Mannrich e Vasconcelos' highly specialized partners, associates and consultants apply their legal skills to add value to and improve clients' businesses, in order to make the practice of law an instrument for sustainable economic development.
Our team assists clients in an efficient and customized manner, in search for strictly technical, safe and innovative solutions.
The tax team:
We understand Law as an instrument and a necessary means for the development and improvement of human and business relations. Through sophisticated legal knowledge, we seek to prevent and solve the problems encountered in business relationships, generating maximization of results to the client.
We act strategically in the planning and election of the best way, as well as in the interposition of appropriate measures and close follow-up of the cases, always seeking to reach the objectives that the client is asking for.
Our legal staff has experienced and specialized professionals. We choose the sectors of action within a strategy in which the knowledge developed are conjugated and used for a better quality of the services provided.
We operate in the following areas of law:
- Tax Law;
- Business Criminal Law;
- Compliance;
- Civil Law;
- Corporate Succession Law
This firm is a WTS Global member.
Ernesto Borges Advogados, founded in 1951, is the largest office in the Midwest and one of the most reputable in Brazil. The experience gained in seven decades of continuous assessment, combined with excellence in the provision of legal services, led Ernesto Borges Advogados to be one of the most respected law firms in the country.
Characterized by its solid growth, continuous improvement and focus on innovation, respecting ethics and integrity, the firm keeps the values rooted by its founder alive, building lasting relationships with its clients.
Mello Torres is a full-service firm that allies the expertise of renowned professionals with deep experience in the corporate and financial world and the enthusiasm of the new generation of distinguished lawyers with solid academic background and international experience.
We stand as a valued strategic partner for our clients with a hands-on approach, providing highly technically and business oriented legal advice, with an acute sense of market practices.
Utumi Advogados was born from a long-held dream of tax practitioner Ana Cláudia Akie Utumi. After more than 25 years leading tax teams in consulting company and big law firms, Ana Cláudia launched in 2017 Utumi Advogados, a boutique firm dedicated to tax law. Alongside her is partner Camila Abrunhosa Tapias, high qualified tax professional whose experience includes having worked in one of the largest Brazilian full-service law firms for almost 20 years.
Utumi Advogados’ team is known for its excellence and creativity in devising legal solutions to clients, when handling both tax consultancy and litigation matters. Our expertise includes strategic tax consulting, legal tax opinions, tax policy and tax litigation.
Its clients include large national and multinational companies from a broad range of sectors, such as banking and finance, beverages, cosmetics, telecoms and technology, and also Brazilian and foreign private clients.
We offer our clients a 360º view, taking into account not only the specifics of each business, current legislation and case law, but also potential risks, trends in tax interpretation by the courts and potential changes in law, as well as possible related economic issues.
Abreu Goulart Santos Freitas & Megozzi Advogados is a tax boutique from Rio de Janeiro that focuses on tax litigation matters. It offers services including direct and indirect taxation, transfer pricing, judicial and administrative litigation, tax planning, due diligences, and tax credit recovery. The team’s clientele comes from a wide range of sectors, including the retail industries, insurance, and education.
One recent example of its work saw the firm handle more than 300 new cases with an aggregate value of over R$3 billion. Further details of cases remain confidential.
During the research period, the firm welcomed Rodrigo Escobar and Guilherme Maia from Magro Advogados, as well as Joana Gayoso from Osório Fernandes Advogados and Raphael Aguiar Mihaliuc from Barros de Arruda Advogados.
Founded by Luciana Aguiar, Alexandre Monteiro and Francisco Lisboa Moreira, former partners of Bocater Camargo Costa e Silva Rodrigues Advogados, ALMA Law focuses mainly on tax, regulatory (especially within the energy sector), corporate, capital markets and M&A matters. The firm is engaged in complex national and cross-border cases, both on litigation and advisory matters. Its specialty focus is on assisting clients from the renewable energy sector.
