City focus - Porto Alegre > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

TozziniFreire Advogados has established a strong presence in the Porto Alegre corporate and M&A market, where it brings together a team of lawyers with specialist local knowledge and international backgrounds. The group, which stands out for its experience in corporate restructuring and mergers and acquisitions, receives instructions from a diverse client roster of Brazilian and foreign companies in the transport, agribusiness, healthcare, banking and chemical sectors involved in major deals in the southern region of Brazil. Contract and corporate law specialist Luis Renato Ferreira da Silva jointly leads the department with Maria Bofill, who is deeply involved in innovation matters concerning start-ups and venture capital. The practice heads receive support from a dedicated team of associates, including Bruna Braga Luz de Oliveira and Daniel Born Roman, both of whom are extremely active in transactional and contractual mandates.

Brazil > Competition and antitrust Tier 1

TozziniFreire Advogados has ‘a great antitrust practice with a number of renowned and excellent lawyers that are truly dedicated to the needs of the client‘. The firm earned its reputation in the top echelons of the Brazilian antitrust market through its years of experience in complex and high-profile cases, and thanks to the excellent reputation of its partners, including practice head and former CADE commissioner Marcelo Calliari. The firm stands out for its track record in leniency agreements, where it has solid experience and a large market share. Its ability to handle conduct cases is also boosted by its ability to collaborate with the firm’s compliance and white-collar criminal law experts, allowing it to handle complex investigations involving multiple agencies. Merger filings are another notable area of strength for the experienced department, which includes key practitioners Vivian Fraga, Guilherme Ribas, Marcel Medon Santos, Patricia Bandouk Carvalho and Tatiana Lins Cruz. In a recent significant development, Mario Pati was promoted to partner in 2020; he balances a broad competition practice and also has knowledge of internal investigations and the FCPA. Senior associate Jackson de Freitas Ferreira left the firm in February 2021.

Brazil > Compliance Tier 1

At the forefront of the compliance market in Brazil, TozziniFreire Advogados fields a team with 'international experience and good relationships with clients', which stands out for its 'immense experience in internal investigations and compliance'. The firm was among the first in Brazil to focus on compliance, and its longstanding experience combined with its consistent involvement in high-profile and sensitive matters ensure that the firm maintains its leading position in this field. Also of note is the compliance department's integration with other practices of the firm, allowing the team to cover compliance, competition and public law. Practice head Shin Jae Kim - who is also a member of the firm's executive committee - specialises in internal investigations, crisis management and corporate governance and 'lives up to her excellent reputation'. Renata Muzzi Gomes de Almeida and Giovanni Paolo Falcetta have vast experience acting for companies, boards of directors and independent committees in preventing, identifying and resolving compliance and anti-corruption matters, and Karla Lini Maeji stands out for her role in advising foreign listed companies in cross-border investigations and criminal enforcement. The team's experience also extends to its associates, with Fábio Heilberg and Lais Cury receiving particular praise.

Brazil > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

‘Always working with ethics, respect, professionalism and a proactive approach,’ TozziniFreire Advogados is ‘widely recognised in the legal market‘. It remained busy during 2020 and 2021, taking key roles on domestic and multi-jurisdictional transactions involving companies in various sectors, including in private equity and venture capital deals. Its strength in M&A is matched by its prominence in competition, compliance and labour law, allowing the firm to provide comprehensive coverage. The firm is renowned for innovation and, in 2019, it launched its ThinkFuture project to consolidate its technology practices, with the aim of further strengthening its relationships with lawtechs and continuing to develop initiatives aimed at start-ups and open innovation programmes. Its D&I policies – which cover gender, LGBTIQA+, race, people with disabilities, refugees and sustainability – and pro bono programme are well established and have not gone unnoticed by the market either, with one client noting that ‘a special highlight is the number of women in leadership positions‘. The firm’s TFAffinity LGBTIQA+ group and TFAfro racial equality group each have almost 100 members, and the firm maintains partnerships with Nurap (Centre of Professional Learning and Social Assistance) and NGO Educafro, among other important organisations. Highly regarded corporate and M&A experts Marcela Waksman Ejnisman and Maria Elisa Gualandi Verri jointly lead the practice, which expanded further with the hires of of João Ribeiro da Costa and Oswaldo Dalla Torre from Landi, Rodrigues, Nakano e Giovannetti Advogados in June 2021. João Busin stands out for his ‘remarkable experience‘; he has established a strong name in private equity and venture capital. Jun Makuta coordinates the firm’s Japan desk, and complements his M&A practice with his experience in civil litigation and corporate restructuring; Silvia Martins de Castro Cunha Zono is highlighted for her ‘extensive experience in highly complex operations‘; and Francisco Eumene Machado de Oliveira Neto is ‘recognised for his performance in large M&A‘. Banking, capital markets and M&A expert Fabíola Augusta Cavalcanti, Leonardo Miranda, associate Victor Frias Françoso and Juliana Maluf, who joined the firm from Pinheiro Neto Advogados in March 2021, also receive praise.

