Product Liability: Brazil

The product liability department at this world-class firm stands out due to its impressive track record. It represents some of the most high-profile companies across key sectors such as tobacco, pharmaceuticals, food and drink, automotive and aviation. The department assists clients with litigation, class actions, indemnity actions, recall cases, and preventative consultancy matters. Clients value the team's "immediate responses, proactive attitude, strategic vision and evident expertise in the subject." Domingos Fernando Refinetti heads the team at the São Paulo office, and acts on behalf of clients such as Cadbury, Mercedes, TAM and GE. Sources identify Refinetti as "one of the best attorneys in this area in Brazil." Rafael de Carvalho Passaro is a younger lawyer currently making a name for himself in this sector. Since publication, Leonardo Azevedo Corrêa and Paulo Rogério de Araújo Brandão Couto have joined Brandão Couto, Widgerowitz e Pessoa Advogados

Since publication, Domingos Fernando Refinetti has joined Stocche, Forbes, Padis, Filizzola, Clapis Advogados

This firm has a prominent presence in all areas of dispute resolution and is an undisputed leader in the field of product liability. The well-structured team consists of experienced specialists covering both local and cross-border work. Recent highlights include defending major multinational corporations affected by tobacco class actions and individual litigation cases. The team also advised on several class actions regarding the effects of alcoholic drinks advertisements, and on a number of complex disputes related to the pharmaceutical sector. Marcelo Antonio Muriel is widely praised by clients as a renowned litigator and arbitrator who also plays an active role in the firm's product liability work. Ubiratan Mattos is one of the pioneers of Brazilian product liability and is regarded as one of the most knowledgeable lawyers in this sector. Beatriz Kestener is described by clients as "extremely knowledgeable, with excellent judgement and a practical approach to litigation." Fernando Dantas Neustein is another highly praised member of the team. Clients highlight that he "always comes up with bright new ideas and effective suggestions."  Since publication, Beatriz Veiga Carvalho has left this practice.

The product liability practice group at this world-class firm comes under the umbrella of the wider dispute resolution department and bears the Pinheiro Neto hallmark of quality. The São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasília-based teams typically represent multinationals from the automotive, pharmaceutical and agricultural products industries. A strong area of focus is strategic litigation, including class actions. According to clients: "This firm has the right structure to deal with large, complex cases and maintains good channels of communication with its clients to great effect." Sérgio Pinheiro Marçal maintains a strong market position and sources comment that "he brings a great deal of experience to the table, which can be seen in the quality of his cautious and accurate advice." Maximilian Fierro Paschoal is the other highly praised partner who focuses strongly on product liability. He is particularly active in representing leading names from the food and drinks and educational sectors. Júlio César Bueno is best known for handling cases relating to the tobacco industry.

This firm is a top player for product liability and takes a twin-track approach to this area: one subgroup handles mass litigation, while a separate subgroup focuses on complex disputes and consultancy, thus achieving a boutique-style service within the structure of a full-service firm. The firm's litigation expertise includes both individual cases and class actions, as well as representing companies during product recall proceedings. On the consultancy side, the firm specialises in implementing preventative programmes and client service awareness initiatives, and has a notable presence in the health plans sector. An impressive client portfolio includes names such as BMW, MasterCard, Net and Hasbro. "This team is one of the best in the country to deal with product liability cases: the extremely attentive and efficient lawyers get to the root of the problem and come up with effective solutions." Luíz Virgílio Manente heads the practice and is a well-known and respected figure in the area, who comes highly recommended by clients. Clients single out Patrícia Helena Marta for her thoroughness and ability to "make clients feel totally confident and at ease."

This highly regarded full-service powerhouse features a respected product liability department. The large and well-structured team is split between the São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília and Porto Alegre offices. It stands out in preventative consultancy, but is also renowned for representing national and international companies in complex litigation, class actions, and pre-litigation negotiations with consumer protection authorities. It has an enviable roster of high-end clients from the tobacco, automotive, pharmaceutical, IT, publishing and manufacturing industries, who draw attention to the firm's "proactive and creative attorneys who go the extra mile to find solutions to clients' needs." Luiz Guilherme Moraes Rego Migliora stands out as "a superb product liability lawyer, both substantively and procedurally," according to sources. Clients describe José Carlos Wahle as "objective and pragmatic," and highlight that "he knows when to suggest negotiation when it is the best option for the client." Rosângela Soares Delgado complements the team with her excellent client service, expertise and efficiency. 

This well-established firm plays an influential role in the product liability market and handles a large volume of litigation for leading companies in the retail, pharmaceutical and aviation sectors. The group is also making a name for itself in environment-related product liability cases. "Although the team is made up of relatively young lawyers, they are all very well prepared and knowledgeable, and understand thoroughly our business and products – which is the key to a successful defence in lawsuits brought by consumers," explain clients, who also highlight the team's timely responses, availability and dynamic proactive approach. Practice head Celso Xavier is particularly praised for his "technical abilities, know-how and great strategic thinking in more complex cases.” Luciana Goulart Penteado works closely with Xavier and is recommended for the commitment and support she brings to the team.

Since publication, Maria Helena Ortiz Bragaglia has left this practice.

The product liability department at Siqueira Castro has an extensive presence throughout Brazil. It is well respected for conducting not only mass but also highly complex litigation with the same quality and degree of thoroughness. The group focuses on representing companies from the regulated markets, such as service providers in the water supply and sanitation, energy, telecoms and banking sectors. Its client base comprises impressive names such as CEDAE, CEG, Light, Amil, TIM and Nextel. Clients say: "It is important for us that this team has prestige and recognition in this area, as they handle most of our cases. The lawyers are highly efficient, quick to respond and establish good working relationships that benefit all parties involved." Fábio Korenblum is the firm's leading figure in this area and stands out for his commitment and technical skills.

This firm is well regarded in Brazil's product liability sector, with a broad practice covering all aspects of the area, including sophisticated litigation, recall proceedings and consultancy. The team's strengths rest on the lawyers' vast experience of representing leading multinationals and its well-honed expertise in handling disputes and negotiations. It represents clients from a wide range of industries, including telecoms, aviation, entertainment and manufacturing. Since publication, Ana Beatriz M Kesselring has left this practice.

This full-service firm draws on its multidisciplinary capabilities to handle mass litigation product liability cases and class actions, on behalf of clients in the insurance, banking and finance, automotive and telecoms sectors. Clients highlight partner Ricardo Azevedo Sette as a highly committed and proactive litigator in this field. 

The product liability practice at Lobo & de Rizzo is expanding its client base as well as the range of advice offered in the field to include complex litigations, class actions and consultancy. The team primarily focuses on representing high-profile names from the automobile industry, and is increasingly assisting clients from the food and drinks and financial services sectors with product liability-related matters. Ana Paula Hubinger Araújo heads the team and is praised for her excellent client service. Since publication, product liability specialist Mayla Tannus Carneiro has rejoined the firm. 

This firm makes its debut in the rankings on the strength of "its in-depth knowledge of product liability and the lawyers' technical and impressive defences," according to clients. The team draws on the firm's broad experience to provide thorough advice, and clients delight in its ability to exhibit "a welcoming sense of urgency and strict meeting of deadlines." Its client portfolio includes names from the retail, automobile, electronics and energy industries. Partner Fábio Ozi is the main point of contact for clients. Since publication, Mayla Tannus Carneiro and Paulo Rodolfo Freitas de Maria has left this practice.