Pinheiro Neto Advogados > Brasilia, Brazil > Firm Profile

Pinheiro Neto Advogados > The Legal 500 Rankings

Brazil > Banking and finance

Rated for its ‘deep technical knowledge of the Brazilian banking market‘, Pinheiro Neto Advogados has established a top notch reputation for its wide range of services to the financial sector. Combining transactional and regulatory expertise, the team has been particularly active on the corporate side, advising on an impressive range of novel transactions in the fintech and crypto space, a notable example being Binance’s acquisition of the Brazilian broker-dealer Sim;Paul Investimentos. Borrowers and lenders continue to turn to the firm for assistance with the full spread of matters, including securitisations, acquisition financings, project finance and debt restructurings. Regulatory partner Bruno Balduccini has developed ‘exceptional‘ credentials for fintech and crypto-related work. Transactional specialist Jose Luiz Homem de Mello brings together a wealth of experience in financings and M&A. Partners Tatiana Mello Guazzelli and Raphael Palmieri Salomão are other names to note for fintech-related work. Yuka Ono is also well regarded.

Brazil > Capital markets Tier 1

Pinheiro Neto Advogados offers a comprehensive capital markets service with the scale to handle an impressive annual volume of debt and equity deals. In addition to high-profile equity listings, where it represents issuers and underwriters, the group is also active on the debt side, including real estate receivables and agribusiness certificates. A popular choice for investment funds-related advice, the team, which brings together practitioners with strong backgrounds in corporate and M&A, banking and project finance, stands out for its regulatory capabilities. Leading partners such as the highly regarded Henrique Lang, Guilherme Sampaio Monteiro, a key contact for listed companies and their shareholders, Jose Luiz Homem de Mello, and Fernando Zorzo, whose ‘remarkable knowledge and experience‘ in IPOs and follow-on offerings is rated by clients, drive the equity side of the practice. Ricardo Russo, who specialises in public offerings of fixed-income instruments issued by local companies and financial institutions, Tiago A. D. Themudo Lessa , who leads the agribusiness-focused group, and the up-and-coming Rafael Gaspar, whose specialisms include derivatives  and agribusiness securitisation structures, are the names to note for DCM transactions. Counsel Marcos Proença leads the capital markets area in the Rio de Janeiro office, focusing on the issuance of bonds and debentures. Recently promoted counsel Camila Misciasci Derisio and senior associate Paula Rodrigues handle both private placements and public offerings of debt and equity securities in Brazil and abroad.

City focus - Brasilia > Litigation Tier 1

Pinheiro Neto Advogados‘ Brasília-based office is skilled at acting before the superior courts on behalf of domestic and international clients from the industrial, commercial, and service sectors. Much of its civil litigation work takes place at the appellate level, spanning bribery and corruption cases, public interest claims, and electoral investigations before the Superior Electoral Court (TSE). Vicente Coelho Araujo focuses on appellate litigation before the higher courts. Key support is offered by a strong team of associates: civil and commercial litigator Lucas Santos de Sousa; Laís de Oliveira e Silva, who concentrates on consumer, digital, and public law, and commercial disputes; and Isabella Bittencourt Tannús, whose focus is on corporate and commercial litigation.

Brazil > Competition and antitrust Tier 1

Pinheiro Neto Advogados counsels clients in a broad range of areas within competition law, including litigation, transactions, and compliance. Drawing on the firm’s market-leading transactional capabilities, the practice is often turned to by a number of domestic and international companies in relation to merger control reviews, investigations before CADE, and antitrust litigation. Praised for her significant experience in merger filings, Cristianne Zarzur also offers advice on compliance programmes and commercial contracts from an antitrust perspective. José Alexandre Buaiz Neto – another key contact for compliance – excels in cartel and abuse of dominance investigations. Renê Medrado and Brasília-based Leonardo Rocha e Silva regularly act in merger control and investigations into anti-competitive practices, while Alessandro Pezzolo Giacaglia is a strong performer in litigation, and also assists in the notification of mergers and acquisitions to the Brazilian antitrust authority.

