Mattos Filho > Sao Paulo, Brazil > Firm Profile

Mattos Filho > The Legal 500 Rankings

Brazil > Banking and finance Tier 1

Mattos Filho has a leading multidisciplinary banking and finance practice, which covers all corners of the market. The team regularly assists lenders and borrowers on novel financings such as sustainability-linked revolving credit facilities, and other product types including securitisations, debt capital markets, project, trade and acquisition finance. The firm stands out for its corporate, fintech and regulatory work, which combined to good effect when advising the underwriters on Nubank’s ground-breaking $2.6bn global IPO. Among the partners, clients single out the ‘always available‘ Frederico Kerr Bullamah, and Flavia Magliozzi for her ‘proactivity, objectivity and refined technique‘. Bruno Tuca regularly handles major debt transactions, while Marina Anselmo Schneider is strong in structured finance. Pablo Sorj is active on the project finance side. Pedro Eroles is no longer at the firm.

Brazil > Capital markets Tier 1

Mattos Filho has an ‘extremely experienced team specialised in IPO processes‘, which is ‘made up of super technical people with availability and proactivity‘. The market-leading practice is regularly involved in Brazil’s largest and most complex equity and debt listings, representing underwriters and issuers. The underwriter side has recently handled several high-profile mandates, including support on the headline-grabbing Nubank and Raízen IPOs. On the issuer front, it also assisted gym company Smartfit on its R$2.6bn equity listing. The finance team is packed with experienced partners, including Frederico Kerr Bullamah, Bruno Tuca, Marina Anselmo Schneider and Flavia Magliozzi. The equity team, which includes Jean Marcel Arakawa and Vanessa Fiusa, was strengthened by the arrival of partner Caio Cossermelli (an ‘excellent professional, objective and always available‘) from Lobo de Rizzo Advogados. Since publication, Henrique Antunes Ferreira and Raphael Saraiva have been promoted to partner.

City focus - Brasilia > Litigation Tier 1

Mattos Filho‘s Brasília-based litigation and arbitration team is able to leverage the firm’s national office network and expertise in public law, tax, labour and corporate law to handle complex disputes of national relevance in the superior courts. Notably, the group acted for BHP Billiton in a R$155bn lawsuit regarding the environmental disaster caused by the collapse of the Fundão tailings dam in Mariana. The team also stands out for its track record in constitutional disputes involving bilateral agreements signed with other countries, concession transfers and mutual legal assistance treaties (MLAT). A key contact in the team is Maricí Giannico, who focuses on appellate litigation, administrative disputes and regulatory matters. At the associate level, names to note includde Marina De Mello Cerqueira Zarur and Marselhe Cristina De Mattos, both of whom have extensive experience in civil litigation at the trial and appellate levels. Diego Herrera de Moraes, who has handled matters before Brazil’s surperior courts, and is noted for his experience in disputes in the tech, media, entertainment and telecoms space, joined from HD Advogados in July 2022. Since publication, Frederico Bastos Pinheiro Martins is no longer at the firm.

City focus - Brasilia > Tax Tier 1

Mattos Filho is well known for its track record in tax litigation before the Supreme Court (STF), the Supreme Court of Justice (STJ) and the Brazilian Administrative Council of Tax Appeals (CARF). With a robust team of tax and litigation lawyers, the group is frequently retained by large companies from the retail, food and beverage, technology and pharmaceuticals segments. A key contact in the Brasília team is Ariane Guimarães, who has a strong background in litigation before the superior courts. Other key practitioners in the team include Leandro Bettini Lins De Castro Monteiro, who is well versed in administrative disputes and tax law, and tax litigator Alberto Frederico Teixeira Soares Carbonar, a popular choice for clients operating in the telecoms, logistics and agribusiness sectors.

