Firm Profile > Veirano Advogados > Sao Paulo, Brazil

International trade and customs Tier 1

'One of the first legal firms to invest in international trade in Brazil' Veirano Advogados has 'accrued a broad experience in trade matters and is recognised as a leading firm'. The team had another busy year in 2018, with highlights including its assistance to the Brazilian electrical and electronics industry association ABINEE in WTO cases DS472 and DS497, and its representation of a Brazilian producer and exporter BRF in a dumping investigation into exports of broiler products into China. 'One of the greatest minds in international trade law in Brazil', Ana Teresa Caetano heads the department and is noted for her 'ability to analyse problems from different perspectives'. The team includes a number of experienced associates, including Fernanda Kotzias.

Labour and employment Tier 1

The sizeable, standalone labour practice at Veirano Advogados maintains a focus on high-level disputes. Areas of strength include dismissals, compensation plans and class actions, and the team counts Philip Morris, Microsoft and Merck among its clients. LATAM is another of its household name clients; in recent work,  Luiz Antonio dos Santos Junior represented the company in a class action involving harassment and discrimination claims. Flávia Azevedo is well versed in labour law issues in the oil-and-gas sector and Jose Carlos Wahle has broad experience in employment litigation and internal investigations. Luiz Guilherme Migliora is another active member of the team.

Mining Tier 1

Veirano Advogados’ mining team leverages the wider firm’s expertise in project finance and real estate to pack a punch in project development. The group also handles a varied mix of corporate finance, regulatory and environmental matters, including litigation. In a highlight example of its strength in cross-border deals, Pedro Garcia acted as Brazilian counsel for Leagold on its headline multi-jurisdictional acquisition of Brio Gold. On the contentious side, Garcia advised AngloGold Ashanti on various expansion issues related to its gold mining operations, including representing it before the Mining Agency. Carlos Americo Castro and Pedro Freitas are also recommended.

Banking and finance Tier 2

Veirano Advogados' national banking and finance practice benefits from top-level firepower in both its Rio de Janiero and Sao Paulo offices. Notably, the former city is the base of department lead Marcelo Mattos, who enjoys a strong profile in the market for his specialist expertise in energy, shipping and mining-related transactions. Among his highlights, Mattos advised Equinox Gold on an $85m financing provided by Sprott Private Resource Lending (Collector) to Equinox Gold's subsidiary Aurizona Goldfields to support the development of its Aurizona Gold mining project. Indeed, project finance generally is a signature group strength. In another example of its prominent reputation in that area, Ana Carolina Barretto, who leads the firm's projects practice in Sao Paulo, paired up with Rio de Janeiro-based corporate finance specialist Pedro Freitas to advise concessionaire Fraport Brasil Aeroporto de Fortaleza on a R$692m financing granted by Banco do Nordeste do Brasil to fund the expansion and maintenance of Fortaleza International Airport. Outside the projects space, Sao Paulo's Daniela Anversa advised Sky Serviços de Banda Larga, as borrower, on the local aspects of its $1bn syndicated loan involving 16 banks, including Citibank and JP Morgan. Other names to note in Rio de Janeiro include Otávio Carneiro and Elisa Rezende, while Lior Pinsky is also a key contact in Sao Paulo. Rogério Campos recently made partner in Rio de Janeiro.

Bankruptcy and restructuring Tier 2

The ‘very committed’ and ‘hardworking’ team at Veirano Advogados is split between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and includes experts in litigation, M&A and banking. Its partners can often be found representing creditors in high-profile insolvency proceedings, and it is also adept in distressed M&A. Among Cássio Cavalli’s recent workload was his representation of Banco Santander (Brasil) in the judicial reorganisation of Bom Jesus Agropecuária; the transaction involved the restructuring of debt through debentures and the replacement of a security package. Sergio Bronstein, Gustavo Moraes Stolagli and Ricardo Gama are also leading figures in a team which was further reinforced in April 2020 with the hire of Paulo Fernando Camana Filho from Cascione Pulino Boulos Advogados.

