Environmental advocacy is the mainstay of boutique firm Milaré Advogados, a ‘pioneer in Brazil’ providing exhaustive coverage of contentious and non-contentious issues experienced by every industry interacting with the environmental sphere. Praised for its outstanding performance in judicial, administrative, and criminal environmental law proceedings, the firm is equally at home consulting on licensing processes for infrastructure and energy projects, normative instruments for regional authorities, regulatory compliance, as well as international and comparative law relating to socio-environmental impacts. Founding partner Édis Milaré, ‘identified nationally and internationally as the most notable specialist in environmental law in Brazil and Latin America’, supervises the practice alongside Lucas Tamer Milaré, whose background in diffuse and collective rights facilitates a holistic approach to legal environmental concerns. Maria Clara Rodrigues Alves Gomes has a masterful grasp of infrastructure-related industries like energy, mining, oil and gas, and transport, and Thiago Sales Pereira is highly capable in managing litigation for national and multinational companies. Rubens Silveira Neto leads on civil litigation matters, while Lupércio Alves Cruz de Carvalho is accomplished in complex licensing processes and major litigation cases. Roberta Jardim de Morais and Mayara Alves Bezerra left the firm in July 2023.

Drawing on a preeminent history spanning four decades, Pinheiro Neto Advogados is no stranger to advising industry heavy hitters in a spectrum of different environmental law matters, including on-the-job health and safety issues, indigenous peoples and traditional communities’ rights, Conservation Units regulations, life sciences regulations, climate change issues, and ESG practices. A strong, integrated litigation team shines in administrative and judicial proceedings, with exceptional results in contesting infraction notices and licensing obligations, as well as representing clients’ rights and interests in civil inquiries and public-interest lawsuits. Based in São Paulo, the group is comprised of ‘extremely competent, reliable and experienced professionals’ like Werner Grau, a staple for mining and energy companies facing investigations and public civil actions relating to soil contamination and industrial pollution. Alexandre Outeda Jorge confronts the amalgam of health, safety, and environment, and has been at the forefront of critical cases related to employees’ exposure to asbestos, mercury, and cyanide. Luis Celso Ribeiro has strong credentials in multi-party suits and investigations, as well as urban law, while André Vivan de Souza has garnered a reputation in collective litigation involving environmental matters and communities, and Paula Susanna Amaral Mello is heavily engaged in the drafting of bills associated with sustainability and climate change projects. Senior associate Natália Azevedo de Carvalho has robust experience in cross-border litigation, circular economy initiatives, carbon market projects, and mining and dam safety issues.

Environmentally sensitive sectors including mining, forestry, agribusiness, renewable energy, and oil and gas are the playground of Demarest Advogados, which provides comprehensive support in M&A and capital markets transactions, as well as corporate expansion, providing guidance on impact assessments, regulatory compliance, licensing requirements, and environmental liability. Incident and crisis management are further areas of strength, particularly in scenarios with cross-border and substantial financial implications. The São Paulo team is led jointly by Luiz Fernando Henry Sant’Anna, a premier environmental law specialist ‘with extensive experience in a wide range of topics’ noted for his detailed knowledge of waste management, take-back systems, and crisis management, and star of the firm’s ESG offering Fernanda Vianna Stefanelo, who excels in infrastructure project licensing, climate change, and carbon credits. From the associate ranks, Isabelle Carvalho Gonçalves stands out for her thorough grasp of ESG and carbon market issues, while Manuela Motta Zini assists with M&A deals, and disputes involving federal, state, and municipal entities. Senior associate Nicholas Krajnc left the firm in June 2023.

Drawing deep from a well of environmental law expertise, Graça Couto, Sequerra, Levitinas, Bicudo, Leal & Abby Advogados is a disputes and crisis management powerhouse, whose services are highly valued by clients from the energy, mining, oil and gas, infrastructure, and paper and pulp industries. The team is turned to for assistance with disasters and extreme events, most recently including the São Paulo energy crisis, the Rio de Janeiro water supply crisis, the Rio Grande do Sul climate crisis, and the Sugarloaf Mountain crisis. The team is equally capable in navigating the complexities of climate change issues, licensing processes, carbon markets, and matters impacting traditional and indigenous communities. Based in Rio de Janeiro, the practice is overseen by Oscar Graça Couto, ‘one of the biggest references in environmental law in the country’, Guilherme Leal, who is skilled in the nuances of climate change and conflicts involving extreme climate events, and Alexandre Abby, who finds his element in procedural matters of collective actions and arbitration claims. Associate Mariana Miranda is particularly well versed in matters relating to the energy sector, while Nina Didonet offers support across the breadth of environmental matters.

