Brazil: Energy
Thanks to recent discoveries off-shore, and legislation awarding the state-run oil company Petrobras at least 30 per cent in any new discoveries, Brazil looks set to become one of the world’s largest oil producers within the next five years. Unsurprisingly, business is booming for law firms with energy practice groups and numerous energy boutiques have sprung up in coastal areas. The 23 lawyers listed below are the cream of the crop in this exciting market.
Schmidt Valois Miranda Ferreira & Agel Advogados continues to set a very high standard in this sector, with all five of its founding partners recognised for their excellence in energy work. Sonia Agel is a former general counsel of the National Oil and Gas Agency and has an “extensive practice” in judicial and administrative litigation. The “very bright” Antônio Luís de M Ferreira is an active participant in reviewing and discussing new energy legislation and is a former general counsel for Shell Brazil. Paulo Valois Pires is “an extremely knowledgeable lawyer” and has been appointed to the energy arbitrators list for the International Centre for Dispute Resolution. Guilherme Guerra D’Arriaga Schmidt “will not go one, but 10 extra miles for a client” and is “most admired” by his peers. Rogério Sobral de Miranda is “very well-known” for his work on local and international transactions.
Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados has a talented energy team, two of whom are recognised in this year’s list. Daniella Tavares has an “outstanding reputation” and has experience of both domestic and international work: in 2007 she assisted Petrobras in its compliance with rules set down by the New York Stock Exchange. José Virgilio Lopes Enei is a “superb lawyer” and is recommended by his colleagues for his “motivation and professionalism”.
Veirano Advogados is also strong in this sector and sees three of its practitioners listed. Alexandre Bittencourt Calmon has particular expertise in resource projects and is “a clear choice” for inclusion in this year’s list. Roberto dos Santos Carneiro has over 30 years of experience in the field and has developed a truly international practice. He was commended to researchers as a “top tier” lawyer. The “highly respected” Luis Fernando Ayres de Mello Pacheco heads the energy practice group and is a member of the board of the Institute of Energy Law.
At Wald e Associados Advogados, two lawyers are recognised for their proficiency in energy law. The “brilliant” Arnoldo Wald has acted as legal adviser and counsel in projects involving the generation and distribution of gas and electricity, while Rodrigo Garcia da Fonseca is commended for his “speedy absorption of the essential aspects of a case”.
Tauil & Chequer Advogados also sees two of its practitioners listed this year. “Leading lawyer” Alexandre R Chequer is well-known for his project and infrastructure work in the ethanol, renewable energy and oil and gas sectors, while Ivan Tauil’s litigation expertise makes him a “first class” lawyer.
Daniela Ribeiro Davila, a partner at Vieira Rezende Barbosa e Guerreiro, is a “pioneer” in oil regulatory law having been involved in the establishment of consortia for the exploration and production of petroleum and natural gas in Brazil.
Antonio Sergio Giacomini Jr leads the energy and infrastructure practice group at Andrioli e Giacomini Advogados. He has particular expertise in the negotiation of power purchase agreements and is “highly recommended” by his colleagues.
The “excellent” Stephen Hood of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is an expert in handling high-profile infrastructure, project finance and cross-border M&A deals on behalf of energy clients. Isabel Lustosa of Ulhôa Canto Rezende e Guerra Advogados is described as “an extraordinary expert” in regulatory matters, privatisations and assistance in power sector auctions.
José Emilio Nunes Pinto, founding partner of Jose Emilio Nunes Pinto Advogados, is a specialist in arbitration and projects work and ranks “among the best” in this sector. Marcelo Oliveira Mello of MMA Lawyers is skilled in assisting foreign oil companies entering the Brazilian market and is recommended as “a very good lawyer”.
The head of the oil and gas practice group at Doria Jacobina Rosado e Gondinho Advogados, Marilda Rosado de Sá Ribeiro undertakes international contract negotiation and arbitration and is “a big name”.
Marcelo Viveiros de Moura is “highly regarded” for his oil and gas regulatory work at Pinheiro Neto Advogados, while Luiz Antonio Maia Espínola de Lemos of Campos Mello Advogados is “much admired” for his “first rate” work on foreign investments.