As the partner in charge of the firm’s Corporate Law and M&A practice, João brings nearly 20 years of national and international experience across a broad range of corporate and contractual matters. His practice includes, among others, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, investments, divestments, corporate reorganizations, corporate governance, wealth planning and sector-focused advisory services.
In addition to being admitted to practice law in Brazil, João is also qualified to practice in Spain, having worked in Barcelona between 2007 and 2012.
Prior to joining the firm, he was a partner at Mattos Filho, where he practiced for 13 years. He has also held positions in law firms and in-house legal departments in Brazil and Spain, including two years as an attorney at the Spanish firm RocaJunyent and a period of secondment at the Latin American office of the U.S.-based real estate group Cushman & Wakefield. In Spain, he also worked with the energy group Endesa, the consulting firm EY and the international law firm Garrigues.
According to Chambers and Partners research, clients praise his results-driven approach, describing him as “always available, technically excellent, and focused on enabling transactions in line with the client’s needs.”
Experience
João has advised on numerous highly complex transactions involving private equity funds, publicly traded companies and businesses across multiple sectors. Selected publicly disclosed highlights (with an aggregate transaction value exceeding BRL 15 billion) include:
• Advising General Atlantic on the acquisition of a 49.9% stake in XP Investimentos by Itaú Unibanco;
• Advising Advent International on the acquisition of a controlling stake in Grupo CRM, owner of the Kopenhagen and Chocolates Brasil Cacau brands;
• Advising Conglomerado Financeiro Alfa and its shareholders on its sale to Banco Safra S.A.;
• Advising Atakarejo Distribuidor de Alimentos e Bebidas and its shareholders on the sale of a stake to a fund managed by Patria Investimentos;
• Advising Compass Group on the sale of GRSA and its subsidiaries to L.C. Restaurantes, part of Grupo GPS;
• Advising U.S. multinational Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen) on all of its projects in Brazil, including the sale of its indirect equity interests in Profarma Specialty to CM Hospitalar S.A. (Viveo);
• Advising Patria Investimentos on various matters, including its partnerships for investments in toll road concessions in Brazil;
• Advising French insurer CNP Assurances on the sale of its stake in Wiz to Integra Participações;
• Advising on the acquisition and sale of five hospitals (acting for both buyers and sellers), including clients such as DASA, Rede D’Or São Luiz, Unimed ABC and Grupo São Francisco Saúde.
Academic Background
- LL.M. in International Business Law – ESADE Law and Business Schools (2009);
- LL.M. in Tax Law – University of Barcelona (2008);
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) – Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE – 2007).
Recognitions
- Chambers Global – Corporate/M&A; Foreign Expertise Based in Spain (2025 – 2026);
- Análise Advocacia – Leading Lawyer in São Paulo, Goiás and in the Insurance Economic Sector (2024–2025);
- Latin Lawyer 250 – Corporate/M&A (2024–2025).