Brazil > Labour and employment Tier 1

TozziniFreire Advogados has a comprehensive labour law practice, with a sizeable team of lawyers covering a broad range of specialisation and expertise. The contentious side of the practice is handled by highly respected practice co-head Alexandre de Almeida Cardoso, who also advises on collective negotiations, and Fernanda Bianco Pimentel. Strategic labour consultancy advice, including remuneration and immigration issues, are core areas for co-head Marcelo Pereira Gômara, Mihoko Sirley Kimura and Gabriela Lima, while Andre Fittipaldi is particularly active on social security and private pension matters. The firm, which is a member of the L&E Global network, also has dedicated teams of partners and lawyers in its Porto Alegre and Campinas offices. The overall offering makes it a popular choice for some of Brazil's largest employers, and the team's status is reflected in the highly sensitive nature of much of its work, which includes high-profile mass redundancies and union negotiations. In another interesting development, the firm expanded its pensions practice through the hire of Caio Taniguchi in September 2021.

City focus - Porto Alegre > Tax Tier 1

The tax department at TozziniFreire Advogados offers representation to clients throughout Brazil, where it possesses a strong track record before the Superior Court of Justice and the Supreme Federal Court. Besides litigation, the group has also recently been involved in several matters concerning social contributions, tax planning, consulting and M&A transactions on behalf of clients from a multitude of sectors, such as banking, infrastructure, energy, IT, retail and consumer products. Gustavo Nygaard is the go-to counsel for a diverse corporate client roster based in the south of Brazil; he jointly leads the tax group in Porto Alegre with tax litigation specialist Rafael Mallmann. Claudia Rocha de Morais is another standout practitioner in the Porto Alegre office; her areas of focus cover tax due diligence, compliance and issues pertaining to tax collection, tariffs and contributions.

Brazil > Banking and finance Tier 2

TozziniFreire Advogados is a popular choice for banking and finance advice, and is especially active on the regulatory front, thanks in part to the expertise of Alexei Bonamin, who is also strong on the capital markets side. The firm has established strong institutional relationships with several key domestic and international banks, which it advises on the full suite of compliance issues, including obtaining licenses and fintech-related matters. The team is also active on the transactional front, representing creditors and debtors, including providing advice on several significant refinancings. Other key partners include Gustavo Rabello and Fabíola Augusta Cavalcanti. In internal developments, the team saw the departure of Kenneth Antunes Ferreira in late 2020.

Brazil > Capital markets Tier 2

TozziniFreire Advogados has a versatile team, with good expertise in transactional and regulatory debt and equity capital markets issues. The firm is developing a notable track record for green bonds, having already represented clients such as corn ethanol producer FS Bioenergia on several issuances. Practice head Alexei Bonamin is highly active on the debt transactional side and is also well versed in regulatory matters. He was part of the team that successfully defended two former members of the Petrobras Audit Board against administrative enforcement proceedings brought by the CVM. Other key partners include Fabíola Augusta Cavalcanti in Rio de Janeiro and fund formation specialist Gustavo Rabello. In October 2021, the firm's capital markets practice was further strengthened by the arrival of Ricardo Stuber from KLA Advogados.

