Full-service law firm Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados has a premier public and administrative law practice, which is often retained to advise on some of the most significant infrastructure projects in the market. Particularly active in the transport, logistics, sanitation and energy segments, the group of ‘highly qualified professionals‘ handles major PPPs, concession agreements, bidding processes and privatisations. On the contentious front, the team demonstrates notable strength in administrative proceedings, the negotiation of leniency programmes, and high-profile litigation before constitutional courts. A strong performer in project finance, M&A and concessions in regulated sectors, José Virgilio Enei oversees the practice. Public and regulatory law specialist Lucas Sant’Anna is frequently sought after for his expertise in PPPs, administrative improbity matters and public tenders. Rafael Vanzella is trusted by financial institutions, government bodies and contractors in financing transactions and project development matters. Pedro Saullo is another core member of the team with a strong background in PPPs, economic and financial rebalance claims, and the enforcement of administrative contracts.

Manesco, Ramires, Perez, Azevedo Marques Sociedade de Advogados has a reputable public law practice, which attracts a strong following of major public and private sector clients. With a proven track record in high-profile administrative litigation, privatisations, concessions and PPPs, the group is called upon to handle infrastructure projects across an array of sectors, including sanitation, logistics, construction and transport. Noted for its particular strength in regulatory matters, the team is typically trusted by the Federal and State governments to advise on legal frameworks. A popular choice for both domestic and international clients, Floriano de Azevedo Marques Neto is the go-to practitioner for concessions and judicial and administrative proceedings, and was recently nominated as an effective justice of the Superior Electoral Court. He oversees the practice alongside Marcos Augusto Perez, whose expertise covers judicial actions, bid contracts and administrative improbity matters. Another core member of the team is Wladimir Antonio Ribeiro, who is an active adviser to the Federal Government on sanitation and waste management laws.

‘Nationally renowned‘ full-service law firm Demarest Advogados is geared to assist clients with the whole spectrum of public procurement work, from competitive biddings and concessions to project development and administrative litigation. Prominent in a wide range of segments, including sanitation, transport and waste management, the team has notable experience handling administrative improbity proceedings before the Federal Court of Accounts. Recommended for complex infrastructure projects, PPPs and privatisations, Bruno Aurélio shares the practice’s leadership with telecoms specialist Tomás Paiva. In January 2023, the team was strengthened by the promotions of concession and PPPs expert Renan Sona and Izabella Reis, who focuses on the mining sector, to partner.

Highly rated for its specialism in public law and strategic litigation, Giamundo Neto Advogados is known for its impressive track record in administrative disputes, especially proceedings before the Federal Court of Accounts. Noted for its broad offering, clients turn to the team for assistance with administrative improbity claims, PPPs, public biddings, concessions and project development. Founding partner Giuseppe Giamundo Neto is particularly active in the construction and sanitation sectors, where he advises on public contracts and litigation. Camillo Giamundo has extensive experience in infrastructure projects, while Thays Chrystina Munhoz de Freitas focuses on concessions, government contracts and administrative improbity matters. Leniency agreements, compliance and concessions are all areas of expertise for Christian Fernandes Rosa.

Praised for its ‘outstanding legal capacity‘, Mattos Filho‘s public law department is best known for its strong regulatory and transactional expertise. The team acts for a wide range of foreign and domestic clients, including contractors, construction companies, insurance firms, private equity funds and financial institutions in the full array of public law matters. Typical mandates include public tenders, PPPs, administrative and punitive proceedings, concessions, and M&A involving companies subject to government regulations. Administrative law expert André Luiz Freire is a key contact for public auctions and proceedings before regulatory agencies. Thiago Luís Sombra handles matters related to public law, anticorruption and technology, including investigations and government contracts. Recently promoted partner Henrique Lago da Silveira is building a strong practice in matters related to state-owned companies and concessions for transport and sanitation projects. In March 2023, associate Victor Jacuru left the firm.

Tauil & Chequer Advogados assists private sector clients in public procurement matters at the federal, state and local levels. In addition to its extensive experience in concessions, privatisations, PPPs and competitive bids, the team excels in litigation involving administrative improbity, public contracts and regulatory matters. Led by Bruno Werneck, the department is frequently engaged in major projects in the sanitation, mining, energy, transport and logistics segments. Senior associate Juliana Deguirmendjian is noted for her broad practice, which encompasses administrative proceedings, government contracts, PPPs and concessions, while associate Julio Barboza is recommended for project development matters.

Praised for its ‘extensive theoretical and practical knowledge‘, TozziniFreire Advogados‘ government projects and contracts team offers clients a comprehensive service, covering PPPs, public procurement and litigation. The practice has a wealth of experience in infrastructure projects and privatisations in the water and sewage, transport and logistics sectors. Regulatory matters and administrative litigation are other key areas of strength for the group, which is frequently instructed in proceedings before regulatory bodies and the Federal Court of Accounts. José Augusto Dias de Castro handles public contracts and compliance matters, Caio Loureiro advises on PPPs and concessions, and Marcelo Zenkner is recommended for anti-corruption compliance matters. Claudio Timm is no longer with the firm.