Brazil > Competition and antitrust Tier 1

The competition law experts at Mattos Filho act as ‘true partners with clients in carrying out extremely strategic work‘. The team’s workload strikes a balance between merger control and conduct cases, with recent highlights including its representation of food tech company iFood in the high-profile dominance investigation concerning the client’s exclusivity contracts with restaurants. In the merger space, the department’s vast experience before CADE also extends to non-fast-track merger review cases and the negotiation of remedies. The firm’s traditional strength in dispute resolution is of particular benefit when it comes to antitrust litigation, where competition and litigation specialists work together to represent clients in appealing CADE decisions. 2021 saw the practice expanding further, first with the arrival of Eduardo Frade in August of that year from Vinicius Marques de Carvalho Advogados, and later with the hire of senior associate Venicio Filho from TozziniFreire Advogados. Renata Fonseca Zuccolo Giannella is ‘very hands on and proactive‘; Lauro Celidonio Gomes dos Reis Neto is noted for his longstanding expertise in the field of competition law; Marcio Soares is ‘very diplomatic and manages to deal assertively and carefully with authorities and other parties involved in cases‘; Amadeu Ribeiro is the name to note in New York; and Michelle Machado specialises in competition, corporate investigations and digital markets. Recently promoted partner Paula Camara Baptista De Oliveira is also noted.

Brazil > Compliance Tier 1

Household name local and international companies turn to Mattos Filho‘s compliance and corporate ethics department for assistance in settlement negotiations, investigations and crisis management. Recently, the team has been particularly active in private corruption and fraud investigations, as well as internal investigations into workplace issues and harassment, often working alongside colleagues in the labour, white-collar criminal law and antitrust departments. The department also assists in M&A and debt and equity capital market transactions, which the firm is regularly involved in; its advice in this space includes compliance due diligence and risk management. Key practitioners in the team include anti-corruption and corporate integrity expert Renato Tastardi Portella; Thiago Jabor Pinheiro, whose broad practice takes in investigations and enforcement actions in connection with corruption, bid rigging and other forms of corporate misconduct; crisis management specialist Kevin Michael Altit, who draws on over 30 years of experience; and technology, public law and compliance partner Thiago Luís Sombra. Marcel Ribas, dual qualified in both Brazil and New York, was promoted to partner in April 2021; he has experience in cross-border investigations and FCPA enforcement. Luiza Mussoi Cattley, Laura Carneiro de Mello Senra and Romero Cabral da Costa Neto are names to note at the senior associate level.

Brazil > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

‘One of the best full-service firms in Brazil’, Mattos Filho ‘has a very robust team’, which is ‘prepared to face any challenge’ on behalf of a stellar client base comprising domestic and multinational companies across key sectors such as life sciences, technology, financial services, healthcare, energy and construction. Fully dedicated to corporate and M&A matters and with lawyers based across Brazil, London and New York, the department offers support during every stage of negotiations and throughout the entire life cycle of businesses. Some of the largest private equity funds and investors regularly retain the firm in market-leading deals, as do venture capital clients, start-ups and technology players engaged in complex transactions. The firm’s extensive diversity and inclusion programme sees it acting on six fronts: gender equality, LGBTIQAP+ rights, racial equity, rights of people with disabilities, religious freedom, and more recently, parenting responsibilities and gender equity. Another highlight is the firm’s varied and pioneering pro bono practice, which was created to address the lack of access to justice and the scenario of human rights violations in Brazil. Daniel Calhman de Miranda enjoys a strong reputation for his capabilities in cross-border transactions. João Ricardo de Azevedo Ribeiro – a key relationship partner for a diverse roster of private and public companies, private equity funds and foreign investors – possesses considerable experience in M&A, corporate restructurings and joint ventures, which are also among Marcelo Ricupero‘s areas of expertise. Moacir Zilbovicius is a go-to attorney for mandates involving publicly held companies, while Paula Vieira de Oliveira is noted for her private equity sector acumen. Private equity investments also feature heavily in Pedro Whitaker De Souza Dias‘s workload. Fernando Amendola leads on M&A deals in the real estate space. Other names to note include Luciana Pietro Lorenzo and Maria Fernanda de Almeida Prado e Silva. Tomás Neiva joined from CFA Advogados in August 2021. Since publication, Thaís Gasparian Moraes has been promoted to partner.

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Arbitration Tier 1

Domestic and foreign companies, financial institutions and investors turn to Mattos Filho for representation in arbitrations in Brazil and abroad. The ‘first-rate arbitration team‘ has the ability to ‘deal with the largest cases and bring specialist knowledge to bear in the most difficult issues’ in the infrastructure, energy, telecoms, construction, and oil and gas sectors. Major arbitrations involving M&A and corporate law are other key strengths for the department, which has experienced a substantial increase in demands related to securities and international disputes against public entities. Recognised as ‘one of the best arbitration lawyers in Brazil‘, Eduardo Damião Gonçalves has worked as counsel and arbitrator in a variety of cases including in ICC and UNICITRAL proceedings. Arthur Gonzalez Cronenberger Parente is rated for being ‘a tenacious, skilled strategist with a commercial mindset‘; corporate and M&A disputes are among his areas of expertise. Flávio Spaccaquerche Barbosa is a name to note for proceedings involving the construction and oil and gas industries, while André Chateaubriand Martins handles arbitrations arising from banking, energy, corporate and commercial issues. Laura Ghitti stands out at the associate level for her involvement in commercial and investment arbitration cases.

