Labour and employment in Brazil

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is a first-class choice for labour advice in Brazil. 2020 saw the firm help many longstanding clients restructure their employment practices in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, including providing advice on health and safety issues, home-working policies, collective negotiations for salary reductions, and the temporary closure of operations in Brazil. In addition to consulting advice, the firm regularly supports clients in internal investigations, collective lawsuits, strike management, class actions, and administrative and judicial labour disputes. The highly experienced Andrea Giamondo Massei Rossi leads the specialised team, which also includes Caroline Marchi, Rodrigo Seizo Takano and Daniel Dias. Clients also rate senior associate Murilo Caldeira Germiniani.

Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados remains a popular choice for high-end employment disputes, as well as broader strategic consulting and transactional-related labour issues. The firm was involved in several high-profile collective bargaining negotiations in 2020, and the team's capacity for cutting-edge disputes was demonstrated by its defence of Uber in a case concerning the employment status of its drivers. The versatile team includes Cleber Venditti, who handles a mix a of contentious and non-contentious matters, and Domingos Antonio Fortunato Netto, who advises several key clients in the oil and gas sector. Sólon Cunha is one of the go-to partners for union negotiations and disputes, while the extremely well-regarded Vilma Kutomi has been a lawyer of choice for guiding employers through the Covid-19 pandemic. Former partner Dario Abrahão Rabay left to join Cescon Barrieu

TozziniFreire Advogados has a comprehensive labour law practice, with a sizeable team of lawyers covering a broad range of specialisation and expertise. The contentious side of the practice is handled by highly respected practice co-head Alexandre de Almeida Cardoso, who also advises on collective negotiations, and Fernanda Bianco Pimentel. Strategic labour consultancy advice, including remuneration and immigration issues, are core areas for co-head Marcelo Pereira Gômara, Mihoko Sirley Kimura and Gabriela Lima, while Andre Fittipaldi is particularly active on social security and private pension matters. The firm, which is a member of the L&E Global network, also has dedicated teams of partners and lawyers in its Porto Alegre and Campinas offices. The overall offering makes it a popular choice for some of Brazil's largest employers, and the team's status is reflected in the highly sensitive nature of much of its work, which includes high-profile mass redundancies and union negotiations. In another interesting development, the firm expanded its pensions practice through the hire of Caio Taniguchi in September 2021.

Veirano Advogados' clients benefit from a multi-faceted team that is equally comfortable in high-stakes union negotiations, transactional support and major judicial and administrative lawsuits. The team's size, with eight partners, certainly helps it cover most of the key areas. Among them, Jose Carlos Wahle has established an excellent name for contentious and non-contentious labour issues, including sensitive internal investigations. Other key figures include Luiz Antonio dos Santos Junior, who regularly advises on collective bargaining and outsourcing agreements, as well as high-stakes lawsuits from senior executives. In Rio de Janeiro, Luiz Guilherme Migliora is especially active on the litigation side, while Flávia Azevedo is particularly experienced advising oil and gas companies on their labour issues. The firm also fields a strong team in Porto Alegre led by Luiz Afrânio Araújo.

'Excellent law firm' Demarest Advogados offers a combination of contentious and non-contentious employment advice to clients from across a broad range of sectors. Cássia Fernanda Pizzotti and Renato Canizares are the main contacts on the advisory side of the team, regularly handling collective negotiations and compliance investigation procedures. The team also has a good track record in providing support on M&A and corporate transactions, such as the sale of certain Nike assets to SBF, as well as assisting with the full range of Covid-19 related employment issues. Maurício Levy and Mónica Cristina Matarazzo are two of the main partners for employment litigation. Former partner Marcello Della Monica Silva left the firm.

Mannrich e Vasconcelos Advogados has a well-respected employment practice, which fields a team of highly experienced lawyers. A leading practitioner in the firm, Nelson Mannrich is well versed in negotiations with labour unions, strike management, remuneration policies, collective and individual dismissals, and outsourcing policies. Other key team members include Celso Goulart Mannrich, Roberto Aguirre Rossetti and Fábio Tadeu de Lima, who are all active in litigation. 2020 saw the firm defending clients against high-profile civil public actions relating to, among other things, illegal outsourcing and health and safety. Senior associate Alessandra Barichello Boskovic is singled out for praise by clients.

