Firm Profile > BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão > Sao Paulo, Brazil
BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão Offices
AV. PRESIDENTE JUSCELINO KUBITSCHEK, 1.455 - 10º ANDAR
CEP: 04543-011 - ITAIM BIBI
Brazil
BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão > The Legal 500 Rankings
Competition and antitrust Tier 1
The antitrust department at BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão provides 'legal advice that is very aligned with business'. The firm continued to make investments in this practice; in 2018, it promoted competition and digital law specialist Luís Bernardo Cascão to partner, and has followed up in 2019 with those of Camilla Paoletti and Sandra Terepins. The firm is renowned for its M&A practice, and as such is regularly involved in merger control for high-profile corporate transactions, including multi-jurisdictional deals. In a transaction filed in over 20 jurisdictions, Cascão and department head Barbara Rosenberg acted for Linde in its merger with Praxair, which required in-depth analysis by the Administrative Council for Economic Defence (CADE). The team is also involved in sensitive cartel investigations; other matters keeping it busy include unilateral conduct investigations. José Inacio Ferraz de Almeida Prado Filho and Marcos Exposto are active members of the department.
Corporate and M&A Tier 1
BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão established itself as a corporate and M&A powerhouse early on in the firm's history. Today, the 'highly knowledgeable' team continues to take key roles on major corporate transactions in the Brazilian market. With a full-service offering that includes a leading merger control practice, the firm has the size, expertise and resources to handle all aspects of large deals. In the joint venture between Embraer and Boeing, a team led by Paulo Cezar Aragão and Roberto Dias Carneiro acted for Embraer on the Brazilian aspects of the deal and in its interactions with domestic regulators. Aragão also worked alongside Monique Mavignier to advise Grupo Petrotemex and DAK Americas Exterior on the acquisition of Citepe and PetroquímicaSuape from Petrobras as part of the seller's divestment programme. Fabiana Fagundes has a broad corporate and M&A practice, often taking lead roles on significant deals, and is also notable for her experience advising companies in the third sector. The firm also maintains an active French desk under the leadership of Dominique Héléne Bétourné Walter. Other leading figures in the team include Francisco Müssnich, Plinio Simões Barbosa, Luiz Antonio de Sampaio Campos and Amir Bocayuva Cunha. Adriana Dib Fuzinato and Ian Bussinger were promoted to partner in 2019 and associate Ana Paula Reis is also recommended. Adriana Dantas left to take up a position on the Independent Petrobras Committee on Sanctions and Disciplinary Measures.
Bankruptcy and restructuring Tier 2
BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão combines transactional expertise with vast litigation experience, allowing it to handle the gamut of restructuring matters, from out-of-court reorganisations to bankruptcy-related litigation. The firm particularly stands out for its debtor-side practice, though it also has a good reputation for creditor-side representation. Sectors in which the team has been the busiest in recent years include telecoms, construction and energy. In the former sector, Sergio Savi and Felipe Evaristo dos Santos Galea continue to act for Oi Group in its highly-publicised debt restructuring. Elsewhere, Eduardo Guimarães Wanderley acted for Electrolux do Brasil in the context of retail company Máquina de Vendas’s extrajudicial restructuring.
Capital markets Tier 2
BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão’s market-leading corporate practice translates into a strong track record in the equity capital markets. The firm also fields a robust debt practice which routinely advises on debt offerings, structured finance transactions, derivatives and debt restructurings, among other matters. Among its highlights, department head Camila Goldberg advised Concessionária do Aeroporto Internacional de Florianópolis on its R$300m offering of non-convertible debentures to support the construction of a new terminal at Florianópolis International Airport. Talented younger partner Rodolfo Constantino de Tella had a banner year, which included teaming up with Luiz Antonio de Sampaio Campos and Anna Carolina de Oliveira Malta to advise the issuer and Banco ABC Brasil on Oi’s R$4.1bn offering of debentures as part of its judicial reorganisation plan. Paulo Aragão is also recommended.
Intellectual property Tier 2
At BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão, advice is 'on the spot'. The full-service firm has a strong position in the boutique-heavy Brazilian IP environment, advising both national companies (such as Natique in litigation concerning the Saliníssima brand) and international companies such as L'Oréal; on behalf of the latter, the group obtained a preliminary injunction against the sale of products that infringed the client's trade marks. Antonella Carminatti is 'always in the loop' and Claudia Schulz is another name to note. José Eduardo Pieri and Pedro Frankovsky Barroso made partners in June 2018.
