The Legal 500 > Latin America > Brazil > Competition and antitrust

Noted for its 'proactive attitude', BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão has cemented its position as a leading firm in merger control before CADE through its regular involvement in high-profile cases. It frequently acts on the Brazilian aspects of large, multi-jurisdictional transactions; and complex conduct investigations also feature in the department's workload. The department stands out for its international expertise, with its key lawyers benefiting from previous experience as foreign associates in well-known international law firms. Names to note in the sizeable team include Camilla Paoletti, Sandra Terepins, José Inacio Ferraz de Almeida Prado Filho, Marcos Exposto and Luís Bernardo Cascão, who leads the competition team in the Rio de Janeiro office. Barbara Rosenberg - 'a star in competition law' - heads the department.

Among the top competition boutiques in the country, Grinberg e Cordovil Advogados is a popular choice for leading companies across numerous sectors, including those operating in new and disruptive markets, as well as international law firms. The firm stands out for its experience in complex abuse of dominance cases and cartel investigations. It is also well versed in merger control, where its representation of Twenty-First Century Fox before CADE in the review of its acquisition by The Walt Disney Company is a case in point; Leonor Cordovil and Karen Ruback led the advice. Highly experienced partner Mauro Grinberg co-leads the department alongside Cordovil; other names to note include Ricardo Motta and Beatriz Cravo, who was promoted to partner in July 2019.

Well-established boutique Advocacia Jose Del Chiaro is 'constantly involved in several high-profile matters'. Its clients range from household name multinational companies to start-ups in disruptive industries, and it particularly stands out for its ability to handle complex antitrust matters at the intersection of IP and competition law. Merger control and cartel investigations are also mainstays of the practice. José Del Chiaro 'is able to fully grasp the challenges of a case and deliver excellent work'. He receives key support from Ademir Antonio Pereira Júnior, whose 'keen ability to design and execute complex strategies coupled with his quick grasp of business nuances and dynamics really set him apart'. The firm was further boosted by the arrival of Luis Nagalli, who joined from Caminati Bueno Advogados in 2019, and the team also benefits from the input of experienced associates, including Luiz Felipe Rosa Ramos and Yan Villela Vieira.

The 'well-trained and diverse' competition team at Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados is regularly involved in merger review cases before CADE, including complex domestic and multi-jurisdictional transactions, and has recently obtained unconditional clearance for several clients. The practice group also has a strong track record in anti-competitive conduct cases. Marcio Dias Soares is a key specialist in the team, often taking a lead role on the department's most complex cases, and receives praise. Renata Fonseca Zuccolo Gianella and Lauro Celidonio Gomes dos Reis Neto are 'very knowledgeable in legal and commercial matters'. New York-based Amadeu Ribeiro and Michelle Marques Machado are also names to note.

Fielding a large team of competition law experts, Pinheiro Neto Advogados has built a solid reputation for antitrust matters in Brazil. The team originally grew out of the firm's litigation department and, with this background and ongoing expertise in the practice, it is well-placed to handle antitrust litigation. In the merger control space, the firm's strong M&A department ensures a steady flow of work, with recent highlights including practice head Cristianne Saccab Zarzur's advice to Red Bull on the merger filing related to the distribution agreement entered into between Red Bull and Ambev. Cartel cases are another strength. Other names to note include Renê Medrado, Rodrigo Carneiro de Oliveira, 'very business-oriented lawyer' José Alexandre Buaiz Neto and Leonardo Rocha e Silva in Brasília.

TozziniFreire Advogados 'has a multi-disciplinary profile and unique knowledge of the antitrust authorities'. The department continues to see organic growth; with Patricia Bandouk Carvalho's election to the partnership being followed by that of Mario Pati in February 2020, adding further depth to an already sizeable team. The group is equipped to handle the gamut of competition matters and - outside of the practice itself - benefits from the firm's strong compliance and corporate and M&A departments. Of particular note is the firm's impressive track record in negotiating leniency and settlement agreements, where it has a large market share. Marcelo Calliari heads the department, which includes key partners Tatiana Lins Cruz, Guilherme Ribas and Vivian Fraga.

Benefitting from the firm's strong M&A practice, the busy competition department at Cescon, Barrieu, Flesch & Barreto Advogados continues to handle a high volume of merger filings, including complex, non-fast-track cases. It is also notable for its knowledge of gun-jumping provisions. Clients include well-known Brazilian and multinational companies, which the team advises on domestic and multi-jurisdictional transactions as well as conduct- related issues, where the team has experience in cartel investigations and leniency applications. Joyce Midori Honda and Ricardo Lara Gaillard lead the department, which includes key associate Leonardo Mansur Lunardi Danesi.

The 'highly responsive' and 'technically knowledgeable' antitrust team at Demarest Advogados continues to grow its client base and has recently been instructed by a number of new clients in the healthcare, e-commerce and technology sectors, among others. On the merger side, it maintains a busy practice, including in multi-jurisdictional transactions, where it works alongside top international law firms. Anti-competitive conduct investigations are another strength. Daniel Oliveira Andreoli receives fulsome praise for his 'incredible technical expertise' and 'ability to think on his feet in high pressure situations'. Other key partners in the department are Paola Pugliese, Bruno Drago and Milena Fernandes Mundim, who was promoted to partner in 2020.

