KLA Advogados > Sao Paulo, Brazil > Firm Profile

KLA Advogados > The Legal 500 Rankings

Brazil > Corporate and M&A: Mid-market Tier 1

The ‘technical and business-oriented’ team at KLA Advogados continues to advise middle-market clients on the full slate of corporate transactions and shareholder issues. Acquisitions, incorporations, joint ventures and private equity investments are key areas of activity for the group, which stands out for its broad industry coverage that spans the technology, food and beverages, telecoms, infrastructure, education, energy, real estate and media sectors. Singled out for her experience in the technology, telecoms and life sciences segments, Karin Alvo has strong credentials in strategic M&A, private equity and venture capital deals. Mariana Cortez, a go-to for clients from the worlds of education and real estate, is an ‘excellent negotiator’, while Melissa Kanô, who heads up the Asian Desk, is recurrently sought out by companies from the advertising and energy spaces. Other individuals to note for corporate matters and M&A transactions include Alessandra Höhne and Luiz Filipe Aranha. Praised by clients for her ‘proficiency, attention, agility, timeliness and client service’, Patrícia Braga leads on cross-border M&A, PE and VC deals for US and German clients. Mário Fioratti works on complex technology and real estate-related transactions, while associate André Maruch maintains a broad practice in corporate and securities law, investment funds and foreign investment.

Brazil > Real estate Tier 2

The ‘cohesive and integrated‘ real estate team at KLA Advogados is particularly active in high-profile rural and urban development and acquisition projects, acting for a mix of investment funds, hospitality companies, corporate leaseholders and investors. A reference in the market, Pedro Cortez brings more than 45 years of experience in the real estate space to the table. The ‘extremely detail-oriented’ Tomaz Matheus advises on the structuring of several real estate projects, including logistic parks and hotels, and on the negotiation of lease agreements. Rodrigo Pontes handles a variety of non-contentious matters, such as property title regularisation, and acquisition of rural and urban properties, and the ‘extremely competent’ Mariana Cortez provides ‘innovative solutions’ in the context of real estate transactions. Clients also consider senior associate Carla Fernandes a ‘mature professional with a lot of technical knowledge’.

Tax > Customs Tier 2

Brazil > Wealth and succession planning Tier 2

High-net-worth individuals and their family businesses turn to KLA Advogados for assistance with wealth management, estate planning and family law matters. The practice is led by Fernando Koury Lopes, who is often retained in mandates involving the management, protection and passing of family wealth, as well as family governance issues and international estate planning. The ‘excellent‘ Vera Cardoso de Almeida is a key contact for inheritance disputes, cross-border investment structures, and trust law issues. Highlighted for her ‘excellent practical and theoretical vision‘, Carolina Ducci manages a busy family law practice, often advising on prenuptial agreements, divorces, child support matters and probate proceedings.

Tax > Tax advisory Tier 3

KLA Advogados has a strong group of ‘very experienced professionals, with in-depth knowledge’ of tax law. Commended for its expertise in direct and indirect tax, including litigation and advisory matters, the group is well versed in federal, state and municipal taxes, and related areas, such as social security contributions. With considerable experience in income tax and international taxation, co-founder Henrique Lopes provides advisory and administrative litigation support to a variety of corporate clients. Victor Polizelli is a key contact for tax consultancy matters, including corporate taxes, international taxation and transfer pricing. The ‘extremely capable and calm’ José Flávio Pacheco handles customs and indirect issues with ‘intelligence and strategic reasoning’. Felipe Omori is strong in judicial litigation.

Brazil > TMT: Cybersecurity and data privacy Tier 3

International and local clients, including companies from the energy, technology, banking and entertainment sectors, seek KLA Advogados' assistance in a range of privacy and data protection matters. The 'highly technical and available' firm is adept at advising on the implementation of LGPD compliance programmes, risk assessments and data transfers. Data breaches, both from a consulting and litigation perspective, are another key area of strength for the practice, which is led by the 'very technical, available and up-to-date' Ana Carolina Cesar.

