Brazil: Competition
There has been a big push in Brazil over the past few years to create a “culture of competition”, increasing awareness of the harm caused by cartels, and improving enforcement. However, antitrust policy remains underdeveloped and a bill that would require pre-approval from the Council for Economic Defence (CADE) for mergers has not progressed far since its presentation to Congress in 2005. With the majority of the rapidly increasing number of foreign direct investments being conducted through mergers and acquisitions, the need for lawyers with expertise in navigating the competition marketplace is great. In this chapter we recognise 32 lawyers who excel in this regard.
The “stand-out” firm for competition is Lino Beraldi Bueno e Belluzzo Advogados, with an “impressive” three representatives in the following pages. Marcio de Carvalho Silveira Bueno is a “top-rate” lawyer and is a member of the commission on competition studies and economic regulation of the Brazilian Bar Association, São Paulo section. Fábio Beraldi is considered a “definite inclusion” by his peers and he represents clients on antitrust investigations with a specialism for cartel accusations. Eduardo Caminati Anders is a “deserving entry” with experience in antitrust practices, he is president of the competition and economic regulation commission of the Brazilian Bar Association.
TozziniFreire Advogados provides two lawyers for our list. Marcelo Calliari, president of the Brazilian Institute for Competition, Consumption and International Trade (IBRAC), was described in our research as a “leading light”. Alongside him, José Augusto Caleiro Regazzini is “highly-rated” among peers for his antitrust work. He is senior vice-chair of the antitrust committee of the International Bar Association.
Pinheiro Neto Advogados features two “distinguished” lawyers in our research. Cristianne Saccab Zarzur is a “top-name” in competition litigation, her fellow partner Renê Medrado is “well-known” for his litigation work in relation to mergers and acquisitions and anti-competitive conduct.
Mattos Filho Veiga Filho Marrey Jr e Quiroga Advogados, earns two listings in this chapter, the team is described as “very strong” and is “known for providing the highest standard of services” by their clients. Lauro Celidonio Gomes dos Reis Neto, “highly regarded” among peers, is director of IBRAC. The “talented” Amadeu Carvalhaes Ribeiro is a member of the international task force of the section of antitrust law of the American Bar Association.
Mattos Muriel Kestener Advogados features two practitioners. Maria Cecilia Andrade is nominated for her “expert technique” in control structures and investigations of anticompetitive conduct. Ubiratan Mattos is an “eminent” antitrust litigator, with 30 years of experience.
Tulio Freitas do Egito Coelho, from the firm Trench Rossi e Watanabe Advogados - Associated with Baker & McKenzie International, Swiss Verein, is a “ground breaking lawyer”, with experience in international cartels, predatory pricing and vertical restraints. Working alongside him, Francisco Ribeiro Todorov is a “prominent lawyer” in the sector.
Grinberg Cordovil & Barros Advogados has two lawyers listed. Mauro Grinberg, a founding member and former president of IBRAC, possesses a “wealth of expertise” and remains a “key player” in the competition sector. Also at the firm, Leonor Cordovil is a professor in graduate courses at Fundação Getúlio Vargas, and is a “top-rate” practitioner.
Competition boutique Sampaio Ferraz Advogados fields two lawyers who are consistently highly nominated in our research for their specialist knowledge. Tercio Sampaio Ferraz, a founder of the firm is an “outstanding” lawyer with an impressive background. He was attorney-general of the Brazilian Treasury, deputy minister of justice and chief of the legal department of the Industry Federation of Sao Paulo. A fellow founding partner, Juliano Souza de Albuquerque Maranhão is “renowned” for his expertise in antitrust, and competition work, having worked on some high profile cases before CADE.
Barbara Rosenberg at the firm Barbosa Müssnich & Aragão, is one of the most highly nominated individuals in our research. Described as a “leader” in the field, she is a non-governmental advisor to the International Competition Network, and former attorney for the Secretariat of the World Trade Organization.
Tito Amaral de Andrade at Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is co-chair of the antitrust committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Brazil. A “good technical lawyer” he is known for producing work of a “high standard”.
At Lobo & de Rizzo Advogados, Sérgio Varella Bruna, a former executive vice president of the IBRAC is cited as “one of the best” according to an interviewee. Caio Mario da Silva Pereira Neto from the firm Brasil Pereira Neto Galdino Macedo Advogados – BPGM is a “very strong practitioner” in economic, regulation and antitrust law. He is “firmly recommended” by his clients.
Guilherme Ribas of the firm Mundie e Advogados is a “rising talent” with an “impressive record”. He is the director for regulatory affairs for IBRAC.
Ricardo Noronha Inglez de Souza joined Dias Carneiro Advogados in 2011 to head the competition, international trade and consumer law practice group. He is “well-rehearsed” in antitrust and competition issues, including cartel agreements, abuse of dominance and merger control.
Aurélio Marchini Santos at the firm Cascione Pulino Boulos & Santos Advogados, is a “first-rate” lawyer and acted as a non-governmental advisor for the 2010 Annual Conference of the International Competition Network.
At Magalhães Nery e Dias – Advocacia, Carlos Francisco de Magalhães, is a “revered” expert in competition law and one of the “top names” in Brazil. He is a founder of IBRAC and was an active participant of several government committees that devised amendments to the Brazilian Competition Defence Act.
Senior partner Pedro Zanotta at Albino Advogados Associados is a “well-known name” among competition lawyers, he is chairman of the antitrust and regulation law study committee at the Brazilian Bar Association. Mário Nogueira, head of economic and competition law at the firm Demarest e Almeida Advogados, and director of IBRAC, is praised for his ability to deal with difficult cases.
A “forerunner” in the field of competition, Rodrigo Zingales do Nascimento, founder of the competition and regulatory boutique Zingales & Gonçalves Advogados, specialises in antitrust investigations, merger control and development of compliance programmes.
Pedro Dutra at his own firm, Pedro Dutra Advogados, is a “distinguished” lawyer who is known for his active role in the competition community, writing papers and speaking at conferences.
José Del Chiaro Ferreira da Rosa founded the firm Advocacia José Del Chiaro in 1991. He was the first secretary of economic law at the Ministry of Justice, and is known for providing a “results driven” service to clients.
José Inácio Gonzaga Franceschini a founding partner of Franceschini e Miranda Advogados, is a “highly intellectual” lawyer, appointed by CADE to be a member of the committee appointed to draft the Brazilian Antitrust Law.
Marcel Medon Santos is a consultant at the firm Azevedo Sette Advogados SC in the practice areas of economic law, antitrust and anti-dumping. He is a new addition, being identified as a “very knowledgeable” lawyer in our research.