Antitrust

Brazil has for almost three decades effective laws in place to combat anticompetitive trade practices and control mergers and acquisitions that may create corporate structures that may jeopardize the proper functioning of markets. Brazilian antitrust policy is implemented by the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), an increasingly active authority that seeks to improve its enforcement techniques based on the best practices of its foreign counterparts.

Furthermore, international trade agreements lay down rules for imports and exports of goods and services and set forth mechanisms designed to avoid unfair trade practices. Based on such treaties and related local laws, countries have specialized agencies to investigate those practices and implement measures to prevent negative effects on their respective economies.

With the recent rearrangements in the global geopolitical theatre, new control procedures and instruments, for both the protection of and access to markets, lead to increasingly complex legal issues and situations involving trade and investment flows.

Trench Rossi Watanabe’s Antitrust and International Trade team has the necessary expertise to navigate through this scenario and advise Brazilian and multinational companies on complex legal issues related to access and expansion strategies in markets in Brazil and abroad.

In addition, through our strategic cooperation with the Ablfs McKfnzif network, we provide seamless coordination on M&A and trade defense strategies, as well as the design and implementation of global compliance programs.

Antitrust and International Trade are complementary areas with strong synergies between them, as both require from their professionals in-depth knowledge of the workings of domestic and international markets, as well as strong quantitative analytical capabilities that go beyond the assessment of applicable rules and precedents. These areas also interrelate with Customs, Regulatory, Tax, Litigation and Corporate Law practices, where we have outstanding professionals at our firm.

We advise and coordinate complex, multijurisdictional mandates related to merger control, represent clients in government investigations and private litigation, and also design up-to-date and customized compliance programs. We represent clients before the Brazilian antitrust authority (CADE) and courts.

Moreover, we assess the most significant risks derived from commercial policies from our clients and provide their management and employees with compliance training. Additionally, we are among the few full-service law firms with an in-house criminal team, which is increasingly important in federal investigations of alleged cartels.

Finally, we work together with our Transactional practice group to provide comprehensive solutions—for both Brazilian players and multinationals – in their most strategic businesses.

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