Lopes Pinto Advogados Associados

Firm Overview:
LP LAW is a firm that combines experience and dynamism, focusing on the specialisation in each of its partners, associates and professionals in their areas of expertise, with direct contact between the main partners of the firm and its clients.

Founded in 2001 and with the head office in Rio de Janeiro - RJ, the firm has a large network of correspondent firms in the major cities of Brazil and gives legal assistance to its clients in all Brazilian territory.

LP LAW adopts the boutique office concept and stands out in the legal scene with outstanding performances in the shipping and offshore oil and gas areas. The firm gives significant focus and expertise in shipping, regulatory, litigation and corporate issues.

Labour claims related to seafarers and port terminal employees are also an important area of the firm; including immigration services related to work permits and visas for crew-members of foreign vessels and oil platforms operating in Brazil.

The firm acts for Brazilians and foreign ship-owners, charterers, the offshore oil and gas industry, agents, logistics operators, port terminals and shipyards. The firm’s senior partner Alessander Lopes Pinto has participated in almost all major offshore navigation contracts and the establishment of several shipping companies in Brazil.

LP LAW's Maritime Law practice is one of the most renowned in Brazil. In view of firm´s extensive client list and the intensive offshore oil and gas exploration and production activities of the Brazilian National Oil Company, Petrobras', off the coast of Brazil, LP LAW provides legal support to tens of companies that do business with the NOC.

LP LAW’s teams of lawyers are organised and allocated in order to better meet the needs of its clients according to the areas of knowledge, experience and expertise of each involved professional.

The dedication and commitment of the firm, with full involvement of its partners, associates and professionals in defending the interests of each of its clients, is the most important principle that guides the work of the firm.

The constant search for quality through the highest standards of excellence in the legal assistance and services offered, makes LP Law a unique and personalised law firm. One where each client is unique.

Main Areas of Practice:
The firm has a multidisciplinary approach, technical expertise and dedicated service. With a client oriented perspective it creates an effective partnership, one offering security and full support in all legal aspects of the clients’ business and its operations.

Regulatory & Administrative:
The firm has wide experience in regulatory matters, assisting and representing its clients in the administrative proceedings before the National Agency for Waterway Transportation - ANTAQ, Special Secretariat of Ports (SEP), Brazilian Customs, Brazilian Maritime Authority and Admiralty Court. It gives legal assistance in the obtaining of authorisation to operate as a Brazilian Shipping Company, to charter foreign vessels to Brazil and to explore Private Port Terminals. The charter parties, sale and purchase agreements, and shipbuilding contracts enrollment are also part of the firm’s expertise in this area.

Offshore Oil & Gas:
LP Law provides legal assistance in all aspects of the offshore oil and gas industry. For example: bidding processes, Petrobras and other IOCs contracts (i.e. charter parties, services agreements), Vessel’s and oil rig’s temporary importation and special customs regime REPETRO and their clearance to operate in Brazilian Waters.

Labour & Immigration:
LP Law has an important area of practice in specialised shipping and port labour litigation and the prevention of demands on Brazilian labour courts. The firm also offers important legal assistance in obtaining work permits and visas for foreigners in Brazil. It has a broad list of related services and specialised legal assistance in immigration matters to foreign companies and their expatriates, foreign crew of their vessels and offshore oil rigs operating in Brazil.

Litigation:
The firm represents clients in different kinds of disputes connected with shipping and offshore oil and gas contracts; such as controversies over commercial agreements, personal injury claims, civil liabilities and arrest of vessels.

Arbitration:
The firm participated in several important domestic Arbitration Panels. With relevant results to the sector as the precedent imposing to the Brazilian Federal Government its obligation to comply with the Arbitration Clause in its contracts.

International Work:
The firm has clients from all over the world, such as several international shipping owners. The firm and its partners are fully involved with the Ibero American Maritime Law Institute (IIDM), with a firm wide network in all Latin and Ibero American countries. Alessander Lopes Pinto is the former vice president to Brazil of the IIDM (2016-2018).

Languages:
English, Portuguese, Spanish.

Clients:
Tsakos Group, Wilson Sons Offshore, V. Ships Group, Enauta Energia, Jumbo Offshore, Dommo Energia.