An unparalleled client roster comprising the biggest mining companies operating in Brazil, as well as domestic and international financial institutions, marks Cescon Barrieu as a leading player in sophisticated and market-impacting transactions and regulatory matters in the mining sector. Hailed for its ‘exceptional deliveries’, the Belo Horizonte-based team traverses the landscape of major M&A deals, joint ventures, blended mining and metals financings, and administrative and judicial proceedings with ease, while crisis management and regulatory issues related to tailing dams are standout strengths. Marcelo Mendo Gomes de Souza, a market reference with deep roots in regulatory, contentious, environmental and transactional matters, spearheads the practice, in collaboration with Paula Azevedo de Castro, praised for her ’excellent knowledge of dams and their extensive regulation’, and Maurício Pellegrino de Souza, who employs ‘extensive knowledge of environmental law’, as well as commercial and regulatory acumen in his service to leading mining companies. Daniel Ribeiro Pettersen demonstrates a mastery of real estate and contractual matters related to the mining industry. Stéfani Pinho focuses her practice on litigation, dam safety, and crisis management, and Daniel Souza brings an innovative approach to dam safety regulation, mining rights transactions, and crisis management.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Cescon Barrieu has a team of professionals with technical expertise. Furthermore, it has sought innovation in visual law and other technology resources for monitoring demands and processes, aligned with industry practice.’
  • ‘Fast service with quality and efficiency, as well as the availability of lawyers and their knowledge of current issues and legislative news.’
  • ‘Paula Azevedo de Castro is notable for her excellent knowledge of dams and their extensive regulation, especially in Minas Gerais.’
  • ‘Maurício Pellegrino de Souza has extensive knowledge of environmental law, especially the regulations of the state of Minas Gerais.’
  • ‘Extremely qualified professionals, with excellent procedural strategies, allowing the company to generate more value, bringing benefits to both shareholders and the market, given the exceptional deliveries made. Furthermore, they present projects and ideas capable of placing the company and the internal legal department as a reference in the sector.’
  • ‘Great technical quality and level of service. Fair fees.'

Key clients

  • Vale
  • Braskem
  • Gerdau Açominas
  • Samarco Mineração
  • Anglo American
  • AngloGold Ashanti
  • Lundin Mining
  • Aura Minerals
  • Appian Capital Advisory
  • Kinross Gold
  • InterCement
  • Equinox Gold
  • Yamana Gold
  • J&F Mineração
  • Eramet Group
  • Ecora Resources
  • Ero Copper
  • Lithium Ionic
  • ArcelorMittal
  • Vetorial Siderurgia
  • Grupo Lafaete

Work highlights

  • Advises Vale on every matter related to mining law and tailing dams’ regulations, as well as on environmental, real estate, and litigation matters in connection to its mining activities.
  • Advised Ecora Resources on the negotiation of a $72m second tranche funding to Piauí Níquel.
  • Advised Aura on obtaining $31m in project financing for the development of a gold project in Brazil.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
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.

Marcelo Mendo Gomes de Souza, Paula Azevedo de Castro, Maurício Pellegrino de Souza

Other key lawyers

Daniel Ribeiro Pettersen, Stéfani Pinho, Daniel Souza