City focus - Porto Alegre > Dispute resolution Tier 2

TozziniFreire Advogados' 'highly skilled team' has significant experience in arbitration, litigation and pre-litigation negotiations, offering assistance to domestic and foreign clients operating in a variety of industries. Typical mandates involve handling disputes arising from commercial agreements, shareholder conflicts, product liability and intellectual property rights. Recently, the team has been particularly active advising on contentious matters related to consumer, financial and contractual issues as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Eduardo Mariotti regularly acts in arbitration and commercial litigation, while Luis Renato Ferreira da Silva focuses on civil litigation and arbitration. Commercial arbitration is among Guilherme Carneiro Monteiro Nitschke's areas of core specialisms. Gabriela Vitiello Wink excels in consumer law-related litigation and Vinícius de Oliveira Berni specialises in administrative and regulatory matters.

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Arbitration Tier 2

With arbitration experts based in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre and Campinas, TozziniFreire Advogados is skilled at handling a broad range of domestic and cross-border disputes involving clients from the real estate, construction, transport, agribusiness, energy and pharmaceutical industries. Recently, the team has been particularly active in matters arising from M&A deals, shareholders' agreements, distribution contracts, construction projects and public law-related cases. Leading the department is Fernando Eduardo Serec, who has acted before major international and local arbitration institutions. Guilherme Carneiro Monteiro Nitschke is regularly engaged in commercial arbitrations and investment-related proceedings, while Lucas Britto Mejias is noted for his experience of international mandates. Pedro Bento de Faria is another key name in the arbitration team.

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Litigation Tier 2

High-value commercial disputes are at the core of the litigation practice at TozziniFreire Advogados, which represents clients from several industries, including infrastructure, banking and technology. The team, which is also noted for its knowledge of the automotive sector, excels in contractual and technology-related disputes. Fernando Eduardo Serec has considerable experience in contentious matters involving financial contracts and administrative law. He jointly leads the practice with Luíz Virgílio Pimenta Penteado Manente, who is highly regarded for consumer litigation. Mônica Mendonça Costa is a highly regarded practitioner for contentious matters arising from M&A and real estate transactions. Other noteworthy practitioners include Antonio Marzagão Barbuto Neto and Julio Andrade Neves, the latter of whom is a go-to counsel for automotive clients.

Brazil > Environment Tier 2

The environmental law, climate change and forestry practice at TozziniFreire Advogados handles the gamut of matters, including project development, environmental licensing, and the analysis of risks in connection with financing and corporate transactions and contractual clauses. The team is also a solid performer in contentious environmental matters, representing clients from highly regulated industries in administrative and judicial proceedings. The firm has recently launched an ESG group, which brings together professionals with significant experience in compliance, sustainability, and green and social finance. Devoted to environmental law, Adriana Mathias Baptista is a key contact for environment risk assessments in the context of M&A deals and environmentally sensitive projects, and Bianca Bilton Signorini Antacli has expertise in contaminated sites, forestry projects and brownfield projects. Danilo Lambert Vieira de Sousa, who is proficient in environmental licensing, litigation, administrative and regulatory matters, is also active in the department.

City focus - Brasilia > Government relations Tier 2

With longstanding experience in the field of government relations, TozziniFreire Advogados is a popular choice for Brazilian and international companies and industry associations for representation in negotiations with governmental agencies and authorities. Practice head Cláudio Coelho de Souza Timm often assists clients with their government relations and public policy projects. He is particularly active in the life sciences and healthcare sectors, where he has experience in enforcement proceedings and regulatory matters involving the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa), the Drug Market Regulation Chamber (CMED) and the National Consumer Secretariat (SENACON) of the Ministry of Justice.

Brazil > Public law Tier 2

The administrative law team at TozziniFreire Advogados has a wealth of experience in government projects and contracts across a variety of sectors, including airports, ports, roads, water and sewage, solid waste and public lighting. Its client roster features both private and state-owned companies seeking advice on public procurement procedures and representation in proceedings before regulatory agencies, audit courts and corruption-related cases. Practice head Claudia Elena Bonelli specialises in public-private relations, most notably in the context of large-scale infrastructure projects. Fellow co-leaders José Augusto Dias de Castro, who focuses on administrative sanctions and compliance matters related to the implementation of infrastructure projects, and Claudio Coelho de Souza Timm, who is recommended for his experience in enforcement proceedings, are other names to note in the team.

