Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados > Sao Paulo, Brazil > Firm Profile

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados > The Legal 500 Rankings

Brazil > Banking and finance

Home to one of the premier banking and finance practices in Brazil, Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados handles the full array of lending and structured finance transactions at the domestic and international levels. In addition to its solid transactional skills, the group is also proficient in administrative litigation and regulatory matters, often advising financial institutions and payment services companies on banking and payment regulations, foreign exchange, anti-money laundering issues and authorisations by the Central Bank and the Brazilian Securities Exchange Commission (CVM). Practice head Eduardo Avila de Castro and Nei Schilling Zelmanovits are key names to note for regulatory issues pertaining to the banking sector. Project finance and structured transactions in the transport, logistics and mining industries are key areas of activity for Adriano Schnur, while Renato Gomes Ribeiro Maggio stands out for his extensive experience in debt restructurings and special situations matters. Fully devoted to the banking sector, Rafael Carretero handles a mix of syndicated loans, debt restructurings, derivatives issues, and M&A.

City focus - Brasilia > Litigation Tier 1

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is a recognised authority in litigation, with vast experience acting before the superior and administrative courts on behalf of clients from the retail, banking, energy, and real estate sectors. Within the litigation sphere, the practice specialises in dispute resolution matters, particularly relating to debt and pension disputes, although it has a breadth of capabilities ranging from public civil actions to environmental licensing disputes. Cristiane Romano fronts the department and has extensive expertise in judicial and administrative disputes before the Supreme Court, the Superior Court of Justice, CARF, and other regulatory entities. Another vital member of the team is tax specialist Diana Piatti Lobo, who handles an array of tax-related cases such as state tax benefits, transfer pricing, and COFINS credits. The group also benefits from the expertise of João Vitor Luke Reis who is regarded for his experience acting before the Federal Justice, the Federal Supreme Court, and regulatory bodies.

Brazil > Corporate and M&A: High-end Tier 1

Offering legal support to an impressive client roster comprising Brazilian and international companies, financial investors, governmental entities, pension and investment funds, Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados excels in big-ticket transactions at the domestic and international level. Its varied workload features public M&A, PE deals, joint ventures, asset divestments and privatisations in a wide range of industries, including financial services, retail, education, agribusiness, mining, telecoms and energy. The practice is under the joint leadership of Arthur Bardawil Penteado, who handles a combination of domestic and cross-border M&A, PE and corporate restructuring matters, and Guilherme Bueno Malouf, whose expertise covers share and asset deals, mergers, joint ventures and PE investments. Corporate law, governance and M&A specialist Adriana Pallis is a key point of contact for public listed and private companies, which also regularly turn to Mauro Cesar Leschziner for legal advice. Ivandro Maciel Sanchez Junior heads up the Latin American and Iberian desks, assisting several Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American clients with their investments in Brazil.

Energy and natural resources > Electricity (and renewable energy)

A stellar track record in transactions and project development sees Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados as first recourse for investors and corporations engaged in complex deals in the power industry. Harnessing extensive experience in corporate and administrative law, as well as project finance and development, the team is frequently retained to advise on joint ventures facilitating the construction and operation of power projects, the structuring and financing of self-production by equivalence projects with PPAs indexed to US dollars, and M&A transactions. Leadership of the São Paulo practice is shared between infrastructure and energy projects specialist Ana Karina Souza, who ‘stands out for her wealth of experience and substantial knowledge of the energy industry’, Paulo Machado, whose ‘ability to quickly understand the nuances of specific project challenges and present tailored solutions’ shines in regulation, project financing, and the structuring of transactions, and Laura Souza, who, in addition to clients in the generation, distribution, transmission, and trading segments, supports large size consumers in the energy-intensive industrial area. At the senior associate level, constitutional and administrative law experts Heloisa Zerbinatti Sato and Luisa Andrade Costa e Silva Rodrigues assist with M&A, project structuring, and international entities intending to engage in activities in Brazil.

Brazil > Labour and employment Tier 1

Covering both contentious and non-contentious labour, Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados‘ team ‘is made up of professionals with complementary specialties in litigation, consultancy, union negotiations and labour audits‘. Typical mandates for the practice include administrative and judicial proceedings, collective bargaining agreements, class actions and internal investigations. Department leader Andrea Giamondo Massei Rossi is active in labour litigation, showcasing particular strength in mandates involving executives and compensation structures. Highlighted for her track record in ‘extremely delicate and complex issues with a high impact on the reputational aspects of companies‘, Caroline Marchi is often engaged in trade union matters and cases before the Labour Prosecution Office. Rodrigo Seizo Takano is singled out for his experience in negotiations with unions and the labour authorities. Daniel Dias specialises in administrative and judicial disputes. Murilo Caldeira Germiniani focuses on consulting work, including hiring and termination procedures, immigration issues and the employment aspects of transactions. Daniel Alves dos Santos is no longer at the firm.