With a strong presence in São Paulo and Belo Horizonte, Azevedo Sette Advogados is well equipped to handle public projects in a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, transport, mining, energy and sanitation. Its offering is equally broad; typical mandates range from privatisations and public tenders to administrative litigation and concession contracts. Frederico Bopp Dieterich, who possesses over three decades’ experience advising on the regulatory and administrative aspects of public projects, jointly oversees the department with real estate group head Leonardo Costa de Souza. Bruna Bouissou is another core member of the team, with a strong background in PPPs, concessions, and contractual matters.

Based in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, the public law group at BMA Advogados is noted for its expertise in regulated sectors. The team is well versed in licensing processes, public biddings, concessions and competitive contracting procedures. Public law litigation, including administrative proceedings, judicial reviews and government disputes, is also at the core of the practice. Well regarded for her experience in infrastructure projects in the sanitation, logistics and transport segments, Ana Cândida de Mello Carvalho leads on major concessions and bidding procedures. She jointly heads up the team with José Guilherme Berman, whose practice covers regulatory enforcement, compliance, investigations and litigation. Associate Mayna Dias Melo is often engaged in administrative law matters and concessions.

At Felsberg Advogados, the ‘diligent, knowledgeable and caring’ public law department is geared to handle advisory, contentious and administrative law matters. Active in a wide range of segments, including media, energy, oil and gas, sanitation and telecoms, the team is typically engaged in large infrastructure projects, bidding procedures and PPPs. Singled out for her extensive experience in public law and life sciences, Marianne Albers excels in proceedings and negotiations before regulatory agencies. She co-leads the practice with Rodrigo Bertoccelli, a go-to adviser for infrastructure projects, with a focus on the sanitation and mobility sectors.

The ‘excellent’ public law team at Lefosse Advogados offers domestic and international clients legal support in concessions, PPPs, administrative contracts and public tenders. The group has been particularly busy handling privatisations in key industries, most notably oil and gas, logistics and sanitation. Leading the practice is Eduardo Carvalhaes, who is highly experienced in regulated markets and often handles PPPs, concessions and bids. Senior associates Beatriz Ghosn and Karen Coutinho are noted for their expertise in competitive biddings and administrative proceedings. The team was recently strengthened by the addition of senior associate Mariana Antunes, who joined from Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper in May 2022, and is knowledgeable of the infrastructure, sanitation and logistics sectors.

Pinheiro Neto Advogados is often engaged in complex and high-profile public law mandates in key industries, most notably life sciences, transport, sanitation and defence. The team is equipped to handle concessions, PPPs, government contracts and privatisations, as well as judicial and administrative disputes. Ricardo Pagliari Levy has a wealth of experience in public procurement matters, anti-corruption issues and administrative misconduct cases. Marcello Bernardes is a key contact for infrastructure projects and related litigation, while counsel Elina Cunha Friedl handles a mix of public biddings, concessions and litigation. At the associate level, Heloisa Figueiredo Ferraz and Samuel Lopes Parmegiani assist with public procurement and government contracts.

Split between Brasília and São Paulo, the public law team at Veirano Advogados is uniquely positioned to handle administrative and judicial proceedings before federal courts and regulatory agencies. Standing out for its strength in the energy, infrastructure and natural resources segments, the group offers assistance to domestic and international clients in concessions, PPPs, and public tenders. The practice was recently boosted by the arrival of former Mundie e Advogados‘ practitioners Elinor Cotait, who now leads the team, and Ana Claudia Beppu, who brings a wealth of experience in administrative and regulatory matters. Another key addition includes counsel Ana Beatriz Robalinho, who excels in constitutional litigation. Marcelo Reinecken and Mauro Hiane de Moura are other key names for cases before the Brazilian Supreme Court, the Superior Court of Justice and the Administrative Council of Tax Appeals (CARF).

Praised for its ‘extensive knowledge, efficiency and ability to offer technical solutions‘, Almeida Advogados is geared to handle a wide range of public law matters, from competitive biddings and government contracts to PPPs and infraction notices. On the contentious front, clients regularly seek the group’s support in litigation against government bodies and public civil actions. Rafael Zinato Moreira showcases extensive experience in infrastructure projects and administrative law matters. At the associate level, Pedro Argenta Bayardino is noted for civil and administrative law matters. Igor Luna and Luísa Sottili left the firm in August 2023.

