Corporate/M&A: The Elite | Global

BMA – Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão maintains a top-of-the-market M&A practice. Its experienced bench frequently assists domestic and international companies operating in a range of sectors, including energy, technology and education, with acquisitions of majority and minority stakes, mergers and divestments. The team also handles sensitive corporate governance issues arising from company reorganisations, with notable expertise in representing publicly listed companies. Its corporate offering is enhanced by the firm's strong merger control practice.

Cescon, Barrieu, Flesch & Barreto Advogados has a respected corporate department that demonstrates exceptional capabilities providing counsel to domestic and multinational companies from a myriad of industries, as well as private equity groups. It is particularly active in handling major transactions in the pharmaceutical, energy and healthcare sectors. It boasts an outstanding track record in M&A, with experience advising on hostile takeovers and strategic carve-outs. It is also well versed in domestic and cross-border deals involving publicly listed companies. It routinely assists with joint venture agreements and the formation of SPVs.

Machado Meyer is an acclaimed full-service firm with a respected corporate practice frequently retained by major private and publicly held Brazilian and multinational corporations to advise on high-value transactions. It has notable expertise in handling complex divestitures involving the privatisation of public assets. Its strong bench has in-depth experience advising on domestic and cross-border M&A, and is equally comfortable representing the buyer or the target. The firm also assists with post-transactional restructuring and ongoing corporate governance matters.

Mattos Filho is one of Brazil's most acclaimed law firms, and its front-running corporate practice plays a key role in ensuring the firm's prominence. The team advises a number of blue-chip companies and has top-notch expertise in handling complex matters for listed companies. Mattos Filho acts on many of the most prominent transactions in Brazil, and its bench strength is such that the firm is capable of handling multiple key transactions simultaneously. The department is a one-stop shop that benefits from the firm's leading expertise in a high number of industries and practices.

Pinheiro Neto Advogados is a long-standing market leader that responds to growing competition by increasing its capabilities. Its prime M&A team has led some of the most sophisticated deals in the country. The firm is particularly respected for advising prominent international clients with key businesses in Brazil. Its distinguished team handles complex deals and is noted for taking a long-term strategic approach to matters. Pinheiro Neto's multidisciplinary capabilities also make it one of the best-equipped firms in Brazil to handle a wide array of matters, from disputes to key regulatory issues.

Demarest Advogados is a highly regarded full-service firm with a sizeable corporate offering, frequently retained by major Brazilian and multinational corporations as well as private equity groups. It demonstrates strong transactional work advising on high-end and mid-market deals in an array of industries. It is well versed in cross-border M&A for both private and publicly held companies. It also assists with complex post-transactional corporate reorganisations as well as joint ventures.

Lefosse Advogados is an esteemed firm with a strong corporate practice representing key clients in a variety of high-end domestic and cross-border deals. The team excels in complex acquisitions of publicly listed companies and is also well equipped to handle corporate reorganisations, mergers and spin-offs. The lawyers have a solid track record of negotiating strategic joint venture agreements. Their client roster includes prestigious names from the beauty, energy and healthcare industries, as well as sovereign and private equity funds.

Stocche Forbes Advogados has a dynamic corporate practice with exceptional strength acting as counsel to Brazilian and international asset management firms and private equity funds, as well as their portfolio companies, on sophisticated M&A deals. It is also known to assist publicly listed multinational corporations with transactional and regulatory mandates. It has considerable expertise in the energy and infrastructure sector, as well as in the real estate and telecommunications fields.

Pinheiro Guimarães is a seasoned practice with a solid track record of acting for asset management firms, investment funds and major multinational banking groups on high-end and mid-market M&A and corporate finance deals. It also represents Brazilian and international companies, notably in the energy sector. Its lawyers are particularly adept at drafting stock purchase, joint venture and shareholder agreements. It has complementary strength in capital markets.

Full-service firm Trench Rossi Watanabe is skilled in acting on diverse corporate mandates ranging from share acquisitions and joint ventures to due diligence and reorganisations. The firm's impressive client portfolio comprises major players from the food, consumer goods, agribusiness, and oil and gas industries. It also benefits from its association with international firm Baker McKenzie to advise on cross-border transactions.

Veirano Advogados is a respected corporate player particularly noted for its experience handling sophisticated cross-border M&A in various sectors, notably education, technology and energy. Its sizeable team is also capable of assisting clients with the structuring of strategic joint ventures. It boasts a distinguished track record in foreign investment mandates, with significant activity involving asset deals and private equity funds, advising investors on complex transaction structures and share purchase agreements.

Spinelli Advogados has cultivated a respected practice adept at dealing with complex M&A operations and joint ventures. The firm is capable of providing assistance with the negotiation and drafting of agreements, and relevant capital markets and corporate governance issues. It is also familiar with buyers and sellers, including important private equity firms.

Tauil & Chequer Advogados in association with Mayer Brown is a solid and growing force in the market. The firm handles complex and high-end M&A, offering an international platform and the reach of a global firm. The team is occasionally seen on top deals and is building a solid portfolio of high-end cases.

TozziniFreire Advogados is a renowned full-service firm with extensive national coverage and a celebrated history in foreign investment mandates. It has noteworthy expertise representing multinational companies and private equity groups. It acts as local counsel on global M&A deals involving Brazilian assets. It also assists with strategic joint venture agreements and is increasingly active in venture capital work.