The Legal 500 > Latin America > Brazil > Public law

The 'incredibly hardworking and creative' public law group at Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados 'works around the clock to come up with the best possible solutions to complex problems'. Areas of strength include public-private partnerships (PPPs), privatisations, concessions and administrative litigation. 'Terrific lawyer' Lucas Sant’Anna 'has tremendous experience with the Federal Audit Court (TCU) and other government auditing and litigation bodies'. José Virgílio Lopes Enei, Mauro Bardawil Penteado and Rafael Vanzella also receive praise.

Public and administrative law are focal areas at Manesco, Ramires, Perez, Azevedo Marques Sociedade de Advogados, which acts for companies in the infrastructure, transport and logistics sectors, among others. The firm has long played an active role in major infrastructure projects in the Brazilian market. In recent litigation, Marcos Augusto Perez acted for a large advertising agency in a lawsuit challenging the outcome of a large public bid. Floriano De Azevedo Marques Neto has over 30 years' experience advising public and private companies; Tatiana Matiello Cymbalista and Ane Elisa Perez are also key contacts.

Major public and private companies turn to Siqueira Castro – Advogados for assistance in public bids and administrative proceedings. Public law has been a focal area for the firm for several decades, and the team combines knowledge of administrative, regulatory, environmental and corporate law. Carlos Roberto Siqueira Castro is a well-known figure in the market. In internal developments, Renata de Abreu Martins and Rodrigo Alexander Calazans Macedo were promoted to partner in 2018, while Fernando Villela de Andrade Vianna joined Vella Pugliese Buosi e Guidoni Advogados in 2019.

The 'business-oriented' public law department at TozziniFreire Advogados covers government contracts, public procurement, administrative improbity cases and regulatory matters; its diverse client roster includes household-name companies. Claudia Elena Bonelli and Ana Cândida de Mello Carvalho  have vast experience in this field. The team was further strengthened in 2019 with the promotion of José Augusto de Castro to partner.

André Luiz Freire and Renato Poltronieri lead the public law team at Demarest Advogados, which is active in public bids, corporate transactions and proceedings before regulatory agencies and public bodies. Moreover, the practice group was significantly strengthened in October 2019 with the hire of the is 'highly knowledgeable' Bruno Aurélio, formerly practice head at Tauil & Chequer Advogados in association with Mayer Brown. Clients include EcoRodovias, Imerys and CMA CGM.

The highly regarded Marianne Albers and her team at Felsberg Advogados handle a range of public law and regulatory matters, including public bids and litigation with government authorities. In ongoing work, the team is advising a leading pharmaceuticals company on administrative defences and contracts with the Ministry of Health.

The 'responsible' and 'efficient' public law lawyers at Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados are 'always personally engaged'. It has a broad infrastructure practice, and also advises its clients on administrative contracts, negotiations with governmental authorities and in administrative proceedings. The 'polite and intelligent' Thiago Luís Sombra 'has a strong name in this area', and 'great attorney' Lauro Celidonio Gomes dos Reis Neto 'solves problems quickly'. Bruno Dario Werneck has an active infrastructure and public procurement practice.

Possessing vast experience in the infrastructure sector, Tauil & Chequer Advogados in association with Mayer Brown combines 'deep technical knowledge with a hands-on approach'; 'this combination makes them stands out from the crowd'. Associate Renan Sona Silva is 'very dedicated and skilled'; however, practice head Bruno Aurélio moved to Demarest Advogados in October 2019.

The well-regarded public law team at Tojal Renault Advogados is 'always attentive to the client's global strategy'. It is particularly prominent in the logistics, transport and infrastructure sectors, where it acts for clients in contentious and non-contentious matters, from public bids to negotiating leniency agreements. Founding partner Sebastião Botto de Barros Tojal heads the department, which includes Jorge Henrique de Oliveira Souza and Sérgio Rabello Tamm Renault; it also benefits from a large pool of experienced associates.

Trench Rossi Watanabe's public law department 'has the right balance of very senior and seasoned professionals, and young and energetic stars with an astonishing work capacity'. The firm is particularly active in the oil-and-gas sector, and also acts for clients in the tech, telecoms and healthcare sectors, among others. Henrique Frizzo is 'very consistent and reliable' and has 'very good technical skills'. Heloísa Barroso Uelze specialises in investigations and disputes involving public entities and regulatory agencies. Environmental lawyer Renata Amaral is also recommended.

