Pinheiro Guimarães > Rio de Janeiro, Brazil > Firm Profile

Pinheiro Guimarães Offices

Pinheiro Guimarães
AV RIO BRANCO 181
27TH FLOOR
20040-918 RIO DE JANEIRO, RJ
Brazil
Visit website 55 21 4501 5000 55 21 4501 5025

Pinheiro Guimarães > The Legal 500 Rankings

Brazil > Banking and finance Tier 1

Pinheiro Guimarães acts for an impressive mix of major borrowers and lenders, including banks, development agencies, corporates and state entities. Showcasing a varied transactional expertise that covers domestic and cross-border acquisition financings, structured products, syndicated loans, refinancings and trade financings, the multifaceted practice is also singled out for its strong track record in project and asset finance. Ivie Moura Alves is a strong performer in mandates involving syndicated loans and debt capital markets. Fábio Yanitchkis Couto is a key contact for distressed debt and structured finance. The latter is a core area of practice for Paula Beatriz Carneiro Pessôa, while Roberta Giamattey Pimentel Fonseca Kelley is especially recommended for project finance. The team is led respectively out of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo by Francisco José Pinheiro Guimarães and Plinio Pinheiro Guimarães Neto, both of whom are references in the banking and finance market. Up-and-coming partner Marcela Taquette Vaz is developing a good reputation for cross-border loans and bond offerings.

Practice head(s):

Plinio Pinheiro Guimarães; Francisco José Pinheiro Guimarães; Ivie Moura Alves

Testimonials

‘Pinheiro Guimarães has a broad and technical team, capable of working in the most diverse angles related to investments.’

‘Communication between the firm and the client works very fluidly, for any topic, from updating records to billing. The firm understands the bureaucracy, obstacles and deadlines of a multinational client, showing the ability to adapt and be flexible.’

‘Technical accuracy and perfect execution of documentation, in addition to proximity to clients.’

‘Fábio Couto: intelligent, dedicated, assertive, fast and very well-prepared, in addition to always being very close to the client.’

Key clients

Citibank

Itaú BBA

Credit Suisse

BTG Pactual

International Finance Corporation (IFC)

JP Morgan

Santader

HSBC

Banco Votorantim

Bradesco

Goldman Sachs

Klabin

General Motors

XP Investimentos

Saxo Bank

Itaú Unibanco

Ioschpe

B3 – Brasil, Bolsa, Balcão

Suzano Papel e Celulose

Globo Group

Andrade Gutierrez

Enel

Moneda Asset Management

Redwood Capital Management

Rimrock Capital Management

Rede D’Or

EDF Energies Nouvelles

Vale

Banco Safra

Work highlights

  • Counsel to Société Générale, as shareholder of Concessionária Linha Universidade, in connection with a R$9.6bn financing from Banco Nacional do Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social – BNDES to the university.
  • Acted for BMO Capital Markets, Citigroup Global Markets, Credit Agricole Securities (USA), MUFG Securities Americas, Scotia Capital (USA) and SMBC Nikko Securities America in a $1.3bn bond offering by Vale, Vale Overseas Limited and Vale Canada Limited.
  • Advising Andrade Gutierrez Group on a debt restructuring concerning a $200m+ notes offering due 2021 and 2024.

Brazil > Capital markets Tier 1

Pinheiro Guimarães provides top-notch expertise in high-profile debt and equity capital markets deals. Major listed companies, financial institutions, and investment funds routinely turn to the practice for support in their most significant listings. With extensive experience in acting for both issuers and underwriters, the group’s ‘deep knowledge’ and broad service offering covers cross-border IPOs, secondary offerings, private placements, as well as real estate and agribusiness certificates. The team is led by highly esteemed banking, M&A and capital markets specialists Plinio Pinheiro Guimarães and Francisco José Pinheiro Guimarães, who are based in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo respectively. Senior partner Cristina Tomiyama combines comprehensive knowledge of capital markets regulations with a strong track record in ECM transactions, including IPOs, follow-ons and dual listings. The ‘extremely diligent and assertive’ Ivie Moura Alves is particularly skilled in debt offerings, while Bruno Lardosa maintains a broad practice acting for financial institutions, investors, multilaterals, asset managers and large corporations in ECM and DCM deals. The ‘excellent’ Mariana Silveira Martins Jost and the ‘very technical‘ Carolina Testoni Alonso Camargo, who excels in asset-backed capital markets transactions, are also part of the core team.