Brazil > Corporate and M&A: High-end Tier 1

The ‘extremely competent, attentive and technical team’ at Pinheiro Neto Advogados attracts instructions from an impressive corporate client base in relation to their largest and most critical domestic and cross-border transactions. M&A involving publicly-traded companies is a key strength for the department, which is skilled at handling both buy and sell-side mandates. A popular destination for investment banks, venture capital firms and private equity funds, the group is present in all of Brazil’s major industries, having recently experienced an uptick in transactional activity in the technology, agribusiness, education, energy and healthcare sectors. With over three decades’ experience in the M&A and private equity spheres, Carlos Alberto Moreira Lima Jr heads up the corporate group. Alexandre Bertoldi, whose notable areas of practice include M&A, and banking and finance, and his successor as managing partner, Fernando Alves Meira, a veteran in multijurisdictional deals, are also core members of the team. Henry Sztutman is counsel of choice for several private equity firms seeking advice on their investments in Brazil, while private equity deals, corporate reorganisations and M&A are among Miguel Tornovsky’s specialisms. Other noteworthy M&A practitioners include: Joao Marcelo Pacheco; the ‘brilliant’ Eduardo Paoliello Jr.; Andre Vertullo Bernini, who excels in distressed acquisitions and PE investments; Joamir Müller Romiti Alves, a key advisor to private and public companies; Roberta Demange; Camila Carvalho Gomes, who shines in cross-border deals; Cauê Rezende Myanaki; and Tiago Eler Silva Marcelo Viveiros de Moura, who specialises in M&A in the oil and gas and telecoms sectors, is a key individual in Rio de Janeiro. At associate level, Rodolfo Schreuders is active in cross-border M&A and private equity investments.

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Arbitration Tier 1

Pinheiro Neto Advogados houses a sizeable team of arbitration specialists, who are routinely sought by clients from the worlds of energy, oil and gas, telecoms, insurance and healthcare in relation to complex domestic and international arbitral proceedings. Its broad service offering covers high-stakes corporate governance and M&A disputes, as well as cases involving financing deals, infrastructure investments, construction contracts, and agreements with the public administration. Gilberto Giusti, who has sat on the board of prestigious arbitration institutions, including the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), is a leading figure in the market. Cases involving major construction and infrastructure projects in Brazil and other Latin American countries are among Júlio César Bueno‘s areas of expertise, while Rodrigo Carneiro  focuses on corporate, commercial and securities disputes. Rodrigo Persone P. Camargo, Pedro Barradas Barata and Lucas Pinto Simão, who was promoted to partner in January 2022, are active in both litigation and arbitration matters. Renato Stephan Grion is singled out for his wealth of experience in international arbitration. At the associate level, André Rossetto Daudt, Guilherme Piccardi de Andrade Silva and Thiago Del Pozzo Zanelato stand out for their involvement in the practice.

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Litigation Tier 1

At Pinheiro Neto Advogados, the litigation practice is skilled in handling high-profile commercial and civil cases with national and international significance. The firm, which attracts instructions from domestic and foreign clients operating in a variety of industries, is frequently seen acting in the most sensitive and complex disputes in the market. Celso Cintra Mori – a leading figure in the dispute resolution space – is seasoned in civil, commercial and administrative litigation, which are also notable areas of practice for Gilberto Giusti. Giusti, who is a key contact for corporate, securities and construction disputes, is trusted by many clients operating in highly regulated industries, including energy and telecoms. With over four decades’ experience in corporate, commercial and securities cases, Rodrigo Carneiro is experienced in cross-border mandates. Other notable practitioners include Diogenes Mendes Gonçalves Neto; Brasília-based partner Vicente Coelho Araujo, who excels in appellate litigation before the Brazilian superior courts; civil and commercial litigator Luis Claudio Furtado Faria, who is regularly sought out by energy, shipping and financial services clients; and Eider Avelino Silva, who focuses on both judicial and arbitral proceedings. Senior associate Gianvito Ardito has played a key role in high-profile lawsuits, most notably class actions.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 1

Bringing together over 35 years of experience in the mining sector, Pinheiro Neto Advogados is a popular choice for key industry players seeking advice on high-end deals, and the ever-changing environmental and regulatory scenario. The team is particularly adept in M&A, investments and debt transactions, including alternative methods of financing, but also excels in crisis management, permitting matters and litigation. Mining law and government relations specialist Carlos Vilhena ‘has extensive experience in the mining area, serving both smaller companies and large multinational corporations‘; he maintains a broad practice encompassing mining policy and regulations, contractual matters and corporate transactions. In addition to advising on M&A and financing mandates, senior associate Marina Bertucci Ferreira also assists clients with the development of policies and on the impact of new regulation.

