Energy & Natural Resources: Power: Brazil

This firm has a very solid reputation and provides respected advice on a range of issues related to the electricity and natural gas sectors. Much of the group’s success can be attributed to the depth and breadth of its regulatory practice. The highly sophisticated team handles power generation and transmission matters and is particularly experienced assisting clients on tender offers and administrative contracts, including PPP agreements. The firm provides support for clients in dealings with government authorities and in administrative and court litigation matters, winning plaudits for its “excellent litigation skills.” Included this year in the star individual category, David Waltenberg is the bedrock of the firm’s strong reputation. "He probably knows more about the area than anyone," say sources, who unanimously praise his deep knowledge and penetrating understanding of the sector’s history and developments. "He's a very experienced and focused energy expert," say commentators, "always up to date with the latest trends."

This department is highly respected by market sources, who hail “an absolutely excellent firm for energy matters.” The group has a strong regulatory practice and acts on a wide array of issues related to power generation, distribution and transmission concessions, as well as engineering, procurement and construction agreements. Clients profess their satisfaction with high standards of client service and cite the team’s “deep knowledge of energy regulations” as a key reason for contracting the firm. The group is also highly sought after for its tax capabilities and has been especially active representing clients in disputes related to tariff readjustments and reviews. The team’s client list features large local energy companies such as Light, Neoenergia and AES Tiete, and it assisted Camargo Corrêa on a bid to participate in the Belo Monte power plant project. “Outstanding energy expert” Isabel Lustosa is the practice’s leading light and is particularly commended for her economic and regulatory know-how. Sources describe her as “an extremely accomplished and intelligent lawyer who adds value to negotiations and enriches any discussion.” 

This firm is particularly well regarded for its oil and gas work but nevertheless has a crossover presence in all energy sectors. The team is accorded much respect for the breadth of its practice and its strong regulatory expertise. It has an extensive background in natural resources and handles power distribution, generation, transmission and commercialisation matters. Guilherme Guerra D'Arriaga Schmidt is a widely respected all-rounder who leads the power practice. Market observers applaud Felipe Kfuri Moreira da Silva's knowledge of regulatory matters and regard him as "a highly accomplished and very diligent lawyer.” In November 2011, Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira e Agel joined forces with L.O. Baptista, further increasing the firm's strength and versatility.

This well-established major is a leading competitor thanks to its solid expertise and full-service capacity. The power practice falls under the auspices of the firm’s infrastructure and project finance department and has been particularly active on the alternative energy side, responding to increased client interest in renewable and wind power plants. Particularly recognised for its accomplished project finance practice, the firm also provides legal support in regulatory, contractual, corporate, fiscal and environmental matters relating to the power sector. The team is experienced in assisting clients in bids for concessions, recently advising CEMIG on an acquisition of energy transmission assets. José Virgílio Lopes Enei is a well-known partner who wins praise for great knowledge of the industry’s regulatory framework and for project finance expertise. José Ribeiro do Prado Jr is another main point of contact on the projects side and a key resource for the area generally. Ricardo de Lima Assaf was promoted to partner in January 2011 and is building himself a strong reputation. "He's an impressive young lawyer who's very knowledgeable of the energy market in Brazil,” say sources. 

This traditional, full-service giant maintains a high reputation among commentators and continues to receive rave reviews from clients. The team has a strong track record in energy transactions and recently provided advice to Castlepines on a USD300 million sugar ethanol project. The group also assisted a Japanese trading company in its bid to purchase a piped natural gas distribution company owned by Eni Oil do Brasil. The group acts for a high-profile international clientele, who say: “The firm is on a par with any firm we use anywhere in the world.” More generally, it wins consistent praise for excellent client service: “Tozzini lawyers did everything we asked of them, and in a very efficient and effective manner.” Pedro Seraphim handles many of the team’s most significant power transactions and impresses clients with his “responsiveness, knowledge, constructive approach and professional manner.”

