable litigation practice focusing on high-profile disputes before the Supreme Federal Court (STF), the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) and the Administrative Court of Tax Appeals (CARF). João Vitor Luke Reis, a litigation and regulatory law expert, and Diana Piatti Lobo, an administrative and judicial tax dispute specialist, are other names to note in the capital. Associate Maia Alexia Martinovich is further recommended for civil procedural and tax litigation matters.

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

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is seen with great regularity advising an enviable roster of clients – including private and publicly held companies, financial institutions, investment firms, pension funds and governmental entities – on industry-defining transactions. Besides its proficiency in high-value M&A across an array of sectors (ranging from energy to education and telecoms), the practice also undertakes transactional work pertaining to joint ventures, asset divestments, privatisations and corporate finance. A strong performer on both buy and sell-side mandates, the firm is singled out for its geographical reach across Brazil and international capabilities, which ensure it is particularly well positioned to handle cross-border deals. Practice head Arthur Bardawil Penteado is the name to note for public M&A and high-value private equity investments. The latter is also a core area of focus for Mauro Cesar Leschziner, who is also engaged by clients from the worlds of agribusiness, healthcare, technology, education and consumer goods in relation to M&A, corporate and contractual matters. In addition to his strong M&A capabilities, Guilherme Bueno Malouf has a wealth of experience in the structuring of investment funds, while Elie Sherique (who is a member of the firm’s Latin American and Iberian desks), is proficient in domestic and cross-border business transactions. Other key individuals include Luciana Costa Engelberg, Diana Henne and Luiz Mascaro, all of whom advise on private and public M&A. Bringing together expertise in corporate governance, securities regulation and cross-border M&A, Adriana Pallis is also noted. At associate level, senior João Guilherme Soggio is especially active in the real estate, agribusiness, tech and financial sectors.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity (and renewable energy)

With strong credentials in administrative, corporate and commercial law, Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados‘ power group combines robust transactional capabilities with extensive experience in project implementation and litigation. Typical instructions see the team advising on energy auctions, commercial contracts, including engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) agreements, as well as financing and M&A deals in the traditional generation and renewable energy segments. The latter is a growing area of focus for the department, which is active in wind, solar and biomass, and has recently played a key role in the structuring and financing of self-production by equivalence projects with PPAs indexed to US dollars. Concessions, privatisations and project finance are all areas of expertise for Ana Karina Esteves de Souza, who jointly heads up the team with Laura Souza, who is knowledgeable of matters involving the generation, distribution, transmission and trading segments, and recently promoted partner Paulo Machado, who focuses on regulatory issues, project finance and development. Senior associate Heloisa Zerbinatti Sato specialises in administrative law in the electricity sector, which is also a core area of activity for Luisa Rodrigues, while Lair Loureiro is skilled in projects and M&A in this space.

Brazil > Labour and employment Tier 1

At Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados, the labour group is noted for its 'strategic business vision' and 'ability to understand sensitive issues and propose practical solutions’ in the context of contentious and non-contentious employment matters. Domestic and multinational companies from the worlds of retail, consumer goods, banking, life sciences, technology, energy, construction and education regularly seek assistance in crisis management, employment contracts, union negotiations and collective bargaining. On the litigation front, the team is active in administrative and judicial proceedings, including cases concerning modern slavery, health and safety in the workplace, and class actions. Caroline Marchi takes the lead on the structuring of defence strategies in lawsuits and trade union matters. Litigation involving senior executives and compensation structures is a key area of expertise for Andrea Giamondo Massei Rossi. Rodrigo Seizo Takano and Daniel Alves dos Santos are active in negotiations with labour unions and Brazilian authorities, while Daniel Dias is often engaged in contentious matters involving executives, expatriates and trade unions. Key names to note at the associate level include Murilo Caldeira Germiniani, who focuses on hiring and termination mandates, litigation specialists Claudio Pieroni and Luiz Antonio Franco, and Marcella Cruz, who stands out for her experience in internal investigations and compliance.

