Bankruptcy/Restructuring
Brazil Guide 2024 : Brazil
Band 4
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+55 21 4501 5000About
Provided by Pinheiro Guimarães
Pinheiro Guimarães was established in 1922, when Plinio Pinheiro Guimarães joined the law office of legendary commercial law Professor José de Miranda Valverde, already active for several decades. With offices in Rio de Janeiro and in São Paulo, the firm represents a vast array of clients in Brazil and abroad.
The firm has been involved in insolvency and restructuring since the 1980s, when it advised the bank advisory committee for the restructuring of the Brazilian sovereign debt. Over the last decades our firm has been involved in several debt refinancing and restructuring transactions, mainly on the creditor side. The firm’s bankruptcy team has extensive experience in both banking and litigation, which has served well in connection with several types of bankruptcy‑related engagements in addition to debt refinancing and restructurings.
Pinheiro Guimarães’ insolvency and restructuring practice has been growing rapidly in the past few years, especially because of the recent global financial crisis. Also, the firm has significantly intensified its bankruptcy & insolvency practice following the enactment of the 2005 bankruptcy act, which changed the Brazilian legal framework for corporate insolvency. Pinheiro Guimarães’ expertise in financial transactions and corporate law, its large experience in advising creditors in a wide variety of deals, and its business-oriented approach have all favored the successful insertion of the firm in this new context.
Chambers Review
Pinheiro Guimarães's established practice benefits from its strong track record in the banking practice when assisting with restructuring matters. It often represents domestic and international banks and financial institutions as creditors in sophisticated judicial restructuring. The team is additionally sought after by clients to act as counsel on sector-related arbitrations and DIP financing agreements.
Work Highlights
- Pinheiro Guimarães represented Banco Votorantim in the judicial reorganization proceeding of Usina Santa Terezinha (UST).
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They provide constant and clear communication and are great with feedback, listening to us and course-correcting if needed."
"The law firm can handle complex and sophisticated matters with agility and a business approach. The partners are very strong, responsive and hands-on."
"They have a very sophisticated restructuring and litigation team that offers thorough and well-thought advice to clients. Overall, the team develops great theses to defend their clients' interests."
"They provide constant and clear communication and are great with feedback, listening to us and course-correcting if needed."
"The law firm can handle complex and sophisticated matters with agility and a business approach. The partners are very strong, responsive and hands-on."
"They have a very sophisticated restructuring and litigation team that offers thorough and well-thought advice to clients. Overall, the team develops great theses to defend their clients' interests."
Notable Practitioners
Guilherme Vaz Leal da Costa co-heads the insolvency and restructuring practice within the firm. He is an active practitioner, well-regarded by the market and particularly noted for his expertise in cross-border restructuring cases.
"Guilherme is a fantastic lawyer with exceptional commercial vision. His team delivers very good service with hands-on approach."
"He's very smart, clear in his guidance, and skilled at working with international matters. He thinks through issues comprehensively, is accessible and commercially-savvy, and focuses on end results."