Capital markets Tier 2

Stocche Forbes Advogados regularly advises on a strong flow of debt and equity offerings. Recently, the firm was involved in several significant stock offerings, representing both issuers and underwriters. The team also has a good track record in debenture offerings, including in the key energy and infrastructure sectors. Other areas of expertise include regulatory advice to investment funds. Henrique Filizzola is highly experienced across all related areas; Frederico Cursino de Moura is active on the debt side; and Rana Moraz and Marcos Ribeiro also have very versatile practices. Senior associate Thadeu Bretas is considered an up-and-coming talent.

Corporate and M&A Tier 2

'M&A powerhouse' Stocche Forbes Advogados continues to be engaged in notable corporate transactions in the Brazilian market. Meanwhile, its dedicated publicly listed company desk provides capital markets and regulatory assistance to a number of companies on an ongoing basis, while the private company desk assists its clients on a range of corporate and commercial matters. The firm also counts major Brazilian and international private equity firms among its clients. The corporate and M&A department saw considerable organic growth in its January 2020 round of promotions; Paola Carrara, Matheus Campos, Ricardo Peres Freoa and Rafael de Almeida Rosa Andrade are now partners. Established practitioners Flavio Meyer, André Mestriner Stocche , Fabiano Milani and Fernanda Cardoso are also key members of the team.

Projects and infrastructure Tier 2

Stocche Forbes Advogados stands out for its track record in project finance, displaying expertise in both loan agreements and securities offerings. The team also assists clients on the structuring and negotiation of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts, supply agreements, as well as administrative law. Miriam Signor advises on financial, corporate and restructuring transactions involving infrastructure assets. Guilherme Forbes is often instructed by large infrastructure groups and national and foreign banks. Project finance is an area of strength for Frederico Moura and Bruno Gandolfo, who are also adept at handling mergers and acquisitions within regulated sectors.

Real estate Tier 2

Banking and finance Tier 3

Stocche Forbes Advogados enjoys a strong market reputation for major cross-border deals and has played an active role advising borrowers and lenders on the financing of major acquisitions. The team has strong expertise in debt capital markets, refinancings, structured finance and large-scale project finance deals, and the lawyers are also noted for their strong regulatory expertise. Guilherme Forbes, Miriam Signor, Marcos Ribeiro and Henrique Filizzola have been active in the market for over 20 years. Rio de Janeiro-based partner Frederico Moura is also making a good name for himself.

Restructuring and insolvency Tier 3

Stocche Forbes Advogados has a strong multi-disciplinary practice that spans litigation, banking and finance, and M&A. The firm typically acts for major creditors, including bondholder and lender committees, and has been involved in several significant workouts in the transport, agribusiness and natural resources industries. Guilherme Gaspari Coelho leads the team, which also benefits from the expertise of corporate finance experts Frederico Cursino de Moura and Guilherme Forbes.

Dispute resolution: Litigation Tier 4

Stocche Forbes Advogados not only handles complex litigation, but is also adept at advising on preventive strategies. The team undertakes a range of work, regularly assisting with the resolution of disputes involving consumer law, breach of contract and other corporate and commercial issues. Rafael Passaro has more than two decades of experience in civil litigation and administrative proceedings, which are also key areas of activity for Luis Guilherme Aidar Bondioli. Focusing on commercial and corporate disputes, Guilherme Gaspari Coelho is another practitioner to note. Fernanda Cardoso combines expertise in corporate law and M&A matters with in-depth knowledge of dispute resolution. Domingos Refinetti joined Wongtschowski & Zanotta Advogados in May 2019. Since publication, the firm hired dispute resolution expert Wilson Newton de Mello Neto from an in-house position with SABESP in June 2021.

Hydrocarbons Tier 4

The infrastructure team at Stocche Forbes Advogados has an impressive track record in project finance transactions in the oil and gas sector. The practice has recently diversified its service offering, departing from a pure project finance background, to include a wider range of work, covering regulatory advice, participation in public auctions, M&A and acquisition finance in the hydrocarbons market. Frederico Moura and Bruno Gandolfo often act for major sponsors and financial institutions in the country, while Miriam Signor focuses on project finance. Guilherme Forbes handles corporate transactions involving shares and assets in the energy sector.

Tax Tier 4

The high-quality tax practice at Stocche Forbes Advogados is especially strong in tax structuring. This includes support on major M&A, business launches and infrastructure deals. Practice head Renato Coelho is extremely well regarded by clients. He is backed by a strong team, which includes Marcos Vinícius Passarelli Prado, who has a strong focus on indirect tax and customs duties and Paulo César Teixeira Duarte Filho. Since publication, Renata Emery has left the firm, while Daniel Abraham Loria joined from BMA - Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão in June 2021.

Competition and antitrust Tier 5

Stocche Forbes Advogados saw the departure of former practice head Paulo Casagrande to Trench Rossi Watanabe in January 2020; Ana Paula Paschoalini - a 'clear rising star in the field' - now leads the team. She has notable experience advising clients in merger control processes and competition compliance programmes.

Environment Tier 5

The environmental team at Stocche Forbes Advogados is often sought after to assist with environmental legal due diligence in the context of capital markets, M&A, infrastructure and real estate transactions. Acting for clients from the financial sector in relation to risk assessment of environmental liabilities is a particular area of strength. Other typical mandates include environmental licensing of renewable energy projects. Illustrating its investment in this practice, the firm promoted practice head Caroline Dihl Prolo to partner; she is proficient in climate change issues.

Dispute resolution: arbitration Tier 6

Stocche Forbes Advogados is adept in arbitration involving M&A transactions, public contracts, commercial agreements and infrastructure projects. Rafael Passaro is noted for his experience in arbitral proceedings in the context of commercial and corporate law matters. Other names to note in the team include Luis Guilherme Aidar Bondioli and debt restructuring expert Guilherme Gaspari Coelho.