Brazil > Projects and infrastructure Tier 1

'First-class full-service firm' Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is home to a market-leading projects team that brings together expertise in corporate, regulatory and administrative law to advise on the financing and development of consequential infrastructure and energy projects in Brazil. M&A involving regulated sectors and public bid procedures concerning concessions and public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the transport and sanitation segments are other core areas of activity for the group. José Virgilio Lopes Enei  - a veteran in project finance, M&A and PPPs in the transport, energy, sanitation, urban and social infrastructure spaces - spearheads the practice. Mauro Bardawil Penteado is the trusted adviser to major financial institutions, private companies, pension funds and private equity firms in relation to project finance and development, concessions and private investments in regulated sectors. José Ribeiro do Prado Júnior specialises in financial transactions, PPPs, and administrative law, while Alberto Faro is singled out for his experience in project finance and construction contracts. Rafael Contin 'is an excellent lawyer for complex contracts and litigation preparation'.

Brazil > Public law Tier 1

'A reference when it comes to public law', full-service firm Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados stands out for its 'notable specialisation in corporate law matters', which it applies to mandates involving interactions between the public and private sectors. The group combines strong capabilities in PPP arrangements, public bids, concessions and high-stakes litigation before the constitutional courts and public authorities, and has been particularly active in the transport, energy, sanitation and education spaces. In addition to concessions and PPPs in regulated sectors, practice head José Virgilio Lopes Enei focuses on project finance and M&A in the transport, energy, urban and social infrastructure segments. Lucas Sant'Anna brings a wealth of experience in public tenders, administrative contracts and related disputes, while Rafael Vanzella is noted for his expertise in regulatory, transactional, and public procurement matters. Pedro Saullo offers key support in the structuring of partnerships between private and public entities.

Brazil > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 1

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados‘ restructuring and insolvency department – noted for ‘in-depth knowledge of complex topics’ – is a key adviser to major players from the banking and financial sectors. The team is especially active in judicial restructuring mandates, often advising on debt restructurings, challenges to liability and payment of debts, and negotiations with third parties. Drawing on the firm’s stellar transactional capabilities, the team also shines in distressed deals. The group is jointly led by Renato Maggio, who maintains a broad practice focused on restructuring transactions, extrajudicial recoveries and special situation cases, and Renata Martins De Oliveira, commended for her ‘great litigation skills’ which she employs in insolvency and reorganisation disputes. In addition, Adriano Schnur is a contact for transactional work, with a special focus on the transport and logistics industries. Camilo Torres Gerosa Gomes has been praised for being ‘prepared to tackle complex cases’, debt restructurings, distressed fundraisings and extrajudicial recoveries. Marcos Costa is another key member of the team, who has recently advised on judicial reorganisations in the retail, mining and outsourcing sectors.

Tax > Tax advisory Tier 1

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is home to a sizeable tax practice that is well versed in the entire scope of mandates, covering direct and indirect taxes, customs and import duties. Drawing on the firm's strong transactional footprint, the team is often seen handling the tax aspects and risks of M&A, financing and capital markets deals on behalf of domestic and international clients operating in the retail, telecoms, energy, pharmaceutical, financial services and agribusiness sectors, among others. Its tax litigation credentials are also noteworthy; the department possesses an impressive track record in complex disputes at the administrative and judicial levels. A name to note for tax constitutional matters, Marcelo Fortes leads the practice. Tax procedural law specialist Daniella Zagari Gonçalves is a reference for strategic cases, while Raquel Novais is noted for her significant experience in tax consulting - including the structuring of new investments, corporate restructurings, M&A and contractual arrangements - as well as litigation. Fernando Tonanni is another key contact for non-contentious tax issues, as is Bruna Marrara, who specialises in direct taxes and international taxation. Marco Antonio Gomes Behrndt focuses on judicial and administrative tax disputes, while Celso Costa concentrates on transfer pricing and the tax aspects of cross-border transactions and reorganisations.