Practice head(s):

Plinio Pinheiro Guimarães N.; Francisco José Pinheiro Guimarães; Paula Pessôa; Ivie Moura Alves

Testimonials

‘The firm has deep knowledge in the corporate area (public companies) and provides solid advice.’

‘Pinheiro Guimarães has a multidisciplinary team that is technically very good and very efficient, offering excellent cost-benefit ratios.’

‘Partner Ivie Moura Alves is extremely diligent and assertive. Working with Mariana Martins Jost for the first time was also a pleasant surprise. Excellent professional, with a very good writing power and synthesis.’

‘Bruno Lardoso and Carolina Testoni Alonso are very technical, close to the client and focused on the success of the deals.’

Key clients

Citibank

Itaú BBA

Credit Suisse

BTG Pactual

Santander

Bradesco BBI

Organizações Globo

XP Investimentos

HSBC

Votorantim

Rede D’Or

JP Morgan

B3 – Brasil, Bolsa, Balcão

Iopche

Neoenergia

Enel

Suzano Papel e Celulose

Pátria Investimentos

CTG

Diagnósticos da América (DASA)

GP Investimentos

Banco Safra

Klabin

Group Boticário

International Finance Corporation – IFC

Vale

Positivo

Estapar

Sicredi

CSN

BRFoods

UBS BB

Work highlights

  • Acted as counsel to Centrais Elétricas Brasileiras – Eletrobras, as issuer and offeror, on its R$33.6bn global primary and secondary public offering of shares of the common stock.
  • Advising Rede D’Or São Luiz on its R$2.3bn offering of unsecured and non-convertible debentures.
  • Advising Cálamo Distribuidora de Produtos de Beleza on its R$2bn issuance and public offering of non-convertible debentures.

Brazil > Projects and infrastructure Tier 3

At Pinheiro Guimarães, the projects team is well positioned to handle all matters that arise during the life cycle of an energy project, but particularly stands out for its strong credentials in project finance. Rated for its ability to ‘balance legal risk mitigation with various commercial aspects‘, the team is jointly led by André Sigelmann, who is recommended for his longstanding experience in the financing and development of projects, and M&A in the oil and gas, energy, and pulp and paper industries, and Roberta Giamattey Pimentel Fonseca Kelley, a prominent project finance specialist, who excels in the structuring of alternative structures for the funding of energy and infrastructure projects. Fernanda da Cunha Lopez is a key member of the energy department, who works in development, financing and M&A transactions, while Cristiane Selbach is counsel of choice for oil and gas clients.

Practice head(s):

André Sigelmann; Roberta Pimentel

Testimonials

‘Deep knowledge of infrastructure in Brazil. The team knows how to balance legal risk mitigation with various commercial aspects.’

‘André Sigelmann is always available, and provides high quality opinions and contractual revisions.’

‘PGA Advogados stands out not only for the excellence of its work, but also for its relationship with clients – they always provide high-quality advice within tight deadlines.’

Key clients

EDF Renewables

Rio Energy

EDP Energias do Brasil

Eneva

Brookfield Energia Renovável

Neoenergia

Nexa Resources

Aeris Indústria e Comércio de Equipamentos para Geração de Energia

Total Eren

Echoenergia Participações

BTG Pactual

Andrade Gutierrez

Itaú BBA

International Finance Corporation

Interamerican Development Bank

Banco Citibank

Itaú Unibanco

Credit Suisse

Santander

XP Investimentos Corretora de Câmbio, Títulos e Valores Mobiliários

Goldman Sachs

Work highlights

  • Advised Société Générale in the capacity of shareholder of Concessionária Linha Universidade, in connection with a financing granted by BNDES for the construction, implementation, exploration and operation of São Paulo’s Metro Line 6.
  • Advised Engie on the acquisition of the Serra do Assuruá complex from PEC Energia.
  • Assisted Eneva in the drafting and negotiation of the contracts for the acquisition of the turbogenerator and other equipment and materials for the UTE Azulão Project, a combined-cycle gas-fired power plant.

Brazil > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 3

Pinheiro Guimarães has an ‘extremely agile, market-driven, and highly specialised’ restructuring and insolvency team that is skilled at acting for creditors, including major international banks and multilateral lenders. Working out of the firm’s Rio de Janeiro office, the multifaceted practice is active in debt restructurings and judicial reorganisations, and is also proficient in distressed M&A and DIP financings. Dispute resolution specialist Gustavo Mota Guedes oversees the team, which includes experienced finance partner Roberta Giamattey Pimentel Fonseca Kelley. Bruno Lardosa, whose areas of expertise include transactions involving distressed assets, and Guilherme Vaz, who is well versed in domestic and cross-border matters, are recommended for their ‘deep knowledge of the Brazilian market and bankruptcy process’.