Brazil > Projects and infrastructure Tier 1

Bringing together ‘decades of experience‘ in project finance, corporate deals, administrative law and regulatory issues, Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is one of the first ports of call for the most ‘innovative and challenging‘ transactions and projects in the transport, sanitation, oil and gas, power and social infrastructure sectors. Led by the highly regarded José Virgilio Lopes Enei, the team ‘provides high-quality services‘ to a varied client roster of clients that recurrently seek advice on project finance and development, public-private partnerships (PPPs), M&A in regulated sectors and government concessions. Mauro Bardawil Penteado, who stands out for his strong transactional background, is often retained by financial institutions, private equity funds and companies in mandates involving concessions, privatisations and the structuring of PPPs. With extensive experience in the transport, mining and logistics segments, Adriano Schnur is a key contact for financing deals, while José Ribeiro do Prado Júnior is active in M&A involving regulated assets and industries, regulatory law and project finance. The ‘excellent‘ Alberto Faro showcases in-depth knowledge of construction and financing matters. The latter is also an area of expertise for Raphael Zono, who has advised on numerous debentures issuances, and Bruno Racy, a name to note for multilateral and export credit agencies, investment funds and borrowers.

Brazil > Public law Tier 1

Full-service law firm Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados has a premier public and administrative law practice, which is often retained to advise on some of the most significant infrastructure projects in the market. Particularly active in the transport, logistics, sanitation and energy segments, the group of ‘highly qualified professionals‘ handles major PPPs, concession agreements, bidding processes and privatisations. On the contentious front, the team demonstrates notable strength in administrative proceedings, the negotiation of leniency programmes, and high-profile litigation before constitutional courts. A strong performer in project finance, M&A and concessions in regulated sectors, José Virgilio Enei oversees the practice. Public and regulatory law specialist Lucas Sant’Anna is frequently sought after for his expertise in PPPs, administrative improbity matters and public tenders. Rafael Vanzella is trusted by financial institutions, government bodies and contractors in financing transactions and project development matters. Pedro Saullo is another core member of the team with a strong background in PPPs, economic and financial rebalance claims, and the enforcement of administrative contracts.

Brazil > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 1

The team at Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is 'a one-stop shop' for restructuring and insolvency advice, 'as it combines excellence, within the same team, in litigation and transactional matters’. Practitioners possess a solid track record in creditor-side work, regularly acting for banks and bondholders in restructurings and DIP financings. A prime destination for distressed investors, the team is also recognised for its debtor-side experience, as its recent advice to Samarco Mineração on its judicial reorganisation demonstrates. Renato Gomes Ribeiro Maggio, who handles transactional and contentious matters, and disputes partner Renata Martins de Oliveira Amado, noted for providing ‘extensive experience in the restructuring area’, are at the helm of the practice. Camilo Torres Gerosa Gomes, who brings ‘deep technical knowledge’ and ‘a lot of sophistication and experience in cross-border insolvency matters’, and corporate finance partner Adriano Schnur are other key individuals.

Tax > Tax advisory Tier 1

The highly rated team at Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is ‘extremely attentive, helpful, available and very knowledgeable of tax matters’. Cross-border and domestic tax advice is a core part of the workload, which predominantly features mandates concerning direct and indirect tax, as well as customs. The team’s advisory arm is complemented by an equally strong litigation offering that is active in a wide range of administrative and judicial claims at the municipal, state and federal levels. Litigator Daniella Zagari Gonçalves, who often represents clients from the TMT, pharmaceutical, industrial and financial services, oversees the practice, where Raquel Novais and Fernando Tonanni are names to note for consulting matters involving local and international tax. Indirect tax and foreign trade specialist Fernanda Sá Freire Figlioulo and Marco Antonio Gomes Behrndt are also noted. Non-contentious partner Fernando Colucci is highlighted for his ‘promptness and business knowledge’. The ‘super proactive’ disputes partner Camila Galvão Anderi Silva is skilled in administrative proceedings.

Tax > Tax litigation Tier 1

Brazil > Transport: Aviation Tier 1

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is home to ‘a seasoned team that provides responsive, well-reasoned advice‘ on the gamut of aviation matters, most notably M&A, restructurings, and industry consolidation deals. Besides its solid transactional credentials, the team is able to draw on the firm’s first-class banking and finance and public law practices to assist lessors, financial institutions, airlines and aircraft manufacturers with aircraft leasing and financing structures, as well as airport concessions and regulatory matters. The highly recommended Fabio Falkenburger maintains a broad infrastructure and arbitration practice, advising on the structuring of asset deals, leasing and financing transactions, and regulatory issues concerning airports. He is at the helm of the team, which also features aviation and project finance specialist Vitor Barbosa, and Marina Estrella, a noteworthy associate for matters pertaining to the financing and leasing of aircraft, incorporation of air taxi companies, and airport concession projects.

