Grounded in the traditional bases of gold, copper, iron, aluminum, and nickel, Demarest Advogados continues to advise a growing portfolio of mining companies on strategic M&A, joint ventures, and commercial agreements. On the regulatory front, team members are routinely engaged in administrative appeals before the National Mining Agency (ANM) relating to infraction notices and forfeiture procedures; the team also advises on the environmental and insurance law aspects of mining disasters. Leadership of the São Paulo practice is shared between M&A and corporate governance specialist Paulo Rocha, corporate, M&A, and private equity expert Thiago Maia, and mining transactions and regulatory all-rounder Izabella Reis. Associate Guilherme Kawano fields experience in minerals regulation, due diligence, and proceedings before ANM.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘High level of technical knowledge in the mining and environmental areas with very attentive and empathetic service. It is very easy and pleasant to work with the Demarest team.’

  • ‘Izabella Reis has a high level of technical knowledge, with a willingness to help and guide the best paths for the company. It is very easy and pleasant to work with her.’

  • ‘Despite the size of the firm, the service is personalised and with great knowledge of the mining area.’

  • ‘During the interaction with the firm, the energy and mineral resources team, especially mining, showed vast technical knowledge of the matter, working in all stages of negotiation and becoming indispensable to the process.’

  • ‘Izabella Reis and Thiago Maia both had an impeccable performance throughout the process, actively participating in negotiations and drafting of contracts. Izabella showed vast knowledge in mining law, combined with her sense of responsibility and proactivity. Thiago, in the same way, showed dominance over the topic and always made himself available.’

Key clients

  • Vale
  • Imerys
  • CRH
  • Eliane – Revestimentos Cerâmicos
  • Mohawk Industries
  • Tronox Pigmentos do Brasil
  • São Martinho
  • Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio (CBA)
  • Arcelor Mittal
  • Gerdau
  • Owens-Illinois

Work highlights

  • Advised Mohawk Industries on the acquisition of the totality of the quotas representing the capital stock of the Elizabeth Group ceramic companies: José Nilson Crispim – Administração e Participação; Cerâmica Elizabeth Sul, Cerâmica Elizabeth RN; Elizabeth Produtos Cerâmicos and Elizabeth Porcelanato.
  • Advised Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio (CBA) on the sale of its nickel mining assets, located in Niquelândia, State of Goiás, to Wave Nickel Brasil.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Paulo Rocha, Thiago Maia, Izabella Reis

Other key lawyers

Guilherme Kawano