Practice head(s):

Gustavo Mota Guedes; Guilherme Vaz

Testimonials

‘The restructuring and insolvency team led by Bruno Lardosa is extremely agile, market-driven, and highly specialised in working for multilateral development institutions and international lenders.’

‘Bruno Lardosa and Guilherme Vaz (partners) are extremely accessible and their deep knowledge of the Brazilian market and bankruptcy process is essential for international lenders.’

Key clients

Itaú Unibanco

Andrade Gutierrez

Itaú BBA

CarVal Investors

Guggenheim Partners

Banco Votorantim

Merrill Lynch International

Citigroup

Empresa de Energia São Manoel

International Finance Corporation

Stallone Investments Group

Quadra Gestão de Recursos

Elera Renováveis

Vale

Globo Comunicação e Participações

DEG – Deu Deutsche Investitions – und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH

Victoria Capital Partners

Work highlights

  • Advising Andrade Gutierrez Group on its debt restructuring.
  • Acts for Empresa de Energia São Manoel in the judicial reorganisation of Constran – Construções e Comércio and UTC Engenharia that holds approximately 10% of the R$3.4bn restructured debt.
  • Representing Vale, a major shareholder, in Samarco Mineração’s R$50.5bn judicial reorganisation.

Brazil > Corporate and M&A: High-end Tier 4

Roundly praised by clients for its ‘vast knowledge and experience’ in the M&A space, Pinheiro Guimarães handles domestic and multijurisdictional transactions for a diversity of clients, including buyers, sellers, investors and target companies. Best known for its presence in the banking and finance sector, the firm stands out for its experience in M&A deals involving financial industry players, ranging from investment banks to hedge funds. Advising on the structuring and negotiation of private equity investments is another area of strength for the group, which further showcases in-depth knowledge of public M&A and related regulatory issues. ‘Leader and born negotiator’ Plinio Pinheiro Guimarães N. is recommended for his experience in domestic and cross-border matters; he heads up the Rio de Janeiro-based team, which also features René Mostardeiro Brunet, a contact for transactions involving financial institutions, listed companies and private equity funds, and the ‘excellent’ Bernardo Bulhões, who is skilled in corporate deals and disputes. The practice in São Paulo is led by Francisco José Pinheiro Guimarães and Marcelo Lamy Rego, the latter of whom possesses an impressive track record in large-cap M&A in a multitude of industries, with a special emphasis on banking, healthcare, energy and consumer goods. In the same office, Rodrigo Marcilio assists private equity funds and major corporations in strategic deals; Maria Amélia Lisbão Senra specialises in M&A, and banking and finance; and Bernardo Romano Teixeira leverages his expertise in securities regulation to advise on complex M&A transactions.

Practice head(s):

Plinio Pinheiro Guimarães N.; Francisco José Pinheiro Guimarães; Marcelo Lamy

Testimonials

‘Bernardo Bulhões is an excellent lawyer. Commercial sensitivity, technical and theoretical depth from a legal, tax, accounting and finance perspective. Absolute commitment to the client.’

‘Pinheiro Guimarães stands out for its dedication, technical quality, direct involvement of its partners and focus on solving problems. With a diverse team, all partners/lawyers have vast knowledge and experience in the matters.’

‘René Mostardeiro Brunet – vast experience, client care skills and availability. A leader in negotiations.’

‘Lawyers with technical quality superior to the market, with vast experience in the sector and in large deals.’

‘Bernardo Bulhões – lawyer with extensive experience in M&A transactions.’

‘The firm’s M&A team is highly integrated, cohesive, well-trained, quick to respond to questions (without losing quality), with an incomparable commitment to the client.’

‘Plinio Pinheiro Guimarães is a leader and born negotiator, with extensive knowledge and experience in deals both in Brazil and abroad. Navigates between legal and business with ease and fluidity, creating an alliance and a positive relationship with the opposing party.’

‘René Brunet is technically impeccable and very talented in producing documents of exceptional quality. Excellent negotiator. Serene, objective and assertive during the negotiation of agreements.’