Banking and finance Tier 3
The banking practice at BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão brings broad experience across a wide spread of syndicated lending, project finance, debt capital markets and structured finance transactions. In particular, the group leverages the wider firm's stellar corporate relationships to pack a punch in borrower-side work, but it is also routinely engaged by financial institutions for lender-side mandates and M&A transactions. Highlights included advising Brazilian construction giant Queiroz Galvão on refinancing negotiations involving all of its credit and loan facilities, worth over R$10bn - corporate partner Plinio Simões Barbosa acted alongside Rafael d’Avila Dutra to lead that work. In another headline deal, practice head Camila Goldberg acted as Brazilian counsel to BTG Pactual Holding, as borrower, on a $350m senior secured credit facility with UBS. The department also includes Anna Carolina de Oliveira Malta, who is a key contact for finance and compliance matters, and debt-finance specialist Paulo Ceppas Figueiredo.
Compliance Tier 3
The compliance, investigations and governmental enforcement practice at BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão is led by Anna Carolina Malta and José Guilherme Berman and comprises specialists in different fields of law. For example, the team saw an uptick in moral and sexual harassment investigations in 2018, and worked alongside colleagues in the labour department. Much of the team's work is cross-border in nature, and it counts domestic and international companies among its clients. Adriana Dantas left to join the Petrobras ethics committee.
Dispute resolution (including White-collar crime) Tier 3
'Extremely committed', 'engaged' and 'agile', the dispute team at BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão is 'able to understand and argue about a diverse range of issues'. The firm is also noted for its 'pro-business' approach. Its lawyers are often instructed by household name companies in large disputes and arbitrations; in one example, Plínio Simões Barbosa and 'tough litigator' Luiz Fernando Fraga were retained by BHP to represent it in litigation arising out of the Samarco dam collapse. 'Excellent lawyer' André Abbud is an 'expert in arbitration and dispute resolution'; Pedro de Oliveira Costa is 'committed, intelligent and focused'; and Rafael Castilho has an 'objective, judicious and intelligent profile'. Felipe Evaristo dos Santos Galea and senior associate Renan Frediani Torres Peres are also recommended.
Labour and employment Tier 3
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.
Real estate Tier 3
BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão's real estate team 'works very well together'. It excels in high-value and complex real estate transactions, and benefits from collaboration with colleagues in the corporate and tax departments. Cristiana Moreira and senior associate Maria Eduarda Bérgamo are recommended. Cristiane Mamprin co-heads the department with Moreira and has broad corporate and real estate expertise. Guilherme Zoghbi Ayala was promoted to partner in 2019.
Tax Tier 3
The 'hands-on, knowledgeable and client-focused' tax group at BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão stands out for its transactional tax expertise. It is accustomed to advising well-known companies on large and high-profile corporate transactions. In addition, it handles a range of non-transactional tax matters, including complex tax litigation. In a recent case, Maurício Faro and a team represented Associação Brasileira de Empresas de Exploração e Produção de Petróleo e Gás (ABEP) as amicus curiae in a lawsuit filed by Petrobras concerning the use of ICMS credits (state VAT). Jose Otavio Faloppa heads the department, which also includes Luiza Sampaio De Lacerda Benjó and Lígia Regini da Silveira. Daniel Loria is praised for his 'excellent client skills' and Franciny de Barros and Luis Henrique Costa were promoted to partner in 2019.
Electricity Tier 4
BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão leverages its market-leading corporate and M&A practice to excel in transactional matters, such as Paulo Cezar Aragão’s advice to State Grid Corporation of China on its public tender offer for CPFL Energias Renováveis. The firm also houses a robust regulatory offering and Eduardo Hayden Carvalhaes Neto represented Eletrobras in administrative proceedings brought by ANEEL. The group has also recently undertaken work for Abengoa and Eletropaulo.
Environment Tier 4
BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão's assistance spans waste, water, contaminated sites, bioinvasion and biodiversity. The environment group provides consultancy on regulation, permitting matters and crisis management, and is frequently instructed to handle disputes. Examples are advising Fresenius Kabi Brasil on the decommissioning procedure of its former site in Campinas; and defending Construtora Queiroz Galvão against administrative penalties imposed by the São Paulo environmental agency regarding the Tamoios highway improvement. Senior associate Beatriz Paulo de Frontin and the 'dedicated' Márcio Pereira are recommended.
