CGM Advogados > Sao Paulo, Brazil > Firm Profile

CGM Advogados
Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 1663 - 5º andar
Brazil

Email firm Visit website 55 11 2394 8900

Brazil > Labour and employment Tier 4

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.

Rising stars

Poliana César - CGM Advogados

Next Generation Partners

Maury Lobo de Athayde - CGM Advogados

Practice head(s):

Patricia Barboza

Testimonials

‘Quality service, available, business friendly.’

‘In addition to the easy and quick access, they are always ready to understand the challenges faced and propose the best possible solutions/alternatives. It is distinguished by creating closeness with us, which demonstrates the real interest in supporting us in growth and evolution.’

‘All lawyers have the same profile: dedicated, focused, attentive and constantly share the details of each strategy of each legal process, whether between them and also with the respective companies involved in the same process.’

‘Patricia Barboza is recommended for her clarity and practicality.’

‘Poliana Caparros, extremely engaged and accessible lawyer. Always serving the client with education and promptness.’

‘Under the leadership of Maury Lobo and the support of Poliana Caparros, who serve us with enormous empathy, we have achieved excellent support for our decision making. Both stand out for efficient communication and enormous technical knowledge.’

Brazil > Competition and antitrust Tier 5

'Constantly updated on the trends in the area', CGM Advogados stands out for its track record in cartel investigations before CADE, including investigations involving dawn raids and leniency agreements. The firm's largely international client base includes key names in the healthcare, life sciences, technology and transport sectors, among others. The 'experienced, technical and extremely objective' André Gilberto leads the firm's competition and public law practice groups. Senior associate Natali Santos is another key contact.

Practice head(s):

André Gilberto

Testimonials

‘I have been working with CGM Advogados for five years and I would like to highlight the extremely technical performance, with cutting-edge professionals and constantly updated on the trends in the area. The CGM team has low turnover, which facilitates the establishment of a lasting relationship. The professionals really know about our business and are interested in business aspects, which allows us to achieve more assertive results.’

‘André Gilberto – experienced, technical, extremely objective and capable of deepening, if necessary. On a daily basis, he supported us in times of crisis, having been instrumental in dealing with episodes.‘

Key clients

Johnson & Johnson do Brasil

Abbott Laboratórios do Brasil

Sony Corporation

APM Terminals

Dr. Ing. Porsche

Maersk Line

Grupo SADA

DHL Logistics do Brasil

Messer Group

Perfin Apollo Energia Fundo de Participações

Work highlights

Advising Messer in several competition law matters related to business practices, including marketing programmes involving sales exclusivity and business models regarding distributors.
Acting as co-counsel for APMT in an ongoing investigation by CADE of possible antitrust violations in the charge of port tariff ‘SSE’.
Representing FIP Apollo Energia in the submission to merger control in Brazil of the acquisition of 100% of the shares of extension of Rialma Transmissora de Energia II.

Brazil > Corporate and M&A Tier 5

With 'quality, clarity, precision, timeliness and availability', CGM Advogados has established a solid corporate and M&A practice which continues to see growth. Its recent work spans M&A, corporate reorganisations and corporate governance projects, where it works for a portfolio of well-known companies operating in a broad range of sectors. The firm also works with a number of non-profit organisations, and provides assistance on a pro bono basis to an organisation that supports microentrepreneurs. The highly regarded Adriano Chaves often works with e-commerce and fintech companies, and complements his corporate and M&A practice with extensive knowledge of data protection and privacy. He jointly leads the practice with co-founding partner René Gelman, whose broad corporate practice sees him working a diverse range of deals. Associates Marcia Mandelbaum and Camila Magami Cardinale are also noted.

Rising stars

Camila Magami Cardinale - CGM Advogados

Practice head(s):

Adriano Chaves; René Gelman

Testimonials

‘The office has a unique ability to meet demands immediately, without losing the technical quality of its work. The professionals understand the Group’s businesses, which enables a deep and comprehensive analysis.’

‘CGM is a medium-sized office that provides first-rate legal services, at a lower price than the large Brazilian offices. In conducting the work, the partners actively participate in calls and in the review of documents, which consistently guarantees the highest quality of services. CGM is known for its attention to detail. The team is very cohesive and (really) fluent in English.’

‘Adriano Chaves and Marcia Issler Mandelbaum are excellent.’

