CGM Advogados > Sao Paulo, Brazil > Firm Profile

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

Brazil > Labour and employment Tier 4

CGM Advogados ‘combines a technical profile, with enough accessibility to the partners and with reasonable prices’. The versatile team advises on a range of litigation and consultancy matters including increasingly prominent areas such as employee privacy and data protection, stock options and restrictive covenants. The firm has an especially strong client base in the retail, luxury brands, healthcare and manufacturing. Practice head Patricia Medeiros Barboza handles contentious and non-contentious issues. Poliana César left the firm in July 2022.

Practice head(s):

Patricia Barboza

Testimonials

‘The firm combines a technical profile, with enough accessibility to the partners and with reasonable prices.’

‘Poliana Caparrós is excellent. Very competent and attentive to us. Strongly recommended.’

Brazil > Competition and antitrust Tier 5

The ‘extremely capable team‘ at CGM Advogados is ‘very focused on solving client problems, delivering results efficiently‘. Acting for companies in a broad range of sectors, including life sciences, technology and entertainment, the competition team has an active role on major CADE investigations, in addition to its work in merger control matters before the authority. Practice head André Gilberto has built longstanding client relationships with several major domestic and international companies; he and associate Natali Santos receive praise from clients.

Practice head(s):

André Gilberto

Testimonials

‘The firm has an extremely capable team, intellectually and academically, knowledgeable of changes in legislation and market trends. It has a strong performance with CADE and knowledge about the development of decisions. In addition, they are very focused on solving client problems, delivering results efficiently.’

‘André Gilberto is an available, intelligent, market-oriented lawyer focused on solving problems and challenges. He is the person I call when I have a difficult situation to resolve or need guidance on a topic, and he is always available and has good ideas to share.’

‘André Gilberto and Natali Santos have given us easy-to-understand explanations. In particular, explanations of the expected subsequent movements of CADE have been very helpful.’

Key clients

Johnson & Johnson do Brasil

Abbott Laboratórios do Brasil

Sony Corporation

UOL

Zoetis

Maersk Line

Grupo SADA

DHL Logistics do Brasil

Messer Group

Volkswagen Financial Services

Work highlights

  • Representing Sony Music Entertainment in the acquisition, from Globo Comunicação e Participações, of all assets and rights related to recorded music, music publishing and live music events under the “Som Livre” business.
  • Representing Johnson & Johnson in an administrative proceeding launched by CADE regarding allegations of possible anti-competitive practices against the healthcare job market.
  • Acting for Fleetzil as an intervening third party in the ongoing merger filing before CADE involving the merger between Unidas and Localiza.

Brazil > Corporate and M&A Tier 5

CGM Advogados regularly advises numerous established and fast-growing companies on a range of M&A and commercial transactions, including joint ventures, reorganisations and corporate governance projects. The team, which is ‘formed by professionals of the highest technical quality‘, is instructed by a strong and diverse mix of domestic and international clients, most notably in the automotive, technology, retail, life sciences and real estate areas. Adriano Chaves oversees the corporate and M&A, data protection and privacy groups, and is particularly skilled in assisting technology clients and international start-ups looking to enter the Brazilian market. Fellow co-head René Gelman is often engaged in mandates pertaining to strategic alliances, corporate restructurings and joint ventures. Marcia Mandelbaum and Camila Magami Cardinale were recently promoted to the partnership.

Practice head(s):

Adriano Chaves; René Gelman

Testimonials

‘Team formed by professionals of the highest technical quality. In-depth analysis of strategic topics and rapid response.’

‘Understanding of client needs and agility in service, proposals for innovative solutions.’

‘Provides the highest quality advice. All of the partners are very accessible and collaborative and meet all of the demands of multinational clients.’

‘René Gelman has a wonderful range of knowledge and experience in corporate transactions. He is completely committed to the client. He works tirelessly and is completely accessible.’

