BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão > Sao Paulo, Brazil > Firm Profile

BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão > The Legal 500 Rankings

Brazil > Competition and antitrust Tier 1

With a well-established reputation in competition and antitrust, BMA – Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão is a popular choice for leading Brazilian and international companies operating in a wide range of sectors, from life sciences to aviation to technology. The firm’s leading position in the M&A market is of note; the competition department is regularly instructed in complex cross-border merger review cases. In addition to obtaining antitrust clearance for large-scale corporate transactions, the team is also well versed in CADE investigations into potential cartels, unilateral conduct and bid rigging. Outside of handling headline-grabbing cases, its lawyers also advise clients on the competition risks in day-to-day conduct and on designing and implementing compliance programmes. The department is ably led by well-known competition expert Barbara Rosenberg, and also includes highly regarded partners José Inacio Ferraz de Almeida Prado Filho and ​​Camilla Paoletti. Combining expertise in competition and data protection, Luís Bernardo Cascão is particularly strong in antitrust matters involving technology and digital companies.

Brazil > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

With a particular focus on listed companies, BMA – Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão has one of the country’s leading M&A practices. It is regularly involved in sophisticated mergers, acquisitions and public offerings, including deals with cross-border aspects. It has recently handled a number of transactions in the retail and shopping centres segment, and has also seen an uptick in corporate restructuring mandates. In terms of diversity and inclusion, the firm has a programme named BMA Diversity, through which it seeks to collaborate internally and with other law firms. The firm is part of the Aliança Jurídica pela Equidade Racial (Legal Alliance for Racial Equality), a project between law firms in Brazil and São Paulo law school FGV Direito SP aiming to promote the inclusion of black professionals in the legal market. M&A, capital markets and commercial arbitration specialists Paulo Cezar Aragão and Francisco Müssnich, Monique Mavignier, whose strong practice sees her acting on the buy and sell side of M&A and private equity investments, and corporate, M&A, corporate governance and securities law expert Luiz Antonio Campos are key practitioners in the team. Other names to note include M&A, joint ventures and debt restructuring specialist Luís Loria Flaks, Plínio Barbosa, whose sector specialisms include real estate, mining and infrastructure, and Amir Bocayuva Cunha, who acts for listed companies, entrepreneurs and private equity funds. In addition to its unquestionable strength at the partner level, the department also benefits from the input of experienced associates Rodrigo Mariani and Thiago Pinho, among others. Since publication, Ana Paula Reis and Ellen Juste Nuñez were promoted to partner, in December 2021.

Tax > Customs Tier 1

Brazil > Banking and finance Tier 2

'Combining legal knowledge with a practical view of the business', BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão has a strong track record in complex financings, particularly for major corporate borrowers. Acquisition financings feature prominently on the firm's workload, although in the past year the firm was also heavily active on the debt restructuring side, both for creditors and debtors. The team also has strong relationships with the banks for distressed debt deals. Camila Goldberg leads the team, with support from Rafael Dutra, who is particularly experienced on the project finance side. Recently promoted partners Conrado de Castro Stievani and Felipe Prado are both experienced in debt capital markets and structured finance.

Brazil > Capital markets Tier 2

BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão's well-regarded team had another busy year on the equity capital markets front. The firm regularly represents both issuers and underwriters, and the team's transactional expertise goes hand-in-hand with its regulatory experience and strong connections to the Brazilian Securities Commission (Comissão de Valores Mobiliários – CVM). Cross-border expertise is another key differentiator for the team, which regularly provides advice on CVM and SEC-registered equity offerings. The team's multi-jurisdictional credentials extends to the debt side, and its lawyers were involved in several multimillion-dollar issues on the international markets in 2020. The highly experienced Camila Goldberg leads the team, which includes the 'professional, agile and technically excellent' Jane Goldman and recently promoted partners Felipe Prado and Conrado de Castro Stievani.

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Arbitration Tier 2

With strong credentials in domestic and international arbitration, BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão is singled out for its impressive track record in M&A-related proceedings. The team continues to handle a high volume of cases before leading arbitration chambers, demonstrating particular experience in high-value disputes involving construction contracts, infrastructure projects, real estate acquisitions and shareholders' agreements, among others. Besides often acting as lead counsel to high-profile clients in major arbitrations, the firm's practitioners are also nominated as arbitrators in cases, especially those concerning commercial disputes and sports law. Pedro Oliveira da Costa, who combines litigation and arbitration experience, jointly heads the department with André Abbud, who is widely recognised in international arbitration. Francisco Müssnich has a strong background in M&A and is also noted for his proficiency in domestic and cross-border arbitration. Commercial disputes before Brazilian and international arbitral tribunals are also key areas of activity for Gustavo Santos Kulesza.

