Boutique firm William Freire Advogados is well positioned to advise on all aspects of mining law, including M&A deals, regulatory issues, environmental and real estate-related matters. The practice is also well equipped to handle litigation and administrative disputes before regulatory bodies. William Freire and Tiago De Mattos, who act for industry players in crisis management, corporate matters, and litigation, jointly oversee the group. Bruno Costa and Ana Maria Damasceno are the key names to note at associate level.

The ‘professional’ and ‘detail-oriented’ team at Freitas Ferraz Advogados is particularly active in project finance transactions and in the acquisition of hydroelectric power plants and mining assets. Compliance work and litigation also feature on the group’s impressive workload. Practice head Thiago Riccio, whose ‘strong knowledge of environmental and regulatory matters’ is highlighted by clients, is often engaged in power and ore purchase agreements, project finance and development. Associate Marcela Assis, lauded for her ‘diligence, detailed execution and high-level technical knowledge’, provides practice-wide support and is skilled in due diligence work.

Rolim Goulart Cardoso Advogados' natural resources and regulation department brings together the firm’s energy, mining, environment and telecoms practices. With a strong track record in the energy sector, the group regularly assists concessionaires with tariff review procedures and advises on renewable energy generation. Mining and environmental law are other notable strengths for the team; members support clients with litigation, preventive consultancy and due diligence work. Thiago Pastor Alves Pereira focuses on litigation involving environmental and mining matters, while Fabio Appendino is a reference for corporate work. Maria João Rolim(São Paulo), Rodrigo Azevedo Greco (Brasília) and Ticiane Moraes Franco (Lisbon) support the Belo Horizonte-based partners.

Singled out for its availability and aptitude for problem-solving, the ‘extremely skilled’ team at Sion Advogados assists mining and energy companies with due diligence work to ensure compliance with regulations. The department has additional expertise advising domestic and foreign clients on M&A transactions and the implementation of projects. Founding partner Alexandre Sion oversees the group and leads on key energy and infrastructure matters. Bernardo Pessoa specialises in litigation, arbitration and M&A deals involving the mining, energy, infrastructure, logistics and real estate sectors.

The ‘highly qualified’ group at Tavernard Advogados brings together experience in public law, energy, mining and environmental disputes. The practice stands out for its strong credentials in environmental law matters, advising on collective damages claims, infractions and application of the forest code. The team is regularly instructed by public entities and companies operating in the energy and infrastructure sectors, who appreciate the lawyers’ ‘knowledge, diversity, speedy responses, transparency and professionalism’. Department head Murilo Melo Vale, signalled as ‘highly qualified and experienced’, focuses on public procurement, compliance and dispute resolution relating to natural resources and public utilities – namely energy, water, and sewage.