Singled out for ‘the exceptional quality of its services, highly qualified team and ability to offer innovative legal solutions‘, BMA Advogados is home to a competition law practice that occupies a leading position in the merger control space, covering both large-scale domestic and cross-border transactions. The firm is also adept in conduct matters, including not only high-profile cartels cases, but also dominance issues and leniency agreements. With a strong presence in the life sciences, agribusiness, energy, chemicals, telecoms, financial services and retail sectors, the department has additional capabilities in internal investigations and in the implementation of antitrust compliance programmes. Practice head Barbara Rosenberg is a reference for major merger proceedings before CADE (Brazil’s competition authority) and unilateral conduct investigations. These are also key areas of expertise for José Inacio Prado, who further advises on disputes involving competition law issues. Marcos Exposto and Bernardo Cascão possess notable strength in merger reviews and cartel investigations. The ‘highly respected‘ ​​Camilla Paoletti has recently advised on the merger filing of significant transactions in the food, transport, IT and healthcare segments, while the ‘detail-oriented‘ Guilherme Morgulis has handled merger clearances, anti-competitive investigations and administrative settlements before CADE. Maria Amaral de Almeida Sampaio often represents clients in competition and antitrust proceedings in the administrative and judicial spheres, and Lea Jenner de Faria focuses on both merger control and behavioural work.

Entirely devoted to antitrust and competition law, Grinberg Cordovil Advogados (GCA) remains at the forefront of the market for its unparalleled track record in complex behavioural matters, including high-profile investigations and cases concerning cartels, unilateral conducts and abuse of dominance. Standing out for its expertise in antitrust matters in the internet, technology, payment services, marketplaces and telecoms sectors, the team is also well versed in merger reviews and in the negotiation of leniency agreements. Highly regarded partner Mauro Grinberg (a former Commissioner at CADE and Attorney General of the National Treasury) handles the entire range of antitrust mandates, from merger control to litigation, often representing clients before CADE and the national courts. He jointly oversees the department with Leonor Cordovil, a leading figure for cartel and unilateral investigations, leniency applications, and the implementation of compliance programmes. Other notable practitioners include Karen Ruback, a key name for clients from the chemicals, electronics, entertainment and transport segments; Ricardo Motta, who handles both merger control and conduct investigations with a particular focus on the tech, financial services and life sciences sectors; and Beatriz Cravo, who manages a varied workload, where merger filings feature alongside investigations into anti-competitive practices.

Noted for its ‘knowledge of the industry and recent decisions by CADE‘, the ‘highly qualified, objective and accessible‘ antitrust practice at Mattos Filho is a key port of call for domestic and international heavyweights from the worlds of energy, telecoms, technology, life sciences and financial services, among other sectors. Covering the entire spectrum of competition law matters, the team particularly stands out for its proficiency in complex merger control proceedings; conduct matters, including high-profile cartel and dominance investigations, as well as leniency negotiations, antitrust compliance and lawsuits involving competition issues are other key areas of activity for the department. Marcio Soares is a name to note in the Rio office who maintains a broad practice covering merger reviews, investigations into anti-competitive conduct, antitrust lawsuits and compliance. Based in São Paulo, Lauro Celidonio Neto and Renata Fonseca Zuccolo Giannella have negotiated hundreds of M&A transactions before CADE, and are also well placed to undertake behavioural work. In the same office, Michelle Machado often acts in merger control and leniency negotiations, while associate Ana Carolina Bittar is particularly skilled in unilateral conduct matters and cease-and-desist agreements (TCCs). A key driver behind the firm’s competition practice in Brasília, Eduardo Frade draws on his former experience at several public management agencies to advise clients on merger clearances, cartels, abuse of dominant position cases and antitrust compliance.