Brazil > Environment Tier 1

With over four decades of experience in this space, Pinheiro Neto Advogados has a notable track record in representing market-leading clients from a range of industries in cutting-edge environmental matters, including litigation at the administrative and judicial levels. The firm houses a strong group of environmental law specialists who bring together expertise in issues as diverse as natural resources protection, conservation, biomass regulations, indigenous people’s rights, climate change, biodiversity and, most recently, environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG). With extensive experience in consulting and litigation issues, Werner Grau Neto is regularly engaged in mandates involving energy and mining companies, such as contamination and industrial pollution cases. Alexandre Outeda Jorge is the name to note for critical matters related to employee exposure to asbestos, mercury and cyanide, while Luis Celso Cecilio Leite Ribeiro focuses on multi-party cases and investigations. Environmental licensing and water management are core areas of activity for Andre Vivan de Souza. Paula Susanna Amaral Mello has recently been involved in the drafting of bills related to new sustainability and climate change projects. Senior associate Natalia Azevedo de Carvalho excels in circular economy initiatives and dam safety issues. Antonio José Monteiro  left the firm in January 2023.

Brazil > International trade Tier 1

Pinheiro Neto Advogados has a solid track record in trade remedies investigations dating back to the early 1990s. This ensures an ‘unparalleled knowledge of the legal framework, process and practice, with a 360 degrees view’. Major exporters and manufacturers rely on the firm for key trade-related matters including sunset reviews, public interest proceedings, and safeguarding investigations. This extends to WTO disputes, as well as customs and international trade litigation in the administrative and judicial courts. Clients, including trade associations, come from a range of industries, such as energy, natural resources, chemicals, manufacturing, automotive, food, and fashion. Mauro Berenholc and Renê Medrado jointly lead the team, which includes an experienced team of counsel and associates.

Brazil > Life sciences Tier 1

A pioneer in the life sciences space in Brazil, Pinheiro Neto Advogados remains at the forefront of the market for its distinguished expertise in the sector and multidisciplinary approach. Covering the full spectrum of life sciences work, the group is instructed by a varied client roster comprised of leading companies in the pharmaceutical, medical devices, food, agribusiness and healthcare sectors. In addition to its solid transactional capabilities, the group also provides assistance in administrative litigation before ANVISA, clinical trials, licensing agreements and regulatory matters. The well-regarded Angela Kung is a specialist in transactional and regulatory work, acting for both established and emerging life sciences companies, namely pharmaceutical, medical devices, biotech, animal health and healthcare clients. Camila Martino Parise, who was promoted to partner in January 2023, advises domestic and international corporations on the regulation of medicines, as well as medical, food, agricultural and veterinary products. Senior associate Nicole Aun is heavily involved in healthtech matters, and possesses special expertise in technology transfer projects of strategic pharmaceuticals within the context of public and private partnerships. Associates Lucas Alexandre Hoeppers and Laura Oliveira Barboza assist with regulatory issues.

Brazil > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 1

The multifaceted restructuring and insolvency practice at Pinheiro Neto Advogados advises clients, ranging from major banks to investment funds and corporates, on the full spread of contentious and non-contentious matters. Standing out for its experience in assisting creditors and investors in major judicial and extrajudicial reorganisations, the group excels in distressed deals and DIP financings.  Clients benefit from a deep bench of experienced partners: the versatile Giuliano Colombo is noted for his strong connections to the US market; Thiago Braga Junqueira has played a significant role in the restructuring of debtors in the construction, telecoms, media, oil and gas, agribusiness and energy sectors; and André Moraes Marques specialises in corporate reorganisations. Carolina Kiyomi Iwamoto and Fernanda Neves Piva offer key support at the senior associate level. Luiz Fernando Valente de Paiva is no longer at the firm.