‘Quality, clarity, precision, timeliness and availability. They are able to understand the operation well and to transform, with a lot of technique and precision, the needs pointed out in good legal content, in addition to, by the quality of their professionals, diagnose, point and shield risks of the operation that had not been initially identified.’

‘Adriano Chaves – dynamism, technical depth and emotional intelligence in the face of conflicts. Camila Cardinale – technical knowledge, flexibility and proactivity. Matheus Sucupira – technical domain, flexibility and didactics. Angélica Santos – technical knowledge, availability.’

Key clients

UOL

Pagseguro

Porsche

ITW – Illinois Tool Works

Boardriders

Marel

Brainvest

Thermo fisher

K B Foods

Novelis

Victory Health

Cloud Kitchens

Work highlights

Advised Porsche on the purchase of the remaining 25% equity interest in Porsche Brazil, the Brazilian importer of Porsche vehicles and parts.
Provided assistance in the intra-group mergers of several companies, including Magnite, Cognita and Marel.
Advised the individual owners of Victory Consulting Corretora de Seguros in the negotiation of a partnership with It’sSeg Corretora de Seguros.

Brazil > Public law Tier 5

CGM Advogados fields a group that is devoted to public law and antitrust matters. The practice has been particularly active assisting multinational clients in a variety of sectors, including technology, healthcare, transport and financial services, in administrative and judicial disputes, as well as internal investigations involving public law issues. André Marques Gilberto oversees the department; he is well versed in bid processes and litigation.

Practice head(s):

André Marques Gilberto

Testimonials

‘This is a medium-sized firm with great knowledge in the field of public law.’

‘André Gilberto is an extremely attentive partner, who is personally involved in the cases and demonstrates great knowledge in the area.’

Key clients

Johnson & Johnson

Abbott Laboratórios do Brasil

Ouro Fino Saúde Animal

Vyaire Medical

Hapag Loyd

Thales

CMA CGM

Centronave – Centro Nacional de Navegação Transatlântica

Thermo Fischer Scientific

Maersk Line

Work highlights

Representing Intermed Equipamento in the negotiation of an agreement with the Ministry of Health, at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, for the supply of more than 4,000 ventilators.
Acting for Champion in three separate bids launched by Petroleo Brasileiro regarding the supply of chemicals and a loan of petroleum tanks.
Assisting Centronave (the Brazilian association of global liner shipping companies such as Maersk, Hapag Lloyd, and others) in two public hearings launched by Brazil’s National Agency for Waterway Transportation (ANTAQ).

Tax > Tax advisory Tier 7

Leading individuals

Ricardo Marletti Debatin da Silveira – CGM Advogados

Tax > Tax advisory Tier 7

CGM Advogados has an experienced tax team with good credentials for litigation and advisory matters. The litigation side of the practice is particularly active in ICMS-related cases, which remained busy throughout 2020. The team’s tax consultancy work includes providing advice on transfer pricing, international corporate transactions and indirect tax. The firm also has experience of customs law and social security contributions. Founding partner José Antonio Martho jointly leads the team with the highly rated Angélica Santos. Since publication the team has been strengthened with the February-2022 hire of Ricardo Marletti Debatin da Silveira, formerly of Machado Associados.

Leading individuals

Ricardo Marletti Debatin da Silveira – CGM Advogados

Practice head(s):

José Antonio Martho; Angélica Santos

Testimonials

‘Good in-depth knowledge of the topics discussed, and clarity in the meetings held.’

‘José Antonio Martho and Angélica Santos both act with depth and ownership of the discussion, as well as in the implementation of the necessary actions.’

‘Angélica Santos and Adriano Chaves provide technical knowledge of the issues dealt with and quick responses.‘

‘The service is mainly provided by the partners, dealing with the themes with great depth and propriety.’

Key clients

Grupo Saint Marché

SNF Brasil

Abbott Brazil

St. Jude Medical

Valentino

Nuvasive

Socicam

Elekta

Continental

Thermofisher

Work highlights

Assisting Saint Marche Group in a complex and ongoing tax inspection involving all the companies of the group.
Assisting a multinational fashion retailer in challenging six tax notices filed by the state of Rio de Janeiro to charge ICMS.
Assisting Continental in all indirect tax matters.

CGM was founded by an experienced group of partners who have been working together for more than two decades, and were joined by other partners coming from reputable law firms.

CGM enjoys strong client and market recognition as acknowledged in important international publications and rankings. The firm’s service model focuses on solving its clients’ issues in a responsive, efficient and business-oriented manner, combining technical expertise and creativity.