Tax > Tax litigation Tier 1

Brazil > Transport: Aviation Tier 1

‘A reference firm in the field of aviation‘, Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados has strong transactional and corporate law capabilities, and has played a prominent role in the restructuring of major airlines and their subsidiaries. In addition to major local airlines, the team’s client base also features other companies which are involved in the aviation sector, such as e-commerce clients, banks, and other investors. Regulatory issues involving drones are a key area of growth for the practice, which has been increasingly advising clients on operating drones and ensuring they are compliant with Brazilian law. Fabio Falkenburger, who specialises in aircraft purchases and sales, as well as leasing and financing matters, oversees the department. ‘Promising associate‘ Vitor Barbosa is well versed in the financing, leasing and sale of aircraft, and airport franchise matters.

Brazil > Capital markets Tier 2

Praised for its 'high knowledge of the market' and 'problem-solving capacity', Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados boasts an impressive track record in debt and equity capital markets matters, covering the public offering of shares, debentures, commercial papers and other securities in Brazil and abroad. Major corporate issuers, shareholders and underwriters routinely seek the team's advice on a host of transactions and regulatory matters concerning listed companies operating in an array of sectors, from infrastructure to retail. Belo Horizonte-based Gustavo Rugani is a key figure for both capital markets transactions and corporate governance issues; he heads up the department with Arthur Bardawil Penteado in São Paulo. Gustavo Secaf Rebello focuses on ECM deals and M&A involving listed companies, while Raphael Zono specialises in debt offerings. Alessandra de Souza Pinto, who handles both variable and fixed income capital markets deals, is another name to note in the team.

Brazil > Competition and antitrust Tier 2

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados‘ competition and antitrust group possesses notable strength in advising on merger filings of significant corporate transactions, including domestic and cross-border deals. In addition to merger control matters in the banking, construction, consumer goods, education, energy, food and beverages, and healthcare segments, among others, the team also excels in cartel and abuse of dominance investigations, and in the negotiation of leniency and settlement agreements. Leading the antitrust department is Maria Eugênia Novis, who focuses on merger reviews, investigations and negotiations with CADE. Managing partner Tito Amaral de Andrade has a wealth of experience in antitrust investigations and competition litigation. Ana Bátia Glenk is recommended for her strong performance in settlements and leniency agreements before CADE and also often assists with antitrust and compliance training.

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Arbitration Tier 2

Owing to its full-service structure, the arbitration practice at Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is skilled at advising on a range of local and cross-jurisdictional disputes, including those pertaining to the financial services, energy, real estate, TMT and construction industries. The team has a strong track record in arbitral mandates involving shareholder, investment, and contractual disputes. Eliane Cristina Carvalho directs the arbitration practice, employing her extensive experience in civil, commercial and corporate disputes in the resolution of complex contentious matters. With extensive experience in civil liability, contractual and restructuring disputes, Gisela Ferreira Mation is seen with great regularity in arbitral proceedings concerning the oil and gas, construction and energy sectors. In addition, associates Leandro Felix and Antonia Quintella de Azambuja are routinely engaged in domestic and international proceedings arising from post-M&A conflicts and shareholder liabilities.

Brazil > Dispute Resolution: Litigation Tier 2

The ‘competent, diligent, punctual’ Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados' practice is proficient in complex domestic and international litigation matters, ranging from shareholder to consumer law disputes. The firm is a strong performer in corporate and commercial judicial proceedings, and represents clients from several industries, including automotive, mining, technology, pharmaceuticals, banking, and aviation. The team is led by Eduardo Perazza De Medeiros, a specialist in mandates pertaining to technology and digital law. Focused on the prevention and settlement of disputes before the Brazilian courts, Eliane Cristina Carvalho and Gláucia Mara Coelho are both highly proficient in civil and commercial claims. These are also key specialisms for Marcos Costa, who is also active in consumer and aviation contentious matters. Patrícia Yuriko Matsubara handles judicial, administrative and arbitration proceedings, including matters before the superior courts.