Key clients

BTG Pactual

Brookfield

Citibank

HSBC

GP Investments

Itau Unibanco

Gávea Investimentos

International Finance Corporation (IFC)

Organizações Globo

Brazil Hospitality Group (BHG)

Sendas Distribuidora

Credit Suisse

Enel

Principia Capital Partners

Goldman Sachs

EB Capital

DNA Capital

EDF

GTIS Partners

BIONEXO

Participações Industriais do Nordeste

Cellera Farma

Air Bus / Helibrás

Arla Foods

Wilson Sons

CM Hospitalar / Grupo Viveo

Consigaz

Partners Group

Grupo de Moda Soma

Macquarie Capital

Klabin

Rede D’Or

Rock World (Rock in Rio)

B3 – Brasil, Bolsa, Balcão

CBSM – Companhia de Soluções de Marketing (Dotz)

CBOE Global Markets

BeeTech Global

Group 1 Automotive

Grupo Alfa

Grupo Matheus

BPS Capital

Associação Comercial de São Paulo

Work highlights

  • Assisted CSN Cimentos with the acquisition of an equity interest representing 100% of the capital stock of LafargeHolcim.
  • Advised Sendas Distribuidoras on the acquisition of Extra Hiper.
  • Acted for Globo in the sale of 100% of the capital stock of Comercial Fonográfica RGE and its affiliates to Sony Music Entertainment Brasil.

Tax > Tax advisory Tier 5

Pinheiro Guimarães has an active tax team that is best known for its non-contentious advice. The firm’s reputation for high-end corporate finance work ensures a steady flow of domestic and cross-border M&A, capital markets and restructuring-related tax planning mandates. Rio de Janeiro-based Daniela Viana Cordeiro de Melo Fassheber, a key relationship partner for major investment banks and energy clients, jointly oversees the practice with Rafael Xavier Vianello in São Paulo. Other key individuals include Estevan Leal, who regularly advises companies from the forestry, pharmaceuticals and telecoms industries, and senior associate Thiago Paranhos Neves, who coordinates the firm’s tax litigation work.

Practice head(s):

Plinio Pinheiro Guimarães; Francisco José Pinheiro Guimarães; Daniela Fassheber; Rafael Vianello

Testimonials

‘Highly qualified team, personalised service, and attention and dedication to the matters covered. Rafael Vianello and Thiago Neves are recommended.’

Key clients

Brookfield Holding

Globo Comunicações e Participações

Reserva (Tiferet Comércio de Roupas)

EDP do Brasil

Neoenergia

Brookfield Shopping Centers

EDF em do Brasil Participações

Parâmetro Comércio e Participações

Banco Itaú BBA

Klabin

Banco Citibank

Banco BTG Pactual

Brookfield Energia Renovável

Enel Green Power Brasil Participações

Sociedade de Ensino Superior Estácio de Sá

Cielo

Track & Field

Wilson Sons Group

Grupo Soma

Reserva (Tiferet Comércio de Roupas)

Península Participações

Banco Citibank

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional – CSN

Sol Copernico

IMC

Grupo Mateus

Braskem

Ambev

Arpex Investimentos

Vale

Work highlights

  • Acted as tax counsel to Augment in the $130.9m capital investment in Ebes Sistemas de Energia through a 49.55% share acquisition.
  • Acted as tax counsel to Enel Brasil and the target company in connection with the acquisition of Celg-D by Equatorial Energia.
  • Acted as Globo’s legal counsel on the sale of Comercial Fonográfica RGE and its affiliates.

Pinheiro Guimarães > Firm Profile

Pinheiro Guimarães was established in 1922. With a presence in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Pinheiro Guimarães represents a wide variety of both Brazilian and foreign clients and is assisted by a full staff of legal support personnel.

Pinheiro Guimarães is one of the most active Brazilian legal advisers assisting in domestic and international capital markets debt and equity offerings, syndicated loans, trade finance, mergers and acquisitions, cross-border lease transactions, structured finance, project finance and procurement, private equity, securitisations of exports and other receivables, bankruptcy and corporate reorganisations, litigation, arbitration and tax.

Lawyers are fluent in several languages and many of them hold LLM degrees from the law schools of major universities in Brazil, the US and Europe. A significant number of Pinheiro Guimarães lawyers have worked at top tier law firms abroad and in international organisations. 18 of them are admitted to practice in both Brazil and New York.

