Sought after for its capability to handle high-value transactions – both domestic and cross-border – across a range of sectors such as telecoms, mining, and private equity, the corporate and M&A group at Demarest Advogados remains a market leader in Brazil. The practice has extensive experience advising on public and private M&A, divestitures, and investments, and its expertise is reflected in its impressive and growing client roster, comprised of household names. On the alternative investment front, João Busin specialises in advising private equity firms as well as local and foreign investors, while José Setti Diaz is an expert in corporate conflicts and reorganisations. Another notable name in the group is Luciana Cossermelli Tornovsky, who focuses on cross-border M&A and joint ventures. Marcelo Peloso advises multinational construction, healthcare, and retail businesses on an array of mandates, ranging from M&A to corporate reorganisations. Former practice head Ana Carolina Botto Audi left the firm in April 2026.
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Mentions
Profile
Work Department
Mergers and Acquisitions
Position
Partner
Career
Partner in Demarest's Mergers and Acquisitions area, João Busin holds a specialist degree in Business Management from the Business School of São Paulo and a bachelor's degree in Law from PUC-SP. His main clients include Brazilian and international investors in corporate transactions involving a wide range of sectors. He concentrates his practice in advising agents in the Private Equity & Venture Capital industry. João Busin has a vast international experience, as he served as a foreign associate at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, in London, and is recognized by the major legal publications Chambers Global, Chambers Brazil, IFLR1000, Latin Lawyer 250, The Legal 500 and Análise Advocacia 500.
Languages
Portuguese and English
Memberships
- Member of the Corporate Venture Capital Committee of the Brazilian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (ABVCAP).
Education
- Specialization in Business Management from Business School, Sao Paulo, Brazil (2009)
- Bachelor of Laws from Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (PUC-SP), São Paulo, Brazil (2002)
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Demarest's corporate M&A team is a clear market leader and stands out for being extremely pragmatic, as well as agile, proactive, and technically strong.’
‘Marcelo Peloso is agile, pragmatic and our trusted adviser in the M&A area.’
Key clients
- GIC
- CyrusOne
Work highlights
Assisted Vale with the acquisition of 45% of the issued shares of Aliança from CEMIG Geração e Transmissão.