Tax > Customs Tier 1

Tax > Tax advisory Tier 1

Rated for providing a ‘dynamic and efficient service’, Pinheiro Neto Advogados fields a team of ‘excellent professionals‘ ‘who are always up-to-date with tax issues’. A popular destination for major domestic and international clients, the practice sees a strong flow of advisory work, courtesy of the firm’s market-leading corporate finance and M&A group. Luciana Rosanova Galhardo handles complex non-contentious tax matters and litigation (at the judicial and administrative levels) on behalf of clients from the pharmaceutical, automotive, financial, healthcare and cosmetic industries. Giancarlo Chamma Matarazzo specialises in local and international law issues, and Emir Nunes de Oliveira Neto is skilled in transactional matters, tax planning and high-end litigation cases. Customs work is handled by specialists such as Mauro Berenholc, while Cristiane Ianagui Matsumoto and Marcos de Vicq de Cumptich have strong expertise in social security. The litigation arm is also extremely strong: Ana Carolina Fernandes Carpinetti has a particular focus on the technology sector, which is also a notable area of expertise for Luiz Roberto Peroba Barbosa; Tércio Chiavassa is another contact for high-profile disputes before the administrative and judicial courts. Carlos Henrique Tranjan Bechara  is ‘an excellent professional, prepared to face complex tax issues’ in the context of litigation, while the recently promoted João Rafael L. Gândara de Carvalho is knowledgeable of direct and indirect tax, social security, and customs.

Tax > Tax litigation Tier 1

Brazil > TMT: Cybersecurity and data privacy Tier 1

The cybersecurity and data protection-focused practice at Pinheiro Neto Advogados is lauded for its ability to 'navigate complex legal matters with precision and expertise'. The 'highly skilled and experienced team of lawyers' frequently assists clients across the healthcare, insurance, financial services and technology sectors in risk management, data breach remediation actions and judicial litigation, including proceedings before the superior courts. The firm, which has recently opened an office in Tokyo in an effort to grow its client base and workload in the region, is also well versed in the structuring and implementation of LGPD programmes. Noted by a client as 'one of the best lawyers in the legal market', Ciro Torres Freitas is singled out for his 'vast knowledge of technology, internet, and data protection law'. Technology expert Larissa Galimberti regularly assists companies in the implementation of data protection compliance programmes and structuring of new products. André Zonaro Giacchetta and José Mauro Decoussau Machado are names to note for contentious matters.

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

With over three decades’ experience in technology law, Pinheiro Neto Advogados handles the gamut of matters for a strong international and domestic client base active in the IT, financial services, e-commerce and life sciences sectors. Offering a blend of IP, corporate, employment, tax and litigation services, the practice is particularly well regarded for its credentials in regulatory and contentious matters, representing some of the largest multinational tech players in high-stakes administrative and judicial cases; recently the firm has been particularly active in proceedings involving the dissemination of fake news on internet platforms. Transactional work is also at the core of the department, which is often retained by payment services, banking and fintech companies in the structuring of their deals and operations in the country. Raphael de Cunto focuses on matters in the technology and media spaces, while André Zonaro Giacchetta is recommended for IP litigation. José Mauro Decoussau Machado handles transactional and contentious matters in the tech sector, and Larissa Galimberti specialises in the structuring of new products, services and platforms for e-commerce, marketplace, banking, healthtech, fintech, AI, Internet of Things(IoT), media and Software as a Service (SaaS) clients. Technology specialist Ciro Torres Freitas offers advisory and contentious support to internet application providers and other tech-related businesses. Senior associate Augusto Bittencourt Vieira is also noted.

Brazil > Venture capital Tier 1

One of the first full-service Brazilian firms to turn its attention to venture capital, Pinheiro Neto Advogados is well versed in acting for emerging companies, investors and venture capital funds in sophisticated local and cross-border investment rounds, from seed to late-stage matters. Rated for the ‘excellent standard of quality‘ at all levels of seniority, the team is comprised of practitioners with vast experience in corporate and financial transactions, fund formation and structuring mandates, and regulatory issues pertaining to the financial and technology sectors. In addition to his impressive track record in cross-border M&A and private equity deals, Alvaro Silas U. Martins dos Santos advises companies and VC funds throughout the entire financing cycle, and is especially active in transactions in the health and technology sectors. Bruno Balduccini and Fernando Mirandez Del Nero Gomes are singled out for their experience in fintech and banking matters. Thiago José da Silva, who was promoted to the partnership in January 2022, regularly advises on fund formation and has ‘in-depth knowledge of M&A‘. Eduardo Comparato Ferreira de Sá is frequently engaged in early and late-stage financings on behalf of companies and investors.

