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.

Following an expansion into new premises in 2022, Mattos Filho‘s litigation and arbitration team in Brasília offers a comprehensive service across the energy, education, telecoms, technology, life sciences and mining sectors. In addition to its noteworthy representation of BHP Billiton in the R$155bn Mariana dam disaster action, the team is also heavily engaged in electoral investigations of abuse of political power, cross-border arbitration, and civil disputes before the STJ. Maricí Giannico focuses on administrative and regulatory appellate litigation, while the addition of Diego Herrera de Moraes from HD Advogados in July 2022 strengthened the team on the regulatory and corporate disputes front. At the associate level, Marselhe Cristina de Mattos and Flávia Marangoni, the latter of whom joined from the Federal Council of the Brazilian Bar Association in June 2022, have a wealth of experience in civil litigation before the superior courts. Marina De Mello Cerqueira Zarur and Frederico Bastos Pinheiro Martins are no longer at the firm.

Pinheiro Neto Advogados‘ Brasília-based office is skilled at acting before the superior courts on behalf of domestic and international clients from the industrial, commercial, and service sectors. Much of its civil litigation work takes place at the appellate level, spanning bribery and corruption cases, public interest claims, and electoral investigations before the Superior Electoral Court (TSE). Vicente Coelho Araujo focuses on appellate litigation before the higher courts. Key support is offered by a strong team of associates: civil and commercial litigator Lucas Santos de Sousa; Laís de Oliveira e Silva, who concentrates on consumer, digital, and public law, and commercial disputes; and Isabella Bittencourt Tannús, whose focus is on corporate and commercial litigation.

Sergio Bermudes Advogados, which is ‘highly prepared to meet the demands of its clients in Brasília‘, fields a team of dedicated practitioners experienced in constitutional, public, corporate, commercial, and electoral law. Retained by clients from the healthcare, energy, oil and gas, and mining sectors, among others, the firm often appears before the STJ and the STF, including in cases against regulatory agencies. The firm is led by a capable duo: André Silveira, a civil litigation and public law veteran; and Flavio Jardim, a specialist in administrative, constitutional, and regulatory litigation. Guiomar Feitosa Lima Mendes is skilled at representing large companies in high-profile disputes and Guilherme Coelho focuses on public, energy, insurance, and environmental law. Luís Felipe Freire Lisbôa and Jessica Baqui also field extensive experience in civil procedure and administrative matters.

Boutique firm Advocacia Fernanda Hernandez is home to practitioners specialised in dispute resolution, who provide legal advice and litigation services with a focus on finance and tax. In addition to its strong credentials in tax litigation and claims for economic damage against the federal government and treasury before the superior courts, the firm is also known for participating as amicus curiae in complex appeals. Founding partner Fernanda Guimarães Hernandez possesses over three decades' experience in tax law. She oversees the practice, which includes the 'excellent' Luciana Marques Dos Reis Frattini, Rebeca Azevedo da Silva and Beatriz de Oliveira Machado, who advise on administrative law matters. Rafaella Alencar Ribeiro, Isadora Cronemberger Caixeta, Laura Maria Hypólito Pentagna and Gabriel Ribeiro Gonçalves Ramos are names to note for tax litigation.

Best-known for its strong capabilities in the dispute resolution space, BFBM – Barroso Fontelles, Barcellos, Mendonça & Associados is particularly active in the telecoms, technology and banking sectors, and a popular choice for banks and financial institutions in cases of administrative improbity and white-collar crime. Regular mandates also include discussions before the superior courts relating to the disclosure of sensitive information in the context of regulatory and criminal investigations. Co-head Eduardo Mendonça specialises in constitutional, digital, administrative, regulatory, and economic law, while Felipe Monnerat Solon de Pontes oversees the telecoms department. Rafael Barroso Fontelles has a keen focus on the banking sector. Other key individuals include Márcio Monteiro Reis and recently promoted partner Roberta Mundim.

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.

With extensive experience in first and second-instance trials, Brasília-based Perdiz de Jesus Advogados Associados is frequently instructed by national and foreign clients, most notably companies operating in the construction, agribusiness and energy sectors, seeking representation in corporate and commercial disputes. At the superior court level, the firm is also engaged in discussions surrounding the legal-constitutional status of indigenous lands. Leadership is in the hands of founding partner José Perdiz de Jesus, who possesses 30 years of experience in civil and procedural litigation. Rodrigo Neiva Pinheiro and Vitor Perdiz de Jesus Borba specialise in administrative and judicial litigation, including appeals.

Tauil & Chequer Advogados has a strong track record in public law appellate litigation, representing clients from the construction, energy, telecoms, and banking sectors before the superior courts. Regulatory disputes against state governments, administrative improbity cases, and proceedings before the TCU and the CGU are all core areas of activity for the firm. Cross-border matters are further facilitated by the firm’s association with Mayer Brown. Luis Inácio Lucena Adams boasts substantial tax law experience; he jointly oversees the practice with Mauro Pedroso Gonçalves, who is well versed in administrative proceedings at the federal level.