Able to ‘master complex environmental issues’, Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados is a force in the structuring of complex M&A transactions and projects, facilitating client needs across the spectrum of biodiversity, climate change, ESG, green finance, and environmental liability concerns, particularly in relation to the mining, steel, energy, chemical, agribusiness, and forestry sectors. Operating out of São Paulo, the team is also frequently engaged in crisis management and negotiations with regulatory bodies. Practice head Roberta Danelon Leonhardt, who also co-leads the firm’s multidisciplinary crisis management and ESG groups, is an exceptional talent in both contentious and non-contentious matters and highly sought out for her experience in potentially polluting projects, liability analysis, and identification and management of environmental risks. Eduardo Ferreira is ‘a born strategist’, whose ‘quick thinking and assertiveness’ shines in administrative and judicial litigation. Associate Thais Ferreira Moreno is a key contact for ESG and climate change matters, while Camila Argentino Silva Ribeiro Scopel excels in public civil actions relating to the food and beverage, pulp and paper, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries.

Advice on the entire breadth of business concerns in environmental matters is offered by the team at Mattos Filho, which is always primed to assist with climate change strategies and transactions, administrative and judicial litigation, negotiations with regulatory agencies and prosecutors, as well as capital markets and finance transactions with sensitive environmental elements. Green financing, the circular economy, brownfields, contaminated sites, and the rights of traditional and indigenous communities count among the recognised competencies of the practice. In Rio de Janeiro, Antonio Augusto Reis is a key contact for litigation, M&A, financing, project structuring, and licensing, and Rômulo Sampaio couples climate change and socio-environmental impact expertise with an in-depth understanding of carbon markets, waste management, and water resources. Dedicated ESG specialist Juliana Ramalho assists with crisis management, investigations, and administrative proceedings from her seat in São Paulo. Associates of note in São Paulo include: Igor Lyra, who specialises in consensual conflict resolution involving government, enterprises, traditional communities, and cultural historical heritage; Tábata Boccanera Guerra de Oliveira, who focuses on licensing processes, climate change matters, and project financing; Marina Montes Bastos, who excels in biodiversity, solid waste, contaminated areas, and water resources; and Bruna Araujo Ozanan, who fields extensive environmental litigation experience. Former practice head Lina Pimentel Garcia left the firm in December 2023.

Tauil & Chequer Advogados fields ‘a cohesive, integrated team’ that combines a rich understanding of environmental law, climate change, and ESG to advise clients on a diversity of interrelated issues, from licensing, protected areas, liability, water resources, and contaminated areas, to climate litigation, carbon pricing and carbon markets, indigenous populations, human rights, and biodiversity. Climate change-related mandates sit increasingly at the forefront of the practice’s workload, with members frequently retained to assist large corporations with self-imposed greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and net zero strategies, as well as carbon credit project developers with structuring and risk management. The ‘combative, determined, and dedicated’ Luiz Gustavo Bezerra takes the helm in Rio de Janeiro, and is relied upon by infrastructure, energy, mining, real estate, and agribusiness clients for sophisticated environmental litigation, complex licensing matters, and negotiations with governmental authorities and public prosecutors. Counsel Gedham Gomes is a familiar name for the energy, infrastructure, and agribusiness sectors, with expansive knowledge of licensing, contaminated areas, climate change, and carbon markets. In São Paulo, associate Victor Trevizan supports chemical, mining, agribusiness, real estate, infrastructure, and energy companies in litigation and crisis management.