Pinheiro Neto Advogados is commended for its strong employment team, which offers a good blend of transactional, strategic and bespoke litigation expertise. Practice head Luís Antônio Ferraz Mendes has over 30 years’ in the market and is especially active in high-stakes labour disputes and collective bargaining agreements. Thais Galo, a partner at the firm since 2009, is experienced in senior-level recruitment and dismissals, remuneration plans, as well as judicial and administrative disputes, and advice on M&A-related employment issues. Mauricio Froes Guidi is also building a good reputation, particularly for advice to companies in the finance and technology industries, with Amazon a key client.

BMA – Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão has a balanced and versatile employment practice offering a broad range of litigation and advisory expertise. The team is regularly turned to by clients for individual and collective labour disputes, including public and civil claims, and is especially experienced representing clients in the energy, oil and gas, and shipbuilding industries. This extends to non-contentious support on union negotiations and corporate matters, including M&A and restructurings, as well as broader compliance, health and safety and risk management advice. The team is jointly led by well-regarded partners Cibelle Linero and Luiz Marcelo Góis. Associate Mariana Brassaloti left the firm in April 2021.

Cescon Barrieu added weight to its labour and employment team following the recruitment of well-respected partner Dario Abrahão Rabay from Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados; he brings a broad range of expertise, including in high-level litigation and advice on union-related issues. He joins the similarly versatile Gisela da Silva Freire, who regularly advises domestic and international clients on collective labour disputes and consultancy matters, including collective negotiations. The team's clients include employers from across a range of sectors, including technology, manufacturing, financial services, pharmaceuticals and charity. The team is especially experienced in executive compensation schemes, and recruitment and dismissal matters. Viviane de Azevedo Rodrigues is another key contact.

Felsberg Advogados enjoys a good reputation in the market, having established strong credentials for assisting employers with the full range of contentious and non-contentious labour law matters. On the litigation side, the team regularly defends clients against claims brought by senior executives, major unions and District Attorney's offices. Consultancy support on compensation plans, collective negotiations and compliance programmes also feature prominently in the team's workload. In addition, the team has been busy advising clients on the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, including providing advice on reduced working hours, redundancies and remote working policies. The firm's highly versatile partners Maurício Pepe de Lion and Ana Cristina Valentim are very well regarded.

Gasparini, Nogueira de Lima e Barbosa Advogados has an active employment team led by the experienced Ricardo Christophe da Rocha Freire, who is especially strong in labour litigation. In addition to judicial and administrative disputes, the firm also advises on high-profile collective and individual dismissals, and has good experience negotiating with the unions on collective bargaining agreements. During 2020, the team also provided strategic support to clients on Covid-19 related employment matters. Senior associate André Rodrigues Schioser also plays a key role in the team's success.

Huck, Otranto, Camargo Advogados‘ labour law department is highlighted for its ‘exemplary, punctual and quality customer service‘. The team specialises in high-value employment disputes and strategic consultancy matters, with expertise covering the gamut of issues, from health and safety, through social security, collective bargaining agreements and strike negotiations. Its lawyers regularly represent clients in the regional and superior courts, including in relation to administrative notices. Covid-19 related employment issues also represented a large portion of its activities in 2020, including the negotiation of contract suspensions, remote working and salary reduction agreements. Practice head Maria Fernanda de Medeiros Redi has good experience in executive recruitment and dismissals, while Célia Mara Peres is especially strong on union issues and collective bargaining. The highly regarded Isabella Mara Bodo is also very active on non-contentious employment matters. Since publication: the firm endured a significant split in February 2022 with the departure of 24 lawyers to found HRSA; while the firm retains 47 attorneys, de Medeiros Redi is among those who have left.

