LAWYER PROFILE

Maria Fernanda Furtado Fernandes

Brazil 2026

Trench Rossi Watanabe

Ranked in 2 practice areas

Tax: Rio de Janeiro

Brazil

11 years ranked

Tax: Non-contentious

Brazil

8 years ranked

About

Provided by Trench Rossi Watanabe

Brazil: Regions

Practice Areas

Tax

Career

Maria Fernanda Furtado joined the Firm in 1996 and became a partner in 2006, leading the tax practice at the Rio de Janeiro office ever since. Acting on the energy, mining and infrastructure industries, Maria Fernanda has a wide breadth of experience in international taxation, mergers and acquisitions and indirect taxes. She is a speaker in several courses, conferences and seminars, both in Brazil (promoted by IBC, ABAMEC, CEAD, IBEF and FIRJAN) and abroad (International Drilling Association, Energy Forum, Baker McKenzie Latin American Tax Conference) with an emphasis on energy industry taxation, tax and indirect planning. From May 2024 to August 2025, Maria served as independent board member at Neoenergia S.A. She holds a Law degree from Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) and is certified as a Board Member through the Conselheiros de Administração 221ª Edição (221st Board Members Program) at IBGC/2024.

Publications

Author/co-author of several books/articles, such as:

- "No Brazilian withholding income tax on technical service payments to the Netherlands" coauthor with com Henny Verboom and C. Lutter - IBFD Bulletin.

- "Porque é urgente e preciso" - Article published at the Anuário da Indústria de Petróleo in Rio de Janeiro - FIRJAN.

- Contribution to articles to the Tax Planning International Review and Gazeta Mercantil.

- "Geração termoelétrica, crise Hídrica e o papel do Estado na concessão de incentivos fiscais" - co-author in the Article published by Brasil Energia Petróleo in 2018.

- "O Tratamento tributário do Cost Sharing Internacional no Brasil", co-author in the Article published at the book Current Issues in International Taxation.

- “Aspectos tributários de projetos de descarbonização: como a política tributária brasileira pode influenciar investimentos em ações para evitar, reduzir e compensar emissões de GEE” – article published at the book O Hoje e o Amanhã na Tributação das Energias.

- “A Inconstitucionalidade do Imposto Seletivo (IS) na Exportação de Petróleo” – co-author in the article to published at the book Questões Tributárias Atuais na Indústria de Óleo e Gás - Volume II - Reforma Tributária

Personal

Graduated from Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro with a degree in Law.

Brazil: Transactional

Practice Areas

Tax

Career

Maria Fernanda Furtado joined the Firm in 1996 and became a partner in 2006, leading the tax practice at the Rio de Janeiro office ever since. Acting on the energy, mining and infrastructure industries, Maria Fernanda has a wide breadth of experience in international taxation, mergers and acquisitions and indirect taxes. She is a speaker in several courses, conferences and seminars, both in Brazil (promoted by IBC, ABAMEC, CEAD, IBEF and FIRJAN) and abroad (International Drilling Association, Energy Forum, Baker McKenzie Latin American Tax Conference) with an emphasis on energy industry taxation, tax and indirect planning. Maria Fernanda serves as a Board Member of Neoenergia S.A. since May 2024.

Publications

Author/co-author of several books/articles, such as:

- "No Brazilian withholding income tax on technical service payments to the Netherlands" coauthor with com Henny Verboom and C. Lutter - IBFD Bulletin.

- "Porque é urgente e preciso" - Article published at the Anuário da Indústria de Petróleo in Rio de Janeiro - FIRJAN.

- Contribution to articles to the Tax Planning International Review and Gazeta Mercantil.

- "Geração termoelétrica, crise Hídrica e o papel do Estado na concessão de incentivos fiscais" - co-author in the Article published by Brasil Energia Petróleo in 2018.

- "O Tratamento tributário do Cost Sharing Internacional no Brasil", co-author in the Article published at the book Current Issues in International Taxation.

Personal

Graduated from Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro with a degree in Law.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Brazil: Transactional

Tax: Non-contentious - Brazil

Band 5

Individual Editorial

Maria Fernanda Furtado Fernandes is a seasoned partner on tax matters related to stake acquisition, transfer pricing and tax planning. Her work is particularly cherished by O&G and energy companies, which regularly retain her.

View ranking table

Chambers Brazil: Regions

Tax: Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

Band 2

Individual Editorial

Maria Fernanda Furtado Fernandes is a strong tax practitioner with a solid track record in transactional and non-contentious matters.

Learn more about this team View ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

I highlight Maria Fernanda Furtado's empathy and technique. She actively listens to every subject we discuss with her to offer the best solution, which greatly reassures us.
Tax: Non-contentiousChambers Brazil: Transactional
Maria Fernanda Furtado is a tax lawyer who has incredible expertise and knowledge of our sector.
Tax: Non-contentiousChambers Brazil: Transactional
I really like Maria Fernanda’s work. She is great in tax law and shows strong capability across other areas as well.
Tax: Rio de JaneiroChambers Brazil: Regions
Maria Fernanda is admired by the tax legal market and regarded as a role model in this area.
Tax: Rio de JaneiroChambers Brazil: Regions
Maria Fernanda Furtado demonstrate strong tax knowledge, good client service and a partnership-driven approach.
Tax: Rio de JaneiroChambers Brazil: Regions
Maria Fernanda delivers high-level work and acts as a reliable port of call in our tax matters. She is well-suited to leading strategic discussions, supporting relevant legal positions and operating in corporate environments with maturity.
Tax: Rio de JaneiroChambers Brazil: Regions