At Pinheiro Neto Advogados, the competition group ‘not only has full command of local legal matters, be it legislation or the latest regulatory provisions in the area, but also manages to bring an accurate analysis of the topic on a global scale‘. The team, which is ‘effective at bridging language and cultural barriers‘, is well placed to assist with the merger clearance of both significant domestic and cross-border transactions, but particularly shines in anti-competitive conduct matters in the administrative and judicial spheres. The latter is, in fact, a key area of growth for the department, which has increasingly been engaged in judicial litigation concerning high-profile claims, including class actions, seeking to recover damages for cartel practices. A leading figure in the competition law space, Cristianne Zarzur has a wealth of experience in merger filings, behavioural matters and compliance issues. José Alexandre Buaiz Neto excels in multijurisdictional leniency agreements and antitrust litigation before Brazilian courts. Anti-competitive investigations and merger control are core areas of activity for Renê Medrado and Leonardo Rocha e Silva, the latter of whom has a strong track record in cartel investigations in the life sciences, healthcare and transport sectors. Daniel Costa Rebello is a name to note for leniency and settlement agreements with CADE.

TozziniFreire Advogados houses a leading antitrust practice, which is made up of ‘well-trained and technical professionals, with great professionalism, agility and proximity‘. Drawing on their previous experience at CADE, several team members are skilled at representing clients in merger filings and review proceedings, cartel and unilateral cases, damages claims before the courts, and, most notably, leniency and settlement agreements. A key destination for multijurisdictional mandates, including merger control and conduct work, the practice is under the leadership of Marcelo Calliari, who has a wealth of experience in leniency agreements and merger clearance. These are also among Guilherme Ribas‘s legal specialisms. Vivian Fraga is a strong performer in complex domestic and cross-border merger reviews and antitrust litigation. Patricia Bandouk Carvalho is another noteworthy practitioner focused on leniency negotiations, investigations and cartel cases.

‘Highly specialised in complex antitrust matters‘, boutique firm Advocacia Del Chiaro is singled out for its impressive historical track record in landmark cases in an array of industries, including steel, automotive, consumer products, technology, digital markets and financial services. Behavioural work, including major investigations into anti-competitive conduct and cartels, and competition litigation are at the core of the practice, which is ‘able to use valuable international practice and case law from other relevant jurisdictions as a driver for local authorities’ assessments‘. Merger control issues are also handled by the department, which is under the joint leadership of competition law veteran José Del Chiaro and Ademir Antonio Pereira Júnior, the latter of whom has led several investigations and merger review cases in traditional industries and the digital economy. Luiz Felipe Rosa Ramos, ‘a rising star in the firm’s constellation‘, advises on conduct cases, merger filings, and leniency and settlement agreements. Associate Mariana de Azevedo Castro César is another name to note for merger proceedings and investigations into cartels and unilateral conduct.

Boutique Caminati Bueno Advogados fields a team of ‘partners and associates who are highly specialised and up to date with developments in the world of competition law, whether with CADE or in the judiciary'. The team is engaged in prominent anti-competitive proceedings before CADE, but is also well placed to handle merger filings and antitrust damage claims. 'Demonstrating a high level of knowledge on antitrust issues, as well as CADE jurisprudence', Eduardo Caminati Anders oversees the department with Marcio Bueno, a 'highly specialised lawyer' who is 'at the forefront of the most important discussions' in the competition law space. Other key team members include Guilherme Misale, who has recently advised on several merger reviews, and Luiz Fernando Coimbra, a name to note for banking and financial services clients.

Demonstrating extensive ‘knowledge of the subject and the dynamics of how CADE works‘, Cescon Barrieu‘s competition and antitrust department shines on complex and fast-track merger filings, but is also well versed in investigations into all types of anti-competitive conduct, including cartels. Settlement negotiations with CADE, antitrust litigation and competition compliance programmes are other core areas of activity for the group. The group is under the joint leadership of a capable trio: Joyce Midori Honda has substantial experience in merger reviews, appeals against CADE’s decisions, and cartel investigations; Ricardo Lara Gaillard is especially active in merger control and settlement negotiations; and Rodrigo Belon focuses on antitrust investigations. Senior associate Thales Lemos stands out for his involvement in merger filings, investigations and antitrust damages claims.

