Real Estate: Brazil

This excellent firm comfortably maintains its place at the top end of the market, offering a comprehensive real estate service that makes the most of its full-service expertise and the global exposure gained through its relationship with DLA. Commercial, residential and hospitality real estate are all areas of focus and the firm handles all aspects of investments from financing to titles, permits and contracts and structuring. According to clients: “The depth of the firm's real estate and transactional business experience is clear.” In work highlights, the firm advised Marriott International on its USD47.5 million sale of JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro to an affiliate of Host Hotels & Resorts. Under the terms of the sale, the hotel will continue to be managed and operated by Marriott, under the JW Marriott brand. Luiz Antonio Campos Mello has a leading reputation for real estate matters that draws on his strengths in contracts. He is currently advising Brazilian shopping centre developer Multiplan during the development of a high-end retail project known as Village Mall, in Rio de Janeiro. Bernardo Buarque Schiller is another key contact at the firm assisting on a wide range of real estate matters. Fábio Perrone Campos Mello heads the real estate department, and aside from his proven technical skills, he wins strong praise from clients for being “exceptionally client-focused.” Sources also laud his “responsiveness and creativity.”

This traditional firm is a mainstay of Brazil's real estate market; it hails from São Paulo and also has an office in Brasília. It provides comprehensive counsel on the structuring, development and investment in real estate projects for a variety of sectors, as well as offering litigation services. Titles, licences and financing are also areas of focus. Department head Marcelo Terra continues to shine as a leading figure for real estate consultancy and litigation, thanks to his unsurpassed technical knowledge. Market sources are quick to point out that he is “excellent at managing risks and has a comprehensive overview of the Brazilian legal environment.” Vera Lúcia Moinhos provides hands-on consultancy on a broad range of real estate matters.

This São Paulo-based firm is universally recognised for its specialisation in real estate law. The firm provides a broad service covering permits, licences, contracts and project development and structuring. Financing is another area of strength and the firm complements its advisory skills with litigation know-how. Fernando Maximiano is recognised by market sources as a true real estate specialist and is a key figure in the department. Alexandre Assolini brings his finance and capital markets knowledge to bear on real estate project financing and is described as having “great potential” by market sources.

This is one of Brazil's biggest full-service players and as such its real estate practice makes the most of its expertise in other areas such as corporate and finance. The firm has the infrastructure to handle a high volume of cases as well as large individual projects. The larger real estate team is subdivided into a number of areas of specialisation covering rural and urban projects, investments and titles. The corporate, residential and hospitality sectors are all areas of focus. Practice head Rossana Fernandes Duarte wins praise from clients, who describe her as “always available and experienced.” Her comprehensive practice includes project structuring and development, and investment and financing involving debt and equity transactions. Vladimir Miranda Abreu uses his finance and capital markets background to great effect in real estate, where rural projects are a key area of focus of his practice.

Real estate is a core practice area for this firm and it provides a well-rounded service, encompassing advisory and dispute resolution on matters such as project structuring and financing, acquisitions and other investment vehicles as well as titles and registrations. Market sources recognise that the work “is of an excellent standard of quality.” Rodrigo Cury Bicalho is a respected specialist in a wide range of real estate matters, and aside from his busy practice he also teaches on a number of postgraduate courses dealing with real estate law. Luciano Mollica is an increasingly visible figure in the Brazilian real estate market and wins praise for his technical know-how.

This well-established full-service firm has a respected real estate practice that covers all major areas such as investment advice, project development and financing. Rural real estate is an area of focus and the firm has advised agribusiness clients on how best to negotiate the changes to the laws on foreign ownership. According to clients, the firm's lawyers are “well trained and true specialists” and the firm “truly fulfils the full-service brief.” In work highlights, the firm is advising Peugeot-Citroën during the negotiation of a build-to-suit agreement as part of the expansion of its Porto Real facilities in Rio de Janeiro state. In another mandate of note, the firm is advising National Starch & Chemical Industrial during the due diligence, drafting and negotiation of lease agreements relating to industrial facilities in São Paulo. Practice head Adriana Daiuto leads on many of the firm’s highest-profile deals. Clients describe her as “business-oriented and providing outstanding client service.”

