Azevedo Sette Advogados’ commercial, corporate, and M&A group is a powerhouse in the Minas Gerais market. The locally established firm has a full-service offering, which covers M&A, joint venture agreements, and equity sales of local, national and international scale. The practice is capable of handling transactional matters on behalf of clients from a variety of industry sectors, such as mining, real estate, and energy. Leading the team are Fernando Azevedo Sette, a key name for mining, construction, and engineering clients, Luis Ricardo Miraglia, noted for his expertise in the mining and energy sectors, and Ana Paula Terra Caldeira, who is especially active in the mining and technology segments. All three practice heads are renowned for their deep expertise in complex M&A deals, commercial and financial contracts, succession planning, and foreign investments. Other key names in the group include Frederico Bopp Dieterich, who focuses on the financing and development of infrastructure projects, and Roberto Ribas Wilson, who is recognised for his work on M&A, contracts, and corporate matters. The team also benefits from the knowledge of Bruna Bouissou who concentrates on concessions, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and privatisations.

The commercial, corporate, and M&A practice at Madrona Fialho Advogados is a notable name in the Belo Horizonte market and has particular expertise in mergers and acquisitions, as well as in private equity and joint venture transactions. It represents clients from a wide range of industry sectors including, but not limited to, sanitation, energy, and financial services. Co-leading the group is Alice Dourado, who is recognised for handling complex M&A and private equity deals, joint ventures, and corporate governance issues. The team also benefits from the expertise of practice co-head Patricia Alvarenga, who focuses on the structuring of M&A transaction documents and shareholder agreements, although she is also adept in succession planning.

Singled out for its expertise in capital markets and securitisation transactions, Cescon Barrieu has a full-service corporate offering which covers commercial contracts, corporate governance, ESG matters, and more. Heading the corporate and commercial practice is Frederico Viana Rodrigues, who specialises in M&A transactions, corporate governance, and corporate affairs. Another notable name in the team is Julia Lobo Dutra, who specialises in domestic and cross-border transactions. The group also benefits from the knowledge of Alice Fulgêncio Brandão, who is adept in representing banks and investors in mandates regarding bond and debentures issuances, public offerings, and structured finance.

Freitas Ferraz Advogados’ corporate and M&A practice, led by Bernardo Freitas and Adriano Ferraz, handles a range of mandates, including M&A, corporate restructurings, corporate litigation, and commercial contracts. Despite its relatively recent establishment in 2016, the team has amassed a robust client base from various industries and continues to attract new clients, predominantly from the energy, mining, and financial services sectors. The practice maintains a strong presence in the Belo Horizonte market and is capable of undertaking complex work which involves foreign jurisdictions. Both Freitas and Ferraz have expertise in domestic and cross-border transactions, corporate restructuring, mutual investment funds, private equity, and venture capital deals. Another key member of the group is associate Juliana Marcincowski, who concentrates on corporate transactions in the technology, steelmaking, and healthcare industries.

Rolim Goulart Cardoso Advogados has extensive experience in commercial contracts, M&A, and infrastructure projects, and is capable of undertaking complex and high-value matters, sometimes involving cross-border elements. The team represents clients from a broad spectrum of industries, but particularly stands out for its presence in the mining and energy sectors. Leading the group are Fabio Appendino and Luis Gustavo Miranda – Appendino focuses on corporate reorganisations and M&A, while Miranda concentrates on real estate and infrastructure projects alongside compliance matters. The recently promoted Alessandra Rezende Torres is another central member of the practice; her expertise in corporate restructuring and M&A deals is noteworthy. Associates Paulo Teixeira Fernandes and Sophia Galbas Rezende are recognised for their knowledge of contracts, compliance, privatisations, and due diligence.

Paula Andrade Ribeiro Chaves leads the team at Coimbra & Chaves, which is noted for specialising in cross-border M&A transactions, corporate law and contractual matters. With a growing client roster, the practice represents companies from the healthcare, mining, and construction sectors, among others. Practice head Chaves is recognised for her expertise in M&A and venture capital transactions. Rafael Costa Zimmer Prados concentrates on M&A deals, 'brilliantly coordinating complex work that involves the interests of several parties'.

Gotlib Massara Rocha Advogados handles a host of corporate and M&A matters, commercial contracts, and investment funds-related issues. Also skilled in project finance mandates, the firm focuses on the energy, real estate, and infrastructure sectors, but covers other industries such as agribusiness, technology, and construction. Practice co-heads Renzo Gotlib and David Massara Joanes have extensive experience in M&A transactions, capital markets, and succession planning. Gotlib is particularly noted for his involvement in high-value transactions, while Joanes is recognised for his corporate law advisory work. The practice also benefits from the expertise of Pedro Figueiredo Rocha, who excels in corporate disputes, corporate reorganisations and bankruptcies.

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados‘ Belo Horizonte-based team demonstrates notable proficiency in capital markets and real estate matters. The group is skilled in equity and debt transactions, but has seen recent growth in corporate restructuring and shareholder agreement negotiations. The practice is led by Gustavo Rugani, who specialises in capital markets and M&A. Another key member of the team is senior associate Wagner Duarte, who handles capital markets transactions and regulatory compliance issues. Former co-head Bruno Costa is no longer at the firm.