With a team of professionals graduated from reputable Brazilian law schools, many of the firm’s lawyers have also obtained Master’s degrees and other qualifications abroad, and have worked outside of Brazil.

CGM has a tight-knit network of partnerships, which allows it to provide services throughout Brazil and coordinate multijurisdictional projects in Latin America. The team works at a very fast pace and has in-depth knowledge of the law and business environment of the region.

CGM positions itself as a “client-service firm”, which means it is prepared to assist its clients from the most sophisticated transactions to the management of their daily legal routine. CGM is keen on spotting issues but equally committed to addressing them. The firm’s team eagerly pursues solutions to help clients do business and achieve their goals. In addition, the firm’s professionals’ long-term experience working with international clients results in the ability to explain the Brazilian legal system to foreigners in a very practical way and in being sensitive to the cultural differences of doing business in Brazil and elsewhere.

CGM assists domestic and foreign clients from various industries, with strong expertise in agribusiness, automotive, banking, chemicals, construction, defence, e-commerce, energy, healthcare, heavy industry, hospitality and leisure, information technology, infrastructure, real estate, insurance, logistics, pharmaceutical, medical, professional and regulated services, retail, wholesale and transportation.

Main areas of practice
Corporate and M&A: CGM provides full assistance to clients’ business in Brazil, handling all the work involved both in their day-to-day needs as well as in complex transactions, such as cross-border joint-ventures, mergers and acquisitions. The firm’s professionals have been involved in several M&A deals for high-profile clients in the last years, thus earning domestic and international recognition in this area.

Labour and employment: CGM represents clients in all aspects of labour and employment laws in Brazil. The services include, among others, advice and planning on the hiring of employees (including foreigners who will work in Brazil and Brazilians who will work abroad), incentive plans (such as stock options, restricted stock units and phantom shares), diversity at work, drafting and negotiation of labour and services agreements, preparation and negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, assistance in union reclassification matters and negotiations with unions in general, and representation of companies in labour litigation of various levels of complexity.

Tax: The firm’s services involve tax and estate planning, tax structuring for corporate and M&A operations, tax consultancy (covering the several Brazilian taxes, double taxation treaties, transfer pricing, ancillary obligations, special customs regimes), obtaining and management of tax benefits and special tax regimes, and assistance in tax assessments and administrative and judicial litigation.

Antitrust: CGM assists clients vis-à-vis the Brazilian antitrust authorities, including merger filings before the Brazilian Competition Commission (CADE), representing companies and individuals in investigations on anticompetitive conducts, and structuring and negotiation of leniency agreements with CADE, general consultancy on competition laws and assistance to clients as interested parties in notices to third parties (challenges and other interventions).

Administrative and regulatory: The administrative and regulatory group has been assisting clients from various highly regulated industries, including healthcare, banking, insurance, defence, chemicals, telecom, ports and logistics in connection with regulatory matters in Brazil. The firm represents clients in public bids carried in all spheres of government and agencies using all procurement methods (competition, invitation, price taking and reverse auctions), and also provides assistance in bidding procedures involving public-private partnerships (PPPs), administrative concessions and differential government procurement regime (RDCs).

Litigation and arbitration: The firm’s litigation and arbitration practice accumulates successful cases in judicial proceedings in state and federal courts, in arbitration and mediation involving clients from a wide variety of sectors. CGM’s professionals are experienced in the enforcement of foreign decisions in Brazil, and in restructuring and bankruptcy proceedings.

Real estate: The real estate team provides full assistance to clients in the area, including structuring and development of real estate ventures, such as shopping malls, hotels, commercial and residential buildings and distribution centres, drafting and negotiation of lease agreements (commercial, residential, shopping malls), built to suit agreements, deeds of purchase and sale of real estate properties, construction, turn-key and other agreements, and structuring of rem guarantees (fiduciary transfers, mortgages).

Intellectual property: The firm’s intellectual property practice provides assistance with respect to the protection of IP rights, including software, trademarks, copyrights, licensing agreements, trade secrets, transfer of technology and specialised services, including due diligence of IP rights.

Life sciences: CGM has developed a solid client portfolio in the life sciences industry. Companies’ sectors cover pharmaceutical, medical devices, food, health services and software, cosmetics and animal health. The firm handles complex transactions, strategic and operational matters with an interdisciplinary approach, considering all legal and business perspectives in services such as contracts, regulatory, corporate and compliance matters.

