Brandão Couto, Widgerowitz e Pessoa Advogados

Senior Partners: Paulo Rogério Brandão Couto, Walter Wigderowitz Neto, Carlos Alexandre Guimarães Pessoa, Nalu Yunes Marones de Gusmão, Rodrigo Moura Faria Verdini, Gustavo A. Faria Cortines and Ricardo Siqueira Gonçalves
Number of other lawyers: 60

Firm Overview:
Brandão Couto, Wigderowitz & Pessoa Advogados (BCW) was established in 2007 as a spin off from one of the largest and most traditional law firms in Brazil. BCW endeavors to provide exclusive and tailor- made legal services in order to achieve the best results according to their clients’ particular needs in civil, commercial and administrative law. The firm represent clients in court litigation, arbitration and corporate matters and relies on a staff of highly experienced professionals. Besides its main offices, BCW has a network of correspondents all over the country, which allows the firm to serve its clients broadly in Brazil.

Main Areas of Practice:  

Litigation:
BCW is well known for its litigation practice, representing clients in the entire country before all levels of Federal and State Courts and State Entities, such as regulatory agencies. The firm has large experience in complex litigation, including class actions and corporate disputes and has also developed extensive and recognised experience for managing a large number of lawsuits.

ADR/Arbitration:
The firm represents clients as lead or co-counsel in domestic and international ADR proceedings, related to corporate, post M&A disputes, general commercial and contractual issues, among others.

Corporate/ M&A:
The firm advises local and foreign clients on several aspects of corporate activities, including formation of the different types of legal entities, corporate structure, mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganization, formation of joint ventures and full advisory on matters relating to shareholders rights and corporate governance.

Product Liability:
BCW has in depth knowledge of product liability litigation, including with cross-border implications. The product liability team has large experience in cases related to medical issues. For that matter, BCW has developed a broad network of medical doctors to be called upon as experts in several fields of medicine (for example: oncologists, pneumologists, cardiologists, clinicians, epidemiologists etc.).

Real Estate:
BCW provides advice to individuals or corporate entities in real estate deals in general: purchase, sale and lease agreements, real estate developments and construction agreements.

Electric Energy:
BCW provide judicial assistance with electric energy matters, and is well known for its litigation and arbitration proceedings related to EPC, equipment supply, power purchase and sale agreements, agreements for connection and use of power transmission and distribution systems, and other agreements related to the sector. The firm also provides legal assistance for the preparation and submission of bids in public concessions bidding process as well in obtaining the appropriate licenses. The firm's services involve also the support, drafting and negotiation of contracts related to the electricity sector. The firm operates in the following areas: Generation, Transmission and Distribution.

Consumer Law:
BCW is well known for its Consumer Law practice, representing clients in the entire country before all levels of Federal and State Courts and State Entities, such as regulatory agencies. The firm has large experience in managing a large number of lawsuits.

International Work:
BCW assists and represents several international clients and their Brazilian subsidiaries, including full assistance to the incorporation, development and structuring of their foreign investment in Brazil.

Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, French.

Clients:
Athos Finance S.A., Ball Corporation, Banco BBM S.A., Banco Bradesco S.A., Banco Citicard S.A., Beaumont & Son, Bolognesi Energia S.A., Catho On Line Ltda., Citibank S.A., Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional – CSN, Construtora Cury S.A., Cosan S.A., Docas Investimentos S.A., Elavon do Brasil Soluções de Pagamentos S.A., Elecnor do Brasil Ltda., Ericsson Telecomunicações S.A., Glaxosmithkline Brasil Ltda., Grupo Libra, Grupo Stratus, HT-Hidrotérmica S.A., HNK BR Indústria de Bebidas Ltda., Interligação Elétrica do Madeira S.A., Ipiranga Produtos de Petróleo S.A., JCN Patrimonial Ltda., Linha de Macapá Transmissora de Energia S.A., Merck S.A., Mercuria Energy Trading S.A., Mineração Taboca S.A., Mondelez Brasil Ltda. (Kraft Foods), Multiner S.A., Naturgy Group S.A., NC Energia S.A., Neoenergia S.A., Norte Brasil Transmissora de Energia S.A., Plascar Indústria de Componentes Plásticos Ltda., Redecard S.A., Reckitt Benckiser (Brasil) Ltda., Shell (Raízen Combustíveis S.A.), Siemens Ltda., Skanska Brasil Ltda., Souza Cruz S.A., Sul América Seguros S.A., Supervia S.A., Telefónica S.A., Unigranrio, União de Lojas Leader S.A. e Whirlpool S.A.