With a targeted focus on climate change, carbon markets, and the forestry sector, ‘in-depth and up-to-date technical knowledge of environmental legislation’ is part and parcel of TozziniFreire Advogados’ environmental offering, which confronts the topical questions of sustainable use of biodiversity and access to genetic resources and benefit sharing. Project support is a keystone of the group’s work; it is well placed to assist across the whole life cycle from pre-acquisition compliance and due diligence, to licensing, financing, management of contaminated areas, and administrative and judicial proceedings. A veteran practitioner commended for her ‘incredible technical knowledge’, Adriana Mathias Baptista is retained by regulated industry clients engaged in environmentally sensitive projects, and leads the São Paulo team alongside the ‘efficient, intelligent’ Bianca Bilton Signorini Antacli, who is thoroughly experienced in managing contaminated sites, greenfield and brownfields, and forestry projects. Vladimir Miranda Abreu directs the climate change and carbon market action group, and fields experience in real estate transactions, and agribusiness and timberland investments. Danilo Lambert Vieira de Sousa is engaged in risk management, licensing processes, and administrative proceedings and environmental litigation, while Bruno Pisani Della Barba provides detailed technical insights into matters concerning wild animals, demarcation of indigenous lands, traditional communities, air emissions, flora, and environmentally sensitive areas.

Expert services in the management of critical contaminated areas, structuring of take-back schemes, and increasingly, ESG and climate change matters, distinguish Trench Rossi Watanabe as a practice closely ‘aligned with the most recent trends’ in environmental law. Multinational and large domestic clients look to the firm for counsel on sensitive issues relating to class actions, infraction notices, licensing, forestry, solid waste, biodiversity, protected areas and human rights. Based in São Paulo, the team operates under the leadership of Renata Amaral, a ‘hands-on’, core resource for nature-based solution projects, carbon credit transactions, decarbonisation strategies, and carbon-related advocacy and regulatory advice, and the ‘assertive’ Giovani Tomasoni, who supports corporations in the internalisation of sustainability, ESG, circular economy, and environmental compliance practices. At the senior associate level, Alexandre Jabra carries a wealth of experience in contamination, pollution, solid waste management, protected areas and minorities; Manuela Demarche Mello Neira directs her attention to environmental liability, licensing proceedings, M&A transactions, and cross-border disputes; and Livia Ribeiro Lupinacci lends her expertise to take-back schemes, ESG, and biodiversity matters.

A plethora of companies operating in the energy, telecoms, oil and gas, pulp and paper, petrochemical industry, and agribusiness industries depend on Bichara Advogados for ‘clear, assertive and, when necessary, innovative’ solutions to administrative and judicial proceedings, environmental licensing issues, impact analyses, audits, and liability evaluation. At the heart of the practice lies the goal of preventing over-exposure of clients and risk minimisation with respect to civil, criminal, and administrative liabilities. The team is guided by the combined efforts of São Paulo’s Luciana Gil, who takes a keen interest in the energy and infrastructure sectors, and is proficient in dealings with the environmental authorities, and Patrícia Mendanha Dias in Rio de Janeiro, who focuses her practice on administrative and judicial processes, particularly those requiring specialised mining knowledge. Associate Cecília Bicalho, who joined the São Paulo office in May 2023 from Ricardo Carneiro Advogados Associados, supports on liability assesments, environmental regularisation of rural properties, and licensing, while Rio de Janeiro’s Tatiana Teixeira acts in matters involving fines, environmental damage, and embargoes of irregular activities.

A concerted effort at expanding its litigation capabilities sees BMA Advogados engaged in strategic lawsuits regarding environmental liabilities in international courts, mining dam collapse risk matters, and criminal investigations. On the consulting front, the practice is a premier destination for advice on licensing, ESG compliance, and the development of renewable energy, carbon credit, REDD+, and decarbonisation projects. From Rio de Janeiro, Márcio Pereira exercises ‘notable knowledge and professional history in highly complex environmental demands’ stemming from the regulation of economic use of natural resources and sustainability demands. He leads the group alongside former legal manager of CETESB-SP Fernanda Tanure, who joined the São Paulo office in June 2023 and has hit the ground running in administrative and judicial litigation, leveraging extensive experience in regulatory norms for licensing and management processes of contaminated areas. Associate Marina da Silva Pinto Maciel, also based in São Paulo, boasts comprehensive expertise in structuring decarbonisation and reforestation projects. Beatriz Paulo de Frontin left the firm in November 2023.