Brazil > Capital markets Tier 2

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is home to a capital markets team composed of ‘extremely qualified professionals, with very high delivery, both in volume and quality’. Clients, including issuers and underwriters, particularly appreciate the ‘close, individualised and deeply specialised service’ which covers debt and equity products. The firm’s strong banking relationships ensures that it is particularly adept at navigating regulatory complexities. In addition to its capabilities in the banking sector, the group is also present in the infrastructure, healthcare, energy, real estate, telecoms and technology spaces. Key partners include the versatile Eliana Helena de Gregório Ambrósio Chimenti, and Gustavo Secaf Rebello, who is well versed in capital markets deals and M&A involving publicly traded companies. Raphael Zono, Guilherme Azevedo and Bruno Racy, all of whom are highly active on the debt side, are singled out for their ‘technical capacity’ and ‘differentiated analytical outlook’. Belo Horizonte-based partner Gustavo Rugani is considered an ‘exceptional professional’.

Brazil > Competition and antitrust Tier 2

Standing out for its efficiency and experience in domestic merger filings and cross-border merger notifications, Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is also well versed in antitrust investigations and litigation. Clients from the healthcare, energy, financial services, real estate and automotive sectors regularly turn to 'the extremely talented and responsive' team for advice on cartel and abuse of dominance cases before CADE. Department head Maria Eugênia Novis assists with the analysis of antitrust risks and drafting of specific M&A contractual provisions. Merger filings and antitrust investigations are core areas of focus for Tito Amaral de Andrade. Other noteworthy practitioners include Érica Sumie Yamashita, who is engaged by companies and individuals in domestic and international cartel matters, and Ana Bátia Glenk, who 'stands out for her excellent technical knowledge' of competition-related compliance matters.

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Litigation Tier 2

Standing out for its strong track record in bet-the-company cases, Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is ‘a reference‘ in the litigation market given its notable credentials in complex proceedings at all judicial and administrative levels. Recent highlights have seen the group advising on high-value disputes in the mining, technology, pharmaceutical, banking, aviation and automotive sectors. Diversity and inclusion is at the core of the department, which is under the leadership of duo Eliane Cristina Carvalho and Gláucia Mara Coelho: Carvalho particularly excels in the resolution of civil disputes, and Coelho is proficient in both judicial and administrative litigation, including strategic disputes, class actions, consumer law and product liability cases. Technology and digital law are key specialisms for Eduardo Perazza De Medeiros, while the recently promoted Marcos Costa has in-depth knowledge of the aviation, telecoms, banking and retail sectors. Vinicius Pereira, who recently joined from Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper, ‘has a great presence in the courts‘, and is skilled in civil, contractual, corporate and construction claims. Associate Débora Chaves Martines Fernandes defends domestic and foreign clients from the banking, chemicals, energy, life sciences and retail segments in an array of disputes.

Energy and natural resources > Hydrocarbons Tier 2

Under the leadership of Daniel Szyfman, Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados has played a key role in the recent opening up of the Brazilian gas and refinery markets through its involvement in Petrobras’s major divestment plan. M&A in the upstream segment remains a core area of focus for the team, which has been increasingly engaged in energy transition mandates. Practice head Szyfman stands out for his involvement in decarbonisation projects – including carbon capture and storage (CCS), hydrogen and biofuels – and complex transactional and regulatory matters. A key contact for natural gas clients, Maria Fernanda Soares has been instrumental in discussions related to the reshaping of the domestic gas market; her broad practice covers transactions, projects and regulatory matters. With over 15 years of experience in the oil, natural gas and biofuels sector, Fernando Xavier takes the lead on E&P and downstream mandates, including deals and administrative proceedings. At the associate level, Mariele Milhorance focuses on natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and energy transition, while Raphael Barboza Correia is particularly active in the onshore, shallow-water and mature fields sectors.

