Felsberg Advogados > Rio de Janeiro, Brazil > Firm Profile

Felsberg Advogados > The Legal 500 Rankings

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

Home to ‘attentive, qualified, available and competent‘ professionals, Felsberg Advogados‘ corporate and M&A practice is skilled in the gamut of transactional, commercial and corporate matters. Domestic and international heavyweights operating in the retail, TMT, mining, infrastructure and energy sectors as well as emerging growth companies routinely seek the team’s advice on mergers, sales, acquisitions, and incorporations. Deals involving distressed assets and start-ups are key areas of strength for the firm, a prominent player in the restructuring, insolvency, and technology spaces. A reference for private equity funds, and public and privately held companies, Claudia Maniaci handles corporate reorganisations, M&A and debt restructuring, with a particular focus on pharmaceuticals. Noted for her ‘business-oriented approach‘, Evy Marques oversees the start-ups and venture capital arm, while João Carlos Mendonça is singled out for his knowledge of corporate and regulatory issues pertaining to cryptocurrency, blockchain and technology. Instructed by both buyers and sellers, Maria Carolina Guazzelli shines in distressed M&A. From the associate ranks, Bárbara Nátali Santos stands out for her regular involvement in M&A and contractual matters. Anneliese Eger is no longer at the firm.

Brazil > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 1

One of the first ports of call for complex insolvency and restructuring mandates, Felsberg Advogados fields 'a highly qualified and trained team, which seeks alternative solutions to complex situations and works very well in partnership with its clients'. With experience in both domestic and cross-border mandates, the team acts for an impressive client base present in a wide range of industries, including metal, energy and telecoms. In addition to complex judicial reorganisation and debt restructuring mandates, the team is experienced in both transactional matters involving the sale and acquisition of insolvent assets, as well as out-of-court restructurings. Founding partner Thomas Felsberg, a reference in the market, and Fabiana Solano, who often handles high-profile judicial and extrajudicial reorganisations, as well as debt restructurings and bankruptcy proceedings. Clara Moreira Azzoni is a key contact for creditors, debtors and investors engaged in judicial and extrajudicional reorganisations. Thiago Dias Costa is proficient in both non-contentious and contentious matters in this space. Victoria Vaccari Villela Boacnin offers key support on major insolvency cases.

Brazil > Environment Tier 3

An unparalleled command of waste law marks out Felsberg Advogados as a national reference for a myriad of industries - including electronics, life sciences and healthcare, food, and paper and pulp - seeking tailored solutions for waste management, particularly the implementation of take-back and circular economy programmes. Management of contaminated areas, environmental compliance, ESG, climate litigation, carbon and biodiversity credits, the recycling market, and in product regulation are further key competencies. Situated in São Paulo, the team is led by the joint efforts of Fabricio Soler, ‘the best-known name in issues linked to waste’ and a repository of knowledge in national policy, sanitation law, take-back programmes, urban cleaning systems, and solid waste. Senior associate Daniela Mota, a bioeconomy expert, distributes her expertise across ESG, solid waste, sanitation, infrastructure, contaminated areas, and mining mandates. Associate Rafael Locatelli is primarily active in waste management, contaminated land, and protected areas.

Brazil > Banking and finance Tier 4

A strong performer in project finance, asset-based lending, cross-border syndicated loans and high-profile debt restructuring, Felsberg Advogados‘ banking and finance group acts for a variety of domestic and foreign clients, including banks, multilateral agencies, borrowers and sponsors. Maria Da Graça Pedretti is particularly noted for her expertise in aircraft finance and the funding of projects. She jointly leads the team with Ricardo Higashitani, a specialist in syndicated lending, who is recommended for his ‘dedication, expertise and excellence in service‘.

Brazil > Life sciences Tier 4

An array of life sciences clients regularly turn to Felsberg Advogados for advice on regulatory matters, M&A, corporate restructurings, and sanctioning administrative proceedings before ANVISA and ANS. Practice head Marianne Albers offers legal support in commercial transactions, and assists pharmaceutical companies with the review and drafting of contracts involving issues such as manufacturing, licensing, and supply and distribution agreements. Senior associate Thais Fernandes is key contact for pharma and chemical clients seeking advice on licensing, registration, and permits for their products in Brazil.

Brazil > Public law Tier 4

Public law and life sciences expert Marianne Albers oversees the public law offering at Felsberg Advogados, which encompasses public procurement, bidding procedures and administrative proceedings. The firm acts for clients across the sanitation, tech, agribusiness, transport, energy and chemicals sectors, and has recently been involved in infrastructure projects in the water and sewage segments structured by development banks. Rodrigo Bertoccelli has been particularly active advising on projects and concessions in the water, sewage and solid waste sectors.

Tax > Tax advisory Tier 4

Noted for its 'extensive knowledge of tax issues', the practice at Felsberg Advogados offers comprehensive tax advice to companies from the worlds of life sciences, TMT, manufacturing, retail and infrastructure. Drawing on the firm's strong foothold in the restructuring and insolvency market, the group is often retained in tax mandates involving the reorganisation of distressed businesses. Ivan Campos, a name to note for pharmaceutical, telecoms, oil and gas, and tech clients, heads up the Rio-based tax team. Anna Flávia De Azevedo Izelli Greco oversees tax litigation work, including administrative and judicial proceedings. Rodrigo Prado Gonçalves also excels in contentious matters, while Gabriel Paranaguá devotes his time to tax planning and auditing.

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

Felsberg Advogados is often sought out by Brazilian and international start-ups, venture capital funds and corporate venture capital entities seeking advice on transactional and regulatory matters. The team often acts for clients from the insurtech, sportstech, edtech, foodtech and healthtech segments and digital law businesses in the structuring of their operations in Brazil, launch of new products and services, and negotiation of tech-related agreements. Evy Marques specialises in VC deals, corporate and commercial contracts; she leads the practice alongside João Carlos Mendonça, who focuses on technology rights, cryptocurrency and blockchain. Associate Bárbara Nátali Santos is well versed in a variety of transactions and assists fintechs with regulatory issues. Clarissa Luz left the firm in November 2023.

Brazil > Projects and infrastructure Tier 5

Singled out for its 'dedication, excellence and quality of service', Felsberg Advogados possesses a strong track record in project finance and development, administrative law matters and transactions involving regulated assets. Maria Da Graça Pedretti has a wealth of experience in project finance, while Marianne Albers often advises on bidding procedures for major infrastructure projects. With a strong focus on the sanitation sector, Rodrigo Bertoccelli is noted for his proficiency in project development. Ligia Schlittler is a name to note for energy-related projects.

Tax > Tax litigation Tier 5

Brazil > White-collar crime and investigations Tier 5

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Arbitration Tier 6

The arbitration department at Felsberg Advogados manages a balanced caseload where public law and corporate disputes take centre stage. The team is seen with great regularity handling a variety of arbitral matters, ranging from complex contractual breaches, commercial performance-related conflicts, as well as regulatory disputes. Marcus Alexandre Matteucci Gomes heads up the practice, and regularly leads on proceedings involving insolvency, post-M&A, and contractual disputes across a range of sectors, mot notably infrastructure, healthcare, shipping, and food and beverage.