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Litigation Tier 1

At Mattos Filho, the litigation practice enjoys a strong reputation in the Brazilian market thanks to its frequent involvement as lead counsel in many of the country’s most complex and sensitive disputes. Praised for its ‘multidisciplinary approach and highly qualified professionals‘, the team assists clients in all of Brazil’s key economic sectors, including energy, technology, financial services and consumer goods. Covering corporate, administrative, civil and regulatory litigation, the practice is well positioned to undertake contentious work involving public law and governmental issues, and has experienced an increase in instructions concerning insurance, environmental, construction, product liability and financial disputes. Cases resulting from M&A and general commercial conflicts, including cross-border matters, have also recently seen a substantial uptick. The department is one of the main drivers of the firm’s pro bono efforts, a pioneer initiative in the market. In this context, practitioners have offered representation to clients on a pro bono basis in litigation issues involving immigration, LGBTQ and minorities, among others. Eduardo Damião Gonçalves has a strong track record in complex litigation and arbitration proceedings. Flavio Pereira Lima has more than 30 years’ experience in contentious matters; civil and environmental disputes are some of his areas of focus. Bankruptcy-related cases are a field of expertise for Alex Hatanaka, while Maricí Giannico in Brasília is recommended for appellate litigation. Flávio Spaccaquerche Barbosa in Rio de Janeiro and Isabela Siqueira, the latter of whom is particularly skilled in class actions, are other key individuals. Diego Herrera de Moraes joined the Brasilia office from HD Advogados in July 2022.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity (and renewable energy)

Mattos Filho‘s highly experienced group advises power producers, distribution and transmission companies, traders, service providers, private equity firms and banks on the entire spectrum of legal issues that arise in the electricity and renewable energy sector. It is well positioned to handle energy project M&A, financing and capital market deals, project structuring and regulatory matters, but stands out in particular in the market for its wide-ranging capabilities in the regulatory sphere, where it works on non-contentious matters and administrative proceedings before the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) and the Energy Trading Chamber (CCEE). Recent areas of activity for the team have included self-production projects and long-term corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs). Its practitioners have also been kept busy assisting traditional oil and gas companies in their energy transition efforts. With more than 20 years of experience in the power sector, Fabiano Ricardo Luz de Brito is singled out for his regulatory and transactional track record. Brito has been particularly active in the negotiation of PPAs, administrative and judicial litigation, as well as M&A deals in this segment. Sofia Barbosa, who was recently promoted to partner, is an ‘excellent attorney with diverse knowledge of the industry’. Bárbara Mendes Carnevalli is another name to note for corporate and contractual matters related to the power sector.

Energy and natural resources > Hydrocarbons Tier 1

Mattos Filho has a well-established reputation among the top teams in Brazil; it offers transactional and regulatory advice to leading exploration and production (E&P), downstream and natural gas players, private equity clients and banks. The group, which is made up of practitioners with relevant international backgrounds, attracts instructions in an array of high-value deals, ranging from stock and asset purchases, business combinations, debt restructuring and financings, while also showcasing strength in the implementation and construction of projects in the oil and gas sector. Mandates involving contractual breaches, class actions and arbitrations also feature in the firm’s impressive portfolio. Devoted to the oil and gas segment, Giovani Loss is an ‘industry-experienced and trustworthy attorney’ who has a wealth of experience in M&A transactions, regulatory and maritime law matters pertaining to the sector. Also recommended, Felipe Rodrigues Caldas Feres is counsel of choice for clients engaged in large-scale projects and M&A deals. Singled out for his ‘vast experience in regulatory, contractual and M&A matters’, Nilton Mattos is another name to note for hydrocarbons work. Other key individuals include Danielle Ludwig and the recently promoted Bruno Chedid, both of whom are active in transactional, regulatory and contractual issues involving the oil and gas sector. All mentioned practitioners are based in Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil > Insurance Tier 1