Well-placed to advise on all types of enforcement carried out by CADE and the domestic courts, Demarest Advogados possesses particular expertise in complex merger filings, unilateral conduct cases and cartel probes. Rated for its ‘excellent knowledge of the local regulators coupled with a can-do approach to international clients’, the group has been particularly active in the energy, construction, pharmaceutical, and agribusiness sectors. Focused on antitrust law and follow-on litigation, Bruno Drago is proficient in merger control and competition infringement investigations. He oversees the practice with Daniel Oliveira Andreoli, who shines in leniency and settlement negotiations, abuse of dominance cases and matters concerning divestiture orders. Marco Antônio Fonseca is another name to note for both transactional and conduct work.

Heavyweights from the worlds of agribusiness, banking and finance, aviation, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, consumer goods, retail and telecoms routinely seek Lefosse Advogados‘ assistance with complex merger control proceedings and antitrust investigations. Working in close collaboration with leading international firms, the team is particularly adept at handling multijurisdictional merger filings. The firm’s antitrust and competition law capabilities were significantly strengthened by the arrival of competition specialist Paola Pugliese, a name to note for merger clearances, cartel investigations and litigation before CADE and the domestic courts, and Milena Mundim, a contact for transactional antitrust mandates, who joined from Demarest Advogados in April 2023. With them also came Fernanda Harari , who is regarded for her solid track record in merger control. Former co-head José Carlos Berardo is no longer at the firm.

Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados‘ competition and antitrust group possesses notable strength in advising on merger filings of significant corporate transactions, including domestic and cross-border deals. In addition to merger control matters in the banking, construction, consumer goods, education, energy, food and beverages, and healthcare segments, among others, the team also excels in cartel and abuse of dominance investigations, and in the negotiation of leniency and settlement agreements. Leading the antitrust department is Maria Eugênia Novis, who focuses on merger reviews, investigations and negotiations with CADE. Managing partner Tito Amaral de Andrade has a wealth of experience in antitrust investigations and competition litigation. Ana Bátia Glenk is recommended for her strong performance in settlements and leniency agreements before CADE and also often assists with antitrust and compliance training.

A popular choice for clients operating in a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, agribusiness, telecoms, banking, chemicals, oil and gas, and life sciences (among others), boutique Magalhães e Dias - Advocacia is home to a ‘highly qualified team‘, which possesses ‘an enormous capacity for understanding and responding to complex cases‘. The team provides ‘quick and assertive responses‘ in the context of conduct investigations, merger review filings, settlement negotiations, and antitrust and anti-corruption compliance matters, standing out for its strong track record in litigation. Recommended for his ‘outstanding legal knowledge‘, department head Gabriel Nogueira Dias is often sought out by major players in administrative and judicial proceedings in this space, as well as merger reviews. A key contact for clients from the real estate and fertilisers industry, Thais De Sousa Guerra is active in compliance, cartel and vertical practice investigations. Cristiano Rodrigo Del Debbio is also recommended for antitrust and unfair competition contentious matters, while Yi Shin Tang stands out for his proficiency in antitrust investigations and merger control for leading multinationals. The ‘highly detailed, proactive and responsive‘ Leonardo Barbosa stands out at the senior associate level.

With a strong presence in highly regulated sectors, including telecoms and financial services, the competition and antitrust department at Pereira Neto | Macedo | Rocco Advogados is adept at handling high-profile antitrust investigations carried out by CADE, standing out for its proficiency in abuse of dominance cases and cartel investigations. Merger control mandates are another core focus for the group, which is also skilled in leniency agreements, compliance and damages claims. The practice is jointly led by a capable trio: competition law and regulatory expert Caio Mario Da Silva Pereira Neto undertakes merger control and conduct work in the telecoms, payment services, auto parts and pharmaceutical industries; Daniel Douek is recognised for his experience in antitrust cases involving regulated sectors; and Ricardo Ferreira Pastore frequently advises on cartel investigations, leniency applications, merger clearances and litigation. Felipe Starzynski Zolezi Pelussi stands out at the associate level for his involvement in complex antitrust cases.

