Vilas Boas, Lopes e Frattari Advogados

Vilas Boas, Lopes e Frattari Advogados (‘VLF’) is committed to deliver high quality legal services under the premise of responsiveness by prompt attention personally given by partners and ability to react quickly to respond client’s needs. Formed by professionals with solid practical experience and strong academic records, the firm excels in representing clients in intricate litigations and arbitrations as well as in providing legal assistance in a wide range of complex transactions. VLF is proud to be entrusted by companies of various industries and to participate in the history of the development of its businesses in Brazil. The level of involvement and commitment of its professionals facilitates the understanding of each company’s culture and strengths the ties between client and counsel, which allows the firm to present tailored solutions for the legal challenges faced by each client.

Main Areas of Practice

Litigation & Arbitration: VLF stands out as successfully representing clients in complex litigations and arbitrations. Cases usually involve contract controversies, construction claims, corporate disputes, and regulatory issues.

Corporate/M&A: With an experienced team prepared to provide tailored solutions to any corporate matter, the firm renders different types of services with regards to corporate law:

• Regular maintenance of corporations and limited liability companies, in order to make sure that clients are in compliance with Brazilian corporate law
• Legal opinions in regard to specific issues involving corporate law
• Assistance in specific projects, such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganisations, formation of joint venture companies and other corporate transactions
• Due diligence for the purposes of evaluating a potential acquisition or verification of compliance with corporate law. Corporate team works in constant interaction with tax staff

Mining: VLF has extensive experience in effectively providing legal services for mining companies in its various stages of development. Assistance to the mining industry includes advice in mining law and regulations, acquisition of mineral rights, construction contracts, equipment procurement, land acquisition, and financing.

Tax: The experienced tax group handles complex tax litigation in administrative and judicial courts with remarkable results. Additionally, the tax group assists corporate transactions in order to achieve the most tax efficient and riskless solution for an ongoing deal. The firm has also been engaged for providing legal opinions on specific tax matters.

Labour: A qualified team represents clients in collective, administrative and individual litigation involving labour law with an outstanding rate of success. Mandates of clients usually include negotiation of collective agreement with unions. In addition, the labour team provides advice in this area in order to ensure that clients operate in compliance with Brazilian labour laws and regulations.

Infrastructure: The firm advises clients with infrastructure projects related to construction and expansion of industrial plants, mines, roads, railroads, pipelines, terminals and ports.

International Commercial Transactions: A highly qualified team provides legal assistance to Brazilian and foreign companies involved in international commerce.

Administrative Law: VLF provides legal assistance with clients dealing with the government in public bids, construction contracts, and supply contracts.

Bankruptcy: The firm provides legal assistance to companies involved in debt reorganisation and bankruptcy, as well as to creditors of a company that filed for reorganisation or was declared bankrupt.

Real Estate: The firm has significant records in assisting real estate deals, including acquisition of real estate by investors, organisation of different real estate enterprises (commercial buildings, hotels, shopping malls, etc).

Foreign Investment: VLF provides full assistance to the foreign person or company investing in Brazil, including general legal advice and filing the required registrations.

Energy: VLF is recognized in the energy market for having extensive experience in the sector. VLF represents clients in complex arbitral and judicial conflicts and regulatory demands, as well as in the development of projects, M&A operations, reorganizations and corporate restructuring, always taking into account the particularities of the market for the best result.

Languages

English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, French