Mattos Filho is an ‘excellent firm‘, which ‘stands out for being a reference in the areas of insurance, pensions, capitalisation and reinsurance’. The team has an impressive bench of specialised insurance lawyers, whose ‘breadth of experience, practice and regulatory expertise makes everything look easy’. From high-end M&A transactions through to coverage disputes and regulatory matters before SUSEP, the group covers the gamut of insurance and reinsurance matters. Key partners include the ‘fantastic‘ Camila Leal Calais, who is ‘knowledgeable, agile and always with the quick answer and support required’. Other active non-contentious partners include Marcelo Mansur Haddad (‘an absolute authority in the area of reinsurance’) and Thomaz del Castillo Barroso Kastrup (‘excellent for deals in general, including M&A, trading, partnerships and corporate restructurings‘). Since publication, Cassio Gama Amaral is no longer at the firm.

Brazil > Labour and employment Tier 1

The employment team at Mattos Filho ‘provides excellent client service and availability for urgent care, always focusing on quality’. The firm’s ‘ability to deliver multidisciplinary work, which is crucial for certain labour reviews, is really helpful’, with lawyers regularly involved in high-end disputes and investigations, as well as transactional and strategic consulting issues. Clients benefit from the team’s strong expertise in collective negotiations and dismissals, in addition to senior executive-level compensation matters. Key partners include Sólon Cunha, ‘a brilliant lawyer who always attends us with important considerations‘, and recently promoted partner Rafael de Filippis, who is ‘committed from the beginning to deliver good quality of services’. Cleber Venditti da Silva enjoys a strong market reputation. Since publication, Érika Seddon and Jose Daniel Gatti Vergna have been welcomed to the partnership. Vilma Kutomi retired in May 2023.

Brazil > Projects and infrastructure Tier 1

Drawing on the experience of more than 70 lawyers dedicated to an array of sectors, including oil and gas, power, telecoms, logistics and construction, Mattos Filho possesses exceptional industry coverage and ‘is involved in the most important transactions in the infrastructure segment in Brazil‘. The firm is a leading player in project finance, and continues to advise Brazilian and international banks and sponsors on the most sophisticated financing transactions across the energy, airports, toll roads, ports, mining and sanitation sectors. In addition, it showcases strong credentials in project development, where it assists owners and contractors throughout the entire life cycle of projects. Administrative law and PPP mandates also feature in the service offering, which also includes privatisations, chiefly in the oil and gas, energy and ports sectors. Based in Rio de Janeiro, project finance expert Pablo Sorj is praised for his negotiation skills; he has worked for sponsors and lenders in some of the most innovative deals in the energy, ports, roads and mining segments. Also in the Rio office, Thiago Fernandes Moreira is a name to note for project development and construction contracts. Marina Anselmo Schneider in São Paulo dedicates her practice to project finance transactions in the context of both banking and capital market deals. In the same office, Alexandre Arlota‘s ‘performance is unparalleled in the area of project development’, while Bernardo Môcho primarily advises on project bonds and structured finance.

Brazil > Real estate Tier 1

The ‘standout‘ team at Mattos Filho is noted for its ‘extreme agility and competence‘, as well as the lawyers’ ‘technical knowledge and understanding of client problems‘. The firm saw a significant growth in urban and rural real estate transactions, and invested heavily in its associate team, with eight fee earners recently joining. Its clients include leading investment and sovereign funds, including GIC and Brookfield, as well as corporate buyers and leaseholders, such as Amazon and Microsoft. The firm is particularly strong on deals with a heavy corporate element, typically involving large property portfolios. Rossana Fernandes Duarte brings ‘vast experience in the field of real estate, including the forestry and agribusiness sectors‘. Clients also rate the ‘very competent‘ Fernando Amendola. Mariana Spoto Cobra and Janaína Vargas are also names to note.

Tax > Customs Tier 1

Tax > Tax advisory Tier 1

Mattos Filho has an ‘extremely competent, helpful and attentive team‘ of ‘highly technically prepared lawyers who are always available to assist‘. Praised for its ‘broad and up-to-date knowledge‘ of Brazilian and cross-border tax issues, the firm is a favoured destination for many of the country’s largest domestic and international companies. The market-leading transactional side of the practice was recently boosted by the March 2022 hire of direct tax specialist Thais Rodrigues from Tauil & Chequer Advogados. She adds weight to a prominent bench of lawyers, including advisory partners such as Andrea Bazzo Lauletta, Flavio Mifano and Gil F. Mendes. The litigation side of the team is equally experienced, with lead partners including Roberto Quiroga Mosquera, Alessandra Gomensoro, the ‘always available‘ Ana Paula Schincariol Lui Barreto, and the highly experienced Glaucia Lauletta Frascino. Key partners on the customs front include Renata Correia Cubas and Gabriela Silva de Lemos, while Isabel Bueno is strong on related pensions and employee compensation issues. Since publication, Tomás Oliveira has been made a partner.