Active across the three spheres of administrative, civil, and criminal environmental law, Cescon Barrieu offers guidance to multinational, local, and international companies, investment funds, financial institutions, and entrepreneurs from across the real estate, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, infrastructure, and chemical industries. The group is active in litigation, negotiations with prosecutors and environmental agencies, M&A, and matters relating to the rights of sensitive communities. With the arrival of ‘essential asset’ and human rights expert Roberta Jardim de Morais and her team in July 2023 from Milaré Advogados, Belo Horizonte’s mining and environmental regulatory specialist Maurício Pellegrino de Souza now has a São Paulo counterpart with whom to share leadership of the practice. Associate Mayara Bezerra, also formerly from Milaré Advogados, focuses on energy and infrastructure contentious matters, while Julia Silva Crauford is a key contact for investment funds.

An unparalleled command of waste law marks out Felsberg Advogados as a national reference for a myriad of industries - including electronics, life sciences and healthcare, food, and paper and pulp - seeking tailored solutions for waste management, particularly the implementation of take-back and circular economy programmes. Management of contaminated areas, environmental compliance, ESG, climate litigation, carbon and biodiversity credits, the recycling market, and in product regulation are further key competencies. Situated in São Paulo, the team is led by the joint efforts of Fabricio Soler, ‘the best-known name in issues linked to waste’ and a repository of knowledge in national policy, sanitation law, take-back programmes, urban cleaning systems, and solid waste. Senior associate Daniela Mota, a bioeconomy expert, distributes her expertise across ESG, solid waste, sanitation, infrastructure, contaminated areas, and mining mandates. Associate Rafael Locatelli is primarily active in waste management, contaminated land, and protected areas.

An assortment of clients from industries as diverse as transport, logistics, energy, mining, financial services, and farming enlist the services of Lefosse Advogados for support on environmentally sensitive aspects of their business activities, including due diligence procedures in M&A, capital markets deals, project finance, and real estate and asset purchases. The team also demonstrates resolute attention to ESG, assisting corporations and non-profit organisations with the implementation of best practices. In São Paulo, practice head Guilherme Mota proves his mettle in nationally significant crisis management matters, with experience in dam failures, large fires, atmospheric emissions, and their consequences. At the associate level, Gabriela Mello shows versatility in strategic environmental planning and effective mitigation of environmental liabilities across sectors like infrastructure, energy, mining, oil and gas, logistics, life sciences, real estate, and agribusiness, while Nina Meloni fields experience in licensing processes, environmental due diligence, judicial and administrative proceedings, and the implementation of reverse logistics systems.

The full-service offering of Lobo de Rizzo Advogados spans both environmental consultancy and support in administrative and judicial litigation, with capacity to meet an increasing demand in ESG and carbon trading matters in recent years. Household names from across the food and beverage, energy, agribusiness, and chemical sectors turn to the team for assistance with green financing, environmental licensing, REDD+ projects, and the relevant environmental elements of corporate transactions. Practice head Renata Pires Castanho has a wealth of experience in civil class actions and investigations, corporate sustainability due diligence, and agrarian and land issues. Associate Amália Simões Botter Fabbri excels in liability and risk assessments, waste management and reverse logistics, contaminated land, and carbon compensation projects.

Acknowledged for its close cooperation with the renewable energy, mining, infrastructure, and natural resources sectors, Veirano Advogados supports the development of strategic approaches to the energy transition and decarbonisation agendas, often advising on climate change and carbon markets projects, M&A, ESG, and regulatory compliance. Negotiations with local authorities and agencies are a key strength, bolstering services in crisis management, major public civil actions, and class actions pertaining to contamination, human health and traditional communities. The practice is overseen by São Paulo’s Maria Christina Gueorguiev, who straddles the interconnected spheres of environment, sustainability and climate change, serving domestic and international companies, multilateral bodies, investors, and financial institutions in a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters. In Rio de Janeiro, Lívia Miné is a dispute resolution expert focused on torts and environmental litigation, while Luís Felipe Andrade in São Paulo is a key contact for the agribusiness industry, advising on forestry, biotechnology, pesticides, and fertilizers regulation. Beatriz Frontin, who joined the Rio de Janeiro office in December 2023 from BMA Advogados, has extensive experience in mining and dam safety issues. Senior associates Juliana Coelho Marcussi and Luisa Allodi Rossit are highly skilled in environmental and regulatory law, and ESG practices.