With extensive expertise in cross-border commercial transactions, Vilas Boas, Lopes e Frattari Advogados’ corporate, M&A, and contracts practice has a notable presence in the construction, energy, and mining sectors. Christian Lopes possesses in-depth knowledge of corporate and contractual matters, financial transactions and arbitration. He jointly oversees the group with Fernanda Galvão, who focuses on contracts and compliance, and Pedro Ernesto Rocha, a name to note for M&A deals.

Almeida Advogados’ corporate and M&A team specialises in handling acquisitions and equity sales for clients from the energy, mining, technology, and agribusiness sectors. The practice is regularly engaged in cross-border matters, and its capabilities in this space extend to contractual negotiations and corporate governance issues. Practice head Guilherme Doval boasts a breadth of expertise in corporate, business, and real estate law, and is also well positioned to advise on IP, tax, and arbitration mandates.

Bernardes & Advogados Associados is adept at advising companies from the technology, transport, beverages, and construction industries, among others, on M&A transactions, corporate governance, compliance and contractual issues. Flávio Couto Bernardes, André Tostes Carvalho, and Weslley Barbosa Chalef co-lead the team and, in addition to M&A, bring together extensive experience in corporate governance, private equity, venture capital, and project finance mandates. Together, the group is capable of handling complex matters involving foreign jurisdictions.

Boasting an international client base, the corporate and contracts team at Chenut is regularly engaged in complex mandates involving multinational companies and foreign jurisdictions. The practice has expertise in corporate restructuring, asset distribution, and acquisitions, alongside financing and regulatory compliance. Phillipe Boutaud-Sanz is noted for advising foreign companies from the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, chemicals and food sectors on M&A transactions, while Luiz Gustavo R. Oliveira Rocholi focuses on arbitrations concerning contracts, international business and corporate transactions, with a special emphasis on the financial services, chemicals and oil and gas industries. Both practitioners lead the practice with Iara Peixoto Melo.

Goulart & Colepicolo Advogados’ corporate law, M&A, and capital markets practice excels in transactional matters concerning the real estate sector. João Gilberto Freire Goulart, Cristiano Silva Colepicolo, Pedro Paulo Moreira Rodrigues, and Lucas Moreira Gonçalves jointly oversee group and collectively possess expertise in real estate, corporate and tax law, M&A, and wealth planning. Goulart is noted for his additional experience in due diligence, investment funds, civil litigation, and arbitration, while Rodrigues is recognised for his work in venture capital and capital markets deals in the technology and agribusiness sectors.

Leading the corporate and M&A team at Lacerda Diniz Sena is Rafael De Lacerda Campos, who specialises in corporate and M&A matters, as well as tax and succession planning. The ‘competent, dedicated, and available‘ group is skilled at advising on day-to-day corporate law matters, reorganisations, and due diligence. Representing companies from a range of industry sectors, the practice continues to attract new clients and increase its portfolio. Other notable names in the team are Romulo José Martins Junior and Eric Nahum, both of whom handle a mix of transactional and corporate law mandates. Associates Julia Coutinho Gonçalves Ferreira and Clarice Souza Martins are very active members of the group and bring expertise in domestic M&A transactions and corporate restructuring.

Maneira Advogados’ corporate M&A practice predominantly concentrates on advising on corporate governance matters, although it is also recognised for its capabilities in M&A transactions and corporate reorganisations for clients from the telecoms, oil and gas, mining, and energy sectors. Pedro Brito, José Elias de Pádua, and Eduardo Caixeta, all of whom are noted for their strong track record in M&A deals, co-lead the group. Brito also has expertise in succession planning and real estate, while de Pádua is capable of handling private equity matters and contractual agreements. Caixeta is proficient in debt issues and corporate financing.

Specialising in cross-border transactions and corporate law advice for domestic and international companies, Manucci Advogados is capable of handling complex and high-value mandates, including joint ventures, partnerships and contracts. With an impressive client base that continues to grow, the corporate and M&A practice is co-led by Daniel Manucci, Edson Martins, Renato Andrade in Belo Horizonte, and São Paulo-based Délber Andrade Gribel Lage. Manucci is noted for his expertise in joint ventures and M&A deals, while Martins handles both domestic and cross-border deals. Another key member of the team is Luciana Rosa, who concentrates on contracts, intellectual property, and data protection issues.

With expertise in M&A, private equity, venture capital and capital markets mandates, Marcelo Tostes Advogados is capable of handling complex matters involving cross-border issues. The commercial, corporate, and M&A practice predominantly acts for clients from the healthcare, real estate and technology sectors. Lorena Castilho, a name to note for real estate, succession and transactional matters, and Pedro Vasconcellos, who focuses on M&A, international contracts, joint ventures and financings, co-lead the practice.

With expertise in M&A transactions, contract negotiations, and corporate restructuring, the team at Tavernard Advogados advises clients from an array of industries including energy, agribusiness, mining, and IT. The practice is capable of handling complex matters involving other jurisdictions. Mário Tavernard leads the team and covers a breadth of matters including, but not limited to, M&A, restructuring, private equity transactions, and investment funds-related issues. He regularly negotiates contractual agreements and corporate transactions for clients in the pharmaceutical, energy, and infrastructure sectors.