Founded by Prof Dr Arnoldo Wald in 1954, Wald, Antunes, Vita, Longo e Blattner Associados Advogados is one of the most efficient and dynamic Brazilian law firms, providing legal services to clients in Brazil and abroad. In recent years, the firm has reaffirmed its leading position as a highly specialised litigation boutique, focusing on extremely complex judicial and arbitration matters, concerning banking, corporate, commercial and infrastructure sectors, among others.

For many years, the firm and its managing partners have appeared among Brazil’s first-tier litigation and arbitration firms in several specialised publications, such as Latin Lawyer 250, Chambers Global, Chambers Latin America, The Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal. Wald has also won the renowned Latin Lawyer Deal of the Year from 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2016, under the categories of disputes resolution and M&A. In 2014 and 2015, the firm ranked first and second, respectively, as dispute resolution boutique law firm of the year from Revista Análise Advocacia.

Main areas of practice

Litigation: The firm’s litigation department has figured for many years among Brazil’s premier litigation firms. It focuses on various areas, such as contract, commercial, administrative, banking, international and corporate law. The firm also represents public utilities companies in disputes involving government contracts.

Arbitration: The firm pioneers in having a department specialised in national and international arbitration and has been consistently ranked as a first-tier firm. Its lawyers have worked as counsel, arbitrators, legal experts and consultants in proceedings before Brazilian and foreign arbitral institutions (ICC, AAA/ICDR, LCIA and UNCITRAL), as well as representing clients in state court proceedings related to arbitration, drafted legal opinions and provided legal advice on arbitration agreements.

Administrative, regulatory and infrastructure: The firm’s practice covers regulated industries such as energy, telecommunications, gas, oil, airlines, road concessions and pharmaceuticals, representing them in lawsuits or before several governmental agencies. Having assisted many clients throughout the privatisation process, the firm has a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues emerging in public procurement procedures in general, public-private partnerships and infrastructure projects.

Commercial/corporate: the firm focus on advising high-profile transactions, and acting as counsel on disputes arising thereof, on pre-litigation matters and before both judicial and arbitration courts.

Debt restructuring and bankruptcy: Wald has vast experience in advising and representing both debtors and creditors in debt reorganisations. The firm also currently serves as administrator in Brazil’s biggest judicial restructuring proceeding.

Banking and finance: The firm provides counsel to companies and financial institutions in complex transactions and litigation proceedings of varied nature, including lending, acquisition financing and financing of exports, among others.

Languages: Portuguese, English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.