Tax > Tax litigation Tier 1

Brazil > TMT: Cybersecurity and data privacy Tier 1

Mattos Filho has established a strong reputation in data protection and cybersecurity in Brazil, offering clients a ‘holistic view‘, with ‘excellent service and quality’. The team covers the gamut of privacy and security matters across a number of industries, including healthcare, insurance, technology, financial services, retail, education and telecoms. While the Brazilian Data Protection Law (LGPD) is key for a lot of clients, the team also advises on regional compliance strategies, undertakes risk assessments, assesses cloud computing issues, and provides counselling on major data incidents and litigation. Within the team, Fabio Ferreira Kujawski is well known for his expertise in the technology space in Brazil, particularly in his transactional and consulting work. Paulo Brancher is also a technology, telecoms and intellectual property expert. Thiago Luís Sombra is also of note within the team, especially in data privacy and cybersecurity matters from a regulatory, liability and contractual perspective and before the courts. The team also boasts strength at the associate level, with Jaqueline Simas de Oliveira praised by clients for her ‘excellent technical knowledge’. Isabela Fernandes is also noted.

Brazil > TMT: Tech, innovation and digital business Tier 1

‘Providing clear and concise opinions’, the technology, innovation and digital business team at Mattos Filho leverages its full-service capabilities to provide a comprehensive offering to assist clients in structuring and implementing their digital and technology strategies in Brazil and Latin America. The group has extensive regulatory expertise, providing advice on digital platforms, online marketplaces, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT). Coupled with this expertise, the team also provides corporate and tax advice, particularly in technology-related M&A, start-up financing and IT public procurement. Fabio Ferreira Kujawski and Paulo Brancher combine their expertise in civil and consumer law, regularly advising clients and providing strategic counselling for technology companies on their operations and expansion within the relevant Brazilian regulatory frameworks. Thiago Luís Sombra is also of note for his technology litigation experience, representing clients before the regulatory agencies and public authorities. Lisa Worcman is the go-to individual in the team for tax-related tech and digital matters. Luiz Felipe Di Sessa joined the team in March 2022 from Cescon Barrieu, further bolstering the team’s capabilities.

Brazil > White-collar crime and investigations Tier 1

Full-service powerhouse Mattos Filho established its white-collar criminal law practice in 2017 with the arrival of highly regarded criminal law expert Rogério Fernando Taffarello. He and his team combine their vast experience of criminal investigations and proceedings with the firm’s broader capabilities in litigation, compliance and environmental law, among other areas, and are regularly entrusted in sensitive federal investigations. Beyond litigation, the practice also provides advisory services to its clients, including in the context of M&A transactions. The firm continues to invest in its white-collar crime practice, as evidenced by the promotion of Flávia Guimarães Leardini to partner in April 2021; she is particularly focused on tax fraud and money laundering cases. The ‘highly qualified’ Paula Moreira Indalecio is also noted; with over 20 years’ experience, she is a key contact for clients in the construction, healthcare, financial services and technology sectors in relation to major investigations. Gabriel de Freitas Queiroz is a key contact at the senior associate level.

City focus - Brasilia > Public law and regulation Tier 2

The public law and regulation team at Mattos Filho stands out for its expertise in the technology sector, where it attracts a strong following from high-profile companies such as Oracle, Google and Microsoft. Public tenders, public contracts and administrative and judicial disputes are among the department’s areas of expertise. Recently, the group has been particularly busy assisting clients from the banking sector with changes in the constitutional provisions related to the court-ordered debt payments (precatórios) regime. A key contact for matters involving PPPs, concessions, sanction proceedings and litigation at the superior courts is Thiago Luís Sombra, whose expertise spans public law, anti-corruption and technology.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 2

