The Legal 500 > Latin America > Brazil > Labour and employment

'Always up to date with market news', Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados 'understands the specific needs of the client and adds solutions with a business vision'. Rodrigo Seizo Takano heads the department; in 2018, he and João Batista Pereira Neto advised Umicore Brasil on site closure negotiations and mass terminations. In other work, the pair and associate Gastão Pazinatto Junior successfully represented Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras in an appeal before the Regional Labor Court, which dismissed union complaints. Caroline Marchi, Claudio Pieroni are also strongly recommended. Andrea Giamondo Massei Rossi provides labour law consultancy to national and multinational clients.

TozziniFreire Advogados 'will always look one step further and bring innovative solutions'. Its wide-ranging expertise encompasses employment litigation before the superior courts, union negotiations, labour and social security compliance and pensions. Combining the firm's expertise in technology and labour law, it implemented Direito do Trabalho 4.0, a programme to address issues such as data protection, social media and disruptive tech and their impacts on employment. With 'outstanding technical and practical knowledge', Fernanda Bianco Pimentel is 'always available to support the client in a variety of topics'. She and Alexandre de Almeida Cardoso are 'among the top strategists when it comes to negotiating with unions, both in court and out of court'. Roberto Pierri Bersch is also recommended. Marcelo Pereira Gômara and Mihoko Sirley Kimura are also key contacts.

The sizeable, standalone labour practice at Veirano Advogados maintains a focus on high-level disputes. Areas of strength include dismissals, compensation plans and class actions, and the team counts Philip Morris, Microsoft and Merck among its clients. LATAM is another of its household name clients; in recent work,  Luiz Antonio dos Santos Junior represented the company in a class action involving harassment and discrimination claims. Flávia Azevedo is well versed in labour law issues in the oil-and-gas sector and Jose Carlos Wahle has broad experience in employment litigation and internal investigations. Luiz Guilherme Migliora is another active member of the team.

Demarest Advogados is particularly strong in collective bargaining agreements and is noted for its 'practical advice' and 'availability'; the team is also active in administrative proceedings and compliance investigations, among other employment-related areas. 2018 matters saw Marcello Della Monica Silva represent an industrial company in a union action seeking a hazardous-work bonus for former employees. Cássia Fernanda Pizzotti heads the department, which also includes Renato Canizares and Mónica Cristina Matarazzo, who was made partner in late 2019.

Labour boutique Granadeiro Guimarães Advogados is highlighted for its 'availability and technical knowledge'. Its workload ranges from preventative arrangements to judicial litigation, and it fields one of the largest dedicated employment departments in Brazil. Aparecida Tokumi Hashimoto specialises in labour consulting, and Filipe Gustavo Potzmann Pereira is a key contact for litigation. Gustavo Guimaraes is another name to note.

The busy and buoyant employment practice at Huck, Otranto, Camargo Advogados handles a range of contentious and non-contentious matters for its clients. Ongoing work includes representing a charity in a labour claim requesting job reinstatement and moral damages. ‘Very dedicated’ practice head Maria Fernanda de Medeiros Redi has broad knowledge of social security, variable pay schemes and health and safety issues. Drawing on over 20 years' experience, Célia Mara Peres provides labour consultancy and compliance advice to clients.

Clients appreciate the 'high level knowledge of the partners' at Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados. Among its areas of expertise are litigation-prevention strategies, negotiations with labour unions and compliance. In litigation, the firm successfully defended a client with multinational operations in two class actions seeking payment for health hazard allowances and risk premium. Vilma Toshie Kutomi and Cleber Venditti are recommended. Domingos Antonio Fortunato Netto acts for companies and individuals in employment litigation.

The highly regarded labour practice at Pinheiro Neto Advogados recently added Boeing and Lojas Coppel to an already impressive client roster. The team advises employers on litigation (including class actions), preventive matters, and the employment aspects of large corporate transactions. Luís Antônio Ferraz Mendes is defending a leading financial services company in a case involving core business outsourcing of services. Mauricio Froes Guidi, who made partner in 2018, and Thais Galo are well versed in high-stakes employment matters.

Recommended firm Trench Rossi Watanabe covers investigations, class actions, collective bargaining agreements, compensation structures, global mobility, and health and safety, among other areas. Clients include General Electric, Facebook and American Airlines. Tricia Maria Sá de Oliveira and Letícia Ribeiro Crissiuma de Figueiredo are key contacts in the São Paulo office.

BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão provides 'feasible and smart solutions with a business-oriented view' and is highlighted for its 'modern and technical approach'. It often represents clients in individual and collective labour disputes and strategic litigation. 'Extraordinary lawyer' Luiz Marcelo Góis is 'very dedicated to the clients', while associate Mariana Brassaloti is a 'rising star'. Cibelle Goldfarb co-leads the department with Góis and is also recommended.

The 'very engaged and committed' team at Cescon, Barrieu, Flesch & Barreto Advogados has 'great know-how and experience about all labour matters'. The ‘very responsive and knowledgeable’ Gisela da Silva Freire heads the team, which also includes 'excellent labour litigation lawyer' Gustavo da Silva Souto and recommended senior associate Viviane de Azevedo Rodrigues.

With a large and well-qualified team, Siqueira Castro – Advogados has the size and experience to handle a high number of labour disputes. André de Souza Santos joined from Pipek Penteado e Paes Manso Advogados in 2018; he and Otavio Pinto e Silva acted for a construction company in a dispute brought by a high-level employee. Manuela Tavares co-heads the team.

Tauil & Chequer Advogados in association with Mayer Brown maintains a busy labour practice and has recently advised longstanding and new clients on a range of litigious and non-contentious matters. Following the December-2019 departure of former practice head Eduardo Soto to establish his own firm, employment and benefits head, Aline Fidelis , is the key contact; she focuses on both labour litigation and counsel.