Standing out ‘for its in-depth knowledge of national and international legislation‘, Tauil & Chequer Advogados‘ antitrust and competition department is noted for its strong track record in merger filings before CADE. With a strong following of both domestic and international clients from the agribusiness, energy, healthcare, banking, pharmaceutical and consumer goods industries, the group is notably skilled in cross-border mandates. Francisco Todorov, who focuses on merger control work, cartel investigations, abuse of dominance cases and leniency agreements, is the key name to note in the Brasilia office. In São Paulo, Adriana Giannini excels in complex merger reviews, while Lorena Nisiyama is singled out for her experience in cartel investigations, settlement agreements and internal antitrust audits. Isabella Giorgi excels in multijurisdictional merger control filings.

With a strong presence in both the federal capital and the main financial centres in the country, the antitrust and competition group at Veirano Advogados ‘provides agile service, with a high level of technical knowledge‘. Showcasing particular strength in mandates concerning regulated sectors, like telecoms and natural resources, the team is regularly instructed in complex merger reviews of domestic and cross-border transactions, and also possesses strong credentials in conduct work, including investigations into cartels and unilateral conducts. Co-head Leonardo Maniglia Duarte handles both merger control and conduct cases, including leniency negotiations and settlements with CADE. Fellow co-leader Enrico Romanielo, whose areas of expertise include merger reviews and investigations into anti-competitive conduct, is a key contact for clients operating in heavily regulated sectors, including telecoms and payment services. Also part of the core team, Alberto Monteiro is experienced in international cartel investigations and horizontal practices.

Demonstrating ‘in-depth technical and market knowledge‘, the competition and antitrust department at VMCA Advogados is adept at advising an array of clients, including energy, construction, education, and healthcare companies, among others, on major antitrust investigations. Noted for being ‘always very attentive to market movements and possible impacts on the client’s business‘, the group is jointly led by Ticiana Lima and Marcela Mattiuzzo. With a strong background at CADE, Lima excels in merger filings, cartel cases and investigations into anti-competitive conducts. Mattiuzzo brings a wealth of knowledge on leniency negotiations, compliance, settlement agreements and horizontal mergers. Associate Anna Binotto, praised for being ‘very pro-business and fundamental to the decision-making process‘, assists clients from the worlds of infrastructure, heavy manufacturing, consumer goods and technology with antitrust risk assessments for complex M&A, compliance matters and merger reviews.

Marchini Botelho Caselta Advogados‘ team is ‘made up of very qualified‘ and seasoned professionals with extensive experience in merger reviews, cartel investigations and related damage claims. The group is also a strong performer in unilateral conduct issues and judicial litigation against decisions by antitrust authorities. Domestic and international clients from an array of industries, including oil and gas, technology, real estate and logistics, also seek the team’s assistance with the development of antitrust compliance programmes. Aurélio Marchini Santos possesses a strong track record in antitrust investigations and merger review cases. These are also key areas of expertise for Ricardo Botelho, who jointly heads up the practice with Marchini. In addition to investigations and merger control issues, Victoria Corradini also advises on the development of antitrust compliance programmes.

Mudrovitsch Advogados ‘stands out for its technical quality in dealing with topics related to competition law, whether in litigation or consultancy‘. The team is skilled at handling complex merger filings under CADE’s analysis, cases of unilateral conduct, cartel investigations and leniency negotiations, showcasing particular strength in the technology, telecoms, oil and gas, banking, construction and transport sectors. Victor Santos Rufino leads the team, where Victor Cavalcanti is another name to note for merger control, compliance issues and investigations. Both ‘have strong technical quality and complement each other to provide the best possible client service‘.

