Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel

SVMFA is one of the most prestigious and recommended law firms in Latin America concerning M&A, natural resources and infrastructure matters and projects. For the last decade, SVMFA and its partners have been consistently top-tier ranked by the most prestigious international research institutes.

Their lawyers have worked in cross-border transactions involving Angola, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, France, Guinea-Bissau, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Peru, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, UK, USA and Venezuela.

Main Areas of Practice:
Oil & Gas:
Acts in all sectors of the oil and gas industry from the wellhead to the customer. Represents clients with business in upstream, midstream and downstream activities in Brazil and other jurisdictions. It represents companies in the Brazil Bid Rounds promoted by the Petroleum Agency under concession and production sharing regimes. It assists oil companies (IOCs, NOCs, operators, and non-operators) and investment funds in farm-in and farm-out transactions as well as in joint operating agreements and joint bidding agreements. Advice covers tax as well as legal issues. SVMFA assists clients in sophisticated unitisation procedures and complex regulatory and contractual work related to concession and production sharing regimes. Work involves downstream acquisitions and restructuring including oil refineries and gas station brands and networks, as well as assistance in the marketing and distribution of petroleum by-products.

Energy & Renewables:
Recognised for its work in developing power generations, transmission, distribution and marketing projects. The firm represents investors, operators, financial institutions and free and captive consumers in commercial transactions in the electricity sector. In renewables, SVMFA acts particularly on the development and financing of green and brown field projects, involving all legal aspects of such projects, including regulatory and tax issues. More recently, it has been representing sponsors, project companies, suppliers, and investment funds in bids promoted by the Brazilian government for the generation of power through solar and wind sources and for the construction and operation of transmission lines.

Corporate, M&A, Restructuring & Private Equity:
Dedicated to providing legal services in corporate law and contracts, working closely with other teams such as the tax and labour practice groups. Work in M&A transactions for acquisition of assets and shares, particularly in the infrastructure and natural resources sectors, dates back to the early 1980s during the first privatisation programs in Brazil. Work includes due diligence for the purchase and sale of assets and equity stakes in oil and gas, energy, mining, sugar and ethanol, real estate and technology companies, amongst others.

Construction & Infrastructure:
Being complex in their nature, construction and engineering contracts in the infrastructure sector (including EPC, turnkey and joint ventures) require the involvement of experienced professionals. SVMFA has a team dedicated to the negotiation and drafting of such contracts as well as litigation relating thereto.

Mining:
Assists domestic and international companies in a variety of mining projects in Brazil. Services include the representation of clients before the Ministry of Mining and Energy and the National Department of Mineral Production regarding concessions for mining rights and the development of research and mining activities. It provides assistance to clients in due diligence, negotiation of joint ventures, acquisition of companies and assignment of mining rights. Also, represents companies in negotiations of leases with owners of real estate properties.

Environment & Sustainability:
Comprises professionals with substantial experience in issues related to the environment, sanitation, urban planning, cultural development, social responsibility, the green economy, climate change, and sustainability. SVMFA provides integrated legal services to assess environmental risks and secure appropriate environmental licenses for projects.

Tax:
Comprises seasoned professionals with large experience and sound performance in tax consultancy and litigation matters. The local, state and federal taxes that burden business activity are at the core of the practice. It works in litigation, both within the judicial sphere filing actions for requesting repetition of indebtedness, annulment of tax debts, writs of mandamus, defences in tax enforcements and in the administrative litigation, with the preparation and submitting of written and verbal defences.

Offices:
Rio de Janeiro,
São Paulo
Brasília

Languages: Portuguese, English, French, German, Spanish

Web: www.svmfa.com.br

Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel Advogados (SVMFA) was established in 2007 by partners hailing from leading Brazilian firms, distinguished by their specialized academic and professional backgrounds in natural resources and infrastructure projects both domestically and internationally. SVMFA stands as one of the foremost and highly recommended law firms in Latin America, particularly renowned for its expertise in M&A, natural resources, and infrastructure matters. Over the past decade, SVMFA and its partners have consistently earned top-tier rankings from prestigious international research institutes.

Their adept legal team has been instrumental in facilitating cross-border transactions spanning a multitude of countries including Angola, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, France, Guinea-Bissau, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Peru, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, the UK, the USA, and Venezuela.

Oil & Gas:

SVMFA is extensively involved in all facets of the oil and gas industry, from upstream to downstream operations, representing clients engaged in exploration, production, and distribution activities across Brazil and various jurisdictions worldwide. The firm is notably active in Brazil Bid Rounds conducted by the Petroleum Agency, under concession and production sharing regimes. SVMFA provides comprehensive legal counsel to oil companies (IOCs, NOCs, operators, and non-operators) and investment funds, encompassing farm-in and farm-out transactions, joint operating agreements, joint bidding agreements, and intricate regulatory and contractual matters. Their expertise extends to downstream acquisitions and restructuring, including refineries and gas station networks, as well as advisory services pertaining to the marketing and distribution of petroleum by-products.

Energy & Renewables:

Recognized for its proficiency in advancing power generation, transmission, distribution, and marketing initiatives, SVMFA represents a diverse clientele comprising investors, operators, financial institutions, and both free and captive consumers within the electricity sector. In the realm of renewables, the firm specializes in the development and financing of greenfield and brownfield projects, offering comprehensive legal guidance encompassing regulatory compliance and tax considerations. Additionally, SVMFA has been actively involved in representing sponsors, project companies, suppliers, and investment funds in government-sponsored bids for solar and wind power generation projects, as well as the construction and operation of transmission lines.

Corporate, M&A, Restructuring & Private Equity:

With a dedicated focus on corporate law and contracts, SVMFA collaborates closely with other practice groups such as tax and labor law. The firm boasts a rich history in M&A transactions spanning several decades, particularly within the infrastructure and natural resources sectors. Their services encompass due diligence, asset and share acquisitions, and equity stakes in various industries including oil and gas, energy, mining, sugar and ethanol, real estate, and technology.

Construction & Infrastructure:

Recognizing the complexity inherent in construction and engineering contracts within the infrastructure sector, SVMFA maintains a specialized team proficient in negotiating and drafting such agreements, as well as handling associated litigation matters.

Mining:

SVMFA assists domestic and international entities across a spectrum of mining projects in Brazil, providing comprehensive services ranging from representation before regulatory bodies to due diligence, joint venture negotiations, company acquisitions, and mining rights assignments.

Environment & Sustainability:

Drawing upon a wealth of experience, SVMFA's professionals offer integrated legal services encompassing environmental assessment, sanitation, urban planning, cultural development, social responsibility, green economy initiatives, climate change, and sustainability efforts, aimed at mitigating environmental risks and securing necessary licenses for projects.

Tax:

SVMFA's tax practice comprises seasoned professionals adept in both consultancy and litigation matters, specializing in local, state, and federal tax regulations impacting business operations. Their expertise spans litigation in both judicial and administrative arenas, including actions for debt repetition, annulment of tax liabilities, defense against tax enforcement actions, and preparation and submission of written and verbal defenses.

Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo