Mattos Filho is consistently engaged in the most high-profile M&A transactions in the Brazilian market, acting on behalf of both sellers and buyers, including private equity funds. Drawing on the firm’s strong capabilities in tax and regulatory issues, the group is well placed to handle the entire lifecycle of deals – both domestic and cross-border – and is singled out for its stellar track record in public M&A in a host of sectors, most notably insurance, technology, energy, manufacturing, retail, and agribusiness. A key contact for publicly-held companies, foreign investors and PE funds, João Ricardo de Azevedo Ribeiro is a reference for corporate transactions, governance issues and strategic investments. Moacir Zilbovicius is a strong performer in public M&A, while Marcelo Sampaio Góes Ricupero focuses on PE and distressed deals. Pedro Whitaker De Souza Dias, who took on the role of managing partner in April 2024, has worked on several transactions in the healthcare, agribusiness and PE spaces. The latter is a notable area of practice for Rodrigo Figueiredo Nascimento; Sabrina Naritomi is especially active in the technology and infrastructure sectors. Paula Vieira de Oliveira, the firm’s resident partner in New York, maintains solid relationships with funds in the region.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The Mattos Filho team is a partner firm of the company in various transactions and makes a point of learning about our business to act as our legal advisers. The team that supports us is technically excellent, providing service within often extremely short deadlines and knowing how to provide their professional opinions. They go to great lengths to deliver and are extremely trustworthy. The team makes a lot of difference, in a positive way, in M&A negotiations.'
‘Marcelo Sampaio Góes Ricupero is a professional we can count on for his experience in the field. In addition to demonstrating respect for the parties we are negotiating with, he is available to talk to the client and show support in situations when necessary.'
Key clients
- Liberty Mutual Group
- Darling Ingredients Inc.
- Visa
- Cantu Store S.A.
- Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC)
- Atlas Renewable Energy
- GIC
- Actis
- Evertec Inc.
- Newave Energia S.A.
- Great Panther Mining Limited
- Neurotech
- Banco Alfa
- Suzano S.A.
- Stellantis
- Advent International
- Ferrara Candy Company
- Vinci Concessions
- Americanas
- Cosan S.A.
- Pátria Investimentos
- Grupo Muffato
- Orizon
- XP Private Equity
- Atakarejo Distribuidor de Alimentos e Bebidas S.A.
- Warburg Pincus
- Vinci Partners
- Rumo S.A.
- Equatorial Energia S.A.
- Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
- Mubadala
- Ultrapar Participações S.A.
- Compass Gás & Energia S.A.
- Apax
- CMOC
- Two Sigma
- Light
- Bunzl plc
- PPG Industries
- CRM (Kopenhagen)
- Fram Capital
- Louis Dreyfus Company
Work highlights
- Advised Liberty Mutual Group on the sale of its divisions of personal, small commercial and life business in Brazil, as well as the Brazilian specialty and large commercial insurance business to HDI International and HDI Seguros for the total amount of $1.5bn.
- Advised Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company – SALIC on the commitment to subscribe to newly issued shares of BRF S.A. for the total amount of up to R$4.5bn.
- Advised Darling Ingredients Inc. on the acquisition of Gelnex (Brazil) and its affiliates in the US, Paraguay, Mexico and the Netherlands, for a total purchase price of approximately $1.2bn.
Lawyers
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Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Marcelo Sampaio Góes Ricupero
Mattos Filho