Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper > Rio de Janeiro, Brazil > Firm Profile

Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper > The Legal 500 Rankings

Brazil > Real estate Tier 1

Commended for its ‘high technical level‘ and ‘excellent relational attitude‘, Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper fields a team of lawyers who ‘are prepared to assist clients in any aspect of real estate law, from real estate developments to land regularisation of rural properties‘. Bringing together expertise in corporate, litigation and environmental law, the group excels in sophisticated real estate asset deals and financings, spanning multi-use real estate projects, shopping centres, industrial facilities, and logistic and hospitality projects. Co-founder Bernardo Buarque Schiller is counsel of choice for major construction companies and developers in property development mandates and build-to-suit agreements. Co-head Ivandro Ristum Trevelim handles the full range of real estate matters, including contractual, transactional and development issues, while Rafael Jordão Bussière has been particularly active in advising prominent clients on strategic shopping centre acquisition matters. Maria Eduarda Bérgamo left the firm in November 2024.

Brazil > Insurance Tier 2

Described as having ‘excellent service and technical knowledge‘, the insurance team at Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper is well versed in a range of contentious and non-contentious matters pertaining to insurance and reinsurance. Often called upon by various major insurance companies, both domestic and international, the team excels in complex regulatory matters, cross-border reorganisations and deals. The team is led by two insurance law experts: Marcella Hill, who brings extensive expertise in insurance and reinsurance matters with a complex, multijurisdictional component; and Jaqueline Suryan, who is described as ‘an extremely experienced professional’ with over 18 years of experience in insurance and reinsurance law, covering litigation, restructurings and transactions in the insurance, pensions, and private healthcare industry. Counsel Mariana Cavalcanti Jardim is a name to note in Rio for regulatory and M&A issues concerning reinsurance and insurance clients.

Energy and natural resources > Hydrocarbons Tier 3

Delivering ‘service of the highest legal quality’, the oil and gas offering from Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper encompasses regulatory, M&A, litigation, environment, tax, banking and finance, and labour advice on issues affecting all segments of the value chain. A conscious focus on LNG projects, including regasification initiatives to supply gas for consumers and thermal power plants, is supplemented by proficiencies in energy transition matters, particularly in biorefining, carbon capture storage (CCS), and carbon markets. Rogerio Campos was brought in from Veirano Advogados in July 2023 to strengthen the team’s capabilities in offshore E&P. Former co-heads Alexandre Bittencourt Calmon, Marcelo Frazão, and João Marçal Martins left the firm in November 2024, along with a group of other partners and associates.

Tax > Tax advisory Tier 3

Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper‘s standalone tax department is well versed in the full array of consulting matters – including direct and direct taxation, tax planning, restructuring and due diligence – and litigation at the judicial and administrative level. The team, which acts for clients from the education, technology, advertising, energy, logistics, life sciences and agribusiness sectors, is especially strong in handling the tax aspects of cross-border transactions, drawing on its association with international powerhouse DLA Piper. Co-head Humberto Marini – an expert in tax matters in the oil and gas industry – has a wealth of experience in tax litigation. Fellow co-leader Alex Jorge, who splits his time between São Paulo and New York, stands out for his strong track record in cross-border deals and expertise in tax planning and transfer pricing. Renato Lopes da Rocha is another name to note for administrative and judicial tax claims, and Juliana Costa, who joined from Veirano Advogados in May 2023, focuses on corporate taxation, customs and indirect taxes.

Brazil > Banking and finance Tier 4

Demonstrating equal strength in the representation of both lenders and borrowers, Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper offers diversified banking and finance services to a multitude of Brazilian and international banks, investment and pension funds. Project, structured and corporate finance are core areas of expertise for the practice, which stands out for its cross-border capabilities. The arrival of former Veirano Advogados co-head Marcelo Mattos in September 2023 significantly boosted the team’s presence in the oil and gas, mining, telecoms and shipping industries; he is a key name to note for multilateral agencies and major international investment banks. Jorge Luiz Barbieri Gallo, who regularly assists with syndicated and bilateral loans, project finance, securitisations and trade finance, jointly oversees the team with Mattos. Roberto Barros is no longer at the firm.

Brazil > Capital markets Tier 4

The ‘attentive and detailed team‘ at Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper offers legal support to Brazilian financial institutions, investment banks and pension funds in relation to securitisations, DCM deals, offerings of convertible securities and derivatives, among other matters. Department leader Jorge Luiz Barbieri Gallo is noted for his experience in both debt offerings and regulatory matters. Former co-head Roberto Barros is no longer at the firm.

Brazil > Compliance Tier 4

Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper is typically called upon by clients from the energy, construction, healthcare, pharmaceutical and technology sectors seeking assistance with an array of compliance matters. Internal investigations and negotiations with regulatory authorities are notable areas of activity for the team, which is especially present in compliance and anti-money laundering issues in the financial sector. At the helm of the practice, Ricardo Caiado Lima is a go-to name for anti-bribery and anti-corruption due diligence, compliance audits and integrity programmes. Lima is ably supported by Antonio Carlos Tovo, who specialises in crisis management, and associate André Sampaio Lacerda Ferraz who is experienced in the review and implementation of compliance programmes.

Brazil > Corporate and M&A: High-end Tier 4

A go-to in the market for cross-border deals, Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper ‘stands out for bringing together very qualified professionals‘ who are skilled in the structuring and negotiation of high-value M&A, minority acquisitions, asset deals, corporate reorganisations and joint ventures, among other corporate matters. The team especially shines when acting for the buyer, and continues to be engaged in a multitude of mid-market transactions in a wide range of sectors, including energy, sports and technology. Practice head Fabiano Gallo is ‘a very experienced corporate and M&A lawyer‘ with in-depth knowledge of the energy and infrastructure segments. The ‘very practical, hands-on and always available‘ Oduvaldo Lara Júnior is routinely instructed by listed companies, foreign investors and private equity funds. Renata Amorim is also noted for her expertise in M&A, private equity and venture capital mandates. Miriam Machado Kleissl is no longer at the firm.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity (and renewable energy)

Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper bolsters its extensive capacity in M&A transactions with specialised assistance in net metering agreements, PPAs, and public auctions. Combining ‘practical experience, market knowledge and mastery of theory’, the team provides support in the structuring, development, and implementation of hydro, wind, solar, and thermal projects. In São Paulo, Fabiano Gallo is sought after for M&A and project mandates relating especially to PPAs, net metering, and self-production projects. Former co-heads Marcelo Frazão and Alexandre Bittencourt Calmon left the firm in November 2024.

Brazil > Intellectual property Tier 4

Drawing on strong ties to an international network, Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper assists both international and domestic clients with trade mark, copyright and franchising matters. Co-leader Paula Mena Barreto, who splits her time between Rio and Miami, focuses on transactions, IP portfolio management and trade marks prosecution. Fellow co-head Domiciano Sá resides in Rio and leads on litigation mandates. Associate Ana Luisa Bastos Ramos assists with a range of media-related IP issues.

Brazil > Life sciences Tier 4

Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper specialises in advising life sciences and healthcare clients from the US and Europe on their regulatory, transactional, and litigation issues in Brazil. Associate Juliana Marcondes de Souza provides medical technology manufacturers and other medical product-related companies with pre-litigation advice. Former co-head Bruna B. Rocha left the firm in November 2024.

Tax > Tax litigation Tier 4

Brazil > TMT: Cybersecurity and data privacy Tier 4

Servicing a predominantly international client base, Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper is adept in the drafting of data policies and contracts in compliance with the LGPD. In addition, the team is also proficient in data localisation issues and in the review of privacy clauses on local and international agreements, acting for companies across the technology, media and automotive sectors. Team lead Paula Mena Barreto regularly advises on privacy policies and compliance issues.

Brazil > TMT: Media Tier 4

Operating as part of the firm's IP practice, the media and entertainment team at Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper is led by Paula Mena Barreto, who brings together expertise in IP, media and data protection law. Typical mandates for the group includes advising on entertainment and licensing agreements, IP portfolio management, and the launch of new streaming apps. Associate Ana Paula Pitta de Moura works on IP matters for media clients. Fellow associate Ana Luisa Bastos Ramos also assists with IP mandates and entertainment, licensing, and advertising agreements.

Brazil > Competition and antitrust Tier 5

Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper is home to an antitrust and compliance department that is equipped to advise on merger clearance, antitrust investigations, settlement agreements and anti-competitive civil liability proceedings. The group is led by Luciana Martorano, an ‘excellent lawyer‘, who is ‘extremely supportive and collaborative‘ and singled out for her strong track record in merger control procedures. Senior associate Maria Amoroso Wagner is another name to note for merger reviews and anti-competitive behavioural work.

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Litigation Tier 5

Highlighted for its capacity to ‘balance the advantages of a full-service firm with the personalised performance of a boutique’, Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper provides litigation services to a growing roster of clients from the oil and gas, energy, construction, insurance and financial sector. Along with damage and compensation claims, which the team is notably proficient in, the department handles domestic and cross-border cases involving contractual breaches, and shareholder and transactional disputes. Felipe Hermanny specialises in administrative, civil and commercial litigation in the infrastructure, insurance and technology markets, and jointly leads the department with Leandro Rinaldi, who is skilled in restructuring-related matters. João Marçal Martins left the firm in November 2024.

Brazil > Labour and employment Tier 5

Praised for its ‘deep knowledge of the oil and gas industry‘, the labour and employment practice at Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper is adept at handling collective claims, union negotiations, global mobility issues, compliance and social security matters. Team leader Maurício Tanabe possesses expertise in collective labour matters and union negotiations. Litigation expert Marcio Meira de Vasconcellos often handles mandates relating to pensions, benefits and expatriation, while Juliana Nunes stands out for her experience in consulting work and strategic litigation before the labour courts and the Public Prosecution Office. Ana Cristina Valentim is no longer at the firm.

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Arbitration Tier 7

Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper‘ arbitration practice is active in a number of domestic and international disputes in several regulated sectors, most notably oil and gas and energy. Owing to its partnership with DLA Piper, the team is proficient in complex cross-border arbitration proceedings requiring expertise in contractual and transactional conflicts. Felipe Hermanny‘s expertise in civil, commercial and public law disputes complements Leandro Rinaldi‘s experience in judicial reorganisations. João Marçal Martins is no longer at the firm.