Brazil > Intellectual property Tier 2

BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão's IP practice assists media, entertainment, consumer goods, retail and luxury product companies with trade secret issues, copyright matters, compliance and infringement claims. A robust trade mark prosecution, enforcement and opposition offering is provided to the firm's multinational client roster, which features names from the agritech and life sciences sectors. Practice co-head Antonella Carminatti advises on all aspects of intellectual property, but is particularly adept at assisting with portfolio management, transactional work and licensing mandates. The patent and industrial design group is led by Ana Müller, who is regularly retained by start-ups and multinational corporations involved in patent litigation. Pedro Frankovsky Barroso is noted for his IP litigation expertise, while Pedro Tavares is praised by clients for accurately 'predicting outcomes of trade mark filings and oppositions'.

Brazil > Real estate Tier 2

BMA – Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão has made strong inroads into the Brazilian real estate market, where it offers expertise on major industrial, logistics, retail, residential and commercial office deals and development projects. Client’s benefit from the vast experience of Cristiana Moreira in Rio de Janeiro, who is especially strong on the transactional and development side, and São Paulo’s Cristiane Mamprin, who brings considerable corporate knowledge, particularly on related joint ventures and fund structures. Guilherme Zoghbi Ayala is noted for his transactional and tax advice. Maria Eduarda Bérgamo left the firm in June 2021.

Brazil > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

BMA – Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão has represented the debtors in some of Brazil’s largest restructuring and insolvency proceedings in recent years. Its advice to Queiroz Galvão Energia, Oi and Sucden do Brasil are demonstrative of the firm’s capacity to handle high-profile bankruptcy claims, as well as non-judicial restructurings. The firm has built up an especially strong reputation for bankruptcy litigation, where partners such as Felipe Evaristo dos Santos Galea and Eduardo Guimarães Wanderley are particularly active. The versatile Sergio Savi has strong credentials both for contentious and non-contentious restructuring advice. Since publication, the department has been further strengthened by the arrival of Luciana Celidonio from Tauil & Chequer Advogados, in November 2021.

Tax > Tax advisory Tier 2

Tax > Tax litigation Tier 2

Tax > Tax advisory Tier 2

BMA – Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão has broad tax expertise covering a range of contentious and non-contentious matters. The firm has invested significantly into the practice over the last decade, ensuring a strong flow of high-value, complex direct and indirect tax mandates, where it is trusted by clients across a variety of sectors. In tax litigation, clients particularly rate Lígia Regini da Silveira and Luiza Lacerda. The team is also especially strong on the transactional and structuring side, with partners such as Jose Otavio Faloppa and Hermano Notaroberto Barbosa having established good reputations. The firm’s customs and indirect tax practices were further strengthened in September 2021 with the arrival of Fabio Florentino, who has previous experience working in the Big Four. Daniel Abraham Loria left the firm in June 2021.

City focus - Brasilia > Litigation Tier 3

The Brasília-based disputes team at BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão can regularly be found representing its diverse range of clients in cases before the Superior Court of Justice, Supreme Federal Court and Superior Labour Court. Benefiting from the firm's national presence and reputation, it is able to field cross-office teams to handle major disputes, with particular expertise covering anti-corruption, government contracting and administrative misconduct, among other areas. 'Exceptional technician' and practice head André Macedo de Oliveira is noted for his 'deep knowledge of federal institutions'. Giovani Menicucci, who provides 'simple and effective solutions for complex demands', and Sarah Roriz de Freitas are key associates in the team.

Brazil > Compliance Tier 3

BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão maintains a varied compliance practice, regularly advising clients on corporate investigations, risk analyses and training. Administrative and judicial proceedings and asset recovery are also key areas of specialism for the team, which has recently acted for a range of new and longstanding clients. The multi-disciplinary team includes finance and corporate ethics specialist Anna Carolina de Oliveira Malta, José Guilherme Berman, who focuses on infrastructure and regulatory matters, and seasoned litigator André Macedo de Oliveira. The team also benefits from an experienced pool of associates, including Camila Cuschnir, Luis Marcelo Abdalla Jaued and João Bonvicino. In a significant development in June 2021, the practice received an additional boost with the arrival of compliance and criminal law expert Bernardo Weaver.

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Litigation Tier 3

BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão fields a team of professionals specialised in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, who are equipped to assist clients engaged in corporate and civil disputes. With significant experience in administrative and judicial proceedings, the firm represents clients before state and federal courts. The team is also adept at handling cross-border matters, working alongside leading international firms. Restructuring and dispute resolution specialist Felipe Evaristo dos Santos Galea jointly leads the team with Pedro Costa, whose areas of expertise include infrastructure and corporate disputes. André Abbud is regularly instructed by clients operating in the energy, infrastructure, healthcare and agribusiness sectors. Rafael Castilho focuses on civil and commercial litigation.

