Brazil: Corporate Governance
Brazil was one of the few countries that experienced an economic lift during the global financial crisis. The prospect of sporting events, increased foreign investment and infrastructure projects has boosted the demand for corporate governance expertise within M&A deals, reflected in the increase in lawyers listed. Brazil is well represented in the research with 29 inclusions, a 27 per cent growth from last year in the numbers listed.
Barbosa Müssnich & Aragão has three lawyers featured in this chapter. Paulo Cezar Aragão is renowned throughout Brazil’s business world as the former general counsel of the Brazilian SEC and the American Chamber of Commerce. He has over 30 years experience providing “insightful” advice in this field and comes highly recommended. His team includes Luiz Antonio de Sampaio Campos, a former director of the Brazilian SEC and an expert in advising on compliance and regulatory developments, and “senior statesman” Francisco Antunes Maciel Müssnich.
Mattos Filho Veiga Filho Marrey Jr e Quiroga Advogados features the impressive and “prominent” Sergio Spinelli Silva Jr, an experienced governance and finance specialist. A “true leader in this field” João Ricardo de Azevedo Ribeiro is active in governance and M&A. Moacir Zilbovicius is regarded as a “skilful” lawyer with a client list that includes some of South America’s largest corporations.
Maria Cristina Cescon of Souza Cescon Barrieu & Flesch Advogados is “very active and outstanding” both in corporate governance and M&A related matters. She is considered one of the “top deal makers” in the country. She has acted for Portugal Telcom and Globo, among many others. Alongside her is Marcos Rafael Flesch, who has acted as counsel for Shell on a US$12 billion joint venture with Cosan, and represents clients in SEC proceedings as well as on special committees in connection with governance matters. Ronald Herscovici’s practice focusses on advising clients on corporate structuring and related governance matters within the natural resources and oil and gas industries. He has developed a specialist client list acting for publicly listed petrochemical and telecommunication companies.
Carvalhosa e Eizirik Advogados features “notable” lawyers, Modesto Carvalhosa and Nelson Eizirik who both received a large number of votes.
At Pinheiro Neto Advogados two lawyers earn prominent listings. Carlos Alberto Moreira Lima Jr leads the corporate practice group, which encompasses 31 partners. He is a “leader” in very large, cross-border deals and counsels clients such as Pzifer on regulation, compliance, reporting policy and internal governance. He is joined by Fernando Alves Meira who has a highly regarded practice in this area.
Rio de Janeiro-based Gouvêa Vieira Advogados is represented by António Alberto Gouvêa Viera, who specialises in M&A-based governance and restructuring of family businesses, and Jorge Hilário Gouvêa Viera, a corporate governance specialist for the oil and gas industry.
TozziniFreire Advogados enjoys two listings in this chapter. Experienced practitioner Syllas Tozzini is a “star performer” and Mauro Eduardo Guizeline is an “active and outstanding” acquisitions lawyer, advising on governance implications.
The Rio de Janeiro office of Veirano Advogados is headed by managing partner Ronaldo Veirano and his son Ricardo C Veirano manages the São Paulo office. Veirano Snr is a “respected statesman” with an international reputation for promoting corporate law in Brazil and attracting foreign investment. His son is the national corporate coordinator and practises in M&A, governance and finance.
Xavier Bernardes Bragança Sociedade de Advogados has two lawyers in this chapter. Horacio Bernardes Neto enjoys a broad and high profile practice, counting major corporate institutions such as Deloitte among his clients. Roberto Duque Estrada is an “undoubted star” for his governance and tax advice.
Demarest e Almeida Advogados features one lawyer: senior practitioner Altamiro Boscoli. He has over 30 years experience advising on M&A and governance and is a recognised figure, known for his work on Sinochem’s acquisition of a stake in an oil field owned by Statoil.
José Roberto Opice from Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is “very well known” as a leading corporate lawyer, with an extensive knowledge of Brazil’s M&A, governance, banking and finance laws. He is described as “legendry”.
In São Paulo at Davis Polk & Wardwell, Stephen Hood is “exceptional” in assisting clients on the governance issues surrounding project financing. At Pinheiro Guimarães – Advogados, the original partner Plinio Pinheiro Guimarães N enjoys an international reputation, as does the “outstanding” Aloysio Meirelles de Miranda at Ulhôa Canto Rezende e Guerra Advogados. Vella Pugliese Buosi e Guidoni– Advogados boasts Frederico Buosi and Vitor Rogério da Costa earns a mention for Vitor Costa Advogados.
Luiz Leonardo Cantidiano of Motta Fernandes Rocha Advogados is an “outstanding lawyer” and one of the most highly regarded experts in our research.