This full-service firm has a respected presence in real estate law concentrating on the structuring and financing of both urban and rural real estate projects. Other areas of focus include contract drafting and negotiation, dispute resolution and the sale and acquisition of land rights. The firm counsels a broad range of clients from the hospitality, commercial and residential sectors, and agribusiness developments are a further key field of specialisation. Recent work highlights include assisting Radar Propriedades Agrícolas on the acquisition of rural properties in Maranhão state. The firm has also counselled Fairfield Maxwell on a number of real estate projects across Brazil. Practice head and partner Roberto Wilson is well versed across the whole range of real estate matters and is the lead contact for clients following the recent departure of senior associate Wagner Garcia Botelha. Wilson is particularly noted for his expertise in financing and shopping centre project development.

This Rio de Janeiro-headquartered firm is traditionally noted for its real estate practice and it remains a key area of focus for the firm. The team now has an office in São Paulo and offers a comprehensive service to real estate clients covering counsel on contracts, project development and financing, acquisitions and leasing, permits and titles, as well as legal opinions. Shopping centre project investment and development is a key area of specialisation and, in recent work, the firm advised BR Malls on its acquisition of a 49.99% stake in CIMA Empreendimentos do Brasil's interest in a company owning a shopping centre and three office blocks in the Tijuca complex in Rio de Janeiro. The USD247 million deal includes a 90-day call option on the remaining interest, subject to shareholder approval. Founding partner Gustavo Pinheiro Guimarães Padilha leads on the firm's headline deals and has a varied and respected real estate practice. He is currently advising JCPM Group on the structuring of an ongoing shopping centre project located in Recife, representing an investment of BRL500 million.

Real estate constitutes a strategic practice area for this full-service firm and its team of specialists handles a wide range of consultancy and litigation matters. Land title searches and regularisations are key areas of focus, as are urban and rural residential and commercial project investments, and financings. Recent work includes advice to Bracor Investimentos on the regularisation of property acquired from Tavex Corporation, for the sale and leaseback of one of the largest denim factories in the world, covering 305,000 sq m. The firm has also advised Brookfield on a number of high-end residential real estate projects, including the second stage of the 94,000 sq m Vila Amalfi development in São Paulo's exclusive Morumbi district. Practice head Pedro Cortez is a leading figure for both real estate consultancy and disputes. Market sources describe him as a “point of reference for excellent consultancy and litigation.” Rodrigo Pontes provides expert support on a range of issues and is recognised for his technical skills and client service. Recent hire José Paulo Marzagão is a highly respected lawyer in the real estate market. He has a diverse practice and a great deal of experience and his hiring is seen as a sign of the firm's commitment to real estate.

This full-service giant has a respected real estate practice that successfully draws on the firm's expertise in areas such as corporate, M&A and finance. Acquisitions, leasing, securitisation and real estate investment structuring and implementation are key concerns. The firm wins strong client praise and is described as “placing a premium on client relationships as well as offering technical know-how.” In work highlights, the firm advised Multigrain on the execution of an export prepayment financial agreement totalling USD180 million, secured with real estate assets. The firm also assisted BMX Realizações Imobiliárias e Participações as agent to Odebrecht on the acquisition of real estate in São Paulo state to a value of BRL260 million. Department head Alexandre Laizo Clápis “adds value due to his in-depth knowledge of real estate law and the demands of a big real estate project,” according to clients. He is particularly noted for his experience in registrations, titles and licences.

