With in-depth understanding of the complex Brazilian tax system, Demarest Advogados offers legal support in the full array of tax mandates to prominent corporate clients. On the contentious side, the group has a particularly impressive track record in appellate cases and proceedings pending before the superior courts. It also showcases notable credentials in transfer pricing rules, and is skilled at advising on the tax aspects of corporate transactions and changes brought by the tax reform bill. Demonstrating significant experience in administrative tax litigation, tax consulting and due diligence on M&A deals, Douglas Mota oversees the practice. Carlos Eduardo Orsolon is especially active in tax planning and restructurings, but also advises on strategic disputes before CARF. Transactional matters are a key area of focus for Christiano Chagas, while Marcelo Salles Annunziata and Priscila Faricelli specialise in litigation before the higher courts in Brasília. Thiago Amaral is a name to note for indirect taxes, and Roberto Pinatti Casarini focuses on tax planning and international taxation. Fabio Florentino, an indirect tax specialist, joined from BMA Advogados in February 2024, while Jerry Levers de Abreu joined from TozziniFreire Advogados in June 2024.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘I have been working with Demarest for more than 10 years and this partnership continues precisely because of the firm's understanding of the company and because we have a very similar vision regarding various legislation issues.'

  • ‘The person who stands out for us is Carlos Eduardo Orsolon, for understanding the business, knowing the profile of the company's leadership and for making the risk factors very clear and providing us with suggestions according to our reality.'

  • ‘Demarest Advogados supports the company in all tax matters, whether direct or indirect taxes, construction of legal opinion, even contentious issues such as challenging tax assessment notices, always presenting a unique quality in its theses, minutes and meetings with lawyers and partners.'

  • ‘Thiago Amaral is excellent.'

Key clients

  • Daikin
  • Sky
  • Syngenta Proteção de Cultivos Ltda
  • Citibank
  • Sindicom
  • Falabella / Construdecor
  • MRV
  • Companhia Nitro
  • Fortbrasil
  • JOKR
  • Grand Cru/Evino
  • Banco Inter
  • 3M
  • Instituto Democracia e Sustentabilidade
  • Diebold Nixdorf (Procomp)
  • Diageo
  • Chevron Oronite
  • Nike
  • Jaguar / Land Rover
  • Bayer
  • Vale
  • Mosaic
  • Itaú
  • BTG Pactual
  • WTorre
  • BIC
  • Madepar
  • Primavera Sound
  • SAAM
  • Navi Capital
  • Syntagma Capital
  • Cyrus One
  • Assicurazioni Generali
  • Sanavita Indústria e Comércio de Alimentos Funcionais
  • Amazon
  • Telefônica
  • IBM
  • Pirelli
  • BYD

Work highlights

  • Advised Bacardí on overcoming delays and repeated illegal requirements made by the Brazilian authorities to authorise the importation of its products.
  • Assisted 3M with a voluntary disclosure and settlement procedure to regularise imports made through the Manaus Free Trade Zone, which had not been properly declared to the authorities.
  • Defended Sky’s interests in a case following an unfavourable second level trial decision.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
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.

Douglas Mota

Other key lawyers

Carlos Eduardo Orsolon, Christiano Chagas, Marcelo Salles Annunziata, Priscila Faricelli, Victor Lopes, Thiago Amaral, Roberto Pinatti Casarini, Fabio Florentino, Jerry Levers de Abreu