During the research period the team assisted Vibra Energia in various disputes before the Brazilian tax tribunals and administrative authorities. One instance includes representation in a judicial dispute aiming to recover ICMS (VAT) collected in advance by the company. The firm developed a judicial strategy to recover the ICMS collected in advance over a presumed basis (tax substitution) when the arbitrated calculation basis was higher than actual sales price. Additionally, the team was hired to challenge the constitutionality of a fine imposed in case compensation by a taxpayer (between tax credits and liabilities) is not admitted by Federal Government.
Client feedback
“I believe their main attributes are related to their unique knowledge of the market and on the way we do business. They are more like long-term partners as they usually anticipate ways to maximise our efficiency. Their view on the business is actually what differentiates them from the others.”
“ALMA Law, including their partners Alexandre Monteiro, Luciana Aguiar, Francisco Lisboa and Luiza Rangel, knows deeply our business and are a type of firm that combines (i) technical quality as well as (ii) partnering up with their clients. They can anticipate issues and find different opportunities for us in our long-standing relationship.”
“A very strong team which is composed by talented and engaged professionals. Moreover, ALMA is always thing ahead of the time. In fact, ALMA regularly provides singular solutions to complex cases.”
“Exceptionally strong in TP/international corporate tax.”
“Fantastic team, good prices, always ready.”
“Excellent technicians, fast, great price, good at consultancy and litigation. They are also strong in accounting aspects.”
The tax team at Almeida Advogados consists of highly experienced tax litigators. The firm regularly defends and represents clients in tax against State and Federal authorities. Its work includes challenging tax infraction notices (tax assessments) and helping clients file lawsuits that could set important precedents for the tax code. In addition, the practice covers administrative and judicial tax disputes regarding direct and indirect taxes including ISS, ICMS, IOF, PIS and COFINS, etc. Finally, the firm assists clients in tax planning and advisory.
During the research period the team represented Grupo RB by filing a lawsuit against the Federal Revenue Service of Brazil to demonstrate the violation of tax rules. The assistance helps guarantee the refund is performed.
Client feedback
“Almeida Advogados are good tax advisors that have helped us with our questions and requests.”
“The law firm provides new access to tax benefits when applicable to the oil business and is fast to follow through. Good knowledge on tax law. Always courteous.”
“They are very attentive on giving us direct feedback. They also always bring new solutions.”
“The legal office has great expertise in our sector, allowing the company to make safe and assertive decisions about tax incentives and the possibility of discussing the most correct and advantageous taxation for the market in which the company operates.”
Almeida Prado Marx Tesser & Flor Advogados is based in Manaus and Sao Paulo. The firm specialises in tax law, dedicated to the creation of new theses related to the Manaus’s Free Trade Zone, Western Amazon, and other Free Trade Areas. For more than a decade, it’s been working on recovery and reduction of tax liabilities, defending the rights of large taxpayers in Amazonas on matters related to direct and indirect municipal, state, and federal taxes.
The team was recently hired to provide a legal solution to Sociedade Fogas. The objective was to recognise the company’s right to deduct PIS and COFINS credits on essential and relevant supplies, as well as reduce the income tax burden. This case is ongoing.
During the research period the firm welcomed two new lawyers: Alessandra Bosquê from DD&L and Delcilene Rebouças from Caminha Advogados.
The tax department of Amaral Lewandowski Advogados was formed in 2019 with a focus on tax controversy both for the administrative (Federal, State and Municipal levels) and judicial levels (Federal and State courts). It also assists clients in responding to tax audits, to negotiate and offer compromises with tax authorities to reduce tax debts. Enrique Lewandowski is the key tax partner.
In one recent example of its work, the firm expanded its client base to include a significant player in the coffee market. By doing so, the team demonstrated its experience in administrative litigation in the food and beverage sector. The specific client is confidential. The past year also witnessed noteworthy cases in indirect taxation.
During the research period the firm welcomed Davi Lucena as an attorney.
Client feedback
“They are very careful with the demands that really make sense for the company.”
