Rafael Xavier Vianello > Pinheiro Guimarães > Sao Paulo, Brazil > Lawyer Profile

Pinheiro Guimarães
AV BRIG FARIA LIMA 3064
14TH FLOOR
01451-000 SÃO PAULO, SP
Brazil

Work Department

Tax

Position

Partner

Career

Rafael Vianello is a partner of Pinheiro Guimarães and heads the Tax practice of the firm in São Paulo. Rafael has a solid background on international tax, tax accounting and corporate law, with an impressive track record in a variety of sectors and industries, specially retail and consumer goods He adds significant value to our tax team combining his experience as a former in-house head of Tax Americas of AB-Inbev Belgium and  former PwC International Tax Partner, both in São Paulo and New York. His extensive experience in the tax field and his outstanding negotiation skills allows him to offer creative solutions and quality counsel to international and Brazilian based clients in a wide range of tax matters, including highly complex tax and corporate matters associated with restructuring projects, M&A transactions, project finance, capital markets, cross-border deals, banking, private equity funds, debt restructuring and indirect tax plannings. Rafael is praised by both coworkers and clients for his great communication skills and his practical approach of issues.

Memberships

Brazilian Bar Association.

Education

Rafael Xavier Vianello. Education: Colégio Luís de Camões, São Paulo (BA). Universidade Paulista Law School, São Paulo (LLB, 2000). Institute of Education and Research – Insper, São Paulo (LLM in Corporate Law, 2008). Global Tax Director (Americas) at AB-Inbev, Belgium, 2018-2020, and Tax Partner at PwC, New York, 2013–2016. Member: Brazilian Bar Association.

Lawyer Rankings

Brazil > Tax > Tax advisory

Pinheiro Guimarães has an active tax team that is best known for its non-contentious advice. The firm’s reputation for high-end corporate finance work ensures a steady flow of domestic and cross-border M&A, capital markets and restructuring-related tax planning mandates. Rio de Janeiro-based Daniela Viana Cordeiro de Melo Fassheber, a key relationship partner for major investment banks and energy clients, jointly oversees the practice with Rafael Xavier Vianello in São Paulo. Other key individuals include Estevan Leal, who regularly advises companies from the forestry, pharmaceuticals and telecoms industries, and senior associate Thiago Paranhos Neves, who coordinates the firm’s tax litigation work.