Drawing on an expansive ‘international network of lawyers‘, the antitrust practice at Trench Rossi Watanabe has the ability to handle multijurisdictional merger clearances, and is also often engaged in high-profile investigations before CADE and litigation. The team also assists corporate clients from the consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and automotive sectors, among others, with audits and the development and implementation of antitrust compliance programmes. The group is under the joint leadership of Paulo Casagrande and Francisco Niclós Negrão, both of whom have a wealth of experience in competition law, covering conduct and merger control work. Merger cases and antitrust investigations are core areas of activity for senior associate Andrea Cruz.

Brolio Gonçalves Advogados, 'a highly qualified firm specialising in competition law', handles an array of matters, including merger clearance, behaviour cases, cartel investigations, unilateral conduct issues and compliance. 'With over twenty years' experience in the area representing individuals and companies', Priscila Brolio Gonçalves is often instructed by clients from the technology, media, financial services, retail, pharmaceuticals and telecoms sectors, among others. Mariana Villela focuses on transactional issues and administrative proceedings concerning collusive and unilateral conducts.

Singled out for its ‘in-depth knowledge of Brazilian antitrust legislation and jurisprudence‘, Cascione Pulino Boulos Advogados‘ competition and antitrust department often advises on the merger clearance of high-profile transactions, and is well versed in internal and governmental investigations, mandates involving unilateral and collusive practices, compliance and preventive issues. Dual qualified partner (Brazil and New York) Denise Junqueira is ‘part of the select list of notable professionals in Brazilian antitrust law‘. She oversees the team which also features Maíra Isabel Saldanha Rodrigues, who excels in merger control, antitrust compliance and investigations into anti-competitive practices.

The ‘helpful, agile, fast, and organised‘ competition and antitrust group at IW Melcheds is skilled at representing companies and their employees in investigations into anti-competitive practices, demonstrating particular strength in unilateral conduct and cartel matters. Clients from a multitude of sectors, including aviation, consumer goods, transport, financial services and infrastructure, routinely turn to the team for its ‘great knowledge of competition law‘. With over two decades of experience in this space, Ricardo Inglez de Souza is the main point of contact for competition cases and investigations.

Focused on merger control and antitrust investigations, Lobo de Rizzo Advogados‘ team is often engaged by a diversity of multinational clients, including players from the financial services, agribusiness, transport, energy, and food and beverage sectors, to name a few. With over three decades of experience in antitrust, regulatory and compliance mandates, Sérgio Varella Bruna jointly oversees the department with Natalia Pinheiro Da Silveira, whose areas of notable activity include merger control and antitrust investigations.

The 'highly proficient team' at Madrona Fialho Advogados is recommended for its 'excellent knowledge not only of the local and international regulations but also the approach of the regulator and other relevant authorities'. The group manages a balanced competition and antitrust workload where merger reviews feature alongside anti-competitive conduct investigations and compliance matters. Its client base is equally diverse; companies from the healthcare, infrastructure, construction, chemical, technology and energy sectors regularly seek the team's advice on both transactional and conduct mandates. Luís Nagalli steers the team in an array of merger control matters and cartel investigations.

Under the leadership of Fabricio Cardim de Almeida, the competition and antitrust practice at Mello Torres is particularly skilled at assisting clients from the energy, retail, real estate and manufacturing sectors with merger filings before CADE. Department leader Almeida acts for domestic and foreign companies in mandates concerning horizontal and vertical arrangements, compliance programmes and cartel investigations. Gláucia Gomes Menato offers key support on merger control filings and unilateral conduct cases.

Headquartered in Brasilia, competition boutique firm Ana Frazão Advogados provides legal support to domestic and international clients in relation to high-profile antitrust cases heard before CADE. Investigations into anti-competitive conduct, leniency and settlement agreements, and cartel probes are some of the team's core areas of activity. Name and founding partner Ana Frazão is noted by clients for being 'an excellent professional in competition law'.

