Machado Meyer is one of the largest firms in Brazil. Founded in 1972, the firm has grown from their head office in São Paulo to add three other offices in Brazil in Rio de Janeiro, Belo
Horizonte and Brasília and one international office in New York.
In banking work, the firm
participates in complex transactions involving banks, financial institutions,
fintechs and investment funds, mostly
representing lenders.
The capital markets team
represents both issuers and underwriters and works on debt and equity transactions.
The M&A group
represents strategic buyers, private equity firms and sellers in a variety of transactions.
The project development and finance groups
represent mostly developers.
Across all practice areas the firm has a particular specialization in the telecoms, oil and gas, financial services, energy, retail, education and mining industries.
Because the firm mostly
represents lenders it has strong relationships with banks, especially multinational banks, including Banco BTG Pactual, Banco Citibank, BNP Paribas, BBVA Securities, Bank of America, Barclays Capital and Crédit Agricole. It also
maintains strong relationships with important state-owned Brazilian companies such as Petrobras.
Research period review: 33rd
edition (2022/2023)
During the research period the firm was active across banking, capital markets,
investment funds, M&A, private equity, projects and restructuring and insolvency.
The banking team
advised
more lenders than borrowers on cross-border
loans
for corporate and acquisition financing transactions.
The capital markets team was more active on the debt side,
advising notable banks as underwriters in
numerous debenture issuances and other public offerings.
The investment funds team was especially active in the agribusiness sector, advising on receivables funds
with ESG components.
The firm’s M&A and private equity work consisted of advising on public and private acquisitions
with a slight focus on the energy sector.
It advised more sellers than buyers.
The
projects team was heavily involved in the finance side, advising coordinating banks and other clients on project acquisitions, project issuances and project implementations across different sectors.
Restructuring and insolvency work included judicial restructurings primarily in the banking industry.
Deal highlights:
33rd edition (2022/2023)
ASTM
$3.4 billion bond issuance
Marfig Global Foods $1.1 billion financing
Samarco
Mineração $10.1 billion reorganization
São Paulo subway Line 6 PPP
Client feedback:
33rd edition (2022/2023)
“They have a very good technical knowledge, are fast and know very well the financial sector and its regulations.”
“They are
very good in this area and keep an extremely
good time.”
“Excellent professionals, with high skills and ownership.”
“They treat the client in a personalized way and conduct the work with agility.”
“Gustavo Rugani has an enormous knowledge of the Brazilian capital market. In addition, he and the rest of the team can innovate and have always followed our projects (which have always been the most complex).”
Capital markets:
Structured finance
“Technical knowledge,
availability and quality of deliverables.”
Financial services regulatory
“Responsive and very up to date on regulatory issues.”
Investment funds: Registered funds
“Machado Meyer's positive attributes include its deep understanding of Brazilian law and industry regulation, the great quality of documents, and its leadership in coordination of the deal, contributing to
timely execution and serving as a trusted adviser for a team which included a rigorous international investor.”
“Thales Saito has deep knowledge of the product, acting as constructively as possible to propose solutions and to challenge the status quo.”
Project development: Infrastructure
“Great market insights. Good dialogue with our business development team.”
“Exceptional performance, wide-ranging legal
knowledge and great understanding of the client's needs, always trying to look beyond the obvious. Extremely responsive and accessible.”
" Very
up to date on regulatory matters. He makes himself always available. Very responsive. Easy to discuss with and accepts feedback very well.”
“Outstanding performance, with great teamwork. Very developed legal skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving. Also, very positive attributes in communication and time management.”
“Alberto and teams know exactly what the client needs.”
“He is a very smart guy, shows plenty of knowledge and experience in the financial sector. Is
very creative in terms of structuring deals.”
“He is perfect in capital markets”
Gustavo Rugani
do Couto e Silva
“Customer service and depth in topics.”
“Gustavo Rugani, in my opinion, is the lawyer who best knows the Brazilian capital market.”
“He has deep understanding of laws and industry regulations, a respected lawyer who led efforts aligned with client interests, with a great network with an international investor that
participated actively in the process, and great problem-solving skills.”
“Knowledgeable and available.”
“Thales Saito has deep knowledge of the product, acting as constructively as possible to propose solutions and to challenge the status quo.”
“A young lawyer that shows plenty of understanding and knowledge about investment funds and market discussions. Very attentive and responsive. Very objective and goes straight to the point. Meets deadlines.”
“Very responsive and accepts any feedback very well.”