Brazil > Environment Tier 2

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados houses a ‘highly skilled, accessible, up-to-date‘ environmental law team, which supports domestic and international clients in a host of transactional, regulatory and contentious matters. Singled out for its experience in the structuring of complex M&A transactions, the team boasts a strong reputation for its expertise in identifying and managing environmental risks and liabilities on behalf of companies from the mining, steel, energy, agribusiness and forestry sectors. Climate change, biodiversity issues, green finance and crisis management are other specialisms for the team, which is under the leadership of environmental law specialist Roberta Danelon Leonhardt. Leonhardt is recommended for matters related to the implementation of projects and transactions, as well as complex litigation. Eduardo de Campos Ferreira excels in judicial and administrative proceedings, including claims before public bodies, environmental authorities and the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Senior associates Camila Argentino Silva Ribeiro Scopel, who is active in the infrastructure, chemicals, real estate, agribusiness and pharmaceuticals segments, and Thais Ferreira Moreno, who is particularly noted for her knowledge of ESG issues and climate change, offer key support in both advisory and contentious matters.

Brazil > Insurance Tier 2

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados has made a strong push into the insurance and reinsurance market in the past year with the recruitment of two partners from Mattos Filho. New practice head Cassio Gama Amaral, who ‘lends the firm solid credibility in advising insurers and reinsurers’ on contentious and non-contentious matters, and Thomaz Kastrup, ‘an excellent lawyer with many years of experience in the (re)insurance market’ who is especially strong on the corporate and regulatory fronts, joined the firm in December 2022. The team now has ‘some of the best professionals in the market’ with a comprehensive offering that benefits from a strong overlap with the firm’s corporate and finance practices. Other key partners include Eduardo Avila de Castro, who stands out for his experience in banking regulatory matters, and Nei Schilling Zelmanovits, who excels in transactional work. Associate Pedro Henrique Ricco Verzemiassi is active in regulatory and corporate matters pertaining to the insurance and reinsurance sectors.

Brazil > Real estate Tier 2

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados has established a strong foothold in the real estate market, with overlapping expertise in key areas such as tax, finance, M&A, litigation and infrastructure. The firm advises on the full range of domestic and cross-border deals involving urban and rural property assets. Typical mandates include acquisitions, leasing issues, sale and leasebacks, and built-to-suit agreements involving the industrial, logistics, commercial, and energy segments. The calibre of the team is reflected by its impressive client base, which includes major institutional investors, corporates and banks. Practice head Maria Flavia Seabra regularly handles real estate M&A, developments and financings. Fatima Tadea Rombola Fonseca is particularly active in the agribusiness, energy and mining sectors, while Bruno Costa is singled out for his expertise in real estate investment funds, due diligence processes and construction contracts. Ivana Bomfim left the firm in October 2023.

Brazil > Wealth and succession planning Tier 2

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados leverages its strong tax, corporate and litigation expertise to act for wealthy individuals and family groups in the gamut of wealth management and succession matters. The practice’s main areas of strength include estate and succession planning, corporate restructurings, asset reorganisations and cross-border wealth structuring. Its deep knowledge of banking regulation and investment vehicles makes the group a popular destination for foreign investors and banks. Noted for his experience advising on transfer pricing, M&A and cross-border transactions, Celso Costa oversees the team, which features the highly endorsed tax expert Fernando Colucci and Clarissa Freitas, who is well versed in corporate matters. Tax specialist Carlos Pacheco Fernandes and succession planning expert Rafael Stuppiello stand out at the senior associate level.

City focus - Belo Horizonte > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3

With a strong following of banks and companies from a range of sectors, including agribusiness and real estate, Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados‘ Belo Horizonte-based team has notable strength in capital markets transactions. The ‘dedicated and committed’ group is also well versed in M&A transactions and provides regulatory and general corporate advice to public companies. Singled out for his ‘deep technical knowledge‘, co-head Gustavo Rugani specialises in capital markets and M&A transactions. Fellow co-leader Bruno Costa takes the lead on real estate-related matters. Capital markets deals and related compliance issues are key areas of activity for associate Wagner Duarte.

Brazil > Compliance Tier 3

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is noted for its ‘assertiveness, experience and broad knowledge of legal issues’, including compliance and white-collar crime. The team often advises on compliance programmes and crisis management, and stands out for its experience in internal investigations and government enforcement. Clients from the financial, technology, real estate, chemicals and mining sectors, among others, regularly instruct the team in the assessment of anti-corruption risks in the context of high-profile capital markets and M&A deals. Juliana Sá de Miranda has a ‘deep understanding of compliance‘, covering non-contentious and litigation matters. Associates Gabriela Silveira Viana and Gabriela Estefania Paredes Arcentales often advise on integrity due diligence and risk assessments. Former co-head Marcos Paulo Veríssimo left the firm in April 2023.