Brazil > TMT: Cybersecurity and data privacy Tier 2

TozziniFreire Advogados fields a cybersecurity and data privacy practice focused on LGPD compliance, global data breach incidents, and administrative and judicial proceedings. On the contentious front, the team is regularly retained by technology companies in cases involving intermediaries’ liability, data disclosure and right to be forgotten claims. Marcela Waksman Ejnisman advises on contractual issues and LGPD enforcement. Patricia Helena Marta Martins is a key contact for litigation related to data protection and cybersecurity matters, while Carla do Couto Hellu Battilana assists clients with the review of terms of use and privacy policies and issues related to data breaches.

Brazil > TMT: Tech, innovation and digital business Tier 2

With a strong track record in technology-related litigation, TozziniFreire Advogados has significant experience in advising major international social network companies in relation to civil and electoral disputes. The team's workload is also populated by transactional and regulatory matters, covering technology transfers, venture capital, fintech and software licensing agreements. Marcela Waksman Ejnisman is a key contact for contractual issues and other non-contentious mandates pertaining to the technology sector and data privacy issues. Patricia Helena Marta Martins, who specialises in digital law, stands out for her involvement in high-profile data protection and technology ligation. Carla do Couto Hellu Battilana and Bruna Borghi Tomé, the latter of whom regularly handles litigation issues on behalf of technology companies, are also noted.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity (and renewable energy) Tier 3

The energy team at TozziniFreire Advogados acts for a varied client base of financiers, EPC contractors, project sponsors, equipment suppliers and special consumers in the context of transactions and regulatory matters involving the power sector. Typical mandates range from advising on M&A and financing deals to providing legal support in the context of greenfield projects and privatisations of power distribution companies. The firm recently launched its Women of Energy group, which seeks to foster female representation and leadership in the Brazilian energy industry. Practice head Leonardo Miranda's experience covers contractual, transactional and regulatory mandates. Pedro Seraphim left the firm in February 2021.

Brazil > Insurance Tier 3

TozziniFreire Advogados' well-regarded team is jointly led by Bárbara Bassani de Souza, who handles litigation and regulatory matters, and corporate and transactional partner Marcio Mello Silva Baptista, who works out of the firm's New York office. M&A advice, such as on Coface's acquisition of Seguradora Brasileira de Crédito à Exportação, has featured prominently on the multidisciplinary team's workload recently, as has regulatory support in rapidly growing areas such as insurtech.

Brazil > International trade Tier 3

TozziniFreire Advogados provides strategic international trade advice to its long-term clients, which include several key players in the auto parts, tyre and biotechnology industries, among others. Particular areas of expertise include supply chain issues and trade compliance. The firm was involved in several high-profile matters in 2020, including representing Greiner Bio-One in a sunset review of anti-dumping duties on the import of vacuum blood collecting tubes, which was of particular significance in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. Well-regarded practice head Vera Kanas has a good track record in WTO matters, having previously worked in the WTO's legal affairs department. Marcelo Calliari is also active in this space.

City focus - Porto Alegre > Labour Tier 3

Jointly led by Roberto Pierri Bersch and Maurício de Carvalho Góes, TozziniFreire Advogados’ labour team in Porto Alegre is engaged by companies from a range of sectors, such as retail, energy, steel and pharmaceutical. Recent work has involved assisting clients with labour issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, and the team also continues to advise on the termination of contracts, compensation policies, compliance investigations and unions negotiations. Both practice heads possess a wealth of experience in labour litigation.

Brazil > Life sciences Tier 3

With 'excellent technical and pragmatic expertise', the life sciences group at TozziniFreire Advogados combines its experience in regulatory and transactional matters to advise on a broad range of issues. Among the areas covered are clinical research, regulation, drug pricing, data privacy, export and import issues and life sciences compliance. In addition, the team is equipped to represent clients in administrative and judicial proceedings. The firm is renowned for its innovation and diversity initiatives, and also stands out for its active pro bono practice. In a recent highlight, the firm dedicated 160 pro bono hours to the IDDD (Institute for the Defense of the Right to Defense) in a public civil action concerning health and sanitation matters in São Paulo's prisons. In a major development, former practice head Elysangela de Oliveira Rabelo Maurer left the firm in June 2021. However, Marco Aurélio Torronteguy remains a key contact; he is 'highly technical, engaged, committed to solutions and attentive'. Senior associate Victor Hugo Callejon Avallone is another active member of the team.