A key destination for environmental licensing matters, Almeida Advogados services clients from the energy, oil and gas, real estate, steel and mining sectors also in reverse logistics and waste management programmes, civil investigations, public prosecutions, and the negotiation of settlements with environmental authorities in order to protect business operations and avoid civil liability. Operating out of São Paulo, the practice is spearheaded by Guilherme Doval, who advises key national and international players in the mining industry, especially in projects involving iron ore, gold, copper and phosphate, alongside Rafael Zinato Moreira, a multidisciplinary expert in business, civil, and administrative law who supports on environmental administrative proceedings.

Large national and international companies operating within the mining, energy, infrastructure, sanitation, agriculture and forestry sectors are prime beneficiaries of Azevedo Sette Advogados’ expertise in environmental regulatory obligations, risks, and responsibilities, as well as administrative proceedings and litigation. Leonardo Pereira Lamego takes on the leadership mantle in Belo Horizonte, leveraging a wealth of experience in mining to assist with permits, audits, compliance, due diligence, civil investigations, litigation, and negotiations with the Public Prosecutor’s Office. From the senior associate ranks, Svetlana Maria de Miranda stands out for ESG and M&A support, Cynthia de Souza Cardoso excels in navigating environmental elements of complex transactions, and Thabata Luanda dos Santos e Silva, who joined the firm in June 2023 from Ricardo Carneiro Advogados Associados, is well-versed in compliance and regulatory matters.

Cascione Pulino Boulos Advogados offers a complete approach to the environmental demands of oil and gas, food and beverage, energy, mining, ports, and tech companies, including but not limited to issues of licensing and permits, solid waste and contaminated areas, environmental assets, corporate transactions, and judicial and administrative litigation. Rafael Fernando Feldmann, ‘a very bold name in the environmental area’, possesses a broad range of skills in litigation, infrastructure deals, oil and gas activities, and climate change matters. Associate Camila Figueiredo ‘presents innovative and different strategies’ for the prevention and remedy of environmental damage, with specialised knowledge of waste management, civil liability, and environmental regulations.

Successfully cementing a niche in advising foreign clients, particularly US lumber importers, in administrative proceedings involving imports of native wood sourced from sustainably managed forests in the Brazilian Amazon biome, CGM Advogados showcases ‘specialised knowledge and unique skill sets’ best employed in liability analysis, risk assessments, licensing processes, contaminated land remediation management, and increasingly, reverse logistics projects. Anchoring the São Paulo team, practice head Paula Chaccur de Cresci is hailed for ‘committing to delivering the best result with diligence and attention, combined with technical knowledge’, and is an unquestioned choice for regulatory issues involving the harvesting, transporting, trading and export of natural source hardwood.

KLA Advogados presents a new face to its environmental offering, bidding farewell to former practice head Letícia Yumi Marques in February 2024 and ushering in Flávia Marcilio from De Luca, Derenusson, Schuttoff Sociedade de Advogados in January 2024 to take over the reins of a practice best known for rural environmental matters, including contaminated sites and protected areas, with particular expertise in agribusiness, ethanol, and biofuel markets. Marcilio is a seasoned practitioner with a rich background in forestry investment, mining, carbon credits, ESG, energy, and human and animal health, and brings with her to the São Paulo team land regularisation specialist José Davi Fidalgo, who focuses on the environmental regulatory aspects of carbon projects and real estate properties.

Madrona Fialho Advogados’ burgeoning environmental practice takes a preventive approach to questions concerning licensing processes, carbon market projects, and biodiversity regulatory compliance, providing clients with risk analyses of environmental liability, due diligence services, and consulting and monitoring on matters concerning climate change. Collaboration with multidisciplinary specialists from across the firm, including the criminal and civil litigation departments, allows for cohesive support on crisis management, litigation, and administrative proceedings. The team in São Paulo benefits from the direction of Marina Vieira Freire Colosio, whose advisory and administrative litigation experience spans licensing, protected areas, solid waste, contamination, and biodiversity. Associate Nayara Bernardo Rizzi is proficient in liability assessments, licensing, and administrative litigation.