City focus - Brasilia > Public law and regulation Tier 2

Pinheiro Neto Advogados fields a strong offering in concession disputes, administrative improbity cases, and administrative sanctions for clients across the transport, sanitation, healthcare, defence, technology and banking sectors. Dispute resolution also features heavily in the team’s workload, including proceedings before the Supreme Federal Court (STF). Carlos Vilhena is dedicated to mining law and government relations, José Alexandre Buaiz Neto centres his practice on compliance, anti-bribery and antitrust issues, and Daniel Costa Rebello is often called upon in complex private and public corporate investigations. Leonardo Rocha e Silva is highly skilled in negotiations before the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), and Vicente Coelho Araujo focuses on appellate litigation before the superior courts.

City focus - Brasilia > Tax Tier 2

Administrative and judicial litigation are core areas of strength for Pinheiro Neto Advogados‘ Brasília tax team, which is also well versed in tax planning, transfer pricing and transactional matters, including M&A and capital markets. Regularly working in collaboration with the São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro offices, the practice, which is proficient in indirect and direct taxes and social security issues, frequently acts in proceedings before CARF. Tax litigator Luiz Paulo Romano stands out for his significant experience in the superior courts. Also recommended, associate André Torres Dos Santos has an impressive track record in cases before the STF and STJ.

Brazil > Compliance Tier 2

Drawing on the firm’s full-service model, the compliance practice at Pinheiro Neto Advogados often works alongside its market-leading M&A practice in the due diligence of high-value corporate transactions and post-closing integration. The group, which stands out for its strength in the negotiation of leniency agreements with the Brazilian Office of Comptroller General (CGU) and the Attorney-General of the Union (AGU), is also well versed in administrative proceedings and in the design and review of compliance programmes and internal policies. José Alexandre Buaiz Neto combines expertise in antitrust, anti-corruption and litigation, while Ricardo Pagliari Levy specialises in anti-corruption, administrative improbity and compliance matters. Experienced litigator Vicente Coelho Araujo, who is based in Brasília, focuses on appellate litigation. Former Chief of Police for the state of São Paulo Mário Panseri Ferreira is a key contact for criminal matters. Daniel Costa Rebello frequently handles investigations in the healthcare, automotive and banking sectors. Lourival Lofrano Júnior, who acts in corporate criminal cases, and Amanda Athayde are also part of the core team.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity (and renewable energy)

Pinheiro Neto Advogados fields an energy team made up of seasoned practitioners in regulatory discussions, M&A, auctions and privatisations in the electricity sector. Drawing on the firm’s strong tax, environmental and real estate offerings, the group acts for a mix of investors and international corporations from the generation, distribution and transmission segments, as well as power trading companies, large consumers and financiers. High-value M&A involving power assets, distributed generation and self-production by equivalence projects feature heavily in the team’s workload, which also includes proceedings before ANEEL. With over two decades of experience in the energy sector, José Roberto Oliva Júnior stands out for his impressive track record in project finance, M&A and regulatory matters in the power sector; his expertise encompasses traditional and renewable sources, and he is regularly mandated by utilities, trading companies, and equity and debt investors. Senior associate José Carlos Altomari Teixeira offers key support in power-related M&A, complex contracts and administrative litigation.

Brazil > Insurance Tier 2

‘Quality, experience, assertiveness and prompt service are points of excellence’ at Pinheiro Neto Advogados, which provides strategic, regulatory, and commercial advice to insurers, reinsurers, and policyholders. The team is especially strong on the non-contentious side, and stands out for its in-depth knowledge of insurtech. Additionally, the firm provides industry clients with market-leading support in M&A transactions, joint ventures, financings, bancassurance structures, and product launches. Key individuals include: Diogenes Mendes Gonçalves Neto , who handles litigation and transactional matters; banking and finance partner Bruno Balduccini; Fernando Mirandez Del Nero Gomes, who acts for financial institutions, insurance and payment services clients in transactions; and Carlos Eduardo Gazineu de Azevedo, who is noted for his ‘unparalleled quality and expertise’, and leads the firm’s insurtech acceleration programme. The team has a deep bench of seasoned associates, including Raíssa Lilavati Barbosa Abbas Campelo, who specialises in regulatory, contractual and litigation work in the insurance sector, and the ‘pragmatic and courteous’ Mariana Magalhães Lobato, a contact for transactional and regulatory insurance work.

