Brazil > Labour and employment > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

The ‘outstanding’ labour group at Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is noted for its ‘excellent advice and professional knowledge’. It is advising Saipem, an oil and gas industry contractor, in relation to the shutting down of its facilities by the Brazilian labour authorities. Other clients include General Electric, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Banco Múltiplo and Yahoo! do Brasil Internet. Rodrigo Seizo Takano has ‘good business knowledge’, and Caroline Marchi, Claudio Pieroni and Andréa Giamondo Massei Rossi are also recommended.

Labour law boutique Mallet Advogados Associados is highly regarded for its work in strategic litigation, and covers the full range of consultancy services. Estêvão Mallet and Olinda Maria Moreira Alves de Oliveira Mallet are the names to note within the renowned seven-partner team.

With expertise in employment claims, mass terminations, strikes and negotiations with unions, and corporate governance structures, TozziniFreire Advogados’ nine-partner group acts for clients such as Colgate-Palmolive, BMW, Mastercard, Ford and Siemens. It successfully represented Ford in a dispute against the steelworkers’ union concerning the recognition of a work schedule requiring work on Saturdays; the labour court’s ruling in Ford’s favour was a significant decision in terms of the company’s production capacity. Marcelo Pereira Gômara, Mihoko Sirley Kimura, Roberto Pierri Bersch and Alexandre de Almeida Cardoso are the names to note.

Providing a ‘high-quality legal service’ and with ‘strong knowledge of the market’, the team at Veirano Advogados is regarded highly for its work in the areas of collective dismissals, contract negotiations and compliance investigations. It is defending Philip Morris against litigation filed by employees seeking indemnification in light of developing diseases allegedly caused by their work environment. Luiz Guilherme Migliora ‘combines deep academic knowledge with a pragmatic approach’, and Luiz Antonio dos Santos Jr., Flávia Martins Azevedo and José Carlos Wahle are also recommended. Luiz Afrânio Araújo and Silvia Araújo made partner in January 2018.

Providing ‘top-notch’ advice and an ‘excellent cost benefit’, the six-partner group at Demarest Advogados has added Nike, Avon and Mercer to an already impressive client roster. In 2017 it was engaged by Santander to perform a review of its judicial defences regarding the most common labour claims brought against the bank. Another highlight was assisting Akzo Nobel in the discontinuation of its manufacturing activities at an establishment located in São Gonçalo. Cássia Pizzotti and Renato Canizares are the names to note.

Well-established labour law boutique Granadeiro Guimarães Advogados has a 30-strong team, and covers compliance, risk assessment, litigation, and union negotiations. Its client base includes Brazilian and international companies from a wide variety of economic sectors. Gustavo Granadeiro Guimarães is the name to note.

Representing a variety of large domestic companies including advertising agencies, insurance companies and power distributors, Huck, Otranto, Camargo Advogados is an ‘experienced’ choice for clients. The labour team regularly handles contentious matters concerning employment status, work accidents and collective bargaining. The ‘very dedicated’ Maria Fernanda de Medeiros Redi is recommended alongside Célia Mara Peres.

Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados has an impressive roster of clients including Uber, J.P. Morgan, IBM and Goodyear, and regularly handles high-level strategic labour claims as well as non-contentious matters. A highlight in 2017 was defending Uber against two strategic cases filed by drivers concerning employment rights. Vilma Toshie Kutomi and Domingos Antonio Fortunato Netto are recommended.

Pinheiro Neto Advogados has ‘a business-oriented approach’ and a team of ‘accessible’ lawyers. It advised Caixa Econômica Federal on the possible revision of its employee benefit plans, with the work focused on adopting legislative changes and favouring flexibility. Other clients include Omron, Mondelēz International and McDonald’s. The ‘excellent’ Luís Antônio Ferraz Mendes is recommended alongside Thais Galo. Mauricio Froes Guidi made partner in December 2017. Anna Thereza Monteiro de Barros announced her retirement as of July 2018.

Led by the highly regarded Luiz Carlos Amorim Robortella, Robortella Advogados covers the full range of contentious and advisory matters. The firm has particular expertise in strategic disputes and mass litigation.