Capital markets Tier 2

Veirano Advogados benefits from a diverse client base in the capital markets area and it regularly advises issuers, underwriters, funds and investors in both debt and equity transactions. In line with the wider firm’s prominence in the energy space, the power industry is a significant source of mandates and the group recently advised Engie Brasil Energia on its R$746m offering of non-convertible debentures. Telecoms is also an active area and it advised Claro on three recent debt offerings worth a combined R$2.9bn. On the underwriter side, the team acted for Banco Santander (Brasil), Banco Itaú BBA and Banco J. Safra on several placement offerings by Companhia Energética do Ceará – COELCE, a Brazilian energy company controlled by Enel. Rio de Janeiro-based Carlos Alexandre Lobo and Sao Paulo-based Lior Pinsky co-lead a national group that also includes Daniela Anversa.

Competition and antitrust Tier 2

Veirano Advogados' competition team demonstrates an 'eagerness to understand the particularities of the client's needs'. From its offices in Brasília, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro offices, the firm's antitrust lawyers act for companies in high-profile merger filings; the practice has also developed notable experience representing companies challenging merger transactions. For example, the team recently acted for Sky and WarnerMedia in challenging the acquisition of of 21st Century Fox by The Walt Disney Company. Cartel and abuse of dominance cases also feature in the department's workload. The 'extremely helpful' Leonardo Maniglia Duarte 'has a holistic vision and an open mind'. Mariana Villela heads the department, which also counts a number of experienced associates.

Corporate and M&A Tier 2

The well-regarded corporate and M&A department at Veirano Advogados is highlighted for its 'deep knowledge of diverse areas of law'. The firm has partners based in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo as well as Porto Alegre, where it is increasing its presence. The busy practice also made a number of recent hires at the associate level. It is well versed in large M&As, often with a cross-border element. Recently, this has included advising Lwart Participações on the sale of 100% of Lwarcel Celulose to a Singaporean group; Gustavo Moraes Stolagli and Sergio Bronstein led the team. On the buy side, Lior Pinsky represented Goldman Sachs in a large minority investment in American Glass Products. Augusto Cesar Barbosa de Souza and Carlos Alexandre Lobo head the department, which also includes Guilherme Ohanian Monteiro, Paula Surerus and Ricardo Camargo Veirano. In a notable September-2019 development, the firm was also appointed as the sole Brazilian law-firm founder member of the newly established Brazil-Mexico Business Council.

Electricity Tier 2

The ‘client-oriented’ group at Veirano Advogados scores highly for its ‘deep experience in the sector’, which sources say ‘provides extra security on legal opinions’. The practice spans the full life-cycle of power work, demonstrates expertise in generation, transmission, distribution and commercialisation, and is routinely engaged by multinational names such as State Grid Corporation of China and Engie. Tiago Figueiró is noted for his ‘strong industry knowledge and problem-solving approach’; he acted alongside Ana Carolina Barretto to advise Shanghai Electric Group Company in, ultimately terminated, negotiations with Eletrosul Centrais Elétricas for the acquisition, financing, development and operation of a transmission line project.

Environment Tier 2

Veirano Advogados recently acted on solid waste, protected area, remediation of contaminated areas and air pollution matters. It advised wood-based fiber and yarn producer Lenzing on the structuring of its forest and paper business in Brazil. On the contentious side, a highlight was defending Kawasaki Heavy Industries in litigation brought by the  public prosecutor's office in Bahia concerning the construction of a shipyard in an allegedly protected area without license. Ana Luci Grizzi is the name to note.

Intellectual property Tier 2

Veirano Advogados has a broad take on IP matters, covering copyright, domain names, patents and advertising, as well as IT and media and entertainment law matters. The group frequently oversees its clients' entire trade mark portfolios in Brazil; for example, it is retained by chemicals and biotechnology company Lonza Group, for which the team handle matters including trade mark infringement and unfair competition litigation. Valdir de Oliveira Rocha Filho and Fábio Pereira are the key partners.

Projects and infrastructure Tier 2

Veirano Advogados handled numerous infrastructure, energy and aerospace projects in 2018. A highlight was assisting Fraport with the financing granted by Banco do Nordeste for the expansion and maintenance of the Fortaleza airport. The group also continued advising Move SP on the performance of the concession contract for the construction of São Paulo's sixth underground line. Ana Carolina Barretto and Pedro Freitas are recommended. In September 2019 the firm moved to deepen its bench-strength with the hires of Daniel Engel and João Paulo Severa from Cascione Pulino Boulos Advogados.