Principal areas of practice
Banking and finance:  Pinheiro Guimarães has extensive and widely recognised experience in local and cross-border financing transac­tions. Its lawyers represent a wide range of clients that include both private and institutional lenders, governments and development agencies, multilateral organisations and corporate borrowers. Pinheiro Guimarães acts as counsel to both lenders and borrowers in connection with syndicated loans, refinancing transactions, import financing, export prepayment and other trade-related debt transactions, local and cross-border financial leases, securitisations, credit-linked debt and acquisition financings. A significant part of the practice involves representing clients undertak­ing project finance (infrastructure and industrial projects) deals, structured finance products and debt restructuring (including bankruptcy proceedings and judicial and extrajudicial reorganisations).

It also assists financial institutions in developing banking and treasury products and in regulatory and compliance matters, including administrative proceedings and the reorganisation of financial groups, before the Central Bank and the Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM).

Capital markets: Pinheiro Guimarães provides legal advice on primary and secondary public securities offerings in both the Brazilian and international capital markets (shares, shares certificates and debt securities). It also assists clients in carrying out filings and cancellations of public company registrations; securities listings and delistings; administra­tive proceedings and consultations with the CVM and BM&FBOVESPA; investments in the Brazilian capital and financial markets by local and foreign investors; and structuring stock option plans.

It is also actively involved in developing and setting up investment funds, including hedge funds and structured funds such as private equity funds and credit rights investment funds (FIDCs), as well as in different derivative transactions (including hedging transactions involving swaps, futures and options linked to foreign exchange, interest rates and commodity indices and prices) and products. Pinheiro Guimarães also advises clients on compliance and trading rules, filings and reporting require­ments and administrative and disciplinary procedures.

 Corporate and M&A: Pinheiro Guimarães provides legal assistance in the incorporation of companies and other entities for the development of business activities in Brazil. Such assistance includes drafting corporate documents (such as investment agreements, joint venture agreements, shareholder and quotaholder agreements), and counselling on all corporate issues involving different corporate entities in Brazil. On a regular basis, Pinheiro Guimarães handles securities repurchase transactions; foreign investments structure and divestments; transactions involving asset sales and debt assumptions; and turn-around investments and invest­ments in overleveraged or distressed Brazilian companies. It is also actively involved in M&A transactions, transfers of control, corporate restructuring transactions and designing and negotiating private equity investments and private equity funds.

Tax: Pinheiro Guimarães advises clients in developing and carrying out integrated tax strategies with respect to their activities in connection with capital markets, start-ups, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, structured finance, asset restructurings and e-business. It engages in the development of financial and banking products, tax-efficient investment alternatives, and derivatives transactions. Tax lawyers at Pinheiro Guimarães have expertise in international and cross-border transactions and international tax treaties, therefore being well positioned to provide its clients with sophisticated advice on structured tax transactions, tax derivatives products, tax planning and the most effective use of tax credits and tax sparing rules.

Litigation and arbitration: Pinheiro Guimarães has a competent and growing number of lawyers dedicated to handling complex commercial and financial matters under litigation or subject to arbitration proceedings. In the area of credit recovery — including summary collections, judicial recovery and bankruptcy proceedings — it has seen its practice grow in recent years, to a point where it includes a significant number of clients in Brazil as well as many offshore creditor groups. A growing number of dispute resolution proceedings consist of commercial arbitration, both local and international.

Project procurement: Pinheiro Guimarães is a recognised leader in the development and implementation of projects in various industries, such as energy, oil and gas, and pulp and paper. It provides legal advice on all aspects of the development and implementation of projects, including devising the most appropriate structure for the project (corporate, regulatory and tax-wise), tax incentives participation in public auctions, joint ventures, project agreements, financing regulatory and environmental matters, claims management and dispute resolution.

Insolvency and restructuring: In the area of credit recovery — including summary collections, judicial recovery and bankruptcy proceedings — the firm has seen its practice grow in recent years to include a significant number of clients in Brazil as well as many offshore creditor groups, such as bondholders, commercial and investment banks, investment funds and multi-lateral organisations.

Main Contacts

Department Name Email Telephone
Rio de Janeiro Plinio Pinheiro Guimarães N plinio@pinheiroguimaraes.com.br +55 21 4501 5000
São Paulo Francisco José Pinheiro Guimarães fjpg@pinheiroguimaraes.com.br +55 11 4501 5000

Staff Figures

Partners : 39
Associate Lawyer : 60

Languages

Portuguese
English
Spanish
French
German
Italian

Other

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