Cescon Barrieu boasts a wealth of experience handling both advisory and contentious public law matters. Regular instructions see the team advise on administrative contracts, PPPs, regulatory disputes and tender proceedings. Leading the team is Mário Saadi, who is frequently engaged in projects and administrative law matters in the ports, airports, motorways and urban mobility segments. He works alongside associate Matheus Palhares Vieira, who is trusted by concessionaires, state-owned and private companies seeking assistance with public contracts, bidding procedures, and concessions.

Following the merger of Fialho Salles Advogados and Madrona Advogados in February 2023, Madrona Fialho Advogados draws on a combination of broad non-contentious and specialised contentious expertise. With a strong portfolio in water, sewage and sanitation, the team frequently handles PPPs, concession agreements and public bids. Based in Belo Horizonte, Anderson Novais focuses on the economic and financial balance of concession agreements, and Gustavo Magalhães supports clients in major regulatory and infrastructure matters. The São Paulo team is headed by Gustavo Uchiyama, who is well versed in complex administrative law matters, Rodrigo Machado, a specialist in the power sector, and Rodrigo Barata, who joined from ARTESP in August 2022 and has 'a deep knowledge of administrative law'. Rosane Menezes Lohbauer left the firm in January 2023.

‘Renowned firm‘ Vernalha Pereira Advogados has a strong reputation for both contentious and non-contentious matters, assisting with PPPs, high-value public tenders and concessions. Founding partner Fernando Vernalha Guimarães is a key resource for large public concessionaires and development banks. He is supported by Thiago Lima Breus and Angelica Petian, who handle the entire spectrum of public law and regulatory work, standing out for their experience in the infrastructure and sanitation sectors. Luiz Fernando Casagrande Pereira is also recommended for contentious and anti-corruption matters. The group was further strengthened in June 2023 by the arrival of constitutional, administrative and regulatory law specialist Rodrigo Pinto De Campos and Aline Lícia Klein from Porto Lauand Advogados; both possess in-depth knowledge of bidding procedures, government contracts and public concessions.

The 'highly qualified team' at BFBM – Barroso Fontelles, Barcellos, Mendonça & Associados offers a strong service with an emphasis on constitutional, administrative, and regulatory law. Clients in the energy sector regularly call on the firm for its highly specialised litigation expertise; administrative disputes and cases before the superior courts feature prominently on its workload. The team is led by three experienced practitioners: Ana Paula de Barcellos is a distinct choice for constitutional and administrative litigation; Márcio Monteiro Reis ('a talented professional, with extensive academic background and negotiation skills') is a litigation specialist working extensively in matters involving public sector contracts and economic regulation; and Rafael Barroso Fontelles is noted for his aptitude in the regulatory banking sphere.

Showcasing notable strength in public law and administrative matters, CGM Advogados is a popular destination for clients from the banking and financial sectors, as well as those appearing before Brazil’s National Agency for Waterway Transportation (ANTAQ). Public bids and regulatory issues in the healthcare and life sciences segments are other core areas of activity for the practice, which is led by André Gilberto, a public law specialist that shines in contentious matters and investigations concerning public contracts. Associate Renato Vianna offers support in public tenders and interactions between the private and public sectors.

Working out of both São Paulo and Brasília, 'the robust team' at Dal Pozzo Advogados offers a specialised service in administrative, civil procedural and infrastructure law. The practitioners play to their strengths in administrative and judicial litigation involving public bodies and concessionaires. Augusto Neves Dal Pozzo is highly recognised for his work involving infrastructure projects and public contracts. He leads the team alongside Antonio Araldo Ferraz Dal Pozzo, who focuses on administrative improbity proceedings and public civil lawsuits. Litigation is a core area of activity for João Negrini Neto, who is skilled in judicial and administrative cases involving public law issues. Other noteworthy practitioners include Percival José Bariani Junior and Evane Beiguelman Kramer.

Boutique firm Rhein Schirato & Meireles focuses on public law, infrastructure regulations and administrative law, showcasing expertise in contentious and non-contentious matters. The group, which offers ‘agile, personalised and careful services, while providing advice of exceptional technical quality‘, is frequently engaged in mandates involving concessions, bidding procedures, privatisations and PPPs of significant transport projects, spanning road, rail and ports. Leading the team are founding partners Vitor Rhein Schirato, an administrative law and infrastructure expert skilled in economic regulations and regulatory agencies, and Renata Meireles, an administrative and urban planning law specialist who focuses on regulated sectors. Marcus Rodrigo Senna is especially noted for his experience in the highways and toll roads segments.

Stocche Forbes Advogados leverages experience in corporate transactions involving regulated sectors to support clients in privatisations, public tenders, and administrative proceedings before ANATEL. Mariana Saragoça is a seasoned practitioner specialised in administrative and regulatory matters, who often handles risk assessments of concessions and PPPs in the energy, sanitation, telecoms, transport and logistics segments. Key support is offered by a strong team of associates, including Andre Bogossian and Guilherme Nunes, both of whom are active in public procurement and regulatory issues.