Corporate/M&A (International Firms) | Global

New York firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates' worldwide practice has written, and continues to write, a special chapter in Brazil. The firm's dedicated São Paulo office is a port for clients to navigate the complexities of the Brazilian business landscape, while top international deals involving assets in Brazil or key Brazilian investment abroad get the full attention of Skadden's prime M&A team in New York. The firm handles the full spectrum of high-end corporate matters and has an enviable portfolio of complex and sophisticated deals in this market.

New York firm White & Case has not only built a formidable presence in Brazil, but also maintains a highly qualified team of Portuguese-speaking lawyers with experience in Brazil-related deals in its Houston, Madrid, Miami and New York offices. Its wide M&A offering is much admired by top Brazil clients, many of whom maintain a long-term relationship with the firm, which established and boosted its presence in the country before many of its peers in the market.

New York firm Davis Polk & Wardwell is frequently involved in top deals connected to the Brazilian market. The firm maintains an active and well-equipped office in São Paulo and also advises clients from its New York headquarters. It has an enviable portfolio of cases, having provided assistance to major players from the paper, oil and gas, power, banking and telecom industries, among others. Deals include mergers with a global impact over particular industries, complex joint venture agreements and market-changing privatisation deals.

New York firm Simpson Thacher & Bartlett maintains a strong presence in the Brazilian market advising on high-value M&A deals, cross-border joint venture agreements and innovative corporate matters, including investment rounds in the venture capital landscape. Its senior M&A teams in New York benefit from a fully equipped and partner-led office in São Paulo.

Clifford Chance joins the rankings this year after demonstrating skills in assisting domestic and international clients with cross-border M&A deals. It is also able to advise on joint ventures, corporate governance and investment and antitrust matters. It is often instructed by clients from the energy, banking, finance and pharma sectors. The lawyers of the team are based in New York and São Paulo.

New York firm Debevoise & Plimpton is active on transactions involving Brazilian assets. Noted for handling high-profile matters from its New York headquarters, the team is frequently sought after by Brazilian companies and investors to guide them through the cross-border aspects of deals. The firm maintains a solid client roster and is seen by market participants as a strong participant in the market.

Hogan Lovells justifies its inclusion in the rankings this year due to its work advising clients on M&A mandates, which include tasks such as negotiation of agreements and regulatory topics in relation to cross-border transactions. The firm is also well versed in corporate governance, and its clients are often active in the technology, healthcare and finance sectors. The team is based in São Paulo, New York and Washington.

Philadelphia firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius is active in Brazil, handling a range of corporate matters. Brazilian clients admire the firm's ability to drive cross-border mandates.

Los Angeles firm Paul Hastings maintains an active office in São Paulo. The team is noted by market participants for handling cross-border middle-market M&A deals. It is also able to provide advice on joint venture mandates.

Chicago firm Winston & Strawn LLP is building a presence in Brazil and recently opened an office in São Paulo. The firm maintains a solid client roster of Brazilian companies investing in assets in the USA. It also handles mergers and acquisitions involving assets in Brazil.