The 'very well-prepared lawyers' at ASBZ Advogados are 'always available to bring a new idea or strategy'. The labour practice handles a range of complex disputes, and has seen significant growth, including the arrival of Bráulio Dias Lopes de Almeida from TozziniFreire Advogados in 2018. He and Decio Daidone Junior are 'real experts in labour law'; Rodrigo Shiromoto is noted for his 'very proactive and business-oriented approach'; and associate Mariana Vilha Gomes is a 'rising star'.

A 'great business partner', Dias Carneiro Advogados  is 'very objective' and its lawyers 'reply promptly'. It stands out in the tech sector, and recently expanded its client portfolio of startups and investment funds. Practice head André de Melo Ribeiro is an 'outstanding lawyer', while Cynthia Fernandes Guidotti -who was made Counsel in January 2020- is an 'excellent labour litigator'.

Felsberg Advogados 'demonstrates excellent knowledge of Brazilian labour law' and 'the main decisions of the labour court'. Maurício Pepe de Lion is 'very good in court'; the 'extremely capable' Tamara Gustinelli 'thinks outside the box'; and Caio Guimarães 'has a global vision' and 'always observes the details'. In a significant 2018 move, the firm hired Ana Cristina Valentim from KLA-Koury Lopes Advogados.

Gasparini, De Cresci e Nogueira de Lima Advogados' 'business-oriented' labour team 'communicates well and is responsive'; and clients commend its acting as a 'business partner'. The practice provides a broad employment practice and is instructed by both domestic and international companies; 'great lawyer' Ricardo Christophe da Rocha Freire, and André Rodrigues Schioser, are strongly recommended.

The 'result-driven' team at KLA Advogados has 'strong technical knowledge' and handles a broad range of labour issues. Alexandre Pessoa has 'outstanding communication skills and is business oriented'. Ana Cristina Valentim left for Felsberg Advogados.

Lefosse Advogados obtains 'great results in difficult and complex labour cases'. The 'very committed' team is led by Aloizio Lima and is 'always available to discuss cases with local and global management'. Lima and senior associate Paulo Antonio Peressin have been advising a financial institution in a large number of labour lawsuits following an acquisition.

The 'high-level and committed' labour team at Rayes & Fagundes Advogados Associados stands out for its 'technical knowledge and availability'. It provides litigation and consultancy services in the field of labour and social security, with specialisms including collective agreements and occupational accidents. Paula Corina Santone Carajelescov and litigator João Paulo Fogaça de Almeida Fagundes lead the team.

At Souto Correa Cesa Lummertz & Amaral Advogados, 'all members of the labour team are technically impeccable'. In a recent success, it represented a client in the media and entertainment sector in three collective actions; all the claims were dismissed. Paulo Roberto Souto 'has a deep knowledge of labour law, as well as an impressive relationship with unions'. Joel Gallo and Manoela Pascal Martins are also recommended.

Under the leadership of Ana Lúcia Pinke Ribeiro de Paiva, Araújo e Policastro Advogados advises companies and high-level employees on litigation and non-contentious employment matters. Senior associate Flavia Sulzer Augusto Dainese often plays a role in the department's key cases.

At Castro Barros Advogados, senior associate Valéria Wessel Souza Rangel de Paula has notable experience in labour law and social security. In recent work, she successfully represented a financial institution in several labour lawsuits.

Clients appreciate CGM Advogados' 'extensive knowledge' and 'ease of contact'. Domestic and multinational companies turn to the team for labour, immigration and social security issues. Patricia Medeiros Barboza heads the department, which includes the 'detailed' and 'business oriented' Maury Lobo de Athayde ; a 'team player', he made partner in 2019.

'Technically impeccable' and 'agile' employment boutique Custodio e Bissetti Advogados Associados fields 'very experienced professionals' and 'charges reasonable fees'. Renato Antonio Villa Custodio is a 'very good, direct and fair labour lawyer'. Marcio Alexandre de Melo e Bissetti also receives praise.

DDSA - De Luca, Derenusson, Schuttoff e Azevedo Advogados has broad experience defending companies in labour claims brought by individuals, and also offers non-contentious consultancy. Leila Pigozzi Alves is the name to note.

Inglez, Werneck, Ramos, Cury e Françolin Advogados (IWRCF) is highlighted for its 'great technical knowledge'. It advises on dismissals, collective claims, audits, investigations and strikes. 'Proactive' practice head Luiz Fernando Alouche is 'directly involved in the work'.

Lobo de Rizzo Advogados' labour team is 'committed', 'engaged' and 'very knowledgeable'. Its clients include energy, manufacturing and life sciences-sector companies. Fabio Medeiros is the practice head.

Mannrich e Vasconcelos Advogados provides a 'professional service with attention to legal risks and compliance with reference to Brazilian legislation'. Clients also value the team's 'ability to evaluate client needs' and 'professional attitude'. Nelson Mannrich's areas of expertise span outsourcing, working-hour requirements, remuneration policies, and individual and collective dismissals. Roberto Aguirre Rossetti is also a key contact.

Nadia Lacerda heads the labour practice at Mundie e Advogados and has substantial experience in immigration, harassment at work, compensation and work-related accidents, among other areas.

The 'excellent professionals' at Sperling Advogados are 'committed' and 'experienced'. The key contacts are senior associates Shana Menezes, who 'provides strategic insights and has a great business-driven mindset'; and 'proactive lawyer' Lídia Lage, who 'thinks outside the box'.

Vella Pugliese Buosi e Guidoni Advogados is 'always up-to-date with new interpretations of the law at the Labour Tribunal and with union discussions'. André Luiz Ferreira Alves is recommended; he co-leads the labour department with Marcos Renato Gelsi dos Santos.