CGM Advogados has a popular, multidisciplinary team handling a balanced mix of strategic litigation and advisory work, often for clients with cross-border interests. The team's expertise in workforce restructurings came to the fore during the Covid-19 pandemic, with lawyers advising on a number of collective negotiations and terminations, health and safety issues, and any resultant disputes. The firm's large portfolio of clients in the healthcare, retail and industrial manufacturing sectors meant it represented many employers impacted heavily by the crisis. Founding partner Patricia Barboza leads the team, which includes up-and-coming partner Maury Lobo de Athayde and key senior associate Poliana César.

Lefosse Advogados' employment team provides strong support to the firm's active corporate and capital markets team on transactional matters. The practice also handles a heavy litigation caseload, and advises on the full range of employment law matters, including senior incentive plans. A particular focus is on advice to international clients on Brazilian labour law issues and expatriate workers, and union negotiations, which accelerated significantly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Practice head Aloizio Lima and senior associate Paulo Antonio Peressin have strong credentials in this area.

Peixoto e Cury Advogados represents domestic and international clients on a range of strategic contentious and non-contentious employment matters. The team regularly handles judicial and administrative proceedings, and is also noted for its strong expertise advising on collective negotiations with the unions, in addition to assisting clients with day-to-day employment matters. Key partners include litigation expert Luiz Vicente de Carvalho and Antonio Carlos Aguiar, who specialises in unions and crisis management. Marcel Tadeu Alves da Silva has good expertise in social security related issues. Poliana Banqueri Guimarães has also established a good name.

Rayes & Fagundes Advogados Associados provides litigation and consulting support on the full spectrum of labour issues, including social security and workplace accidents. Clients come from every sector, though the firm is especially noted for its advice to employers in the chemicals and life sciences industries. Collective disputes and bargaining agreements feature prominently on the firm's workload, and the team also advises on outsourcing issues and work-related immigration. The versatile Paula Corina Santone Carajelescov leads the team, with support from recently promoted partner Roberto Ferreira Ferlis and Tadeu Henrique Machado Silva.

Siqueira Castro – Advogados is distinct in that in addition to higher-value strategic employment advice, the firm also has a specialised mass litigation practice, which has recently been handling over 100,000 labour claims. The firm also stands out for its more bespoke advice on contentious and non-contentious labour and social security issues. The team's domestic and international clients operate across a wide range of sectors, including logistics, oil and gas, banking and infrastructure. Otavio Pinto e Silva and André de Souza Santos jointly lead the team.

Clients appreciate Soto Frugis Advogados‘ ability to ‘suggest solutions with a business focus‘. The firm is a relatively new labour boutique whose lead partners have strong track records from previous tenures at major domestic and international law firms. This status is reflected in the quality of the firm’s client base, which includes major manufacturing, industrial, technology, hospitality and financial services companies. The team handles a broad mix of contentious and non-contentious work, including negotiations with unions on collective bargaining agreements. During the Covid-19 pandemic the team has seen an increase in consultancy work, including advice on home-office policies and health and safety conditions, as well as disputes emerging from collective dismissals. The founders, Eduardo Soto and Antonio Carlos Frugis, are ably supported by partners Leonardo Aurelio Pardini and, in Campinas, Graziela Vicari Mellis.

The 'creative and practical' employment law team at Souto Correa Advogados represents an impressive mix of manufacturing and technology clients from its offices in Porto Alegre and São Paulo. On the advisory side, the firm offers strong support in related areas such as Covid-19 policies, data protection, risk mitigation and collective negotiations with the unions. Judicial and administrative disputes also feature prominently on its workload, including high-level class actions and individual claims. Paulo Roberto Souto, Flavio Sirangelo and Joel Gallo are the main partners, and Patricia Alves is a name to note at the associate level.

Tauil & Chequer Advogados has been investing in its labour team following the arrival of well-regarded practice head Aline Fidelis in late 2019. The team has seen significant growth, and now handles an even mix of litigation and advisory matters, including union negotiations, internal investigations, executive compensation plans and mass dismissals. The practice also provided strong support to employers throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly in areas such as health and safety, data protection and remote working.

