Vernalha Pereira

Vernalha Pereira is a leading firm in Project Development, focusing on the design, structuring, and implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects. Its expertise spans concessions, public-private partnerships (PPPs) and privatizations, supporting projects that transform essential public services across Brazil. The firm works closely with public entities, investors, and operators, offering comprehensive legal guidance from project conception and feasibility studies to contract negotiation and implementation. It stands out for establishing strategic partnerships with economic, financial, and engineering operators to design innovative, sustainable, and high-impact projects. Vernalha Pereira was responsible for the legal framework of the Cedae divestment in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s largest sanitation privatization, and continues to advise on strategic infrastructure and ESG-driven initiatives in sectors such as sanitation, gas, energy, highways, mobility, and logistics. Its client base includes BNDES, FGV, Equatorial, Rumo, Sanepar, Sulgas, Andrade Gutierrez, Pátria Investimentos and BRDE, reflecting the firm’s leadership in structuring transformative projects that drive Brazil’s development.

Vernalha Pereira is a full-service firm recognized for its high-level performance in Litigation and Arbitration, with complementary strength in Corporate, Commercial, and Regulatory disputes. The firm handles complex contentious matters involving Civil, Real Estate, Criminal, White-Collar, Labour, and Contractual Law, and is known for representing clients before Brazil’s higher courts (STF and STJ). Its litigation practice stands out for resolving high-stakes judicial and administrative claims, including credit recovery, consumer, and real estate registration cases. The team also assists clients in strategic proceedings before public and regulatory bodies, ensuring consistent representation across all business fronts. With a partner-driven structure and practical approach, Vernalha Pereira combines technical depth with business awareness. The firm advises national and international clients, including companies from the United States, France, and China, and is trusted by major players such as Petrobras, Positivo, BNDES, Bradesco Seguros, Grupo Petrópolis, Oi, Itaipu Binacional, Unimed, Andrade Gutierrez, and Queiroz Galvão.

Vernalha Pereira is a benchmark in Public Law, advising clients on high-impact matters involving the State, regulation, and administrative control. The firm acts in both contentious and advisory mandates, including public tenders, administrative contracts, compliance, and anti-corruption investigations. The team is recognized for its ability to navigate complex institutional environments, representing clients before oversight bodies, courts, and regulatory agencies such as ANTT, ANVISA, ANEEL, and BACEN. It is particularly sought after in cases involving administrative misconduct, public procurement, and accountability proceedings. Vernalha Pereira also advises on governance models, regulatory frameworks, and risk management for public entities and state-owned companies. Its experience in landmark matters, including Operation Car Wash, consolidates the firm’s reputation for precision, ethics, and strategic advocacy in the public sphere. Among its clients are BNDES, Petrobras, Itaipu Binacional, FGV, Sabesp, Copasa, and BRDE, which rely on the firm’s ability to combine institutional credibility and legal innovation.