Another full-service heavyweight with a respected presence in real estate, this firm covers all aspects of project and investment financing and development for the residential, commercial and agribusiness sectors. The firm has an excellent grasp of the corporate and financing aspects of transactions, and acquisitions have been a recent key area of focus. Clients laud the “highly experienced, business-minded lawyers” and highlight their “timely responses during critical negotiations.” Work highlights include assisting BR Properties and BTG Pactual's real estate investment fund, Ventura II, on a BRL680 million investment in Rio de Janeiro. Otávio Uchôa da Veiga Filho is an experienced real estate lawyer with particular expertise in the field of drafting and negotiating contracts such as acquisition and lease agreements. Maria Cecília Guimarães Isoldi Quirino heads the practice and wins praise for her “technical know-how combined with responsive client service.” She frequently advises investment funds on urban and rural projects.

Since publication, Maria Cecília Guimarães Isoldi Quirino has left this practice.

This full-service firm is widely respected for its tradition of high standards, and its comprehensive real estate practice is no exception. Clients indeed state that “the reputation and strong brand are decisive factors for hiring.” The firm takes advantage of its corporate and finance expertise to advise investors and developers on a variety of rural and urban projects, including shopping centres, industrial estates and residential complexes. Clients highlight that they would recommend the firm to multinational investors or large Brazilian players due to the “speedy responses and clear real estate expertise.” In recent mandates of note, the firm advised Prime Fund on the securitisation of receivables from the Brazilian Financial Center building, in São Paulo. The firm also counselled Odebrecht during the acquisition of land and development of new offices in São Paulo, which involved advice on construction contracts, build-to-suit agreements and securitisation. Partner Luciano Garcia Rossi is highly regarded for his broad practice covering project development, as well as financing and securitisation of urban and rural real estate assets. Cláudio Taveira is especially noted for his real estate financing expertise.

This São Paulo-based boutique has carved a niche for itself in real estate financing and capital markets. The securitisation of real estate receivables is a particular area of focus and the firm applies its extensive experience to come up with creative solutions for its clients. Practice head Marcelo Valença is recognised for his focus on contract drafting and negotiation, investment fund structuring and the securitisation of real estate assets.

This boutique hails from South America's business capital, São Paulo, and takes a business-minded approach to a comprehensive range of real estate law concerns. Contracts and regularisation of titles are areas of focus and the firm also advises on acquisitions and investment vehicles for a wide range of clients. José Vicente Amaral Filho is praised by market sources for his strengths in investment company incorporations, as well as all-round real estate advice. He brings valuable sector experience as former in-house counsel to Tecnisa Engenharia e Comércio.

This full-service firm has a strong real estate practice that plays an important role supporting its renowned M&A and solid capital markets departments. Over the past year, the firm has been busy advising on the acquisition of rural and urban real estate for the biofuel and industrial sectors, as well as advising on the drafting and negotiation of lease agreements. Mandates of note include advising real estate investment company BR Properties during its BRL98 million acquisition of five industrial buildings in São Paulo state. Department head Christiane Scabell Höhn is a recognised real estate specialist and has published a number of articles on the subject.

Since publication, Wagner Garcia Botelha has joined Aidar SBZ Advogados

This firm has a long-standing presence in real estate matters and continues to maintain an important market position for acquisitions and investments. More specifically, the firm has assisted clients with the acquisition of land for industrial and residential developments, as well as advising on the incorporation and regulation of a number of real estate investment funds. In work highlights, the firm has been advising Serveng Civilsan during the first stage of a BRL1 billion commercial and residential development in Caraguatatuba, in São Paulo state. Partner Erica Fernandes Campos Verissimo now leads the team following the departure of José Paulo Marzagão. Market sources highlight her experience and see her as having a bright future. The market is waiting to see how the loss of Marzagão will affect the practice.

This relative newcomer to the Brazilian legal market continues to consolidate its reputation and expand its areas of activity. Its real estate practice is growing in stature and is recognised for its strong showing across a wide range of transactions involving the acquisition, sale and leasing of urban and rural real estate. The firm also handles financing and the structuring of investments. Clients point out that the team “adds serious value to our projects and investments.” In deal highlights, the firm represented the buyer, Host Hotels & Resorts, in its takeover of the JW Marriott Hotel in Rio de Janeiro. In other noteworthy work, the firm assisted BN Corp Empreendimentos Imobiliários and Maxcap Real Estate Investment Advisors on the structuring of a joint venture for the investment in real estate projects. Cristiane Mamprin de Castro Guerra has a comprehensive practice in real estate and is admired by clients for “being good, especially in complex situations with many different interests at stake.”