Privacy and data protection: The firm provides advice on Brazilian privacy and data protection regulations, and assists clients with respect to the preparation and review of privacy policies, data protection agreements and statements, and consent forms.

Department	Name	Email	Telephone
Corporate and M&A	Adriano Chaves	adriano.chaves@cgmlaw.com.br	+55 11 2394 8910
Corporate and M&A	René Gelman	rene.gelman@cgmlaw.com.br	+55 11 2394 8980
Corporate and M&A	Martim Machado	martim.machado@cgmlaw.com.br	+55 11 2394 8960
Corporate and M&A	Bernadete Dias	bernadete.dias@cgmlaw.com.br	+55 11 2394 8930
Corporate and M&A	Fernando Fabretti	fernando.fabretti@cgmlaw.com.br	+55 16 3602 8496
Labour and Employment	Patricia Barboza	patricia.barboza@cgmlaw.com.br	+55 11 2394 8970
Labour and Employment	Maury Lobo	maury.lobo@cgmlaw.com.br	+55 11 2394 8971
Tax	José Antonio Martho	jose.martho@cgmlaw.com.br	+55 11 2394 8950
Tax	Angélica Santos	angelica.santos@cgmlaw.com.br	+55 11 2394 8946
Antitrust	André Gilberto	andre.gilberto@cgmlaw.com.br	+55 11 2394 8920
Administrative and Regulatory	André Gilberto	andre.gilberto@cgmlaw.com.br	+55 11 2394 8920
Litigation and Arbitration	João Guilherme Petroni	joao.petroni@cgmlaw.com.br	+55 11 2394 8940
Real Estate	Carolina Galvão	carolina.galvao@cgmlaw.com.br	+55 11 2394 8990
Intellectual Property	René Gelman	rene.gelman@cgmlaw.com.br	+55 11 2394 8980
Life Sciences	Bernadete Dias	bernadete.dias@cgmlaw.com.br	+55 11 2394 8930
Privacy and Data Protection	Adriano Chaves	adriano.chaves@cgmlaw.com.br	+55 11 2394 8910

Name	Position	Profile
Mrs Patricia Barboza	Partner. Specialized in Labour and Employment Consulting and Litigation, including cross-border issues.…	View Profile
Mrs Paula Chaccur de Cresci	Partner. Specialized in Environmental Law and Sustainability.	View Profile
Mr Adriano Chaves	Partner. Specialized in M&A, Corporate Law, Foreign Investments, Technology, Data Protection and…	View Profile
Mrs Bernadete Dias	Partner. Specialized in Corporate Law, Commercial Contracts, Corporate Leases and Acquisitons, M&A,…	View Profile
Mr Fernando Fabretti	Partner. Specialized in Corporate Law, Commercial Contracts, M&A, Foreign Investments and Corporate…	View Profile
Mrs Carolina Galvão	Partner. Specialized in Real Estate Matters (Real Estate law, Land Use and…	View Profile
Mr René Gelman	Partner. Specialized in Corporate Law, M&A, Contracts and Foreign Investments.	View Profile
Mr André Gilberto	Partner. Specialized in Competition, Public Law, Administrative Law and Government Agencies.	View Profile
Mr Maury Lobo	Partner. Specialized in Human Resources, Labour Law, Employment Law, Immigration Law and…	View Profile
Mr Martim Machado	Partner. Specialized in Corporate Law, Commercial Contracts, Foreign Direct Investments, Corporate Finance…	View Profile
Mrs Marcia Mandelbaum	Counsel. Specialized in M&A, Corporate Law, Foreign Investments, Technology, Data Protection and Contractual…	View Profile
Mr José Antonio Martho	Partner. Specialized in Tax Litigation, M&A, Tax and Customs Market and Cross…	View Profile
Mr João Guilherme Petroni	Partner. Specialized in Litigation and Arbitration, with special emphasis in civil, commercial…	View Profile
Ms Eliana Rozenkwit	Counsel. Specialized in Brazilian Civil and Intellectual Property Law, with emphasis in…	View Profile
Mrs Angélica Santos	Partner. Specialized in Tax Consultancy and Tax Litigation, with emphasis in corporate…	View Profile
Mrs Valéria Schramm	Counsel. Specialized in Corporate and Contractual Matters, Corporate Transactions and Governance, M&A,…	View Profile