The public procurement specialists at Almeida Advogados are active in the construction, energy and tech sectors, among others. Rafael Zinato Moreira and Leonardo Palhares lead the team, which also handles litigation involving government agencies.

BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão is noted for its 'technical capacity and objectivity'; in-house counsel also appreciate the team's 'willingness to understand the business and all implications before providing an analysis and legal advice'. Eduardo Hayden Carvalhaes Neto is recommended. José Guilherme Berman is another key contact in the regulatory and government affairs department.

Brasília-based firm Mudrovitsch Advogados excels in public law and litigation. Standout areas include constitutional and electoral law. In a recent highlight, Rodrigo de Bittencourt Mudrovitsch and Guilherme Pupe da Nóbrega represented a professional association before the Supreme Court sustaining the unconstitutionality of a law of the state of Piauí.

'Excellent service provider' Pinheiro Neto Advogados advises on bidding processes, administrative contracts and administrative appeals. 'Terrific partner' Ricardo Pagliari Levy 'distills complicated legal concepts to their essence', and 'up-and-coming associate' Heloisa Figueiredo Ferraz is 'exceptionally bright and hard working'.

The 'reputable experts' at Veirano Advogados  'are up to date on current regulatory developments' and 'can navigate complex concession and administrative issues'. Marcos Ludwig 'has a very personable approach and, despite having a visibly brilliant mind, is very easy to communicate with'. Filipe Scherer Oliveira and counsel Mauro Hiane de Moura are key contacts in Porto Alegre.

Binenbojm & Carvalho Britto Advocacia 'is unique in strategic civil litigation' and is highlighted for its direct contact with senior partners, all of whom have 'solid knowledge and excellent performance in the superior courts'. 'Outstanding lawyer' Flávio Carvalho Britto is experienced in litigation involving complex constitutional and administrative law matters. Gustavo Binenbojm heads the department and is particularly active in the telecoms, energy and insurance sectors.

CGM Advogados acts for a multinational client base in contentious and non-contentious matters, from public tenders to investigations involving multiple public authorities. André Gilberto is the practice head.

Cordeiro, Lima e Advogados is particularly strong in the transport sector. Ivan Henrique Moraes Lima is the name to note.

Augusto Neves Dal Pozzo and Antonio Araldo Ferraz Dal Pozzo head the practice at Dal Pozzo Advogados, which has broad experience in public and administrative law and infrastructure projects.

The sizeable team at Brasília-based firm Advocacia Fernanda Hernandez  excels in litigation, including before the highest courts. Name partner Fernanda Guimaraes Hernandez is an 'exceptional lawyer'.

Acting from its offices in Paraná, São Paulo and Brasília, the reorganised Grego Santos Advogados -formerly Grego Santos Dantas Martin Neri- has wide-ranging experience in public law. In a recent success for a client in the tech sector, the team negotiated with a municipality to recognise the company's fulfilment of its contractual obligations regarding software development through public procurement, thus avoiding litigation. Bruno Grego Santos is 'competent', 'delivers on time' and 'adapts to clients' needs and requirements'.

The 'well-trained' lawyers at Justen, Pereira, Oliveira & Talamini Advogados are based in São Paulo and Curitiba. Eduardo Talamini and Cesar Pereira represented a client to defend the validity of current concessions and the client's right to financial compensation for losses resulting from certain acts of the government.

The 'business-oriented' and 'experienced' lawyers at KLA Advogados are 'always looking for alternatives to problems or obstacles'.  Administrative and regulatory law expert Paulo Prado heads the department. Vanessa Tafla left to take up an in-house position.

MJ Alves & Burle Advogados e Consultores has established itself as a leading firm in the field of advocacy and government relations in Brazil. The Brasília-based firm acts for leading players in the tech, energy and life sciences sectors, among others. Marcos Joaquim Gonçalves Alves and Fernanda Burle have strong experience.

Silveiro Advogados counts Banco do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Telefônica Brasil and HT Micron Semicondutores among its clients. Ricardo Leal de Moraes leads the large department, which is based in Porto Alegre and excels in administrative litigation.

Vella Pugliese Buosi e Guidoni Advogados' public law department saw a significant shake up with the departure of Luís Felipe Valerim Pinheiro (to establish Xavier Vasconcelos Valerim Advogados) and the arrival of Fernando Villela de Andrade Vianna from Siqueira Castro – Advogados. Villela has wide-ranging experience in government procurement and contracts.