With 'excellence in procedural and advisory issues', Abe Giovanini Advogados has a focused team led by highly rated partner Fernanda Garcez, who has strong credentials in contentious and non-contentious labour law matters. The Covid-19 pandemic forced a greater shift to the consultancy side of the practice as clients grappled with a range of issues, including reduced salaries and working hours, home-working agreements, and health and safety for on-site workers. This came in addition to the firm's regular stream of administrative and judicial proceedings, including public civil actions and class litigation.

Araújo e Policastro Advogados has an experienced labour law practice led by Ana Lúcia Pinke Ribeiro de Paiva, who has extensive knowledge of non-contentious and contentious issues. The firm represents domestic and international clients from a mix of sectors, including manufacturing, IT, logistics, energy, education and advertising. Guiding employers through the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic took up a good portion of the team’s time in 2020. Ordinarily the firm handles an even mix of consulting and litigation work, including due diligence on M&A deals, collective bargaining agreements, social security advice, health and safety, and disputes linked to dismissals.

Dias Carneiro Advogados has a small but focused practice that offers a good mix of strategic employment and litigation support. Practice head André de Melo Ribeiro has significant experience in judicial and administrative proceedings, and also advises on related transactional issues, HR policies and compensation procedures. Cynthia Fernandes Guidotti - who was promoted to partner in July 2021 - leads the labour litigation side of the practice, which regularly represents clients from a wide range of industries in individual and collective claims.

At Inglez, Werneck, Ramos, Cury e Françolin Advogados (IWRCF), 'the availability, cordiality and quality of delivery make the service exceptional'. The firm is regularly called upon by clients for assistance in sensitive disputes and strategic employment matters. The firm regularly assists in the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements with unions, and represents clients from across a range of sectors, including financial services and infrastructure. The practice is also noted for its expertise in high-value collective and individual labour claims. Well-regarded practice head Luiz Fernando Alouche has over 20 years' experience in the market. Associate Tamira Fioravante also receives praise.

KLA Advogados has significant experience defending employers against complex judicial and administrative litigation proceedings. Practice head Alexandre Pessoa regularly represents clients at the highest level, and also offers notable expertise in advisory matters. This includes training, compliance procedures, compensation packages and collective bargaining negotiations. Its clients operate in a range of industries, including life sciences, manufacturing, financial services and advertising. Recently, the firm has advised on several mass redundancy procedures, as well as senior executive dismissals. Associate Bruna de Cesare is singled out for praise.

Mundie e Advogados represents employers from several key industries, including telecoms, energy, technology, business process outsourcing, luxury goods and agribusiness. The team provides regular support to clients in union negotiations, including collective redundancy plans and bargaining agreements. The firm has been involved in several high-profile class actions and disputes involving senior-level executives. Unsurprisingly, strategic advice concerning Covid-19 featured prominently on the agenda recently, including input on salary reductions and home-working arrangements. The highly experienced Nadia Lacerda leads the team, which includes associate Carolina Sampaio.

Tortoro, Madureira & Ragazzi Advogados represents an impressive mix of clients in the financial services, retail, energy and food manufacturing sectors. The team has a particular focus on labour disputes, including high-profile senior executive employment claims. Further areas of expertise include risk management advice on issues such as harassment claims. On the non-contentious side, the team regularly advises on restructurings, outsourcing contracts and structuring compensation packages. Caio Medici Madureira leads the team, with strong support from partner Rodrigo Souza Macedo.

Vella Pugliese Buosi e Guidoni Advogados has an experienced team led by Marcos Renato Gelsi dos Santos, who has over 20 years' in the market and advises on strategic consulting and litigation issues. The practice has built up longstanding relationships with major employers from across several key industries, including manufacturing, telecoms, logistics and food services. Clients also benefit from the firm's broad international reach, which is enhanced by its strategic alliance with Dentons.