Brazil
Freshfields in Brazil
Having advised on Brazilian transactions and disputes for 150 years, we have the experience and credibility required to make deals happen and to resolve disputes efficiently.
We continue to assist clients – Brazilian and international – with high-value international M&A, financing, restructuring and insolvency, disputes and regulatory work, including tax, antitrust, anti-bribery and corruption.
Brazil’s legal system sometimes struggles to cope with the sophisticated M&A, financing and other transaction structures demanded by international investors. Things are rarely easy and Brazil ranks as one of the most difficult places to do business in the world – our expertise and relationships with Brazilian law firms are key for international clients.
Our solid understanding of the Brazilian and international markets means we also support Brazilian clients across a range of activities including investment abroad, finance and infrastructure projects, as well as complex international arbitration disputes.
Please contact us to find out more about how we can assist you in Brazil.
Client successes
Advising Cosan, the Brazilian-listed energy company, on its negotiations with Royal Dutch Shell (Shell) to revise the terms of its important Brazilian joint venture, Raizen, the world’s largest sugar and ethanol producer and one of Brazil’s largest companies. The transaction to create the joint venture in 2011 valued Raizen at $12bn.
Advising Brazilian tycoon Abilio Diniz on the favourable settlement of a dispute with French supermarket chain Casino concerning control of Pao de Acucar, Brazil’s biggest retailer.
Advising BG Group on its $80bn recommended takeover by Royal Dutch Shell.
This included advising on Brazilian change-of-control analysis and obtaining pre-conditional Brazilian and other regulatory clearances. This transaction led to Shell becoming the single largest foreign owner of Brazilian oil. The deal won deal of the year at the Financial News Awards 2016 and the Oil & Gas Awards 2015.
Advising Travelex on its acquisition of Grupo Confidence, Brazil’s biggest independent foreign exchange business.
Our team
David Sonter Partner
London
Nigel Blackaby KC Partner, Co-Head of Latin America Practice
Washington, DC
Melissa Raciti-Knapp Partner
New York
Graham Watson Partner
London
Dr. Frank Montag Partner
Brussels