Real estate Tier 2

Veirano Advogados' real estate team 'provides tailor-made and efficient solutions for complex cases'. Its hospitality-sector expertise is a stand-out feature; clients include Meliá Hotels International and Rosewood Hotels. Rodrigo de Castro has broad experience in rural and urban real estate, while 'top-notch lawyer' Raphael Moreira Espírito Santo 'really understand the theory and practice of real estate law and developments in Brazil'. Key associates include Bruno Aronne and Gisela Miranda, but the well-regarded Jonnys Lucena moved to Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados.

Tax Tier 2

The 'always extremely professional' lawyers in Veirano Advogados' tax department 'are open to work as a team' and are also praised for their 'rapid responses to client demands' and 'excellent litigation skills'. The team is split between four offices, and handles a range of transactional tax and standalone tax matters. Litigation highlights included João Agripino Maia's defence of Claro in a case involving the deduction of amortisation expenses of the goodwill paid for an acquisition. Practice head Marcelo Reinecken is 'an exceptional lawyer for complex tax litigation and consultation'. Abel Amaro is well versed in indirect tax and customs. Also receiving praise are Ian Muniz, Marco Antonio Monteiro, the 'highly committed' Ari Job Junior and 'young and talented lawyer' Filipe Richter.

Hydrocarbons Tier 3

Veirano Advogados’ ‘pragmatic and responsive’ approach strikes the right note with sources, who commend its lawyers as ‘receptive to suggestions’ and able to provide ‘practical guidance and solutions to meet the client’s objectives’. The group, which routinely acts for companies in the downstream, midstream and upstream sectors, is equally adept in transactional and regulatory matters. Highlights included advising BP Gas Marketing on its joint venture with Prumo Logistica to build an LNG terminal, gas pipeline, gas trading company and two power plants in the Port of Açú. Ali El Hage Filho, Andre Carvalho and the ‘knowledgeable, practical and commercial’ Rogério Campos co-lead the department.

Insurance Tier 3

Veirano Advogados distinguishes itself through its focus on policyholders rather than insurers and reinsurers. Insureds, including household name companies, turn to the team for contentious and non-contentious matters. In high-profile work, Felipe Bastos and Fábio Figueira are acting for Samarco Mineração in insurance matters arising out of the tragic dam collapse in the city of Mariana, Minas Gerais. Senior associate Andrea Piccolo Brandão is a key member of the team.

Dispute resolution (including White-collar crime) Tier 4

Providing a 'world-class service', Veirano Advogados 'offers a high-performance team capable of handling any kind of complex dispute'. The litigation and arbitration lawyers are 'talented, knowledgeable, and take a very common sense approach'. Luiz Guilherme Migliora is 'one of the brightest commercial legal minds in the market'. Jose Carlos Wahle and Renata Cristina Rabelo Gomes are highlighted for their 'deep knowledge in commercial and civil litigation' and 'strategic thinking'. Lívia Miné specialises in tort, product liability and environmental litigation, and Priscila Sansone has vast knowledge of consumer litigation.

Public law Tier 4

The 'reputable experts' at Veirano Advogados  'are up to date on current regulatory developments' and 'can navigate complex concession and administrative issues'. Marcos Ludwig 'has a very personable approach and, despite having a visibly brilliant mind, is very easy to communicate with'. Filipe Scherer Oliveira and counsel Mauro Hiane de Moura are key contacts in Porto Alegre.

TMT

Veirano Advogados is recommended for tech and media work, with Valdir Rocha strong at advertising law and corporate lawyer Robson Barreto is experienced at handling IT matters. Clients include Dell, Fox Channels, HBO, Nokia and TIM.

Transport and shipping

Offering 'top-notch solutions', full service firm Veirano Advogados has a strong maritime law group. While mainly known for financing work, it also handles regulatory work such as assisting Heerema Marine Contractors with chartering and employment of foreign-flagged vessels in maritime support activities, the licencing and import of vessels, and charter and operation agreements. Marcelo Mattos is 'efficient and knowledgeable'. Otávio Carneiro and senior associate Rebeca Arruda Gomes are also recommended.