Stocche Forbes Advogados > Sao Paulo, Brazil > Firm Profile

Stocche Forbes Advogados > The Legal 500 Rankings

Brazil > Capital markets Tier 2

A popular choice for both issuers and underwriters, Stocche Forbes Advogados is skilled in capital markets transactions and in investment funds-related regulatory matters. The department is particularly active in the infrastructure and renewables sectors, and has recently advised on prominent debenture issuances and sustainability-linked offerings. Key partners include Marcos Ribeiro, who has a good track record in domestic and cross-border debt, equity, and investment fund offerings, and Henrique Filizzola, who has over 20 years’ market experience. Rio de Janeiro-based Frederico Moura excels in project finance-related deals. Recently promoted partner Thadeu Bretas is steadily building a strong reputation in the financial and capital markets spaces. Victor Manso stands out at the associate level for his involvement in the public offering of securities, project finance and debt restructurings.

Brazil > Corporate and M&A: High-end Tier 2

Rated for the ‘depth and capability of the team at all levels, from partners to associates’, Stocche Forbes Advogados acts on behalf of acquirers, sellers and investors, and excels in big-ticket transactions. The team is skilled in both domestic and international matters, but particularly stands out for its experience in private equity deals, public M&A, and transactions involving regulated sectors (with a special emphasis on energy). André Mestriner Stocche – the go-to partner for several major private equity firms and their portfolio companies – frequently acts for shareholders and managers in proceedings before the Brazilian Securities Exchange Commission (CVM). He jointly leads the practice with Flavio Meyer, who brings together expertise in M&A, equity and debt securities offerings, and Fabiano Milani, who works on buy and sell-side transactions involving Latin American jurisdictions. Igor Finzi is retained by private and publicly-held companies, funds and financial institutions; Luciana Stracieri focuses on private equity and real estate-related deals; and Alessandra Zequi is particularly noted for her track record in M&A involving listed companies. Rafael Andrade, Bruno Bercito, Emilio Gallucci and Teo Silva Galvão (the latter being especially active in the energy, oil and gas, real estate, telecoms and infrastructure sectors), are also part of the core corporate and M&A team. Based in Rio de Janeiro, Pietro Bianchi specialises in matters concerning regulated assets, including mining, while Matheus Campos is the M&A practitioner to note in Belo Horizonte.

Tax > Customs Tier 2

Brazil > Banking and finance Tier 3

Stocche Forbes Advogados handles a variety of debt transactions, ranging from complex acquisition financings and structured products to project finance and debenture offerings. The firm fields a strong selection of highly experienced and specialist banking and finance partners, including Marcos Ribeiro, an expert in debt capital markets, Guilherme Forbes, a key contact for oil and gas clients, Henrique Filizzola, who is knowledgeable of structured finance, and Bruno Gandolfo, who often handles project finance matters. Other key partners on the project finance and infrastructure side include Frederico Moura and Marco Aurélio Saliba, the latter of whom is particularly noted for his energy sector expertise.

Brazil > Projects and infrastructure Tier 3

The interdisciplinary team at Stocche Forbes Advogados brings together expertise in banking and finance, public procurement and corporate transactions, making it a popular destination for domestic and international clients – such as financial entities and private companies – seeking advice on all phases of energy and infrastructure projects, from structuring to implementation. The team stands out for its activity in the power sector, but also has further strength in project mandates in the oil and gas, transport and telecoms segments. Corporate and financing transactions involving infrastructure assets are a core area of focus for Guilherme Forbes, while Bruno Gandolfo is proficient in M&A in regulated sectors. Project finance and capital markets matters are key specialisms for Frederico Moura. Mariana Saragoça offers support in public procurement matters, and Marco Saliba is recognised for his broad expertise in project finance and construction contracts.

Brazil > Real estate Tier 3

Stocche Forbes Advogados has a highly skilled team that advises across a broad spectrum of real estate investment and development projects. The firm’s multidisciplinary offering draws on related expertise in tax, corporate, finance, environmental law, and litigation. This enables the experienced team to act in a wide range of transactions and developments in the residential, hospitality, retail, logistics and industrial sectors, including build-to-suit agreements, mixed-use developments, and both rural and urban acquisitions. Among the partners, Vilmar Lima Carreiro Filho brings a wealth of experience in rural and agribusiness-related matters, while the versatile Alexandre Clápis shines in transactional matters, including the structuring of real estate-linked joint ventures.

Brazil > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 3

Stocche Forbes Advogados balances a busy restructuring and insolvency workload comprised of domestic and cross-border mandates. The group, which has assisted in the restructuring of $3.5bn worth of debt in the past year, is especially strong on the creditor side, where it acts for major banks, bondholders and trade creditors in an array of judicial and extrajudicial proceedings, distressed assets and non-performing loans (NPLs). The ‘very responsive’ practice head Guilherme Gaspari Coelho is noted for his ‘experience working across Brazil and US legal and financial systems‘.

Tax > Tax advisory Tier 3

The specialist tax team at Stocche Forbes Advogados offers a comprehensive service to major domestic and international clients. The team has a strong focus on indirect tax and customs issues, where partners such as Paulo César Teixeira Duarte Filho have developed a solid reputation among clients in key sectors, most notably the oil and gas, and automotive industries. Tax specialists also provide critical support in high-value domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, infrastructure projects, restructurings and capital markets deals. Renato Coelho leads on direct tax and international tax planning matters, and works closely with several up-and-coming partners in this area, including Daniel Abraham Loria and Renato Stanley. Senior associate Andreza Ribeiro is another name to note on the tax consultancy side.