Fielding a ‘large team of excellent lawyers’, Trench Rossi Watanabe acts for clients including Sony Pictures, The Walt Disney Company and Emerson. The group continues to represent American Airlines in over 400 labour claims as well as assisting in improving the client’s internal structure for handling labour debt. The team also acts for Sysmex Brasil in all labour matters, with a focus on improving the company’s labour practices. The ‘very experienced’ Tricia Maria Sá de Oliveira is recommended along with Letícia Ribeiro Figueiredo.

Cescon, Barrieu, Flesch & Barreto Advogados’ labour group gives ‘excellent’ advice, and acts for an impressive roster of clients including Intel and Nike. It recently defended Verzani & Sandrini in a class action filed by the labour public attorney’s office seeking payment of indemnification for alleged collective and moral damages. The ‘very responsive’ Gisela da Silva Freire heads the team, which saw the departure of Aldo Augusto Martinez Neto to Santos Neto Advogados in May 2017.

With ‘an excellent response time’ and ‘strong business acumen’, KLA-Koury Lopes Advogados has a focus on contentious work and primarily handles complex labour claims. Alexandre Pessoa and Ana Cristina Valentim co-head the department.

The ‘high-level’ team at L.O. Baptista Advogados is praised for its ‘very fast response time’, and had a busy 2017, acting in relation to union disputes, labour claims and employee plans and rights. Fábio Chong de Lima ‘gets straight to the point’. Associate Rosana Pilon Muknicka joined from Montgomery & Associados.

Handling both contentious and non-contentious matters, Mascaro e Nascimento Advogados has an impressive roster of domestic and international clients. Marcelo Costa Mascaro Nascimento is the key partner.

Specialist labour law firm Mesquita Barros Advogados is highly regarded for disputes. Cássio Mesquita Barros is recommended by clients and peers alike.

Boutique firm Pipek Penteado e Paes Manso Advogados has a wide-ranging practice, with Arnaldo Pipek the key contact.

Siqueira Castro – Advogados, with offices in all of the country’s major cities, handles a significant flow of labour claims. It defended Concremat in litigation brought by former employees, and assisted General Electric in amending labour agreements. Carlos Eduardo Vianna Cardoso and Otavio Pinto e Silva co-head the practice. Manuela Tavares joined the team and Ana Cristina Robortella made partner, while Rafael Ferraresi Holanda Cavalcante, Giancarlo Borba and Williane Gomes Pontes Ibiapina left the firm.

The labour department of Tauil & Chequer Advogados in association with Mayer Brown is highly recommended for contentious matters. Its recent work includes representing ASG Software in litigation, while on the non-contentious side it assisted CA Technologies in relation to complex compensation plans. Eduardo Soto is the name to note.

Azevedo Sette Advogados has extensive experience in litigation, while also providing day-to-day advice to clients such as Amazon, Ferrero do Brasil and Messe München. Gustavo Magalhães Assis, Leila Azevedo Sette and Luanna Vieira de Lima Costa are recommended.

Noted for its ‘outstanding business orientation’ and ‘creative solutions’, BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão’s labour team is recommended for advice on the development of compliance systems and human resources policies. New clients include Energisa, Supergasbrás Energia and Fleury. The names to note are Cibelle Goldfarb and Luiz Marcelo Góis, who has ‘deep knowledge of labour law’.

BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão - Portuguese translation: Reconhecida por sua “excelente orientação comercial” e “soluções criativas”, a equipe de associados da BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão é recomendada para aconselhamento sobre o desenvolvimento de Sistemas de Compliance e Políticas de Recursos Humanos. Novos clientes incluem Energisa, Supergasbrás Energia e Fleury. Os nomes a serem destacados são Cibelle Goldfarb e Luiz Marcelo Góis, que possuem “profundo conhecimento em Direito Trabalhista”.

With a focus on accidents at work and work-related illness, Advocacia Maciel has a strong reputation for labour law advice. Founding partner José Alberto Couto Maciel is recommended.

Decio Daidone Junior’s team at ASBZ Advogados has plentiful experience acting for both Brazilian and international clients in labour litigation and non-contentious matters. It advised Singapore Airlines in relation to a mass layoff of its Brazilian employees.

The ‘excellent’ labour and employment group at Araújo e Policastro Advogados counts Liquigás Distribuidora, Schnellecke Brasil and SG Logística among its key clients. Ana Lúcia Pinke Ribeiro de Paiva heads the team.