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Arbitration Tier 3

Showcasing significant experience in ad hoc and institutional proceedings before arbitration tribunals in Brazil and abroad, Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados draws on its full-service capabilities to advise an impressive client roster on a host of arbitral matters, ranging from corporate, commercial and post-M&A disputes to claims involving contractual issues and the construction sector. The department’s sector-specific expertise is highly varied, covering energy, transport, banking, real estate, TMT and pharmaceuticals. Eliane Cristina Carvalho advises clients on all stages of disputes, and particularly stands out for her substantial experience of acting as counsel in commercial arbitration proceedings of national and international significance. Gisela Ferreira Mation is a key point of contact for players from the oil and gas, energy and construction segments. Associates Leandro Felix and Antonia Quintella de Azambuja, the latter of whom is a name to note for complex construction disputes, have participated in several proceedings before the main Brazilian and international arbitral bodies.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 3

Notes for ‘its ability to advise on all fronts of a mining project‘, Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados‘ core strengths cut across regulatory, contractual, financing and M&A matters. The firm – which benefits from a strong network of offices based in key financial hubs (São Paulo and New York), mining hotspots (Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro), and the Brazilian legislative centre (Brasília) – acts for a varied client roster, including major mining companies, investors and financiers, which also seek advice on strategic litigation cases involving mining regulations. Focused on infrastructure projects and natural resources, Pedro Henrique Jardim frequently handles financing deals and regulatory issues. He jointly heads up the team with finance, tax and foreign trade specialist Liliam Fernanda Yoshikawa, a key contact for clients operating in regulated sectors.

Brazil > TMT: Tech, innovation and digital business Tier 3

Under the leadership of Juliana Abrusio, the technology practice at Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is often instructed by international companies seeking advice on Brazil’s legal environment and on the development of new business models involving marketplaces, blockchain and crypo assets. Clients ranging from start-ups to well-established technology, media, banking and pharmaceutical companies turn to the team for assistance with a host of sector-related mandates, namely tax, IP, litigation, regulations and data protection. Associate Mauricio Antonia Tame often handles litigation involving technology issues, while Marcelo de Castro Cunha Filho specialises in crypto assets, blockchain and fintech issues.

Brazil > Venture capital Tier 3

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados offers support to a diverse client roster comprised of venture capital funds, strategic investors, start-ups, entrepreneurs and listed companies in relation to fundraisings, investment rounds and exit strategies. A specialist in domestic and cross-border M&A, private equity and corporate restructurings, Manuela Lisboa Gentil Monteiro is a key contact for clients from the banking and technology sectors, among others. She oversees the practice, which also features Paulo Henrique Carvalho Pinto and Guilherme Bueno Malouf, the latter of whom is proficient in investment fund-related matters.

Brazil > Life sciences Tier 4

Domestic and international clients, including companies from the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, tobacco, cannabis, food and beverage sectors, regularly turn to Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados' life sciences team for advice on issues related to Brazil’s complex regulatory framework, clinical trials, licensing of products and technology transfer agreements. The group is under the joint leadership of Ana Karina Esteves de Souza and Laura Garcia De Freitas Souza, both of whom specialise in infrastructure and regulatory matters. Gláucia Mara Coelho acts in litigation, while associate Nicole Borges de Carvalho Ura specialises in regulatory issues. The firm was strengthened by the arrival of life sciences, digital health and healthcare partner Renata Rothbarth in June 2023 from Mattos Filho.

Brazil > White-collar crime and investigations Tier 4

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is well placed to advise on compliance matters and litigation at both the judicial and administrative levels involving white-collar crime. On the non-contentious front, the team is regularly called upon by companies – most notably those operating in the oil and gas, banking, logistics, pharmaceutical and technology sectors – to provide legal opinions on criminal mandates, leniency agreements and internal corporate investigations, among other issues. Criminal investigations involving potential violations of anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, tax and environmental law are key areas of activity for the group, which is led by Juliana Sá de Miranda, a well-known compliance specialist with a strong white-collar crime background. Gabriela Estefania Paredes Arcentales, a key contact for clients from the automotive, banking, energy, construction and retail segments, ‘is committed to clients and has a strong knowledge of criminal banking’.

Brazil > TMT: Telecoms

City focus - Brasilia > Tax

Brazil > TMT: Cybersecurity and data privacy