Brazil > Labour and employment Tier 2

The employment practice at Pinheiro Neto Advogados balances a busy non-contentious and contentious workload, where restructurings feature alongside negotiations with unions and executive-level compensation matters. The firm’s full-service structure allows the labour practice to work collaboratively with corporate specialists in the context of M&A and capital market transactions. Covering both individual and collective claims, the group is frequently engaged by major companies in administrative and judicial proceedings. Labour litigation is an area of particular focus for Luís Antônio Ferraz Mendes, who often advises on bet-the-company cases and collective bargaining. Multinational companies from the financial and technology sectors regularly seek Mauricio Froes Guidi‘s support in employment matters. Thais Galo maintains a broad practice covering hiring strategies, individual and collective lay-offs and reorganisations. Manuela Mendes Prata coordinates a number of individual suits and class actions, including cases initiated by the Labour Prosecutor’s Office.

Brazil > Projects and infrastructure Tier 2

Banks, concessionaires, borrowers and project sponsors turn to Pinheiro Neto Advogados for assistance in all areas of project finance, development and implementation. Drawing on the firm’s strong performance in public law matters and regulated industries, the team brings together practitioners specialised in banking, finance and capital markets, who in addition to handling big-ticket financing deals, are also seasoned in the negotiation of construction contracts, public bids and administrative law matters. Ricardo Russo, an expert in project finance via banking and capital markets instruments, oversees the infrastructure team, which also includes Júlio César Bueno, a name to note for construction and engineering contracts and related dispute resolution. Of counsel Marcos Proença has been particularly active in debt transactions, advising several clients on the issue of infrastructure debentures and bonds. Recently promoted partner Thaís Fernandes Chebatt handles all stages of power, mining and ports projects, while Stephanie Hong primarily focuses on financing and M&A transactions in the infrastructure sector.

Brazil > Real estate Tier 2

Pinheiro Neto Advogados is a popular ‘one-stop service’ for clients who appreciate instructing ‘a very experienced and creative team capable of working with different types of issues’. The firm’s scale guarantees a broad selection of ‘dedicated, [and] experienced professionals’ who can ‘meet the needs of sophisticated clients involved in large transactions’. This includes strong support in overlapping areas such as finance, corporate, regulatory, litigation and capital markets. Luciano Garcia Rossi, ‘a top real estate lawyer‘ who often handles large real estate transactions, including acquisitions, build-to-suit leases, and financings, Fabio Rocha Pinto e Silva (‘a star of Brazilian real estate and financial law, with extensive technical knowledge and experience’), construction law specialist Júlio César Bueno and Franco Musetti Grotti, who boasts a wealth of experience in urban and rural acquisitions are key names to note in the team. Recently promoted counsel Marianna Morselli and senior associate Gustavo Freitas excel in complex real estate transactions.

Brazil > TMT: Media Tier 2

With experience in all core segments, including digital and social media, advertising, visual arts and sports, Pinheiro Neto Advogados‘ media and entertainment practice manages a balanced workload, where financing and M&A transactions feature alongside IP matters, performance rights, production agreements and marketing contracts. The group is also adept at advising on contentious matters, administrative proceedings and regulatory issues in this space. José Mauro Decoussau Machado possesses extensive experience in IP litigation and transactional work. Raphael de Cunto is a key relationship partner for technology and gaming clients, and André Zonaro Giacchetta is skilled in litigation involving the worlds of advertising and entertainment. At the associate level, Gustavo Gonçalves Ferrer focuses on contentious mandates in the media and entertainment sector. Tally Smitas and recently promoted partner Carlos Strasburg assist with IP-related media matters. Márcio Junqueira Leite maintains a broad practice spanning commercial litigation, IP, technology, media and entertainment law.

Brazil > Transport: Aviation Tier 2

With extensive experience in transactional and regulatory matters pertaining to the aviation sector, Pinheiro Neto Advogados offers advice to an impressive client roster comprised of major banks, financial institutions, lessors, carriers, air taxi companies and aircraft manufacturers. The group is particularly well versed in the sale and purchase of aircraft, leasing matters and financing deals, but is also adept in regulatory matters, restructurings and repossession actions. Rated for her ability to advise on cross-border mandates, the ‘excellent‘ Caroline Guazzelli Queiroz Gomes marries in-depth knowledge of regulations with a wealth of experience in financing transactions; her workload is populated by innovative aircraft finance and leasing structures. Corporate lawyer Antonio de Paula Siqueira Filho is also active in this space; he is routinely engaged by financial institutions and corporates in relation to aircraft finance matters.

