Bomfim Novis Advogados ‘delivers a high quality service in the Northeast region of Brazil’ in the fields of corporate law, M&A, litigation and tax. On the transactional side, the firm is well placed to advise buyers and sellers in M&A deals involving the energy, healthcare, shipping, mining, real estate, construction and pharmaceutical sectors; corporate reorganisations, joint ventures and strategic alliances are other core areas of activity. Elisa Gantois Novis steers the team in a host of business transactions, contractual matters and commercial partnerships. She receives key support from associate Luísa Pinheiro, who is skilled in equity and asset deals, reorganisations and financings. Founding partner Diego Bomfim takes the lead on tax work, which encompasses tax planning, incentives, special taxation regimes and litigation. Senior associate Carlos Maia frequently advises on state tax issues, while Marselle Bomfim specialises in corporate and international taxation. Hugo Marinho is a noteworthy practitioner for corporate and commercial disputes concerning the mining, construction, energy, technology and retail segments. Rafaela Setenta has specialist knowledge of environmental law, often acting for clients in licensing, administrative proceedings and transactional matters.

A popular ‘choice for sell-side M&A‘, Cescon Barrieu combines ‘the strength of a firm with national reach and a strong local presence in Salvador‘. Besides its strong capabilities in business transactions, the Salvador-based team is often instructed by multinationals, domestic corporations, investment funds, financial institutions and entrepreneurs in high-end deals involving the infrastructure and real estate sectors. Commercial arbitrations and cross-border litigation also feature on the group’s portfolio, which is managed by Gabriel Seijo Leal de Figueiredo; he possesses longstanding experience in multijurisdictional deals, contractual matters and corporate litigation. Senior associate Marcos Flávio Lago Lopes is active in proceedings before judicial and arbitral tribunals, while Vicente Coni Jr. handles real estate-related matters.

With a strong presence in Northeast Brazil, Cruz Campos Lobo Advogados handles nationally significant matters for large and medium-sized enterprises seeking assistance in tax, labour, and corporate law matters. Typical instructions for the team, which attracts mandates clients operating in the renewable energy, oil and gas, manufacturing, retail, infrastructure and construction sectors, also include consumer law, civil litigation and data protection issues. Business and civil procedural law specialist Leonardo Mendes Cruz jointly oversees the practice alongside Leonardo Nuñez Campos, who focuses on tax matters, and Marlos Lobo, a key contact for employment issues. Gabriela Almada regularly acts in strategic litigation.

Rated for its ‘technical capacity‘, Fraga & Trigo Advogados is ‘composed of professionals specialised in different areas of activity‘, including disputes, tax law, real estate and general corporate matters. Contentious work is a key pillar of the firm, which is seen with great regularity advising media, mining, automotive and steel industry clients in administrative and judicial proceedings at the municipal, state and federal levels involving social security contributions, direct and indirect taxes. Litigation specialist Pedro Trigo is particularly well versed in the resolution of product liability, corporate, tax and real estate disputes. Mining and insurance companies routinely turn to Eduardo Fraga for support in corporate and commercial matters, while Rodrigo Almeida and associate João Maia are dedicated to tax law. Ricardo Almeida ‘stands out for his excellent handling of highly complex processes‘ and ‘vast expertise in civil and tax claims‘. Litigation is also a key specialism for Alexandre Andrade, who excels in real estate claims. Paulo Soares is a name to note for employment matters.

Covering both litigation and non-contentious matters, Rego, Nolasco & Lins Advogados provides legal support to numerous businesses based in the state of Bahia, including companies from the infrastructure, banking, real estate, construction, and oil and gas sectors. M&A and governance matters are at the core of the practice, which is also proficient in project development and concession agreements. Singled out for his ‘vast legal experience in dealing with highly complex and strategic demands‘, André Monteiro do Rego is well regarded for his knowledge of regulatory matters, administrative law and public bids. He oversees the team that also includes Cristiane Nolasco Monteiro do Rego, who specialises in commercial contracts, public law matters and consumer law, Waldemiro Lins de Albuquerque Neto, whose areas of expertise include labour, real estate and litigation mandates, and Daciano Públio de Castro.

One of the largest full-service firms in the Northern region of the country, Siqueira Castro – Advogados fields a ‘close-knit and well-managed team‘, which possesses particular prowess in labour and tax litigation. Its diverse client roster comprises notable players from a multitude of industries, ranging from infrastructure to oil and gas, agribusiness and chemicals. Focused on social security issues and labour law, Fabiana Galdino Cotias heads up the practice with Marluzi Andrea Costa Barros, who is rated for her ‘exemplary technical knowledge‘ of tax matters, including judicial and administrative proceedings. Bruna Valéria Jatczak is recommended at the associate level.

With extensive experience in litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, Pessoa & Pessoa acts for domestic and international clients from the worlds of consumer goods, banking, telecoms, chemicals and retail in contentious matters arising from insurance, consumer, banking and commercial disputes. The firm is particularly well positioned to handle employment mandates, including negotiations with labour unions and collective actions. Noteworthy practitioners include Valton Doria Pessoa, Gustavo Galvão, Renata Lins Azi, Valton Doria Pessoa and Roberto Pessoa, all of whom are devoted to employment law.

Demonstrating an impressive trajectory in the dispute resolution and tax law spaces, PPF Advocacia is home to a team of seasoned practitioners, who are adept at handling administrative and judicial litigation. Public law-related contentious matters, as well as IP, corporate and tax disputes are key areas of expertise for the group, where Marcos Pires is recommended for his ‘excellent performance‘ in mandates involving the healthcare, retail, technology and infrastructure sectors. Public law experts Monya Pinheiro and Alberto Carvalho are skilled at acting for clients in administrative proceedings, public bids and labour matters involving public employees. Theonio Freitas undertakes contractual and contentious work, while Paula Lima is often retained by individual and corporate clients in direct and indirect tax issues.

Silva Matos Advogados stands out for its strong capabilities in employment law. Showcasing particular strength in labour claims, the group works for domestic and multinational companies active in the technology, cosmetics, real estate, industrial, logistics, mining and construction segments. Rafael Alfredi de Matos steers the Salvador-based team on an array of labour mandates, including hiring procedures and litigation. Edson Alves da Silva is noted for his wealth of experience in class actions involving labour unions. Márcia de Meirelles Fonseca is also part of the core team.