Advising on a broad range of environmental and ESG matters, Demarest Advogados acts for domestic and international clients on litigation, crisis management, compliance and transactional mandates. The team is jointly led by Luiz Fernando Henry Sant’Anna, who focuses on regulatory and compliance issues across sectors such as packaging, electronics and waste, and Fernanda Stefanelo, noted for her significant experience in environmental licensing, contaminated site management and carbon market regulations. Luiza da Camara Chaves offers support on licensing, liability management and compliance matters, particularly in the agribusiness, industrial and financial sectors. The firm has further strengthened its offering through the incorporation of William Freire Advogados, and the addition of environmental litigation, socio-environmental crisis management, and advisory work specialist Eduardo Ferreira, who joined from Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados in April 2026.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- The environmental law team – the partners – are extremely qualified and dedicated, especially Fernanda Stefanelo.
- Fernanda Stefanelo is a brilliant, dedicated, and proactive professional who beautifully represents female leadership in the legal, socio-environmental, and climate change fields.
- We have worked closely with Luiz Fernando Henry Sant'Anna, Fernanda Stefanelo, and Luiza da Camara Chaves. They are team players who can be trusted to deliver timely, professional, and thorough legal counsel to clients on complex environmental matters in Brazil.
- The team at Demarest has a deep understanding of environmental laws and regulations in Brazil. The team is very responsive to client inquiries, and they collaborate with other outside counsel to ensure that the client receives timely, thorough, professional responses on complex matters.
- Practical, straightforward approach and excellent technical knowledge.
Key clients
- Copel Geração e Transmissão S.A.
- Monsanto/Bayer
- Akzo
- Nouryon
- Firmenich
- Pfizer
- 3AM
- Dow Brasil Sudeste Industrial Ltda.
- Mombak
- Porto Sudeste do Brasil
- Bridgestone
- Biomas Serviços Ambientais
Work highlights
Advised Sinova Inovações Agrícolas S/A and Sipal Indústria e Comércio Ltda. on strategic litigation and regulatory defence arising from the Soy Moratorium, including a high-value Public Civil Action seeking over R$1bn in alleged collective damages and parallel antitrust proceedings before CADE, involving complex ESG, competition and agribusiness regulatory issues.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
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.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Luiz Fernando Henry Sant’Anna; Fernanda Stefanelo
Other key lawyers
Luiza da Camara Chaves; Carolina Angelozi; Livia Pomponio Peres; Eduardo Ferreira