Brazilian and international mining companies of all sizes seek Mattos Filho‘ legal assistance in the full scope of mining matters, with an emphasis on M&A deals, financing transactions and strategic minerals projects. In addition to its strength in M&A and financing deals, the team – which sits within the infrastructure and energy group – is equipped to assist mining clients with joint ventures, corporate restructurings, commercial agreements, and royalty and streaming transactions. Based in Brasília, Adriano Drummond Cançado Trindade is the main point of contact for mining mandates, steering the team in a range of M&A, financing, contractual and ESG-related matters applicable to mining projects. His experience also extends to the policy-making and legislative sphere, having assisted governments and advised on capacity building programmes concerning resources and mining law in Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa. Eugênia Pedroso is a contact in São Paulo for infrastructure projects, private equity and regulatory mining matters.

Brazil > Environment Tier 2

The sizeable environmental and climate change group at Mattos Filho offers the entire scope of environmental law services, covering both non-contentious matters and litigation. Besides an impressive track record in high-exposure environmental litigation at the judicial and administrative levels throughout the country, the group also excels in negotiations with regulatory agencies, and advice on environmental licenses, brownfield and contaminated site management, solid waste matters and M&A transactions with considerable environmental implications.The September 2020 arrival of Antonio Augusto Reis and Rômulo Sampaio , as well as eight other practitioners from Rennó, Penteado, Sampaio Advogados, each with considerable experience in environmental disputes and increasingly relevant issues, such as climate change, ESG and environmental governance, strengthened the environmental group. Lina Pimentel Garcia focuses on contaminated sites, solid waste and licensing matters; she is praised by clients for her ‘in-depth technical knowledge’ and ‘strategic thinking’. Associate Tábata Boccanera Guerra de Oliveira has broad experience in climate change and sustainability issues in the context of M&A, capital markets and project finance transactions.

Brazil > Life sciences Tier 2

Mattos Filho’s life sciences practice group is known for its ‘solid and reliable’ expertise. A leading full-service firm in Brazil, its life sciences offering benefits from cross-practice collaboration, providing clients with a strong combination of regulatory and transactional expertise with litigation experience. With a presence in New York and London, the firm has a strong international focus, which is beneficial for its client base of large multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as medical devices companies, healthcare assistance providers, food and beverage companies, and investors. The team regularly advises on M&A transactions, agreement drafting and negotiations, clinical trials, public and private partnerships, and product development. Ana Cândida Sammarco is praised for her ability to ‘understand the urgency of commercial matters to the business and offer pragmatic solutions’. She chairs the life sciences and healthcare practice and is an expert in regulatory matters, particularly in structuring healthcare plan agreements, new technology implementation, and supply and distribution agreement negotiations and drafting. Following his arrival from SPLaw, Gustavo Swenson Caetano co-chairs the practice alongside Sammarco, representing domestic and international clients before a range of governmental agencies such as CMED, ANVISA and the Ministry of Health, and leverages his background in IP matters when advising clients.

Brazil > Public law Tier 2

‘Renowned law firm’ Mattos Filho fields a public law team ‘of experienced lawyers prepared to promptly meet client demands’. With a multidisciplinary approach, the group is well positioned to act for the largest domestic and foreign clients facing complex challenges in the context of public tenders, concessions of public services, PPPs, regulatory issues and administrative proceedings. Clients operating in a multitude of industries, ranging from airports, railways and toll roads to public sanitation, technology, education, construction, insurance and financial services, instruct the team on a regular basis in the negotiation of administrative contracts, public procurement, administrative sanctioning proceedings, judicial lawsuits and M&A involving companies subject to government regulation. Fully dedicated to public law matters, André Luiz Freire ‘has in-depth technical knowledge’ and is often retained in public concessions, biddings and cases involving audit courts. Based in Brasília, Thiago Luís Sombra devotes his time to anti-corruption, technology and public law issues, and has substantial litigation experience before the superior courts. Recently promoted partner Henrique Lago Da Silveira, who is a key point of contact for clients from the education sector, leads on mandates involving state-owned companies and administrative proceedings. Raul Dias dos Santos Neto is another noteworthy practitioner focusing on concessions, public bids and state-owned corporation divestments, among other areas.

