DEMAREST E ALMEIDA ADVOGADOS
Demarest e Almeida Advogados is one of the largest firms in Latin America. Founded in 1948 the firm has undergone some recent, significant restructuring resulting in a stronger corporate practice, under the executive leadership of M&A lawyers Paulo Frank Coelho da Rocha and Mário Nogueira. Unsurprisingly the firm has notable contributions in M&A, trade & customs and banking, with a total of 14 lawyers featuring in this year’s edition.
Demarest e Almeida Advogados is an established firm well know for their corporate law expertise, encompassed in their three trade listings and two M&A, banking and labour listings. Co-heads of the firm’s executive committee Coelho da Rocha and Nogueira bring their experience to the running of the firm and are active spokespeople for the firm, alongside “notable” lawyer Altamiro Boscoli, who enjoys multiple listings in the corporate governance, commercial litigation and insurance & reinsurance sections. He is a “leading and respected” figure in the Brazilian legal market. Nogueira is also head of the competition practice area and advises international companies on Brazilian economic and antitrust law. The practice is “one of the best” in Brazil as it is composed of a number of experienced partners.
Although traditional corporate practice areas are the mainstay of the firm’s work, it is highly praised for its trade and customs team, which features three lawyers. Cinthia Battilani is a “skilled” lawyer who “is one of the most active in this area in Brazil”. She specialises in trade policy and defence and works alongside the head of the international trade and tax practice groups Oswaldo Leite de Moraes Filho. He is a leading lawyer in both areas and comes highly recommended by peers and clients, as does the “bright and very competent” José Setti Diaz.
Two of the most recognisable banking lawyers according to clients are Roberto Luz Portella, a member of the firm’s executive board, and Eduardo Amaral Gurgel Kiss. Kiss “stands out for his professionalism” and Portella is noted for his “knowledge” of Brazilian banking law and regulations. The team has worked with some major clients including BTP, Rabobank Group and Banco BVA.
Leading environment lawyer Luiz Fernando Henry Sant’Anna is a “great litigator” and considered to be “one of the best”.
The firm has a market leading management labour and employment practice, headed by the “recognised” Vilma Kutomi, based in São Paulo, and the “prominent” Antonio Carlos Vianna de Barros. They work in a range of industries including health, engineering, IT and accounting.