The antitrust and competition practice at Araújo e Policastro Advogados ‘consistently demonstrates an ability to think creatively and provide practical advice‘. The firm, which acts for domestic and international companies across a range of industries, stands out for its proficiency in private antitrust enforcement and cartel damages claims. With particular strength in representing claimants in antitrust litigation, Bruno Lanna Peixoto is at the helm of the department.

Clients operating in a variety of sectors, such as healthcare, mining, construction, and manufacturing, regularly turn to the team at BRZ - Barbosa, Raimundo, Gontijo, Câmara e Zanotta Advogados for advice on antitrust investigations and litigation. With notable strength in acting for companies and executives in high-profile proceedings, the team is also singled out for its experience in the negotiation of leniency agreements. Pedro Zanotta is a key point of contact for corporate clients and individuals involved in conduct investigations. He jointly heads up the team with Bruno Burini, who joined from Trench Rossi Watanabe in May 2023 to lead the Brasilia office.

Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper is home to an antitrust and compliance department that is equipped to advise on merger clearance, antitrust investigations, settlement agreements and anti-competitive civil liability proceedings. The group is led by Luciana Martorano, an ‘excellent lawyer‘, who is ‘extremely supportive and collaborative‘ and singled out for her strong track record in merger control procedures. Senior associate Maria Amoroso Wagner is another name to note for merger reviews and anti-competitive behavioural work.

Praised for its 'commitment, efficiency and knowledge', the competition practice at CGM Advogados is often instructed by foreign companies from the pharmaceutical, healthcare and infrastructure sectors, among others, in relation to cartel investigations and merger review proceedings before CADE. Leading the department is André Gilberto, whose areas of expertise include antitrust investigations, with a particular focus on cartels, collusion schemes and fraud in public tenders. Counsel Natali Santos is active in merger control, including multijurisdictional filings, and antitrust investigations.

Demonstrating extensive experience in heavily regulated sectors, Figueiredo & Velloso Advogados handles a mix of merger control matters and anti-competitive conduct cases for a varied client base, made up of domestic and international corporates and individuals. Bruno Droghetti Magalhães Santos, who is based in São Paulo and concentrates on merger filings, unilateral conducts and collusive behaviour, oversees the practice alongside Daniel Mesquita in Brasilia.

Corporate clients and individuals, including company executives, regularly seek L.O. Baptista Advogados‘ assistance with investigations into anti-competitive conduct, settlement negotiations and compliance matters. The practice is also routinely engaged in merger filings and lawsuits before the national courts challenging CADE’s decisions. Patricia Agra Araujo is the main point of contact in the team; her notable areas of activity include merger reviews, antitrust investigations and leniency agreements.

Founded in early 2023, boutique firm Marcos Verissimo Advogados acts for a growing number of clients from the infrastructure, energy, life sciences, financial services and telecoms industries as well as other non-regulated sectors in merger filings, anti-competitive proceedings before CADE and antitrust compliance matters. Founder Marcos Paulo Verissimo, a former Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados' partner, advises on the negotiation of leniency agreements, litigation and investigations. Ana Carolina de Carvalho draws on her previous experience at CADE to assist with merger filings, antitrust investigations and negotiations with the competition authority.

Benefitting from the firm's strong transactional arm, Stocche Forbes Advogados' antitrust group is often engaged by domestic and foreign clients - including private equity firms, sovereign funds and companies from the telecoms, energy and healthcare sectors, among others - in merger filings at CADE. Ana Paula Paschoalini is the main point of contact; she routinely advises on the antitrust aspects of M&A deals, merger reviews and on the development and review of compliance programmes.

Despite its recent history, boutique Vilanova Advocacia has already gained a strong reputation for its ability to handle complex merger control procedures before CADE and antitrust investigations. Brazilian companies and foreign players from the worlds of transport, chemicals, technology and healthcare (among others) make up its varied client base. Former CADE commissioner Polyanna Vilanova brings over two decades' experience in this space; she oversees the practice, which is headquartered in Brasilia.