Singled out for its expertise in shareholder and corporate disputes, E. Munhoz Advogados advises both domestic and international clients on matters arising from shareholding and corporate structures, business transactions and contractual issues. The practice is also active in both judicial litigation and out-of-court restructurings. Practice head and founding partner Eduardo Secchi Munhoz shines in corporate disputes, while fellow co-head João Vicente Lapa de Carvalho handles litigation involving corporate law, capital markets, and restructuring matters. Gabriela Matta Ristow advises on corporate restructuring and complex litigation, while Carlos Manoel Holanda Costa focuses on major corporate and contractual conflicts.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Quality of service, qualified, multidisciplinary team with strong experience in complex and sophisticated operations, often involving multiple jurisdictions. The firm's professionals stand out not only for their technical skills, but also for their availability, approachability, and commercial acumen.
- E. Munhoz Advogados stands out for its ability to handle high-profile, high-value, and strategically sensitive disputes with a high level of sophistication and partner involvement. The team is particularly strong in complex litigation, including matters with significant corporate, commercial, and governance dimensions, where legal strategy, careful case management, and sound judgment are all critical. Potential clients would want to know that this is a team that combines strong technical quality with a very practical understanding of the client’s objectives and risk exposure. It is especially effective in disputes that are high stakes, factually complex, and commercially important, including cases that may have broader reputational, governance, or business implications. The team is thoughtful in defining strategy, strong in written advocacy, and very disciplined in the handling of complex records and procedural developments. Compared to other firms, E. Munhoz Advogados offers a more tailored and partner-led service. It is not a volume-driven practice. The team remains closely involved in the key aspects of the case and provides advice that is careful, strategic, and commercially aware. That combination of sophistication, responsiveness, and close attention is a meaningful differentiator. One further strength is the team’s ability to work seamlessly across related areas when a dispute overlaps with corporate, restructuring, or regulatory issues. That integrated approach is particularly valuable in premium litigation, where the legal dispute is often only one part of a broader strategic situation.
- Eduardo Secchi Munhoz is brilliant. He stands out for his judgment and strategic view of complex disputes. He brings authority and clarity to difficult matters and is particularly strong at identifying the core issues, shaping the overall direction of the case, and providing advice that is both technically sound and practical. João Vicente Carvalho is an exceptional lawyer, with good judgment, strong analytical skills, and a clear command of the matters he handles. He is very reliable in the day-to-day conduct of complex cases, helps move matters forward efficiently, and is someone clients can trust with substantive and strategic work. Ana Gonçalves stands out as an exceptional lawyer. She is extremely attentive to client needs, provides strong and well-thought-through analysis, and delivers consistently high-quality work on complex issues. She is also highly responsive and dependable, which clients value greatly.
Key clients
- J&F Investimentos
- Mover Group (Camargo Correa)
- Banco BTG Pactual S.A.
- Alberto Joseph Safra
- Novonor S.A.
- JBS S.A.
- Rede D’Or Group
- Ternium/Techint Group
- Folha Participações S.A. and Maria Judith de Brito
- Raphael Oscar Klein e Natalie Klein Duek
- Suno Research S.A.
- OCP Participações S.A. and Ogari de Castro Pacheco
Work highlights
Advised Mr. Alberto Safra on the legal battle involving the Safra family in a conflict over the control of family assets following the passing of Mr. Joseph Safra in 2020; the case unfolded over four years, involving litigation and arbitration across multiple jurisdictions, including Brazil, United Kingdom, the United States, Switzerland and Gibraltar, as well as governance disputes in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and the Bahamas.
Represents J&F Investimentos in the dispute against Paper Excellence involving the control of Eldorado, a Brazilian pulp and paper company.
Advises Novonor S.A. on a derivative lawsuit seeking damages allegedly resulting from abuse of its controlling position.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Eduardo Secchi Munhoz; João Vicente Lapa de Carvalho
Other key lawyers
Gabriela Matta Ristow; Carlos Manoel Holanda Costa; Ana Elias Borges Gonçalves