A client base of manufacturing, food and animal nutrition, construction, service sector, and increasingly, agribusiness companies seek out Martinelli Advogados for matters entailing ESG compliance, liability analysis, administrative proceedings, civil and criminal judicial processes, as well as projects and regularisation of reverse logistics systems. Based in Joinville in Santa Catarina, the team comes together under the direction of Patrícia de Pádua Rodrigues, who melds environmental and real estate expertise to assist with disputes, permitting, solid and hazardous waste, and wastewater treatment issues. André Campos Valadão is a principal contact for civil litigation and regulatory compliance, while Isabela Peixer Galm Bernardes, who joined the firm from the Federal University of Rio Grande in August 2023, is well versed in judicial and extrajudicial proceedings. Carolina Gonçalves Mota left the firm in June 2023.

Bench strength in regulatory matters makes Rolim Goulart Cardoso Advogados a go-to choice for clients across a breadth of regulated industries like automotive, energy, forestry, and mining for advice on water resources, biodiversity, solid residue, sanitation, climate change, sustainability, and contaminated areas. The team also offers support in M&A, financing transactions, and interactions with environmental agencies and the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Veteran environmental and mining law specialist Thiago Pastor Alves Pereira heads the Belo Horizonte-based practice, and ‘conveys a lot of confidence’ in mandates requiring ESG, carbon markets, and indigenous and traditional populations expertise. Senior associate Marcus Vinicius Neves Vaz coordinates the team, and is sought after by energy, mining, and infrastructure companies.

Straddling the spheres of environmental, urban, and biodiversity law, Siqueira Castro – Advogados’ team of seasoned professionals is invested in the avoidance of environmental liability and litigation for clients in the mining, energy, oil and gas, and real estate sectors, primarily through comprehensive support on licensing, administrative procedures, and civil investigations. Simone Paschoal Nogueira demonstrates ‘remarkable technical knowledge’ of agribusiness, renewable energy, and forest investments, and directs the practice from her seat in São Paulo. Annelise Abi-Ramia Ferreras is commended for her work with the sanitation industry, and Iris Zimmer is well versed in climate regulation. Natasha Rosset left the firm in December 2023.

Serving a varied client base drawn from the pulp and paper, forestry, energy, real estate, and sanitation sectors, Souto Correa Advogados’ environment team is ‘attentive to details and up to date with legislative innovations’, facilitating extensive engagement in litigation and due diligence matters arising out of the acquisition of companies, real estate and forests. Based in Porto Alegre, Fabiana Figueiró, who was promoted to partner in November 2023, leads the practice, and boasts all-round expertise in licensing, contaminated areas, reverse logistics, and protected areas. Notable senior associates include Juliana Stangherlin, a valuable resource for energy and forestry companies, and Mariana Vicente Níquel, who excels in due diligence, risk assessments, and contractual allocation of environmental liabilities. Tasso Cipriano and André Castilho left the firm in February and March 2023, respectively.

Leveraging sector experience in chemicals, sugar and ethanol, mining, and steel, Vella Pugliese Buosi e Guidoni Advogados fuses its substantive knowledge of contamination, licensing, regulatory agency embargoes, and water resources with extensive expertise in litigation and environmental due diligence of transactions. Leadership of the São Paulo practice is shared between founding partner Antonio Celso Pugliese, a seasoned litigator who represents high-profile multinationals in class actions, and arbitrations, and Anderson Moura, noted for his ‘exceptional negotiation skills’ in matters relating to pollution control, waste management, forest protection, indigenous communities, and climate change, further highlighted by his incumbency as head of the Dentons ESG Group for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Boutique firm Verri Paiva Advogadas continues to establish its presence in the environmental law sphere, attracting clients from across the energy, agribusiness, real estate, chemicals, and transport sectors with its commitment to providing thorough support on critical issues such as contaminated areas, forest code, environmental liabilities, ESG, solid waste, and environmental licensing, on both the due diligence and litigation fronts. Founding partners Adriana de Paiva Correa, a procedural law specialist focusing on class actions and collective claims, and Heloisa Verri Paulino Gomes, who furnishes litigation and transactions assistance with protected areas, pollution, waste management, and licensing, jointly lead the São Paulo team.