Best known for its expertise in litigation, Bichara Advogados is noted for its ‘appropriate advice and value for money’. A highlight in 2017 was representing Laureate Educational in relation to four labour claims filed by an employee’s union. Practice head João Pedro Eyler Póvoa provides ‘crystal-clear and consistent’ strategies.

Castro, Barros, Sobral, Gomes Advogados assists its clients with ‘outstanding service and support’, and regularly handles litigation and transactional matters. It continues to advise a Japanese company on confidentiality and non-competition clauses in labour contracts. Senior associate Valéria Wessel Souza Rangel de Paula is the name to note.

Providing ‘state-of-the-art’ services, Chaves, Gelman, Machado, Gilberto e Barboza Sociedade de Advogados counts Burberry, Activision Blizzard and FTI Consulting among its key clients. Led by the ‘excellent’ Patricia Medeiros Barboza5, the group focuses on administrative and judicial litigation.

Praised for its ‘excellent advice and strength in depth’, DDSA - De Luca, Derenusson, Schuttoff e Azevedo Advogados delivers ‘creative solutions’ in labour and employment matters. It defended Cordoniu Fine Wines against a labour claim filed by a local representative. Leila Pigozzi Alves is ‘very highly qualified’.

Dias Carneiro Advogados recently assisted Vivareal in a civil investigation opened by the labour public prosecutor’s office. Practice head André de Melo Ribeiro also advises on anti-corruption and corporate integrity.

Aloizio Ribeiro Lima’s team at Lefosse Advogados acts for numerous national and international clients including Reckitt Benckiser and Royal Bank of Scotland. It provides day-to-day advice to Barry Callebaut, and recently defended the company against a civil public action.

With a team of ‘highly accomplished lawyers’, Leite, Tosto e Barros Advogados Associados has an impressive client roster, regularly acting for energy, financial services, technology, infrastructure, automobile and consumer products companies; names include Shell, Rabobank and Confab. Luciana Arduin Fonseca is recommended.

Levy & Salomão counts Tenneco, HSBC and Schaeffler among its clients. It continues to assist Camargo Corrêa with the implementation of an internal leniency programme. Litigation head Angela Di Franco and senior associate Silvia Fidalgo Lira co-lead the team.

Lobo de Rizzo Advogados is ‘excellent in all areas’. Recent work includes assisting a large multinational group in setting up operations in Brazil. The ‘competent’ Fabio Medeiros joined from Machado Associados in September 2017, bringing with him expertise in social security matters.

Active across the spectrum of labour and employment law matters, Mannrich e Vasconcelos Advogados has added several high-profile clients to its roster, including Amil, Ansell Brasil and AC Café. Nelson Mannrich and Roberto Aguirre Rossetti are recommended.

Mattos Engelberg Advogados has expertise in areas such as compensation and benefit plans, collective bargaining and labour due diligence. Its recent contentious work includes representing Biosev in relation to several claims. Daniel Domingues Chiode and Leonardo Santini Echenique co-head the group, which includes the ‘excellent’ Marília Minicucci.

Mundie e Advogados has expertise in expatriation policies and the recruitment of high-level executives, in addition to handling litigation and transactions. Nádia Demoliner Lacerda leads the team, which counts Neoenergia among its clients.

Peixoto e Cury Advogados handles high-profile labour litigation and class actions for a solid roster of clients, with a particular focus on clients in the electricity industry. Luiz Vicente de Carvalho and André Villac Polinesio co-head the department.

Rayes & Fagundes Advogados Associados covers contentious and non-contentious matters. ‘Experienced’ practice head Paula Corina Santone Carajelescov is highly regarded for her specialist expertise in the banking and financial sector.

Souto Correa Cesa Lummertz & Amaral Advogados counts FIFA, Lenovo, Dell and Kodak among its clients. A recent highlight was defending Cinemark against infraction notices regarding employment rights and employee pay. Joel Gallo is recommended alongside ‘experienced negotiator’ Paulo Roberto Souto.

Vella Pugliese Buosi e Guidoni Advogados primarily represents domestic companies in labour litigation. Marcos Renato Gelsi dos Santos leads the team.