Key clients

UOL/Pagseguro

Porsche

Sony Music Entertainment

Marel

ITW – Illinois Tool Works

Thermo Fischer

K B Foods

Novelis

Volkswagen Financial Services

Kalpataru Power Transmission

Brainvest

Work highlights

  • Advised Volkswagen Financial Services on the formation of a joint venture with fleet and mobility provider LM Frotas.
  • Assisted Sony Music Entertainment in the acquisition of record label Som Livre from Globo.
  • Assisted Kalpataru Power Transmission in the acquisition of 51% of the capital stock of Fasttel Engenharia.

Brazil > Public law Tier 5

CGM Advogados fields a team of ‘subject matter experts’ focused on public law and antitrust matters, who act for a diverse client roster in administrative proceedings, court cases and internal investigations involving interactions with public entities. Representing companies in public hearings launched by Brazil’s National Agency for Waterway Transportation is a core strength for the department, which has also been active advising on Covid-19 related matters involving the Ministry of Health. Players from the healthcare, transportation, pharmaceutical, payment solutions, software and logistics sectors seek André Gilberto‘s support in public law disputes and investigations regarding public contracts. Renato Vianna and Maria Luisa Lopes are key associates who specialise in public law.

Practice head(s):

André Gilberto

Testimonials

‘Excels in the preparation of administrative appeals and counter-arguments to appeals. They are subject matter experts and are always willing to help.’

‘André Marques Gilberto has extensive knowledge in this field and is always available.’

Key clients

Johnson & Johnson

Abbott Laboratórios do Brasil

Nuvasive Brasil Comercial

Andritz Hydro

Hapag Loyd

Thales Dis Brasil Cartões e Soluções de Tecnologia

CMA CGM

Centronave – Centro Nacional de Navegação Transatlântica

Banco Citibank

CVC Brasil Operadora e Agência de Viagens

Work highlights

  • Assisted CVC Corp in contracting with public entities.
  • Assisted Messer Gases in several meetings and negotiations with public authorities during the oxygen crisis that occurred in the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Representing Thales in administrative claims filed by NEC Latin America regarding a tender bid launched by the Federal Police for the acquisition of an Automated Biometric Identification System.

Tax > Tax advisory Tier 6

CGM Advogados has a well-regarded and versatile tax team that is making an increasingly strong impression on the market. The firm’s offering was significantly enhanced following the lateral hire of the highly rated Ricardo Marletti Debatin da Silveira from Machado Associados, adding weight in key areas including indirect tax, M&A structuring and litigation. He joins José Antonio Martho, who has a strong focus on foreign investments, indirect tax and customs law, and Angélica Santos, whose main focus is on direct taxes, double taxation, planning and transfer pricing.

Practice head(s):

José Antonio Martho; Angélica Santos; Ricardo Marletti Debatin da Silveira

Testimonials

‘Good depth in the analysis of tax issues and discussion of alternatives for their management. Strong partnership in meeting a critical deadline situation.’

Key clients

Grupo Saint Marché

SNF Brasil

Abbott Brazil

St. Jude Medical

Valentino

Nuvasive

Socicam

Elekta Inc.

Continental

Thermofisher

Work highlights

  • Advising Saint Marche Group on a complex and ongoing tax litigation involving all companies of the group.
  • Assisting SNF Group in a significant VAT (ICMS) litigation.
  • Assisted Prada in evaluating the risks of changing its import procedures.

Brazil > Environment

CGM Advogados' environmental and sustainability team stands out for its track record in administrative proceedings involving the import of wood sources from sustainably managed forests in the Brazilian Amazon Biome; environmental licensing, climate change issues and contractual allocation of environmental liabilities are other areas of activity for the team, which is led by Paula Chaccur de Cresci.

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.

The firm and its partners are recognised by the main legal rankings, such as: Chambers Brazil, Chambers Latin America, Chambers Global, Legal 500, LACCA Approved, LACCA Thought Leader, Euromoney Women in Business Law Expert Guide, Euromoney Tax Expert Guide, Latin Lawyer 250, Top Ranked Legal, Best Lawyers, Análise Advocacia and Análise Advocacia Mulher.

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.

DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
Corporate and M&A Adriano Chavesadriano.chaves@cgmlaw.com.br+55 11 2394 8910
Corporate and M&A René Gelmanrene.gelman@cgmlaw.com.br+55 11 2394 8980
Corporate and M&A Martim Machadomartim.machado@cgmlaw.com.br+55 11 2394 8960
Corporate and M&A Bernadete Diasbernadete.dias@cgmlaw.com.br+55 11 2394 8930
Labour and Employment Patricia Barbozapatricia.barboza@cgmlaw.com.br+55 11 2394 8970
Labour and Employment Maury Lobomaury.lobo@cgmlaw.com.br+55 11 2394 8971
Tax José Antonio Marthojose.martho@cgmlaw.com.br+55 11 2394 8950
Tax Angélica Santosangelica.santos@cgmlaw.com.br+55 11 2394 8946
Antitrust André Gilbertoandre.gilberto@cgmlaw.com.br+55 11 2394 8920
Administrative and Regulatory André Gilbertoandre.gilberto@cgmlaw.com.br+55 11 2394 8920
Litigation and Arbitration João Guilherme Petronijoao.petroni@cgmlaw.com.br+55 11 2394 8940
Real Estate Carolina Galvãocarolina.galvao@cgmlaw.com.br+55 11 2394 8990
Intellectual Property René Gelmanrene.gelman@cgmlaw.com.br+55 11 2394 8980
Life Sciences Bernadete Diasbernadete.dias@cgmlaw.com.br+55 11 2394 8930
Privacy and Data Protection Adriano Chavesadriano.chaves@cgmlaw.com.br+55 11 2394 8910
Tax Ricardo da Silveiraricardo.silveira@cgmlaw.com.br+55 11 2394 8988
PhotoNamePositionProfile
Patricia Barboza photoMrs Patricia BarbozaPartner. Specialized in Labour and Employment Consulting and Litigation, including cross-border issues.…
Camila Cardinale photoMrs Camila CardinaleCounsel. Specialized in Commercial Contracts, Corporate Governance, Corporate and Foreign Investments, Mergers…
Paula Chaccur de Cresci photoMrs Paula Chaccur de CresciPartner. Specialized in Environmental Law and Sustainability.
Adriano Chaves photoMr Adriano ChavesPartner. Specialized in M&A, Corporate Law, Foreign Investments, Technology, Data Protection and…
Bernadete Dias photoMrs Bernadete DiasPartner, specialized in Life Sciensce, Corporate Law, Commercial Contracts, Corporate Leases and…
Carolina Galvão photoMrs Carolina GalvãoPartner. Specialized in Real Estate Matters (Real Estate law, Land Use and…
René Gelman photoMr René GelmanPartner. Specialized in Corporate Law, M&A, Contracts and Foreign Investments.
André Gilberto photoMr André GilbertoPartner. Specialized in Competition, Public Law, Administrative Law and Government Agencies.
Maury Lobo photoMr Maury LoboPartner specialized in Labour & Employment and Social Security matters.
Martim Machado photoMr Martim MachadoPartner. Specialized in Corporate Law, Commercial Contracts, Foreign Direct Investments, Corporate Finance…
Marcia Mandelbaum photoMrs Marcia MandelbaumPartner. Specialized in M&A, Corporate Law, Foreign Investments, Technology, Data Protection and…
José Antonio Martho photoMr José Antonio MarthoPartner. Specialized in Tax Litigation, M&A, Tax and Customs Market and Cross…
João Guilherme Petroni photoMr João Guilherme PetroniPartner. Specialized in Litigation and Arbitration, with special emphasis in civil, commercial…
Eliana Rozenkwit photoMs Eliana RozenkwitCounsel. Specialized in Brazilian Civil and Intellectual Property Law, with emphasis in…
Angélica Santos photoMrs Angélica SantosPartner. Specialized in Tax Consultancy and Tax Litigation, with emphasis in corporate…
Natali Santos photoMrs Natali SantosCounsel. Specialized in Administrative Law and Public Contracts, Competition, Compliance and Corporate…
Valéria Schramm photoMrs Valéria SchrammCounsel. Specialized in Corporate and Contractual Matters, Corporate Transactions and Governance, M&A,…
Ricardo da Silveira photoMr Ricardo da SilveiraPartner specialized in Tax.
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