Cescon Barrieu’s restructuring practice is active in numerous judicial restructuring proceedings across the financial, mining, and pulp sectors, alongside credit recovery, insolvencies, and distressed asset transactions. The São Paulo-based team is led by Alexandre Barreto, a key contact for capital markets, private equity, investment funds and insolvency-related mandates. Esther Slud and Daniel Longa are highly regarded for advising banks, domestic and international companies, and funds on debt recovery, restructuring, and debt-related transactions. Former co-head Cinthia de Lamare is no longer at the firm, while Bruno Gozzi joined from Dias Carneiro Advogados in July 2026.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Esther Slud is excellent in availability, always ready to assist the client and provide support on urgent matters. She is very attentive to the details of the case, enabling her to develop relevant solutions. She is highly skilled, not only in terms of legal knowledge but also in understanding the courts’ positions and case law.’
- ‘Technical knowledge of the topic.'
- ‘Cescon Barrieu stands out for its innovation, with investments in technology and process automation. Its multidisciplinary approach and strategic vision ensure efficient and personalised solutions. These initiatives consolidate its position as one of the leading firms in the Brazilian legal market.’
- ‘Daniel Longa: proactive, attentive, technical and very experienced.'
- ‘Proactive and highly technical team. Partner Daniel Longa assists us with our credit recovery cases, always providing complex and highly accurate analyses.'
- ‘Daniel Longa is undoubtedly one of the main differentiators of Cescon Barrieu's special situations team. With a highly strategic approach, he combines in-depth technical knowledge with a pragmatic view of the market, being essential for structuring complex transactions, standing out for his ability to view litigation as a legal and financial asset.’
Key clients
- Bank of America Merrill Lynch Banco Múltiplo S.A .
- Oi S.A. – Em Recuperação Judicial
- JusCapital
- Banco Santander do Brasil S.A.
- Atento Brasil S.A.
- Unilever Brasil Ltda.
- Jive Asset Management
- Genial Gestão Ltda.
- Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Consultores Ltda.
- Oliveira Trust
- Polo Capital
- Banco Bocom BBM S.A
Work highlights
Advised Bank of America Merill Lynch on the judicial reorganisation plan of Grupo Americanas.
Represented Banco Santander (Brasil) S.A. in the judicial reorganisation proceedings of Intercement, Group, OSX, Hospital Santa Marta and in the out-of-court reorganisation of Superbac.
Represents Anglo American in the bankruptcy liquidation of MMX as the issuer of a debenture worth 612 MM that is involved in highly complex dispute, particulary about the ownership of the debenture as the security has been collected by the bankruptcy trustee to pay creditors, but also appears as a guarantee to Eike Batista’s (former main shareholder of MMX) leniency agreement.
Lawyers
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
Alexandre Barreto
Other key lawyers
Daniel Longa; Esther Kagan Slud; Luiz Guilherme Halasz; Bruno Gozzi