Energy and natural resources > Hydrocarbons Tier 2

An instrumental player in the Petrobras divestment process in recent years, Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados continues to be at the vanguard of the opening of the onshore E&P, gas and refinery markets, holding favour with traditional oil and gas giants as well as emerging E&P independents. M&A, greenfield projects, and debt-related transactions are common fare for the practice, which is also poised to assist large consumers with projects seeking to lower cost with gas as input. The team is led by Daniel Szyfman, whose ample experience is valued by both new investors contemplating entrance into the industry and established players considering expansion of core businesses into new markets such as biomethane. Maria Fernanda Soares finds her niche in natural and renewable gases, and has developed expertise in biomethane projects and the hydrogen industry, while Fernando Xavier is firmly entrenched in the E&P and downstream domain, advising on E&P asset negotiations, administrative litigation, complex regulatory matters, and greenfield biofuels projects. The senior associate ranks are filled out by Raphael Barboza Correia, an E&P, natural gas, and downstream specialist who advises on M&A transactions and regulatory advice, and Mariana Campos, who, having joined the firm in August 2023 from Souto Correa Advogados, brings with her acknowledged expertise in midstream and downstream regulatory matters. Mariele Milhorance focuses on natural gas, LNG, and the energy transition.

Brazil > Environment Tier 2

Able to ‘master complex environmental issues’, Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is a force in the structuring of complex M&A transactions and projects, facilitating client needs across the spectrum of biodiversity, climate change, ESG, green finance, and environmental liability concerns, particularly in relation to the mining, steel, energy, chemical, agribusiness, and forestry sectors. Operating out of São Paulo, the team is also frequently engaged in crisis management and negotiations with regulatory bodies. Practice head Roberta Danelon Leonhardt, who also co-leads the firm’s multidisciplinary crisis management and ESG groups, is an exceptional talent in both contentious and non-contentious matters and highly sought out for her experience in potentially polluting projects, liability analysis, and identification and management of environmental risks. Eduardo Ferreira is ‘a born strategist’, whose ‘quick thinking and assertiveness’ shines in administrative and judicial litigation. Associate Thais Ferreira Moreno is a key contact for ESG and climate change matters, while Camila Argentino Silva Ribeiro Scopel excels in public civil actions relating to the food and beverage, pulp and paper, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries.

Brazil > Insurance Tier 2

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados ‘s ‘highly qualified and diverse team’ is well positioned to handle high-value, complex and multijurisdictional matters requiring transactional, dispute resolution and advisory expertise and in-depth knowledge of the insurance, reinsurance and pensions industries. With international players at the core of its client base, the team finds its greatest strength in this transactional matters, overseeing some of the largest M&A deals in the Brazilian insurance market. The team is led by highly experienced individuals: Cassio Gama Amaral, ‘a valuable choice for companies seeking strategic legal advice‘, has acted in numerous insurance and reinsurance transactions, regulatory issues and claims; Thomaz Kastrup has been advising on insurance matters for over 20 years, with a focus on transactions; Eduardo Avila de Castro‘s expertise is heavily oriented towards insurance and reinsurance law, with a particular emphasis on regulatory matters. Pedro Henrique Ricco Verzemiassi handles both corporate and regulatory matters in the insurance, reinsurance, pensions and supplementary health segments.

Brazil > Real estate Tier 2

The real estate group at Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados boasts strong credentials in land regularisation and domestic and cross-border real estate deals involving rural and urban properties. Real estate M&A, joint ventures, financings and receivables securitisation are all core areas of expertise for the group, which is also proficient in leasing, development and contractual issues. Sitting at the helm of the practice, Maria Flavia Seabra offers assistance with the structuring of purchase and sale deals, build-to-suit contracts, lease agreements and real estate developments. Martina Zajakoff, who joined from Pinheiro Neto Advogados in January 2024, handles transactional, development and leasing work across the commercial, tourism and rural segments.

Brazil > Wealth and succession planning Tier 2

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados utilises its full-service expertise to provide nuanced corporate and asset restructuring advice to high-net-worth individuals and family-owned businesses. Clients regularly turn to the team for assistance with asset reorganisation and regularisation, wills, offshore investment structures, and inheritance taxation, among other matters. Owing to its deep knowledge of banking regulation and products, the team also works with the private wealth areas of foreign banks operating in Brazil. Department head Celso Costa, who is noted for his wealth of experience in international mandates, is regularly called upon by high-net-worth individuals, families, trustees and family offices. Fernando Colucci is highlighted for his expertise in tax planning, succession issues and the reorganisation of family assets. Associate Rafael Stuppiello is skilled in advising on the tax and corporate aspects of succession matters.