Araújo & Policastro Advogados was created in 1962. Partner Sylvio Fernando Paes de Barros Jr specialises in the practice areas of tax, litigation and arbitration. The department is active in the areas of general corporate tax and tax controversy. Its clients come from sectors such as agrobusiness, pharmaceutical, electronics and financial services.
Details of the firm’s work and clients remains confidential.
During the past year Helena Soriani left for Machado Meyer Advogados. However, the team welcomed Maria Carolina Lopes Torres Fernandes as an associate from Brazuna Ruschmann e Soriano Sociedade de Advogados.
The tax team of Araúz Advogados consists of a tax litigation department and a tax planning and consulting department. It supports clients in issuing legal opinions on tax doubts, analysing and structuring plans with the objective of minimising the tax impact on its operations. Key partners Gabriel Placha and Rodrigo Borba cover tax litigation and tax advisory respectively.
Details of the firm’s work and clients remains confidential.
Arrieiro Advogados is led by the Eduardo Arrieiro. The firm provides legal services to investment funds, companies, partners, shareholders, managers, family businesses, an startups, among others, in tax consulting, tax litigation, corporate law, M&A, business and succession planning, corporate governance, contracts, strategic litigation and arbitration.
During the research period the firm advised Associação Mineira de Supermercados (AMIS) by providing tax advice and defending the interests of the association against unconstitutional collection. The team was successful before the Court of Appeals of the State of Minas Gerais, in the second degree of jurisdiction. Its actions benefit hundreds of members, with values estimated in more than R$10 million.
Client feedback
“We always consult our advisors on any situations outside conventional business, and all times find combined solutions together with Arrieiro Papini Advogados, fast and effectively.”
“Competent and up-to-date professionals. Are good communicators, agile and efficient. Has a fair fee.”
Founded in 2011, ASBZ is a multidisciplinary law firm capable of offering legal solutions. The tax department adopts a systemic view that analyses tax issues with macroeconomic, operational, accounting, competition, financial, reputational, statistical and fiscal international issues. The team is focused on bringing innovation to the market.
During the research period the firm, in association with Neoway, created a platform (Kapi) that provides a new legal solution in the market. Kapi crosschecks the commercial partners’ information from clients with public databases in large scale and real time, identifying irregularities that could result in infractions, tax notices and other charges based on jointly responsibility. Additionally, the firm was involved in various pro bono work which clients such as Human Rights Watch, Make a Wish, Base and Instituto Devolver.
The firm recently welcomed two new senior associates: Marcela Camargo from Gaia Silva Gaede and Gabriela Grigoletto Araujo from Mattos Filho.
Client feedback
“Ownership, thinking out the box and challenging the status quo are their most strong attributes.”
“They are great on designing business models, incredible support.”
“Great availability, international.”
“Serious and personalised service.”
Founded in 2012 with offices in São Paulo and Belo Horizonte, Ayres Ribeiro Advogados specialises in tax advisory, tax controversy and indirect tax services. The expertise of the group in PIS-COFINS, IPI, and ICMS matters stand out. It is active in the agribusiness, food and beverage, automobile, pulp and paper, trade, energy and telecommunications sectors. The tax department is headed by partner Gilberto Ayres Moreira.
During the research period, the firm handled various cases related to ICMS including defending a client’s interest in a lawsuit seeking to avoid the improper collection of ICMS levied on cancelled sales. Additionally, the team defended Heineken in a tax infraction notice issued by the State Tax Authority of Bahia demanding the client pay state tax on goods and services.
Client feedback
“Proactivity, client care.”
The FIUS tax practice is specialised in international taxation, tax planning and litigation services in association with accountants and trade specialists. Based in Campinas the firm is trusted counsel for prestigious multinationals with operations in São Paulo. Partner Bruno Marques Santo is complemented by five senior practitioners.
Details of the firm’s work and clients remains confidential.
Coordinator, Rodrigo Ferreira, left the firm for KMPG during the research period. However, the firm welcomed a customs litigation lead, Rebeca Ayres, previously from Timmermans Advogados, and an indirect tax senior associate, Hozana Lima, previously from PwC in the same space.