International trade and customs Tier 4
BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão combines international trade, customs, tax, competition and litigation expertise to handle a range of import and export matters, including tax incentives and customs programmes. Tax and customs expert João Paulo Cavinatto is the name to note; he recently advised OCP Group on its import and distribution structure in Brazil. In a significant move, Adriana Dantas left to join the Petrobras compliance committee.
Projects and infrastructure Tier 4
BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão is 'clear from the outset' and 'understands a client's needs in terms of timing, results and internal decision making'. Recent work includes assisting Gás Verde with obtaining all permits to operate a biogas purification plant. Camila Goldberg and Rafael Dutra are recommended along with Eduardo Hayden Carvalhaes Neto, who is an 'expert with a 360 degree view'.
Public law Tier 4
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.
TMT
According to clients, BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão's telecoms practice is 'nothing short of excellent', particularly because Eduardo Hayden Carvalhaes Neto 'sees solutions rather than obstacles'. Work spans assistance with submarine cables, telecoms towers and satellites for clients such as Samsung and Omnispace.
Latin America: International firms > International arbitration > Local practitioners of note (by country)
Pinheiro Neto Advogados handles a steady stream of multimillion-dollar ICC arbitration. Gilberto Giusti and Renato Stephan Grion are highly recommended; the latter is the co-chair of the Arbitration and Mediation Committee of CESA. Ferro, Castro Neves, Daltro & Gomide Advogados' Marcelo Roberto Ferro regularly acts as arbitrator and counsel, and is particularly experience in handling disputes arising from corporate transactions. L.O. Baptista Advogados' Adriana Braghetta, Rafael Francisco Alves and Maurício Almeida Prado are 'highly specialised lawyers with high capacity to bring solutions to resolve high complexity disputes'. Fernando Marcondes regularly acts as an arbitrator in construction and real estate-related matters. Recent caseload features a range of construction and infrastructure disputes as well as M&A-related matters in the oil and gas sector. Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados' Eliane Cristina Carvalho recently handled a series of disputes arising from M&A transactions and is representing Air Products Brasil in arbitration proceedings initiated by Air Liquide. Eduardo Damião Gonçalves at Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr. e Quiroga Advogados is singled out for his 'outstanding technical skills and deep understanding of the corporate world', and his ability to 'simplify complex problems gives clients great confidence and comfort'. Gonçalves regularly acts as counsel and arbitrator in a range of domestic and international disputes, and Flávio Spaccaquerche Barbosa is 'a well experienced lawyer with solid technical background'. At TozziniFreire Advogados, Fernando Eduardo Serec assists clients from a diverse range of sectors and has experience acting as both party counsel and arbitrator. Huck, Otranto, Camargo Advogados' 'brilliant' team handles both commercial and investor-state arbitration proceedings, and is active in the construction, pharmaceutical and energy sectors. Fabio Peixinho Gomes Corrêa is 'an absolute joy to work with', while Hermes Marcelo Huck and Rogério Carmona Bianco are 'very focused on details of the case without losing sight of the big picture'. Marcelo Muriel at Muriel Medici Franco Advogados is 'certainly one of the standout Brazilian practitioners, with a healthy portfolio of disputes and great ICC arbitration experience'. Stocche Forbes Advogados' Rafael Passaro is recommended for contractual disputes and disputes involving administrative proceedings. Andrade & Fichtner Advogados' José Antonio Fichtner acts as arbitrator and counsel in corporate and contractual arbitral and judicial disputes. André Abbud at BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão is 'an excellent expert in arbitration' and 'knows his clients' business well'. Cescon, Barrieu, Flesch & Barreto Advogados' team has 'a creative mind to think out of the box, suggesting solutions that may seem different but are perfectly aligned with the needs of the company'; co-heads Carlos David Albuquerque Braga and Gabriel Seijo Leal de Figueiredo are recommended. Other names to note include Lefosse Advogados' Pedro Maciel who is 'a superstar in the Brazilian arbitration market' and Lobo de Rizzo Advogados' Luis Fernando Guerrero who is singled out for his 'client-oriented' approach.
BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão > Firm Profile
Founded in the 1990s, when Brazil was undergoing structural changes, BMA – Barbosa Mussnich Aragao was inspired by a mission to find innovative solutions that are legally viable and sustainable in an environment of rapid development, new regulatory frameworks and new business models in almost all sectors of the economy. BMA is inspired to be a pioneering law firm, ready – and more than able – to take on the big projects and big problems that require sophisticated solutions.
An active participant in the privatizations that took place in the 1990s, BMA had achieved a solid reputation and both national and international recognition even before becoming one of the leading firms in Brazil in the mid-2000s, when the Brazilian market experienced a wave of IPOs and mergers and acquisitions.
BMA has been present in most of the major M&A transactions in Brazil over the last two decades, participating in the creation of corporate groups that do business around the world.
BMA has acquired an impressive stock of know-how in infrastructure projects, especially in the areas of ports, railroads, highways, oil and gas, energy and telecommunications. The firm also had a major part to play in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, negotiating the contracts that gave Brazil the right to host the event and acting as legal counsel to the local organizing committee.
BMA’s experienced professionals know that a thorough understanding of its clients’ business objectives is essential. BMA works to achieve creative, effective solutions by integrating its specialist teams to ensure a multidisciplinary approach to legal problems.
Senior partners
Francisco Mussnich, Luiz Antonio Campos, Paulo Cezar Aragao and Plinio Barbosa.
Managing partner
Amir Bocayuva Cunha.
Partners
Adriana Dantas, Ana Muller, Andre Abbud, Andre Macedo, Anna Carolina Malta, Antonella Carminatti, Barbara Rosenberg, Camila Chouzal, Camila Goldberg, Camilla Paoletti, Carlos Frederico Bingemer, Cibelle Linero, Claudia Schulz, Cristiana Moreira, Cristiane Mamprin, Daniel Loria, Daniella Fragoso, Debora Bacellar, Eduardo Carvalhaes, Eduardo G. Wanderley, Elaine Palmer, Fabiana Fagundes, Fabio Henrique Peres, Felipe Galea, Fernanda Carneiro, Franciny de Barros, Gisela Sampaio, Guilherme Zoghbi Ayala, Helio Alvarez, Henrique Beloch, Hermano Barbosa, Ian Bussinger, Jane Goldman Nusbaum, Joao Paulo Cavinatto, Jose Eduardo Pieri, Jose Guilherme Berman, Jose Inecio Ferraz, Jose Otavio Faloppa, Leandro Bittencourt, Ligia Regini, Luciana Magalhaes, Luciana Marsal, Luis Bernardo Cascao, Luis Henrique Costa, Luis Flaks, Luiz Fernando Fraga, Luiz Marcelo Gois, Luiza Lacerda, Marcio Pereira, Marcos Exposto, Maria da Paz Tierno Lopes, Mario Gelli, Mauricio Faro, Miguel Ramos, Monique Mavignier, Patricia Sabino, Paulo Ceppas Figueiredo, Pedro Barroso, Pedro Costa, Rafael Calabria, Rafael Castilho, Rafael Dutra, Raquel Mansanaro, Roberto Dias Carneiro, Rodolfo de Tella, Sandra Terepins, Sergio Fagundes, Sergio Savi, Tatiana Amorim, Thais Meira, Vitor Butruce and Vivian Casanova.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bankruptcy, Business Restructuring and Insolvency | |||
| Business Crime | |||
| Competition | |||
| Compliance, Investigations and Law Enforcement | |||
| Corporate and M&A | |||
| Digital Law and New Technologies | |||
| Employment | |||
| Environmental | |||
| Finance and Capital Markets | |||
| French Desk | |||
| Infrastructure, regulatory and government Affairs | |||
| Insurance | |||
| Intellectual property | |||
| International trade | |||
| Litigation and Arbitration | |||
| Oil & Gas | |||
| Real Estate | |||
| Superior Courts | |||
| Tax | |||
| Wealth Management and Succession Planning |
Staff Figures
Other fee-earners : 221 Total staff : 530Other
Contacts : 77Top Tier Firm Rankings
Firm Rankings
- Bankruptcy and restructuring
- Capital markets
- Intellectual property
- Banking and finance
- Compliance
- Dispute resolution (including White-collar crime)
- Labour and employment
- Real estate
- Tax
- Electricity
- Environment
- International trade and customs
- Projects and infrastructure
- Public law
- TMT