Thomaz Bastos, Waisberg and Kurzweil Advogados’ restructuring and insolvency practice is praised for its 'vast technical understanding', with expertise spanning judicial bankruptcies, extrajudicial mediations, restructurings, and distressed asset transactions, among other matters. The team handles mandates for creditors, debtors, and investors, and is particularly active in the retail, energy, and financial sectors. The São Paulo-based group is led by firm founder Joel Luís Thomaz Bastos, who is noted for his expertise in debt restructuring. Fellow co-head Ivo Waisberg is a reference for both contentious and non-contentious insolvency and restructuring matters, while Bruno Kurzweil de Oliveira showcases strength in domestic and cross-border restructurings. Gilberto Gornati and Adriana Dias de Oliveira focus on bankruptcy cases, out-of-court workouts, corporate restructuring and distressed deals, and Herbert Morgenstern Kugler has expertise in insolvency, corporate, real estate and capital markets law. Lucas Rodrigues do Carmo's client base includes debtors, creditors and investors involved in judicial reorganisations.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The qualifications of the firm's partners and team are what set it apart. They are involved in the largest bankruptcy and judicial recovery cases in Brazil and bring this experience to the provision of services. It has an area dedicated specifically to bankruptcy proceedings, which makes the service in these cases superior to that of other competitors. TWK has several partners working in the area, with complementary experiences and points of view, which lead to innovative and consistent solutions for complex problems.’
‘The partners have extensive technical knowledge and are very competent, with different profiles. I prefer to work with Adriana Dias de Oliveira because of the quality of her work and service provision, in addition to her always being available.'
‘Extremely accessible, agile team with in-depth knowledge of judicial recovery.'
‘Agility and technical knowledge in what they do. Team with personalised service and recurring follow-up of the processes in which they operate and manage. Good management of deadlines and meeting demands.’
‘The team's vast technical understanding aligned with the team's cordiality and empathy in the relationship.’
‘Lucas Carmo - ability to convey and manage complex issues and always keep the internal team available and organised.'
Key clients
- 123 Viagens e Turismo Ltda.
- Gol Linhas Aéreas
- Banco BTG Pactual S.A.
- Indústria de Rações Patense Ltda.
- Coteminas S.A.
- Paquetá Calçados Ltda.
- Wizard Fundo de Investimento em Direitos Creditórios Não-Padronizados
- Brasil Biofuels S.A.
- Elisa Agro Sustentável Ltda.
- Global Brasil – Tecnologia em Química e Moda Ltda
- Washington Umberto Cinel
- Usina de Açúcar Santa Terezinha Ltda
Work highlights
Representing unsecured creditor Sicim S.p.a. Sucursal del Peru in the ongoing court restructuring of the OEC Group—the engineering division of Brazil’s largest engineering conglomerate, the Novonor Group (formerly Odebrecht).
Assisting the BLC II—a non-standardised credit rights investment fund—in implementing the liquidation plan that resolved one of Brazil’s most controversial bankruptcies.
Advising Indústria de Rações Patense—a high-profile company in agribusiness sector—on its mediation proceeding regarding the restructuring of its activities.
Lawyers
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Leading partners
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Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Joel Luís Thomaz Bastos; Ivo Waisberg; Bruno Kurzweil de Oliveira
Other key lawyers
Gilberto Gornati; Herbert Morgenstern Kugler; Adriana Dias de Oliveira; Lucas Rodrigues do Carmo; Lais Nicole Luizetti