Veirano Advogados

CHAMBERS
Chambers Latin America 2011
A N D P A R T N E R S
VEIRANO ADVOGADOS
BANKING & FINANCE - BAND 3
The Firm: This full-service firm houses a banking and finance practice with extensive experience in domestic
and cross-border financing transactions. In order to strength its international reach, the firm counts on its strong
relationship with major US and European law firms. Prominent clients include IFC, the European Investment
BANKING & FINANCE (BAND 3)
Bank (EIB) and Lloyds TSB but the team is also particularly strong among the telecoms, oil and gas, power and
Gilberto Deon Corrêa Junior (Band 4)
mining sectors. As such, recent highlights include assisting TIM Participações in connection with its EUR2
Marcelo Ribeiro Mattos (Band 3)
billion EIB-financed expansion of a GSM network and the roll-out of a UMTS mobile network.
Sources say: “The team combines technical excellence with the efficient management of all cases it is sent. The
Sergio Bronstein (Band Up and Coming)
BANKRUPTCY/RESTRUCTURING (BAND 4)
Gilberto Deon Corrêa Junior (Band 3)
firm also has a great ability to understand a client's business as well as the significance to clients of the matters
with which they are entrusted.”
Key Individuals: Marcelo Ribeiro Mattos is much extolled for “addressing clients' requests promptly and
according to their needs.” He is especially experienced in shipping finance. Gilberto Deon Corrêa Junior is
described as a “terrific lawyer, very intelligent, meticulous and with deep knowledge of insolvency law." Sergio
COMPETITION/ANTITRUST (BAND 3)
Bronstein was recently made partner and is commended by peers and clients as a “highly promising lawyer.”
Mariana Villela (Band 3)
BANKRUPTCY/RESTRUCTURING - BAND 4
This full-service firm fields a dedicated, multidisciplinary team for bankruptcy and restructuring work. Comprising
CORPORATE/M&A (BAND 2)
four partners, nine lawyers and one consultant spread across the firm’s São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília and
Fabio Amaral Figueira (Band Up and Coming)
Porto Alegre offices, it impresses with “the quality of its services, availability and attention to detail.” With a client
Ricardo Camargo Veirano (Band 3)
roster that includes several financial institutions, the group mainly represents creditors. Recent headline work
Robson Goulart Barreto (Band 3)
includes assisting the IFC with the liquidation of Chapecó Companhia Industrial de Alimentos, and advising The
Bank of New York Mellon on the restructuring of Agrenco do Brasil. National head of practice Gilberto Deon Corrêa
DISPUTE RESOLUTION: ARBITRATION (BAND 2)
Pedro Soares Maciel (Band 4)
DISPUTE RESOLUTION: LITIGATION (BAND 2)
Carlos Fernando Couto de Oliveira Souto (Band 3)
Junior stands out for his “high technical capacity, careful analyses and client care skills.”
COMPETITION/ANTITRUST - BAND 3
This team is respected for its considerable experience across the full range of competition matters, and maintains a
consistent position in an unstable market. The well-structured team recently obtained clearances for ScheringPlough's acquisition of the human and animal healthcare business of Akzo Nobel, and represented BHP Billiton in
the restructuring of its holdings of RBM, a joint venture for mineral extraction. Clients say: "This team shows mature
Daniel Coelho (Band Up and Coming)
technical knowledge, and the fact that all lawyers have an excellent command of English made things a lot easier."
Guilherme Rizzo Amaral (Band Associate to Watch)
Mariana Villela co-heads the practice and is highly regarded by clients and peers alike. Sources say that she is a
Paula Abreu (Band Associate to Watch)
"tremendous lawyer: very down-to-earth and pragmatic."
ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES: MINING (BAND 1)
CORPORATE / M&A - BAND 2
The Firm: This firm impresses clients with its technical quality and client-care skills. The team comprises 14
Carlos Americo Ferraz e Castro (Band 1)
Pedro Aguiar de Freitas (Band 2)
partners, 46 lawyers and two consultants, distributed among Veirano's Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasília and Porto
Alegre offices. Recent highlights saw the firm advise Indian entity Shree Renuka Sugars as it took over Vale do Ivaí
Pedro Andrés Garcia (Band Associate to Watch)
and then bought a controlling stake in Grupo Equipav.
Sources say: “The firm is building itself into a brand through serious application. It's excellent on the M&A side, with
ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES: OIL & GAS (BAND 1)
lawyers who are easy to work with, helpful and dedicated."