The power practice is conducted by the firm’s experienced partners in the infrastructure and project finance department. The main team is based in São Paulo but receives valuable support from the Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte offices. Clients appreciate the firm’s expertise in infrastructure matters and its broad offering: "A distinguishing feature is the group's ability to offer a complete service, with a strong team at competitive prices.” Sources also emphasise that “what adds value is the team's creativity in finding solutions, but via a very pragmatic approach.” Recent work highlights include advising a consortium of companies, including Andrade Gutierrez, Vale, Neoenergia and Votorantim Energia, in the public bidding for the construction and operation of the Belo Monte hydroelectric power plant. The team also advised a group of leading banking institutions in buying a stake in Light, Rio de Janeiro's electricity distributor. Founding partner Luis Antonio Semeghini de Souza heads the the infrastructure and project finance department. Souza is an accomplished banking lawyer who is frequently involved in energy transaction matters.

Guilherme de Figueiredo Forbes left the firm in August 2012. 

This energy team deals with the full range of issues involved in the power sector and is particularly lauded for its project finance work and contracts expertise. It represents a variety of local and international clients, including utility companies, power generators, gas producers, distribution companies and electricity providers. “It's an excellent team which shows strong know-how and great commitment to clients,” say sources. Recent work highlights include due diligence reports, analysis of project portfolios, corporate structurings and regulatory advice to companies dedicated to wind power plants and electrical energy distribution. Since publication, Eduardo Soares and Rosilane Costa Barros have left the firm and become name partners at Soares Buchamar Chagas Barros Advogados. Following their departure, Débora Yanasse is the primary contact for clients.

This practice provides the full spectrum of power advice to domestic and international clients but is particularly acknowledged for the quality of its transactional work. The team is consistently praised for its excellent response times and availability and the extensive international network is also regularly cited as a plus. The group has lately been especially active with bids in the renewable sector and provided assistance to CPFL in regards to gaining the Usina da Pedra power plant concession. José Roberto Martins is the most prominent member of the power team and part of the wider project finance practice.

Among this successful firm's broad spectrum of legal services is one of the largest energy practices in the country. The ability to cultivate strong relationships with clients has become a hallmark of the team, and lawyers are applauded for their availability, technical capabilities and dedication. The client base includes companies from the distribution, commercialisation and equipment supply sectors, reflecting the diversity of the practice. Noteworthy work from the recent past includes assisting Wärtsilä with an engineering, procurement and construction agreement for a power plant in north-eastern Brazil. Roberto Rudzit Neto is a corporate specialist who leads the energy practice and receives praise for his technical skills and flexible approach. Regional infrastructure co-ordinator Tiago Kümmel Figueiró is described as a “diligent, pragmatic and very attentive energy expert.”

This firm provides specialised power advice to a wide range of prestigious local and international energy companies. It assists clients in matters relating to tariffs, public bids, equipment supply agreements, financing and construction. The team is lauded for consistently providing “excellent service and clear advice,” and sources say: “It's always a pleasure to work with the team.” 

Since publication, Maria Aparecida Seabra Fagundes has left this practice. Camila Araújo can be contacted by clients.

This firm occupies a healthy position in the energy market due to the combination of a solid projects and infrastructure practice alongside a strong local and international client portfolio. The team provides advice on a wide range of power matters, including transmission and wind farm activities, to a host of prominent clients, such as Iberdrola Renovables, Grupo Isolux Corsán and Elecnor. Several such clients first came to the firm via its relationship with Spanish legal powerhouse Uría Menéndez, although the association is being relaxed in light of new guidelines from the Brazilian Bar. Corporate lawyer Henrique Dias Carneiro leads the practice.

Increasing prominence in the energy market and glowing reviews from clients earn this mid-sized firm a debut placing in the power rankings. The team is hailed for its skill in handling contractual and regulatory work and is commended for “deep technical knowledge and great understanding of the power industry.” Rafael Fabbri D'Avila is warmly praised for regulatory expertise and for providing a personalised service.

This general practice firm does provide tender, contract and development advice but is most celebrated for its litigation work, the firm's prime area of focus and strength. "The firm is first-rate for controversy matters and energy-related litigation,” say sources. A number of recent personnel departures means the practice is going through something of a transitional period, but Arnoldo Wald remains on hand as an experienced all-rounder and first point of contact.