City focus - Belo Horizonte > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados‘ Belo Horizonte-based team demonstrates notable proficiency in capital markets and real estate matters. The group is skilled in equity and debt transactions, but has seen recent growth in corporate restructuring and shareholder agreement negotiations. The practice is led by Gustavo Rugani, who specialises in capital markets and M&A. Another key member of the team is senior associate Wagner Duarte, who handles capital markets transactions and regulatory compliance issues. Former co-head Bruno Costa is no longer at the firm.

Brazil > Compliance Tier 3

Fully utilising its full-service capabilities, Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados‘ compliance investigations and corporate governance practice works closely alongside the firm’s competition, white-collar, labour and environment practices to provide multidisciplinary assistance to its clients. Though primarily known for its crisis management capabilities, the team also shines in administrative defences, leniency agreement negotiations, independent investigations, as well as in the development and evaluation of compliance programmes. Leading the practice is Raphael Soré, an established expert in integrity risks, who joined the firm in July 2023 from KPMG Americas. Juliana Sá de Miranda and former associate Gabriela Estefania Paredes Arcentales left the firm in April 2024.

Energy and natural resources > Mining Tier 3

Project financing, M&A, joint ventures, and capital markets transactions are the lifeblood of Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados’ mining team, whose full-service capabilities attract mining companies, investors, and financiers seeking assistance with mineral exploration, development and production agreements, royalty issues, engineering, processing and refining contracts, sales structures, real estate, and environmental issues. The São Paulo practice is led by infrastructure and natural resources specialist Pedro Henrique Jardim, and finance, tax, and foreign trade expert Liliam Fernanda Yoshikawa. Associate Yves Crivelini is a valuable resource for M&A, project financing, and corporate transactions.

Brazil > TMT: Tech, innovation and digital business Tier 3

The technology practice at Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is led by Juliana Abrusio, who possesses wide-ranging expertise in digital law, privacy, data protection and AI. The structuring of new digital business models and mandates pertaining to the fintech, insurtech, edtech and healthtech segments are key areas of expertise for practice head Abrusio. The department is skilled at advising on tech regulations, but also showcases notable strength in sector-related litigation and emerging issues – including AI and blockchain. Key support is offered by a solid team of associates including Marcelo de Castro Cunha Filho and Chiara Battaglia Tonin, who assist with digital law and data privacy matters. Rayana Vince Virgolino, who joined the firm as an associate from Pinheiro Neto Advogados in May 2023, focuses on emerging technologies.

Brazil > TMT: Telecoms Tier 3

The telecoms practice at Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados sits within the wider infrastructure group and is led by telecoms expert Milene Louise Renée Coscione, who joined the firm in September 2023 from Manesco, Ramires, Perez, Azevedo Marques Sociedade de Advogados . The firm is now positioned to assist clients with regulatory compliance, M&A, crisis management, and contentious mandates in this space. Practice head Coscione regularly advises telecoms players on regulatory issues and public bids.

Brazil > Venture capital Tier 3

The venture capital and start-ups practice at Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados brings together M&A, private equity and banking and finance specialists to assist VC funds, investors, publicly-held companies and start-ups in investment rounds and M&A, which often involve cross-border implications. Practice head Manuela Lisboa Gentil Monteiro routinely handles fundraisings, governance matters, investment rounds and exit transactions. Corporate lawyer Gustavo Secaf Rebello focuses on investment mandates, including VC, PE and M&A deals, while Fernanda Sá Freire Figlioulo advises on indirect taxes and foreign trade issues.

Brazil > Life sciences Tier 4

The life sciences, healthcare, and digital health practice at Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados assists medtech, biotech, pharma and food companies with a range of regulatory issues. The firm has seen an uptick in work concerning technology-related healthcare issues, including technology transfer agreements, health databases and CAR-T products. Renata Rothbarth, who has notable experience in emerging areas of life sciences, from digital health and telemedicine, to wearable technologies and bio printing, chairs the practice. Giovanna Pasquini Malfatti stands out at the associate level for her involvement in regulatory matters pertaining to the healthcare industry.

Brazil > TMT: Cybersecurity and data privacy Tier 4

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados combines its knowledge of digital law and data protection to assist clients with issues related to the LGPD and other data-related regulations. The team also provides support as a DPO, and handles data breaches and data protection due diligence for M&A transactions. Practice head Juliana Abrusio, a specialist in digital law, privacy, data protection and cybersecurity, advises on the structuring of new business models, incident responses and regulatory compliance. She is supported by a strong team of associates, which includes Chiara Battaglia Tonin, who is especially active in advising financial sector clients on the creation of customised privacy programmes.

City focus - Brasilia > Tax