“The quality of the work is beyond question and the lawyers are very focused on client service. They are attentive,
Alexandre Bittencourt Calmon (Band Associate to Watch)
always available and ready to help, and easy to get hold of in an emergency."
Key Individuals: Robson Goulart Barreto is praised for offering “leadership skills and international experience,
Luis Fernando Ayres de Mello Pacheco (Band 2)
alongside the ability to deliver results." Ricardo Camargo Veirano is commended for the all-round excellence of his
Roberto dos Santos Carneiro (Band 3)
corporate work while Fabio Amaral Figueira is well regarded for his specialisation in the M&A arena.
ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES: POWER (BAND 3)
DISPUTE RESOLUTION: ARBITRATION - BAND 2
This is "a firm of initiative, flexibility and reliability,” say clients. Its lawyers are able to take part in arbitrations before
Roberto Rudzit Neto (Band 4)
the most important institutions, both in Brazil and overseas. The team handles matters in an array of sectors,
including aviation, construction, oil and gas, mining and financial services. Sources praise “the technical ability and
ENVIRONMENT (BAND 2)
Ana Luci Esteves Grizzi (Band Associate to Watch)
Kárim Ozon (Band Up and Coming)
dedication of its lawyers – they are very skilled at grasping clients’ needs, and they are proactive and fast to deliver a
complete solution.” Recent highlights include representing a large electricity company in Brazil in an arbitration
and in a related precautionary measure before a Civil Trial Court regarding a contractual dispute of BRL36 million.
Pedro Soares Maciel is “a fine arbitration and litigation lawyer who can also handle complex corporate
transactions. He is a leader in the firm and legal community, and a very pleasant person,” sources say.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (BAND 2)
Leticia Provedel (Band Associate to Watch)
Valdir de Oliveira Rocha Filho (Band 2)
DISPUTE RESOLUTION: LITIGATION - BAND 2
Veirano Advogados has a strong litigation team, with around 65 lawyers who are able to deal with complex disputes,
spread throughout offices in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasília, Porto Alegre and Ribeirão Preto. According to
clients, the firm's main strength is “its ability to combine technical excellence with efficient management.” Recent
INTERNATIONAL TRADE/WTO (BAND 1)
Ana Teresa Caetano (Band 1)
Claudia Marques (Band 3)
work highlights include representing a major petrochemical company in a lawsuit filed by a minority shareholder
who had been impeding a merger in the petrochemical industry. Carlos Fernando Couto de Oliveira Souto has
“fantastic knowledge and customer focus. His dedication and commitment to clients are unparalleled,” according
to sources. Daniel Coelho “stands out for his readiness to offer great client service at practically any time of the day,
and for his technical prowess,” clients say. Guilherme Rizzo Amaral is praised for “his solid academic credentials,
LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT (BAND 2)
despite his youth. He is a real fighter, without being heavy handed,” clients say. Paula Abreu is also much applauded
José Carlos Wahle (Band 2)
for “going the extra mile to attend to clients’ interests.”
Luiz Guilherme Moraes Rego Migliora (Band 2)
Maria Luisa Soter (Band 4)
MINING - BAND 1
With over 30 years' experience in the sector, Veirano has a well-established mining practice and is applauded for
MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT (BAND 3)
Janeiro headquarters, the mining team also includes lawyers from the São Paulo, Brasília and Porto Alegre offices;
the “excellent technical standard of its team, timely responses and assertiveness.” Mainly based at the Rio de
Dirceu Santa Rosa (Band Associate to Watch)
it has a total of six partners and approximately 20 associates. Veirano focuses on transactional and financing mining
issues, in addition to covering tax, environment and regulatory aspects. Clients include renowned corporations
such as Vale, Xstrata Falconbridge and Norsk Hydro. Carlos Americo Ferraz e Castro is an illustrious name in the
PRODUCT LIABILITY (BAND 1)
team and has over 30 years' experience in the sector. Pedro Aguiar de Freitas is a former general counsel of Vale.
José Carlos Wahle (Band 2)
He is a lawyer of the “highest reputation. He has the experience and business acumen to provide invaluable advice
Luiz Guilherme Moraes Rego Migliora (Band 1)
to clients on many different subject matters.” Pedro Andrés Garcia is a young associate who impresses with his
Rosângela Soares Delgado (Band Up and Coming)
diligent and client-oriented approach.
