Press Release
HFW Continues international expansion with Brazil cooperation arrangement and Senior Partner hire
Global, sector-focused law firm HFW has boosted its Latin America presence by hiring Brazil's leading aviation partner, Julio Costa, and entering into a cooperation arrangement with a newly established local firm, CAL.
Julio will join HFW as a partner in June from Tauil & Chequer Advogados in cooperation with Mayer Brown (TCMB).
CAL has been founded by the insurance team from TCMB – Julio, aviation and insurance partner Gustavo Lasalvia and six additional fee-earners – and will operate from offices in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The firm is due to formally launch in June, subject to local regulatory approval. HFW São Paulo partner Fernando Albino will also join CAL with other local colleagues.
It is the seventh international merger or cooperation arrangement that HFW has completed since January 2016, including a fully-integrated transatlantic merger.
Julio is widely regarded as Brazil's leading aviation lawyer. He has extensive experience advising clients throughout Latin America on multi-jurisdictional litigation, claims handling and regulatory matters. He also acts for clients across the insurance and reinsurance sectors in Brazil, and will work closely with HFW insurance and reinsurance partner Geoffrey Conlin.
Julio is ranked in the top band for aviation liability and litigation in legal directory Chambers & Partners, with clients describing him in testimonials given to the guide as the "biggest specialist in aviation-related insurance matters" and "without a doubt the best lawyer for accident claims in Brazil".
Aerospace is one of HFW's six core sectors globally. The firm's market-leading practice has been at the forefront of legal developments in the sector for over three decades. Its specialist lawyers have unrivalled experience of resolving the most complex claims and advising on aviation safety, economic regulation, finance and leasing, competition and antitrust. HFW also offers a bespoke aviation mediation service.
HFW partner Jeremy Shebson, who established the firm's São Paulo office:
"Julio is undoubtedly the top aviation lawyer in Brazil, so we are extremely pleased that he has chosen to join our firm. Julio's arrival and our cooperation arrangement with CAL significantly strengthens our aerospace and insurance offering throughout Latin America, and is another illustration of our commitment to the industry and the region."
Julio Costa:
"I am thrilled to be joining a firm with such strong and longstanding ties to the aviation and insurance sectors. Being part of such a large and specialist global team will be hugely beneficial to my clients. We are also very excited about the opportunities for CAL, and have ambitious plans to grow and develop our practices to align with HFW's business."
Richard Crump, Global Senior Partner, HFW:
"As part of our strategy to be the world's leading law firm to the aerospace, commodities, construction, energy, insurance and shipping industries, we have been investing heavily in the international markets that are most important to those six sectors. Brazil is the world's eighth-largest economy and a key centre for many of our clients. Our cooperation arrangement with CAL is another important step in our continued international expansion, and means we are able to provide clients with specialist advice in Brazil and across Latin America."
ABOUT HFW:
HFW is a leading global law firm in the aerospace, commodities, construction, energy, insurance and shipping sectors. The firm has almost 600 fee-earners, including 180 partners, based in 19 offices across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. HFW prides itself on its deep industry expertise and its entrepreneurial, creative and collaborative culture.
For further information, please contact:
Chris Johnson
Head of Communications
D +44 (0)20 7264 8159
M +44 (0)7976 939864
E chris.johnson@hfw.com
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