Brazil > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

The lawyers at Mattos Filho are ‘impeccable’ in ‘complex deals, where there is a need for a lot of attention to detail’. The multidisciplinary practice combines key lawyers from the firm’s banking, capital markets, tax, corporate and litigation teams to advise a wide range of creditors and investors on major debt restructurings and judicial recovery proceedings. Key partners on the disputes side include André Chateaubriand Martins and Alex Hatanaka, who has ‘a unique ability to understand the issues, thanks to his background as a business and litigation attorney’. On the transactional front, Marcelo Ricupero is ‘always available, very professional, and a great leader’. Banking and finance partner Frederico Kerr Bullamah is also active in debt restructurings.

Brazil > TMT: Media Tier 2

Full-service firm Mattos Filho‘s media and entertainment offering brings together practitioners with complementary expertise and experience in these two segments. The team is well positioned to advice on tax, contractual, and regulatory matters in this space, and is also seasoned in copyright agreements, sponsorships, and cooperation agreements on behalf of TV broadcasters and new agencies. Sports is a key area of strength for the firm, which is often engaged in mandates involving trade mark and image rights. Fabio Ferreira Kujawski is known for his long-standing expertise in the sector. Lisa Worcman is a key contact for media-related regulatory matters, including interactions with the Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL), and the Brazilian Agency of National Cinema (ANCINE). Luiz Felipe Di Sessa, formerly at Cescon Barrieu, recently joined the firm.

Brazil > TMT: Telecoms Tier 2

Mattos Filho’ telecoms practice regularly advises domestic and foreign clients with operations in the country or looking to establish a presence in Brazil. Companies from other sectors also turn to the team for assistance with the expansion of their businesses to include telecom-related services. Practitioners are regularly involved in matters pertaining to public bids, concessions, commercial agreements, and regulatory issues across the sector, encompassing mobile, satellite, and submarine cable projects. Recent notable matters include advising on the 5G spectrum bid in Brazil. The team also operates as trusted local counsel for several international firms and clients. Telecoms and tech expert Fabio Ferreira Kujawski is retained by clients for his multidisciplinary expertise; he assists them in regulatory, corporate, and M&A matters, with a particular focus on fixed and mobile telephony, radio, TV broadcasting, satellites and submarine cables. Lisa Worcman is a name to note for matters before the Brazilian telecoms regulatory agency ANATEL. Since publication, senior associate Thays Castaldi Gentil has left the firm, effective as of May 2023.

Brazil > Transport: Aviation Tier 2

Mattos Filho has a good track record in corporate, finance and regulatory matters in the aviation sector, where it advises an impressive roster of major airlines, banks, air taxi companies, manufacturers, maintenance providers and drone operators. The firm’s size and broad scope also makes it well placed to assist in judicial and administrative disputes, and in key areas such as restructuring and insolvency law. Since publication, former practice head Adriana Simões has left the firm, effective as of May 2023.

Brazil > Transport: Shipping Tier 2

Mattos Filho is a popular choice for shipping-sector clients seeking a broad range of non-contentious advice. The firm regularly assists clients on major M&As, restructurings, asset sales and acquisitions, financings, and customs and licensing issues. Its clients include major ship owners, energy companies, offshore drillers and port operators, which use the firm for advice on various stages of their supply chains. The full-service firm is also equipped to provide support in related disciplines such as environmental law and litigation when required. Rio de Janeiro-based partner Nilton Mattos heads the young team, which often works alongside major Norwegian, Danish and UK law firms in cross-border shipping transactions.

Brazil > Wealth and succession planning Tier 2

The wealth planning offering at Mattos Filho is praised by clients as ‘impeccable’, as well as ‘attentive, practical, cordial and focused on achieving the client’s goals’. Ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families trust the team for their knowledge on tax, corporate, family and succession planning issues. The private client team advises on corporate governance, estate planning, family dispute resolution and relocation. Among its key lawyers, Alessandro Amadeu da Fonseca stands out for his ‘deep knowledge of matters of succession and tax planning’, and Nicole Najjar is also highly praised by clients for her advice on tax efficient structures. Also of note is the ‘well organised, calm and competent’ Pedro Correa Falcone.

City focus - Brasilia > Government relations Tier 3

The government relations team at Mattos Filho is able to work in close collaboration with the firm’s different departments to assist clients from various industries in legislative processes and negotiations with public bodies. As part of its offering, the group provides legal opinions and representation before government bodies and in parliamentary inquiries. The practice is jointly led by tax expert Ariane Guimarães in Brasília and São Paulo-based partner Flavio Pereira Lima, whose expertise includes litigation and commercial arbitration.

Sao Paulo, Brazil