Marcio Vieira Souto Costa Ferreira > Sergio Bermudes Advogados > Rio de Janeiro, Brazil > Lawyer Profile

Sergio Bermudes Advogados, which occupies a leading position in the Brazilian dispute resolution market, is a strong performer in high-profile disputes within the power sector, handling proceedings at the administrative, judicial and appellate levels. Based in Rio de Janeiro, the team is recurrently sought out by electricity concessionaires and other industry players in contentious matters arising from power agreements, projects and regulatory issues, and is also adept at assisting clients in project approvals. Practice co-leader Marcio Vieira Souto Costa Ferreira, whose experience in dispute resolution surpasses three decades, is one of the main points of contact for companies operating in regulated sectors, including electricity. Fellow co-head Vítor Ferreira Alves De Brito is entirely devoted to power mandates, showcasing expertise in complex regulatory matters. Frederico Ferreira is another name to note for high-stakes contentious matters in this space.

Singled out for the technical quality of its professionals and partner-level involvement in cases, Sergio Bermudes Advogados remains at the forefront of the Brazilian dispute resolution market. The litigation team is ‘prepared to handle a wide variety of matters‘, ranging from proceedings before administrative bodies and regulatory agencies to high-stakes cases before the superior courts. Recognised for its track record in high-profile corporate, commercial and civil disputes, the group is also well positioned to advise on bankruptcy, energy and insurance-related cases. In addition, the practice has been increasingly engaged in Direct Actions of Unconstitutionality regarding federal, state and municipal laws in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis. A reference in the national market, Sergio Bermudes enjoys a strong reputation in this space thanks to his frequent involvement in cutting-edge cases. He jointly heads the practice with Marcio Vieira Souto Costa Ferreira and Fabiano Robalinho Cavalcanti, both of whom stand out for their longstanding experience in corporate litigation. The team, which is primarily based in Rio de Janeiro, also includes Guilherme Valdetaro Mathias, a key contact for insurance, power and real estate clients; Ricardo Loretti Henrici, who is particularly active in judicial restructurings in the energy and natural resources sectors; the highly regarded Caetano Berenguer; Rafaela Fucci, who specialises in insurance disputes; and Fernando Novis. Rodrigo Tannuri is no longer at the firm.

With extensive experience in high-stakes legal proceedings, Sergio Bermudes Advogados frequently appearing before the Supreme Federal Court on major test cases. The team’s contentious expertise includes administrative disputes in pensions, motor insurance, and life insurance. Insurers, reinsurers, and industry organisations regularly instruct the firm, which also handles corporate and regulatory matters, including policy drafting, distribution agreements, and bancassurance arrangements. Litigation specialists Guilherme Valdetaro Mathias and Marcio Vieira Souto Costa Ferreira jointly lead a team that delivers ‘smart and strategic solutions’.

One of the first ports of call for Brazilian and international clients engaged in high-stakes arbitration, Sergio Bermudes Advogados is a strong performer in domestic and cross-border proceedings, most notably cases arising in the energy, insurance, infrastructure and real estate sectors. Shareholder and corporate disputes are another core area of activity for the Rio de Janeiro-based department, which routinely attracts instructions from financial institutions and large companies. A reference in the national market, Sergio Bermudes maintains a broad dispute resolution practice, which covers high-stakes arbitration in Brazil and abroad. Marcio Vieira Souto Costa Ferreira, Fabiano Robalinho Cavalcanti and Guilherme Valdetaro Mathias, a key contact for insurance, power and real estate clients, specialise in corporate and commercial disputes. With over a decade of experience in dispute resolution, Caetano Berenguer is seasoned in international cases and arbitration involving M&A, infrastructure contracts and investment funds. Rafaela Fucci is noted for her experience in the insurance sector. Ricardo Loretti Henrici and Fernando Novis are also part of the core team. Rodrigo Tannuri is no longer at the firm.