'Highly knowledgeable about the industry', De Luca, Derenusson, Schuttoff Sociedade de Advogados is frequently engaged by a host of private aircraft clients, corporate jet investors, air taxi services, holding vehicle companies, and major airline carriers. Known for its expertise in transactional matters, the team excels in advising clients on commercial agreements, such as leasing and financing contracts, as well as regulatory issues. The team has also been active in the acquisition of aircraft by both local and international investors. Department leader Ana Luisa Castro Cunha Derenusson is widely respected for her longstanding expertise in the aviation sector, where she assists clients with complex transactions. Rita de Cassia Fernandes de Godoy specialises in aircraft finance and is noted for her skills in repossession cases. Associate Angelo Chaves is the go-to for civil aviation matters, while associate Arthur Costa handles both financing and regulatory issues.

‘A reference firm in the field of aviation‘, Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados has strong transactional and corporate law capabilities, and has played a prominent role in the restructuring of major airlines and their subsidiaries. In addition to major local airlines, the team’s client base also features other companies which are involved in the aviation sector, such as e-commerce clients, banks, and other investors. Regulatory issues involving drones are a key area of growth for the practice, which has been increasingly advising clients on operating drones and ensuring they are compliant with Brazilian law. Fabio Falkenburger, who specialises in aircraft purchases and sales, as well as leasing and financing matters, oversees the department. ‘Promising associate‘ Vitor Barbosa is well versed in the financing, leasing and sale of aircraft, and airport franchise matters.

Pinheiro Neto Advogados is a go-to choice for banking and financial services clients requiring expertise in aviation transactions such as leasing agreements, restructurings, and financings. With strong regulatory, transactional and corporate capabilities, the team is often involved in cross-border acquisitions and joint ventures, and showcases strength in insolvency proceedings, restructurings and emergency relief financings. On the regulatory front, the team frequently advises foreign investors on the Brazilian aviation landscape. Caroline Guazzelli Queiroz Gomes handles a myriad of transactional matters, including the financing, purchase, leasing and sale of aircraft. Associate Antonio de Paula Siqueira Filho advises on aviation matters involving corporate law.

Standing out for its financing credentials, Veirano Advogados is also well positioned to advise leasing, purchase and sale of aircraft, acting for a variety of industry clients, including major aerospace companies, global lessors and banks. The team is also a strong performer in M&A and restructurings, as well as insolvency proceedings. 'With extensive knowledge not only in aviation, but also in all other areas that permeate aviation activities', practice head João Paulo Servera is an expert in aircraft and engine financing, and also provides assistance to aircraft lessors with regulatory and transactional issues. He is supported by a team of associates, including Maria Eduarda Mendonça, who regularly assists export credit agencies, banks, and lessors with aircraft and engine finance agreements and structures, and Reginaldo Sorrenti, noted for his asset and project finance work and regulatory knowledge of the aviation sector.

International airlines regularly turn to ASBZ Advogados' aviation practice for representation in administrative and judicial disputes. Typical mandates consist of claims concerning consumer and passenger rights, logistics and cargo operations, and labour issues. The team has also handled a number of infraction notices before the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Natural Resources and by the Brazilian Civil Aviation Agency. Leading the practice, Guilherme Amaral is a well-known aviation litigator, while Thiago Carvalho focuses on civil aviation and regulation. Priscila Zanetti and Renan Melo are both noted for their civil aviation expertise.

Focused on corporate aviation matters, Demarest Advogados' practice draws on the firm’s full-service structure to offer litigation, tax, insurance, and competition law assistance to aviation clients. The team assists both domestic and international airline companies and aviation insurers in a variety of matters, including licensing issues and public bids. Team lead Gabriel Ricardo Kuznietz focuses on complex cross-border corporate and M&A transactions for airlines. Alongside Kuznietz, Bruno Aurélio advises logistics and transport companies on infrastructure projects and administrative issues, while Renan Sona handles investment matters related to airport infrastructure projects. Marcelo Guaranys joined the firm in late 2023 following his position as executive secretary of the Ministry of Economy of Brazil.

Aviation boutique Goulart Penteado Advogados is a popular destination for domestic and European airlines seeking advice on judicial and administrative disputes involving the air transport of cargo and passengers. The team has handled mandates before all Brazilian Courts and ANAC, and particularly noted for its specialism in product liability and consumer rights claims. Civil litigation and consumer law specialist Luciana Goulart Penteado jointly oversees the team with Victor Hanna, often represents aviation clients on consumer law cases.

With 'a unique approach to the aviation market in Brazil, bridging the experience and processes of manned aviation with the innovation and technology of unmanned aviation', Leal Andreoli Advogados is a recently established boutique founded by aviation specialist Roberta Andreoli. 'An authority on aviation law', Andreoli specialises in aviation and regulatory law and focuses on complex issues such as urban air mobility, air medical transportation, aircraft financing, and aviation issues related to drones and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Mattos Filho utilises its full-service capabilities to assist aviation clients with corporate, tax, infrastructure, and finance matters. These practice areas work closely with senior associate Marcelle Lopes Funari and associate Felipe Kotait to provide well-rounded advice to a wide range of aviation sector clients. Both practitioners have a wealth of experience in contractual and regulatory aviation matters, with Funari standing out for her expertise in aircraft finance, purchase, sale and lease agreements.

Foreign airlines frequently turn to Montgomery & Associados for assistance with the setting up of operations in Brazil. The team also assists with regulatory issues regarding reactivating routes, day-to-day corporate matters and litigation, most notably passenger claims. Co-head Neil Montgomery has a wealth of experience in advising foreign airlines on establishing air routes in Brazil. Fellow co-leader and senior associate Cristiane Silva de Oliveira handles repossession claims for foreign airlines and aircraft lessors. Labour specialist Drielle Amate represents airline companies in labour litigation.