This firm has carved a successful niche in real estate focusing on the structuring of investment funds, advising on investments and the securitisation of real estate assets. Clients see the firm as “one of the best for securitisations and funds.” Alexandre Tadeu Navarro Pereira Gonçalves is the main point of contact for clients.

The Brazilian outpost of this global firm attracts a range of local and international clients due to its extensive transactional experience and proven corporate skills. The access to international savoir faire through the Baker & McKenzie network is a further selling point. Acquisitions, sales and leasing, as well as contracts and investments, are all areas of focus. Satisfied clients state that “we like the quality of their services and the availability of the partners.” João Francisco Regos focuses especially on contracts and, according to clients, he “can handle the most difficult of assignments.” He wins further recognition for his prompt client service.

This mid-tier firm covers the main aspects of real estate and has offices in both São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Structured financing, investments, regularisations and contracts are all covered and the firm caters to both local and foreign clients looking to capitalise on Brazil's booming real estate sector. Of-counsel Regina Baraldi Bisson is the main point of contact for clients.

This compact firm makes the most of its corporate and environment know-how to provide well-rounded advisory and dispute resolution services to a diverse range of clients. The firm handles the structuring, investment in and development of a wide range of real estate projects, with shopping centres being a recent area of focus. Clients speak highly of the service, mentioning that “they came up with creative solutions to problems that were key to the success of the project.” Ricardo Ramalho Almeida is the main contact for clients.

This full-service firm offers a comprehensive service in real estate law that plays to its strengths in complementary areas such as corporate, projects, finance and capital markets. Its real estate practice covers the full range of matters, including investment structuring and financing, securitisation of receivables, project development and acquisitions for both urban and rural real estate. This is a “sophisticated firm with great lawyers,” according to clients. The firm is currently advising El Tejar on the acquisition of land in the west of Brazil for the development of agriculture projects. Ivandro Trevelim covers a broad range of real estate matters and clients state that they “really trust Ivandro's technical knowledge.”

The real estate practice at this full-service firm benefits from being able to draw on the expertise of the wider firm, as well as the international know-how of Mayer Brown, to offer a sophisticated service. The financing, development and acquisition of real estate projects are areas of specialisation, as are investments and contracts. The structuring of investment funds and the issuance of real estate securities have kept the firm busy over the last year. A recent highlight was the representation of PDG Realty Empreendimentos e Participações and its bookrunner Banco Bradesco during its issuance of BRL280 million of debentures. Carlos Motta is the main contact for clients.

Clients mention that this full-service firm's main strengths lie in its “international experience and complementary expertise in other areas of law.” Its broad-ranging practice covers all the main aspects of urban and rural real estate project investments, financings and development and it represents a diverse range of clients. In recent work, the firm assisted Philip Morris in the acquisition of real estate in the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul as part of its expansion strategy in Brazil. The firm also represented Norsk Hydro during its acquisition of approximately 18,000 hectares of land in the Amazon region from Vale for an amount of USD5.5 billion. Daniela Truzzi Prieto is described by market sources as “having a very promising career in real estate law.” She was one of the lead lawyers advising Renuka Sugars on the real estate due diligence carried out as part of its acquisition of Brazilian sugar and ethanol producer Equipav.

This mid-sized, full-service firm is particularly active in Rio de Janeiro and also has an office in São Paulo. It covers most areas of real estate, counselling developers and investors in urban and rural projects. Market sources note its experience in agribusiness projects, where it covers rural land acquisitions, regularisations and financing. José Luis Camargo Jr is the main point of contact for clients.