Brazil > Wealth and succession planning Tier 2

Full-service law firm Pinheiro Neto Advogados is trusted by high-net-worth individuals and families in a wide range of private client matters, including estate planning, gifts and donations, offshore investment structuring and asset restructurings. With notable strength in corporate governance and IPOs, the ‘formidable estate and succession planning practice‘ is also popular among family-controlled companies and financial institutions. Tax specialist Giancarlo Chamma Matarazzo handles non-resident taxation issues and succession planning, while Pythagoras Carvalho excels in wealth planning and estate litigation. Also noted is counsel Priscila Stela Mariano da Silva for her strong background in cross-border wealth management matters.

Energy and natural resources > Hydrocarbons Tier 3

Pinheiro Neto Advogados’ versatile practice has a strong reputation for handling complex and high-value transactions involving oil and gas assets. The firm, which is present in all hydrocarbons segments, also attracts instructions from domestic and foreign players in relation to regulatory matters concerning the reorganisation of the Brazilian oil and gas industry in the wake of Petrobras’s divestment plan. Marcelo Viveiros de Moura has worked on several multi-jurisdictional and local transactions on behalf of major IOCs. The ‘brilliant‘ Marcello Lobo is a key point of contact for clients from the hydrocarbons sector, who are engaged in M&A, joint ventures and financing deals with regulatory implications. Other names to note include Francisco Werneck Maranhão, who brings together expertise in regulatory issues, corporate reorganisations and financings, and Raphael Moraes Paciello, another reference in the team for M&A and joint ventures in the oil and gas space.

Brazil > Intellectual property Tier 3

With over five decades of experience in IP litigation, administrative and contractual matters, Pinheiro Neto Advogados is well positioned to advise on trade marks, patents and industrial designs, domestically and internationally. Its presence in Silicon Valley make it a solid choice for international technology companies with operations in Brazil looking for assistance in the entire spectrum of IP matters, including technology transfer agreements, an increasing area of focus for the practice. Bringing together expertise in IP and technology matters, José Mauro Decoussau Machado handles litigation and transactional work on behalf of domestic and foreign companies. André Zonaro Giacchetta and recently promoted partner Carlos Strasburg are recommended for complex IP disputes, while Larissa Galimberti and Márcio Junqueira Leite are particularly adept in mandates involving the intersection of technology, IP and entertainment law.

Brazil > Public law Tier 3

Pinheiro Neto Advogados is often engaged in complex and high-profile public law mandates in key industries, most notably life sciences, transport, sanitation and defence. The team is equipped to handle concessions, PPPs, government contracts and privatisations, as well as judicial and administrative disputes. Ricardo Pagliari Levy has a wealth of experience in public procurement matters, anti-corruption issues and administrative misconduct cases. Marcello Bernardes is a key contact for infrastructure projects and related litigation, while counsel Elina Cunha Friedl handles a mix of public biddings, concessions and litigation. At the associate level, Heloisa Figueiredo Ferraz and Samuel Lopes Parmegiani assist with public procurement and government contracts.

Brazil > Transport: Shipping Tier 3

Drawing on the firm’s first-class capabilities in corporate, litigation, tax and labour law, Pinheiro Neto Advogados is well positioned to act in wet and dry shipping claims at the judicial, administrative and arbitration levels. Standing out for its experience in oil and gas-related maritime matters, the group is also skilled in the negotiation of industry contracts, ranging from shipbuilding and financing agreements to vessel registrations and joint ventures. Luis Claudio Furtado Faria is ‘able to skillfully combine his strong background in dispute resolution (litigation and arbitration) with maritime law and regulatory issues‘.

Brazil > White-collar crime and investigations Tier 3

Pinheiro Neto Advogados houses a ‘technically impeccable team‘ made up of lawyers specialised in corporate criminal law, who are often engaged by high-profile executives and corporate entities in investigations and prosecutions brought by state and federal authorities throughout Brazil. With extensive experience in the defence of the full array of white-collar crime allegations, from insider trading to corruption, the group also showcases a successful track record in internal investigations. Mário Panseri Ferreira, who has over two decades’ experience in legal counselling and litigation, is a seasoned practitioner in matters involving fraud, anti-corruption issues and compliance. Counsel Lourival Lofrano Júnior focuses on tax, environmental and financial crimes, while Natalia Genina Lugero De Almeida ‘stands out for her analytical and risk assessment capabilities‘ in the context of internal and government investigations.