Bermudes Advogados‘ litigation practice is singled out for its ’technical capacity, strategic vision and market knowledge’, and continues to offer its expertise in some of the most prominent ongoing disputes in the Brazilian market. The team is frequently seen advising on highly complex disputes in a spectrum of industries – most notably mining, energy and financial services – including matters pertaining to shareholder, transactional, contractual and regulatory issues. Sergio Bermudes, a leading practitioner in complex judicial and arbitral disputes, oversees the practice with Marcio Vieira Souto Costa Ferreira, a corporate disputes specialist, Fabiano Robalinho Cavalcanti, who focuses on judicial and arbitral proceedings involving corporate and commercial conflicts, and Caetano Berenguer, who splits his time between litigation and arbitration. Guilherme Valdetaro Mathias is especially active in contentious matters in the insurance, energy and real estate sectors, while Marcelo Fontes specialises in contractual and commercial disputes. Rafaela Fucci has notable strength in insurance claims.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘I consider it the best litigation firm in Brazil. Partners have absolute confidence in the solutions/strategies presented. The office seeks to facilitate billing, adapting charges according to the client's needs.'
‘Marcio Vieira Souto Costa Ferreira is one of the firm's main partners, has in-depth knowledge of litigation, is extremely careful and accessible.’
‘Firm with high technical knowledge, very active in the courts, especially higher courts.'
‘They have a team with incredibly skilled and knowledgeable lawyers. But they really excel as strategists.’
‘Caetano Berenguer is a first-class lawyer. He understands quickly what he needs to do to win, and is able to analyse the case in many perspectives, as to determine the best course of action.’
‘Technical capacity, strategic vision and market knowledge.’
‘The firm has extensive technical knowledge, and is accustomed to the day-to-day operations of the judiciary throughout the country. Furthermore, it is made up of respected lawyers in the legal world. It also has high rates of favourable decisions in the cases in which it operates.’
‘The firm stands out as the most important litigation law firm in Brazil. It is made up of professionals with a very high technical level, who are personally involved in the cases under their care with extreme dedication and competence.’
Key clients
- Vale S.A.
- Braskem
- Odebrecht, Queiroz Galvão
- Bradesco
- Americanas S.A.
- Vibra Energia
- Coca-Cola FEMSA
- Enel
- Furnas Centrais Elétricas
- Citibank
Work highlights
- Defended Vale in litigation involving the collapse of the Fundão dam, owned and operated by Samarco Mineração S.A.
- Acts as the lead counsel to Braskem in class actions involving its mining plants in Alagoas.
- Represents Fenasaúde – Federação Nacional de Saúde Suplementar in a motion for unification of jurisprudence before the Superior Court of Justice (STJ), discussing whether or not the list issued by the National Health Agency (ANS) of services that must be provided by health insurance programmes is exhaustive or just exemplificative.
Lawyers
Hall of fame
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Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Sergio Bermudes; Marcio Vieira Souto Costa Ferreira; Fabiano Robalinho; Caetano Berenguer
Other key lawyers
Guilherme Valdetaro Mathias; Marcelo Fontes; Rafaela Fucci; Thaís Vasconcellos de Sá