Brazil > Projects and infrastructure Tier 3

TozziniFreire Advogados is a popular destination for sponsors, multilateral agencies and investors seeking legal support in relation to public bids, projects and M&A deals involving infrastructure (water, waste, mobility and logistics) and energy assets. The team excels in project financing, and has recently been particularly active advising clients from China and Japan in infrastructure-related mandates. Claudia Elena Bonelli brings to the table expertise in public law, and often advises on PPP projects, concessions and public tenders. Leonardo Miranda is also part of the core team; he is proficient in project contracts and financing. Since publication, the firm’s infrastructure and energy practice was further strengthened by the arrival of Karin Yamauti Hatanaka from Cescon Barrieu, in October 2021. Former co-practice head Pedro Seraphim is no longer with the firm.

City focus - Brasilia > Public law and regulation Tier 3

TozziniFreire Advogados' government contracts and projects practice focuses on public procurement, with experience advising on public bids, the structuring of privatisation processes and PPP agreements, among other areas. On the contentious side, the team also acts for clients in litigation and investigations. Cláudio Coelho de Souza Timm, whose broad practice encompasses regulatory and enforcement proceedings and government relations, leads the team. Isabela Braga Pompilio and associates Thalles Leite and Bruno Lourenço are also names to note.

Brazil > Real estate Tier 3

TozziniFreire Advogados represents a mix of investors, asset managers and operators across a wide range of investments and asset types, including logistics, industrial and infrastructure. Land and building sales and acquisitions featured prominently in its workload in 2020, as did advice on urban planning and development projects. The firm is also active in financing and capital markets matters, regularly assisting with securitisations and fund IPOs. Vladimir Miranda Abreu leads the team, with strong support from Pablo Meira Queiroz.

Tax > Tax advisory Tier 3

TozziniFreire Advogados has invested significantly in its tax practice with several recent high-profile partner-level recruits. Among them, the highly versatile Renata Emery joined from Stocche Forbes Advogados, and now jointly leads the practice with Gustavo Nygaard, who works out of the firm's Porto Alegre office. Other key arrivals included Lisandra Pacheco from Schneider, Pugliese, Sztokfisz Figueiredo e Carvalho Advogados, who handles a mix of customs and indirect tax matters, and Ricardo Maitto from Rayes & Fagundes Advogados Associados, who is especially active in transaction-related tax matters. Also of note was the hire of pensions expert Caio Taniguchi in September 2021, who further strengthens the firm's pension practice. The tax team handles a fairly even mix of tax consulting and litigation work, regularly representing major household names on their highest-value tax disputes. Other key partners include Jerry Levers de Abreu and Vinícius Jucá.

Tax > Tax litigation Tier 3

TozziniFreire Advogados

Brazil > TMT: Media Tier 3

TozziniFreire Advogados assists clients from the media and entertainment sectors in a variety of matters, including copyright law, image rights and transactions. Marcela Waksman Ejnisman, who oversees the practice, is seasoned in transactional matters involving the entertainment industry. Carla do Couto Hellu Battilana is another key individual, with expertise in M&A, joint ventures and corporate restructuring involving companies in the media and entertainment segments.

Brazil > TMT: Telecoms Tier 3

With a strong track record in transactional work involving the telecoms sector, TozziniFreire Advogados attracts instructions from longstanding clients as well as new entrants to the Brazilian market. Marcela Waksman Ejnisman, who excels in telecoms and technology-related matters, oversees the practice. Mariana Del Nero Cornibert da Barrosa is another key individual, whose areas of core activity include corporate and partnership agreements within regulated sectors, most notably telecommunications. Associate Felipe Borges Lacerda Loiola is no longer at the firm.

Brazil > Intellectual property Tier 4

TozziniFreire Advogados' IP team works across the chemical, food and beverage, fashion, pharmaceutical and technology sectors, offering advice on franchising and licensing issues, as well as registration of patents, copyrights and trade marks. The team has notable strength in conducting IP due diligence in the context of M&A transactions; practice heads Marcela Waksman Ejnisman and Carla do Couto Hellu Battilana are names to note for this type of work. Stephanie Consonni De Schryver is another noteworthy practitioner, who advises on IP prosecution, portfolio management and software development agreements.