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados retains a large market share of merger filings before CADE, including in non-fast-track cases which call for the negotiation of remedies. The team, which has been expanding its antitrust-related litigation practice, is also instructed by clients in sizeable domestic and international cartel investigations. Practice head Maria Eugênia Novis has broad experience in competition matters, acting for multinational clients in a variety of sectors. Managing partner Tito Amaral de Andrade; competition, compliance and public law specialist Marcos Paulo Veríssimo; and next generation lawyer Érica Sumie Yamashita, are also key figures.

Noted for its 'good communication, tranquility, professionalism and accessibility', Veirano Advogados is well versed in merger control and cartel investigations and also provides consulting services in competition law. On the merger side, its experience extends to advising third parties in challenging transactions, as well as merging parties themselves. The team's client roster includes Brazilian and multinational companies operating in the energy, infrastructure, life sciences and media and entertainment sectors, among others. Mariana Villela and Leonardo Maniglia Duarte head the team, which is based across São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasília.

The highly regarded Ricardo Inglez de Souza heads the competition department at Inglez, Werneck, Ramos, Cury e Françolin Advogados (IWRCF), which is best known for behavioural and conduct cases - including several connected to Operação Lava Jato - and also maintains a merger control practice. Inglez de Souza is ably supported by Stefanie Schmitt Giglio, who draws on over 10 years of experience in Brazilian and international firms.

Tauil & Chequer Advogados in association with Mayer Brown has reshuffled its competition and antitrust department; a team of experienced lawyers including Francisco Todorov, Adriana Giannini and Lorena Nisiyama joined from Trench Rossi Watanabe, while former practice head Eduardo Molan Gaban and senior associate Natali de Vicente Santos left for Madrona Advogados. Operating from the firm's São Paulo and Brasília offices, the team represents clients in domestic and cross-border matters, including high-profile mergers and cartel investigations.

Araújo e Policastro Advogados has carved out a niche in private follow-on damages litigation, a nascent area in Brazil's antitrust market, where it acts for claimants. In this context, practice head Bruno Lanna Peixoto works alongside international firms to advise on cross-border litigation. Ludmilla Martins and Carolina Pagotto Trevizo are key contacts at the associate level.

Dias Carneiro Advogados' Joyce Ruiz Rodrigues Alves has a combined antitrust and anti-corruption practice and is active in bid-rigging investigations and other conduct work. The firm is particularly strong in the technology sector; as such, the competition department is well versed in merger control in the context of technology transactions. André de Melo Ferreira and associate Tayná Gasparotto Rodrigues are often involved in the department's key cases.

Lobo de Rizzo Advogados' competition team remains busy, handling a mix of merger control and behavioural work. Highlights in the latter included its representation of Alstom in a cartel investigation related to the alleged collusion in bids for the acquisition and maintenance of trains and metros in Brazil. Sérgio Varella Bruna heads the department, which includes key senior associate Natalia Pinheiro da Silveira.

The competition practice group at Mundie e Advogados sits within the firm's broader regulation and competition department, and is particularly adept in antitrust conduct investigations, where it acts for companies and individuals. Merger control and compliance training also feature in the team's workload. Highly regarded partner Enrico Spini Romanielo heads the department.

The 'very knowledgeable, responsive and service-minded' competition team at CGM Advogados is particularly strong in conduct cases and investigations, and benefits from additional expertise in public law. The group is led by highly regarded partner André Marques Gilberto and is particularly active in the life sciences, logistics and transport sectors.

KLA Advogados has recently been active in merger clearance, where it benefits from the firm's strength in corporate and M&A. The competition practice group also advises clients on antitrust-compliant policies and training. Tiago Cortez specialises in competition law and life sciences; associates Maria Wagner and Marcelo Laplane - who has a strong economics background - are also names to note.

Lefosse Advogados takes a multi-disciplinary approach, with a team that is equipped to advise on antitrust, anti-corruption, regulation and compliance. José Carlos da Matta Berardo heads the department, which acts for banking, pharma and retail companies, among others, regarding mergers and investigations, including unilateral conduct cases. The team also benefits from the input of several experienced associates. Counsel Paulo Lilla returned to the firm in March 2020 after a nine-month stint at Opice Blum, Bruno, Abrusio, Vainzof Advogados Associados but is now primarily focused on technology, data protection and IP. Compliance, competition and regulatory senior associate Juliana Daniel was promoted to partner in June 2020.

At Souza, Mello e Torres, founding partner Fabricio Cardim de Almeida heads the competition and antitrust department and can also draws on experience in compliance and anti-corruption matters. The team, which has been particularly active in merger control cases recently, expanded at the associate level with the arrival of Alan Bittar Prado from AB InBev in September 2019.

Stocche Forbes Advogados saw the departure of former practice head Paulo Casagrande to Trench Rossi Watanabe in January 2020; Ana Paula Paschoalini - a 'clear rising star in the field' - now leads the team. She has notable experience advising clients in merger control processes and competition compliance programmes.

Wongtschowski & Zanotta Advogados excels in complex cartel cases, where it assists Brazilian and international companies and executives in all stages of CADE investigations. Name partner and competition practice head Pedro Zanotta draws on significant experience both in-house and in private practice. Dayane Garcia Lopes Criscuolo and Rodrigo Orlandini are key associates in the team.