Brazil > White-collar crime and investigations Tier 3

Anti-corruption, money laundering, tax evasion, cyber, antitrust and environmental crimes are all areas of focus for the ‘highly qualified’ white-collar practice at KLA Advogados, which combines expertise in criminal matters with strong corporate law capabilities. Corporate clients from the construction, infrastructure, education, TMT and pharmaceuticals sectors regularly seek the team’s advice on highly sensitive matters, including instances before the superior courts. Senior associate Juliane Mendonça is a name to note in the team. Former practice head Filipe Magliarelli left the firm in January 2024.

Brazil > Compliance Tier 4

KLA Advogados fields a compliance team of ‘highly qualified professionals with in-depth knowledge’ of investigations, monitorships, and compliance programmes. Integrity due diligence and risk assessments are other areas of activity for the group, which benefits from close links to the firm’s labour and public law practices. Focused on compliance and antitrust law, Guilherme Person regularly assists with risk assessments and enforcement actions. Former practice head Filipe Magliarelli left the firm in January 2024.

Brazil > Environment Tier 4

Showcasing extensive experience in contaminated sites, protected areas and environmental licensing, KLA Advogados has a loyal client base of companies from the agribusiness and biofuels sector, which regularly turn to the team for assistance in land use restrictions and due diligence of rural properties. Climate litigation, carbon credits and ESG matters are growing areas of activity for the department, which is led by Leticia Marques. Practice head Marques handles a variety of environmental matters, ranging from licensing issues to administrative proceedings.

Tax > Tax litigation Tier 4

Brazil > TMT: Media Tier 4

The media team at KLA Advogados is retained by leading advertisers, artists, gaming and technology companies operating in Brazil. The practice, which demonstrates a strong transactional profile, offers 'extensive expertise' in tax, commercial and promotional marketing matters. Melissa Kanô, an expert in advertising law, leads the industry-focused group. Associate Ana Carolina Cesar handles a varied mix of contentious and non-contentious matters in the technology and entertainment spaces. Vanessa Pirró and Caio Aragão left the firm in February 2022.

Brazil > TMT: Tech, innovation and digital business Tier 4

The technology practice at KLA Advogados combines IP, transactional and regulatory expertise, and is well positioned to advise start-ups, established tech companies and investment funds on a host of mandates. Web3, NFTs and AI-related matters are key areas of growth for the department, which is chaired by Karin Alvo, a corporate and M&A lawyer devoted to the tech, telecoms and life sciences sectors. Senior associate Ana Carolina Cesar focuses on transactions in the technology space. Vanessa Pirró left the firm in March 2022.

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Litigation Tier 5

Turned to for its capabilities in civil procedure and commercial litigation, KLA Advogados is a key port of call for clients operating in the real estate, energy, automotive, insurance, media and pharmaceutical sectors. The ‘well-prepared and always available‘ group is under the leadership of Tiago Cortez, who specialises in complex litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution; he ‘stands out for his strategic vision of cases and argumentative skills‘. Taisa Oliveira is noted for her capabilities in real estate and contractual litigation, as well as court-supervised reorganisations, while construction litigation is a core specialism for Flávia Alterio.

Brazil > Labour and employment Tier 5

The ‘competent and helpful professionals‘ at KLA Advogados bring together expertise in labour litigation, due diligence, internal training and compliance. The firm is adept at handling collective and individual claims, and also showcases strength in collective bargaining. Paulo Chubba and Bruna De Cesare are both well versed in restructuring projects and collective bargaining agreements. Since publication, former practice head Alexandre Pessoa has left the firm, effective as of January 2024.

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Arbitration Tier 7

Commercial and civil disputes involving corporate, IP, insurance, construction and real estate issues populate KLA Advogados‘ arbitration caseload. Led by Tiago Cortez, a dispute resolution and antitrust partner, the group is called upon by clients from an array of industries, including food and beverages, telecoms and pharmaceuticals. Recently promoted partners Flávia Alterio, who specialises in contractual and construction disputes, and Taisa Oliveira, who is proficient in real estate and commercial cases, are the other names to note.