Brazil: Arbitration
Commercial arbitration continues to thrive in Brazil as more companies discover the advantages it offers for dispute resolution. In this chapter we identify 24 individuals noted for the outstanding quality of their work, both as arbitrators and as counsel.
LO Baptista Advogados Associados SC continues to dominate the field of arbitration, being the only firm to see three of its partners listed. This accomplished team is led by senior partner Luiz Olavo Baptista, a lawyer with over 40 years of experience and “a very good arbitrator, especially for international trade”. The “excellent” Adriana Braghetta was praised by clients and lawyers alike for her considerable skill as an arbitrator, and currently acts as president of the Brazilian Arbitration Committee. Mauricio Curvelo de Almeida Prado, co-head of LO Baptista’s arbitration department, is described by clients as “first class” and has 20 years of experience of international arbitration.
Pinheiro Neto Advogados is one of the leading law firms in Brazil and sees two of its lawyers recognised for their expertise in arbitration. Gilberto Giusti is a “very skilled” arbitrator and his competence in this field is highlighted by his roles as board member of the American Arbitration Association, vice chairman of the arbitration committee at the IBA and member of the Latin American Group of the International Arbitration Court of the ICC. Renato Stephan Grion is widely considered to be “a very safe pair of hands”, having acted as assistant counsel at the secretariat of the International Court of Arbitration of the ICC in the team in charge of Latin America, Portugal and Spain.
Two partners have been selected from TozziniFreire Advogados: a “top law firm” in Latin America. Giovanni Ettore Nanni is universally commended for his work as counsel in domestic and international arbitrations, while Fernando Eduardo Serec, head partner in the arbitration practice group, has acted in arbitration proceedings in areas including infrastructure, telecommunications and administrative law.
Wald e Associados Advogados also sees two of its partners listed. The “very famous” Arnoldo Wald is highly respected both as counsel and as arbitrator and his prowess in this field is underlined by his presidency of the arbitration commission of the Brazilian committee of the International Court of Arbitration. Rodrigo Garcia da Fonseca is also well regarded as counsel and arbitrator in domestic and foreign proceedings.
Eleonora Coelho of Castro Barros Sobral Gomes Advogados was commended for her work in foreign and domestic arbitrations, both as counsel and as arbitrator. She is currently serving as vice-president of the Brazilian Arbitration Committee.
Sergio Bermudes of Escritoria de Advocacia Sergio Bermudes is recognised for his outstanding work as counsel both in arbitration proceedings and in litigation.
Marcelo Roberto Ferro, a founding partner of Ferro Castro Neves Daltro & Gomide Advogados is a “top counsel” noted for the “effectiveness” of his advice and has distinguished himself in arbitrations under the rules of ICC, UNCITRAL, ad hoc and other Brazilian institutions.
Mauricio Gomm F dos Santos of Gomm Santos Advogados Associados is described as a “very good arbitrator” and is the chairman of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution.
José Carlos de Magalhães is considered to be among the “top arbitrators in Brazil”. He has more than 40 years of experience as a lawyer and was a member of the Brazilian arbitration body in Mercosul, now substituted by the Olivos Protocol.
Appearing from his own firm, José Emilio Nunes Pinto is another of Brazil’s “top arbitrators”. His expertise has been recognised by the ICC’s International Court of Arbitration, where he has served as an alternate member for Brazil (1989 to 1992) and he is one of the founders of the ICC Latin American arbitration group.
João Bosco Lee of Castro & Lee Sociedade de Advogados is renowned both as counsel and as arbitrator, and is a former president of the Brazilian Arbitration Committee.
Carlos Alberto Carmona of Marques Rosado Toledo Cesar & Carmona Advogados is “very active as an arbitrator” and earns a place on this list for the second year running.
Eduardo Damião Gonçlaves of Mattos Filho Veiga Marrey Jr e Quiroga Advogados is described as “a bright young lawyer” and is in great demand for both domestic and foreign arbitration proceedings. He is currently a member of the IBA arbitration committee.
The “very good” Carlos Nehring Netto has been a member of the International Council of Commercial Arbitration since 1995 and is regarded as one of the top lawyers in Brazil.
Selma Maria Ferreira Lemes is “one of the most important arbitrators” in Brazil. She was involved in drafting the arbitration rules for the Arbitration Chamber of the National Confederation of Commerce and is very highly regarded by her peers and by her clients.
Valeria Galíndez of Dias Carneiro Advogados is a well regarded arbitration lawyer, specialising in arbitrations involving corporate, construction and energy matters.
Ana Tereza Palhares Basilio, a partner and founder of Basilio Advogados, was president of the mediation and arbitration chamber of the Brazilian Bar Association from 2004 to 2006, and has acted as counsel and arbitrator under the rules of ICC and the London Court of International Arbitration.
Pedro Batista Martins of Batista Martins Advogados is described by his peers as “a leading figure” and “one of the best arbitrators” in Brazil. Renowned as a co-drafter of the Brazilian Arbitration Act, he has experience of ICC and AAA international arbitrations.
Adriana Noemi Pucci of Lucon Advogados is a “very fine” lawyer, and earns inclusion for the first time in this edition.