Brazil > Environment Tier 3

BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão brings together cross-practice expertise, covering M&A, tax, compliance and dispute resolution, to assist clients from a variety of industries facing environmental challenges. Its recent work illustrates the team's strength in environmental licensing, regulatory enforcement proceedings, contaminated sites and waste management. Advising on the implementation of business practices in compliance with ESG standards is also an area of expertise for the environmental team. Climate change and sustainability expert Marcio Pereira is regularly retained by energy, infrastructure and transport clients. He leads the practice with Beatriz Paulo de Frontin, who regularly acts for domestic and foreign companies in administrative and judicial litigation. Marina Maciel is also part of the core team; she excels in environmental licensing.

Brazil > Labour and employment Tier 3

BMA – Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão has a balanced and versatile employment practice offering a broad range of litigation and advisory expertise. The team is regularly turned to by clients for individual and collective labour disputes, including public and civil claims, and is especially experienced representing clients in the energy, oil and gas, and shipbuilding industries. This extends to non-contentious support on union negotiations and corporate matters, including M&A and restructurings, as well as broader compliance, health and safety and risk management advice. The team is jointly led by well-regarded partners Cibelle Linero and Luiz Marcelo Góis. Associate Mariana Brassaloti left the firm in April 2021.

Brazil > TMT: Cybersecurity and data privacy Tier 3

Leveraging its full-service structure, BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão advises on an array of matters in the data protection space. Clients from a variety of sectors - such as financial institutions, digital media companies and start-ups - seek the team's assistance with due diligence in the context of transactions, regulatory issues, contentious matters involving data breaches and LGPD compliance projects. Leading the group is Felipe Palhares, whose key areas of activity include data incidents and the processing of personal data. Vitor Butruce and Felipe Schvartzman are other key contacts in the data privacy, technology and digital business department.

Brazil > Wealth and succession planning Tier 3

BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão has a well-established private client group, covering a range of key areas, including tax, estate planning, litigation and related corporate and capital markets work. The last two came to the fore in 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic gave rise to significant family and commercial reorganisations, debt restructurings, as well as philanthropy work. The firm has strong relationships with many of the key private banks, and in addition to advising families and individuals, also acts for several major family offices. Hermano Notaroberto Barbosa and Debora Bacellar jointly lead the team.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity (and renewable energy)

BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão is seen with great regularity acting for electricity sector clients before regulatory authorities in connection with bids, concessions, environmental licensing, renegotiations of regulated contracts, and disputes. The practice also boasts strong capabilities in the fields of M&A transactions, greenfield projects, court-supervised reorganisations and tax law. The energy group is jointly led by infrastructure and regulatory specialist Ana Cândida de Mello Carvalho and Carlos Frederico Lucchetti Bingemer, the latter of whom focuses on M&A, including deals involving power and renewable energy assets.

Brazil > Insurance Tier 4

BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão has developed a solid practice in insurance-related corporate deals, having advised on high-profile M&A, joint ventures and restructurings. Rio de Janeiro-based corporate partner Henrique Vargas Gama Beloch heads the team, and acts for several leading insurers. Litigation partner Pedro Costa also has good experience in insurance disputes.

Brazil > Public law Tier 4

BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão is well versed across a broad array of public law matters, spanning infrastructure projects, regulatory issues and government affairs. As well as providing advice on government contracting procedures, concessions and PPP structures, the practice also represents clients before regulatory agencies and acts in all types of disputes involving the public administration. Administrative misconduct and corruption cases are particular specialisms. José Guilherme Berman often assists with public bids and anti-corruption cases, while Felipe Schvartzman is specialised in compliance and administrative improbity claims. Both practitioners are based in Rio de Janeiro. In São Paulo, Ana Cândida de Mello Carvalho stands out for her in-depth knowledge of administrative law, including concessions of public services, state-owned companies and bidding procedures.

Brazil > Projects and infrastructure Tier 5

BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão predominantly undertakes transactional work in regulated sectors, and advises clients in bidding procedures and concessions of infrastructure projects. The team, whose experience cuts across the energy, transport, water and sewage and public lighting sectors, is under the joint leadership of Camila Goldberg and Rafael Dutra, both of whom are noted for financing deals. Ana Cândida de Mello Carvalho is recommended for infrastructure and regulatory matters.

Brazil > White-collar crime and investigations