PROJECTS (BAND 2)
OIL & GAS - BAND 1
This firm hails from Brazil’s traditional oil and gas capital, Rio de Janeiro, and is still number one in the field. One of its
Ana Carolina Barreto (Band Associate to Watch)
Ricardo Camargo Veirano (Band 3)
Robson Goulart Barreto (Band 3)
key strengths is its ability to approach large transactions with a multidisciplinary team of specialists covering
technical oil and gas matters as well as other related areas, such as corporate, litigation, tax and environment. Its
prestigious local and international clients are attracted by the firm’s experience, reputation for excellence and
quality work, although improved timeliness could boost the service further still. Luis Fernando Ayres de Mello
Pacheco heads the oil and gas practice group and has been closely involved in project financing for the sector and
REAL ESTATE (BAND 4)
Daniela Truzzi Prieto (Band Associate to Watch)
farm in/farm out agreements. Roberto dos Santos Carneiro is an experienced associate and former head of legal at
Petrobras Internacional; he focuses on contracts for concessions and production-sharing agreements. Alexandre
Bittencourt Calmon is a key figure in the department with particular expertise in regulatory work.
SHIPPING (BAND 3)
Marcelo Ribeiro Mattos (Band 3)
Otavio Borges Carneiro (Band 3)
POWER - BAND 3
Well known for its oil and gas and mining expertise, Veirano Advogados also has an established power practice.
The team has expertise advising on generation, transmission and distribution. It also has in-depth knowledge of the
renewable energy industry. The team comprises six partners and approximately 20 associates located in Rio de
TAX (BAND 3)
Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasília and Porto Alegre. Higlights include advising Construtora Andrade Gutierrez in
connection with its participation in the Belo Monte hydropower project, and assisting CEMIG with the acquisition of
Abel Amaro (Band 3)
shares in the corporate capital of a major power generation company. Practice co-head Roberto Rudzit Neto is the
André de Souza Carvalho (Band 5)
leading name on many of the firm's most important transactions.
Ian Muniz (Band 2)
ENVIRONMENT - BAND 2
This firm continues to consolidate its reputation as an important player in environment law with teams located in Rio
TAX: LITIGATION
de Janeiro, São Paulo, Porto Alegre and Brasília. Clients consistently praise the firm’s high-quality work and client
Henry Lummertz (Band 4)
service, which is reflected in its new position in the ranking. The department's core activities are liability, licences,
compliance and contracts, together with litigation. Seizing the opportunities presented by growing global
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY (BAND 3)
Dirceu Santa Rosa (Band Associate to Watch)
Robson Goulart Barreto (Band 3)
awareness of climate change, the firm also advises on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest
degradation (REDD) and Clean Development Mechanism projects. Kárim Ozon is a respected environment lawyer,
who is currently on maternity leave. Ana Luci Limonta Esteves Grizzi is co-ordinating the national practice group at
present. She wins praise for her knowledge and participation in events and seminars on environment matters.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY - BAND 2
This full-service firm houses a much-acclaimed IP department. "The expertise and client service on offer make it an
excellent choice for IP," according to sources. Veirano benefits from a team of lawyers and consultants for
administrative and litigation matters, but also counts a number of technicians, including chemists, biotechnologists
and pharmacologists, working within its patent department. The practice is headed by Valdir de Oliveira Rocha
Filho, who is acclaimed for his vast experience and litigation skills. Leticia Provedel specialises in trade marks; "she
is confident and responsive with a good background in IP," clients note.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE / WTO - BAND 1
This firm features an outstanding international trade team which successfully acted for ABEF (Brazilian
Association of Chicken Producers & Exporters) and Brasil Foods, two of the country's most significant exporters, at
the WTO. In addition, it advised Braskem, Latin America's largest petrochemical company, in a dumping
investigation against imports of polypropylene from the USA and India. Clients say: "The team is of the highest
standard and exceeds our expectations. Lawyers are swift, come up with timely responses, keep us informed and
ask our permission and opinion before undertaking an operation which might incur additional charges for the
company. The number of attorneys working in the department is also a plus as it allows them to draw on their various
areas of specialism." Ana Teresa Caetano heads this winning department and is described as "brilliant and quick:
she provides excellent advice and displays total commitment and in-depth understanding of this field." Claudia
Marques works very closely with Caetano and is a remarkable international trade attorney in her own right.
LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT - BAND 2
This full-service firm is "clearly of an international standard," according to clients who note a number of outstanding
practice groups, including the talented labour and immigration team. Luiz Guilherme Moraes Rego Migliora is an
experienced practitioner with a pragmatic style, and clients praise José Carlos Wahle for his strategic approach
and affable manner. Maria Luisa Soter is a former trial judge from the labour courts, and clients value her in-depth
expertise, international approach, and exceptional language skills.
MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT - BAND 3
The media and entertainment team at this full-service firm provides extensive legal advice to the music, television, film, theatre and video games industries. The firm's clientele is
a mix of content producers, major music labels, local artists and game developers for mobile phones. It also advises foreign football clubs and players on image rights issues. As
an illustration of its performance, the team is advising Terra Networks do Brasil on litigation procedures against ECAD regarding on-demand music streaming services. Associate
Dirceu Santa Rosa is appreciated by clients for "his prompt responses and easy-to-understand advice."
PRODUCT LIABILITY - BAND 1
Veirano Advogados impresses clients with its highly qualified lawyers and its ability to fulfil international clients’ expectations. Its product liability team is part of the dispute
resolution department and has a total of seven partners and 25 associates divided between the Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasília and Porto Alegre offices. The team's client
portfolio includes renowned multinational corporations such as Nokia, Dell and Philip Morris. Luiz Guilherme Moraes Rego Migliora is described by sources as a "brilliant lawyer
- extremely well qualified and understands the importance of swift and effective responses." José Carlos Wahle "is very knowledgeable, thorough and a strategic thinker. He is
also a pleasure to work with," according to sources. Rosângela Soares Delgado is a “very clever and responsive lawyer, with excellent English language skills," clients say.
PROJECTS - BAND 2
Celebrated for its finance and energy practices, the firm's full-service status allows it to cover the full range of projects work. This spans contracts, agreements and financial
structuring as well as regulatory guidance to public and private entities, including sponsors and developers. The firm has a particularly strong presence in projects through its Rio
de Janeiro headquarters, with support provided by offices in São Paulo, Brasília and Porto Alegre. Clients hail the “excellent service and business-oriented advice.” Corporate
partner Ricardo Camargo Veirano is proficient in banking, capital markets and M&A, making him a valuable all-rounder for projects, especially on the finance side. Robson
Goulart Barreto is another skilled corporate lawyer accustomed to working on international transactions. Ana Carolina Barreto is "young, effective and a very skilled lawyer simply outstanding.”
REAL ESTATE - BAND 4
This excellent full-service firm goes from strength to strength and has a growing real estate team comprising 19 lawyers. Sources say: “The lawyers are proactive, very skilled at
grasping what you need, and quick at delivering a complete solution.” Recent highlights include advising a Brazilian logistics company on issues related to the creation of an
industrial district in the South-Eastern region of Brazil and on discussions with municipal and state authorities regarding expropriation and acquisition of lands and zoning
matters. Daniela Truzzi Prieto is a “dynamic young associate, with good experience in the area of real estate,” according to clients.
SHIPPING - BAND 3
This full-service firm is best known for its activities in energy and natural resources, international trade, banking and finance and corporate/M&A, but is also strong in maritime
law. This team comprises three partners and five associates spread between the firm's Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo offices. It has ten years' experience in local and crossborder ship finance and related matters, and its client roster includes BW Offshore AS, Caterpillar Financial Services and Estaleiro Atlântico Sul. Highlights include assisting BW
Offshore AS with the bid procedure for the construction of an FPSO stationary production unit for Petrobras. Marcelo Ribeiro Mattos and Otavio Borges Carneiro are praised by
sources for their "expertise and efficiency."
TAX - BAND 3
Veirano Advogados fields a 40-lawyer tax department across its São Paulo, Rio, Brasília, Ribeirão Preto and Porto Alegre offices. The team offers consulting and litigation counsel
for complex tax matters and is particularly active in the energy and natural resources sectors due to the firm's overall exposure to the industry. Recent highlights includes
conducting all tax consulting for CESTE (Consórcio Estreito de Energia Elétrica), the largest energy structural project currently underway in Brazil, run by a consortium
comprising BHP Billiton, SUEZ, Vale, Alcoa and Camargo Correa. Ian Muniz leads the practice and is “an experienced lawyer who combines great understanding of the
complexities of Brazil’s tax system with a practical approach towards finding solutions.” Abel Amaro is commended as a key member of the team, specialising in VAT and excise
tax, while André de Souza Carvalho focuses on international taxation. Henry Lummertz stands out for his client-oriented approach: “His level of dedication and commitment to
clients is unparalleled.”
TELECOMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY - BAND 3
This full-service firm has a compact but efficient department strongly focused on technology. The majority of the firm's clients are international companies that seek legal
assistance to develop their business in the country, but the group also handles day-to-day regulatory work. Highlights from the past year include assisting Terra Networks Brazil
with Internet-related litigation. Robson Goulart Barreto is highly recommended for his telecoms work and versatility, while Dirceu Santa Rosa is appreciated for his client service
skills.