Brazil > Competition and antitrust Tier 4

Singled out for its ‘technical expertise and extensive knowledge of the client’s business model‘, Stocche Forbes Advogados acts for both domestic and foreign companies in merger filings before CADE. The antitrust and corporate practices work closely together to assist companies in an array of industries, including private equity, energy, technology, retail and education. Ana Paula Paschoalini, who was promoted to partner in December 2022, steers the team in an array of merger control work. Merger reviews are a core focus for senior associate Vitor Jardim Machado Barbosa, who is also proficient in antitrust investigations and in the development of compliance programmes. Luisa Marcelino Bono is another name to note in the team.

Brazil > Compliance Tier 4

Stocche Forbes Advogados fields a ‘high quality compliance team’ which is retained by corporates from the mining, retail, energy, oil and gas, and food and beverages sectors in relation to internal investigations into corruption, fraud and harassment. Singled out for its ‘deep knowledge of complex M&A‘, the group is proficient in compliance issues arising in the context of corporate and capital market transactions. Camila Pepe, ‘an attentive and careful lawyer when it comes to assessing risks and the possibilities of mitigating them pre-investment‘, focuses on anti-corruption compliance matters, while Barbara Kreutzfeld brings together experience in the implementation of compliance programmes, internal investigations and white-collar crime cases.

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Litigation Tier 4

Energy, construction and real estate-related disputes are core areas of focus for Stocche Forbes Advogados, which attracts praise for its ‘deep understanding of clients’ businesses‘. Proceedings arising from M&A and involving environmental law are strong points for the department, which is also sought after for its experience in preventive measures. ‘Distinguished professional‘ Rafael Passaro combines substantial experience in civil litigation with in-depth knowledge of administrative cases. Luis Guilherme Aidar Bondioli, who specialises in civil, commercial and corporate disputes, and Guilherme Gaspari Coelho, who balances a busy litigation and arbitration caseload, are also part of the core team. Key partner Wilson Newton de Mello Neto brings more than 25 years of experience in dispute resolution, standing out for his track record in corporate-related claims. Maria Lucia Cetraro regularly acts for domestic and international clients in proceedings concerning tort, consumer law, collective actions and contractual conflicts. Other noteworthy practitioners include Laura Bastos de Lima and Flávia Persiano Galvão.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity (and renewable energy)

Stocche Forbes Advogados undertakes a variety of transactional work in all electricity segments, but is perhaps best known for its involvement in big-ticket financing, capital markets and corporate deals within this space. Typical mandates for the team, which works in close collaboration with the firm’s tax, environmental, real estate, compliance and labour practices, also include advising Brazilian and foreign companies in public tender processes and regulatory matters. The group is jointly led by a trio consisting of Rio de Janeiro-based partners Frederico Moura and Bruno Gandolfo, both of whom specialise in financing transactions and M&A, and administrative law expert Mariana Saragoça in São Paulo.

Energy and natural resources > Hydrocarbons Tier 4

The ‘extremely well-prepared team‘ at Stocche Forbes Advogados is commended by clients for its ‘deep knowledge‘ of the oil and gas sector. With a strong track record in financing and corporate transactions involving hydrocarbons companies and assets, the team is also a solid performer in public bids, divestments and matters before regulatory agencies. Guilherme Forbes, a key contact for M&A and financings in this space, oversees the team with four other practitioners: Frederico Moura and Bruno Gandolfo, who focus on project finance; administrative and regulatory law specialist Mariana Saragoça; and Marco Saliba. Public procurement, regulatory issues and administrative agreements are core areas of activity for associate Julia Barker, while Ana Clara Viola works in project development and contract management.

Brazil > Environment Tier 4

Foreign and Brazilian companies regularly turn to Stocche Forbes Advogados for its wide-ranging expertise in commercial and real estate transactions with considerable environmental risks and implications. The team, which works in close collaboration with the firm's banking, capital markets and infrastructure groups, has notable strength in the identification and management of environmental liabilities in the context of major projects, and is also well versed in environmental investigations and litigation. Following the departure of former head Caroline Dihl Prolo , the group is now led by Beatriz de Azevedo Marcico Pereira, who specialises in ESG issues. Paula Feldmann is a key contact for judicial and administrative cases.

Brazil > Public law Tier 5

Stocche Forbes Advogados leverages experience in corporate transactions involving regulated sectors to support clients in privatisations, public tenders, and administrative proceedings before ANATEL. Mariana Saragoça is a seasoned practitioner specialised in administrative and regulatory matters, who often handles risk assessments of concessions and PPPs in the energy, sanitation, telecoms, transport and logistics segments. Key support is offered by a strong team of associates, including Andre Bogossian and Guilherme Nunes, both of whom are active in public procurement and regulatory issues.

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Arbitration Tier 6

Drawing on the firm’s strong credentials in the projects and infrastructure space, Stocche Forbes Advogados is well placed to handle complex arbitration cases involving the energy and construction sectors. In addition, the team is also adept in proceedings concerning M&A, contractual and shareholder disputes. The practice is under the joint leadership of Rafael Passaro, a contact for commercial and corporate disputes; Luis Guilherme Aidar Bondioli; Guilherme Gaspari Coelho and Wilson Newton de Mello Neto. Maria Lucia Cetraro often acts for clients from the construction, energy and pharmaceuticals industries in strategic disputes.