News
SVMFA’s newsletter on partnership with Garrigues is now available for download
SVMFA’s newsletter on wind power is now available for download
SVMFA’s newsletter on the Brazilian and Angolan O&G market is now available for download
September 22, 2011
Eduardo Briggs was nominated an arbitrator at the CBMA – Centro Brasileiro de Mediação e Arbitragem da Associação Comercial do Rio de Janeiro.
September 20, 2011
Paulo Valois was a speaker at the "X Congresso Internacional do Comitê Brasileiro de Arbitragem", promoted by the Brazilian Arbitration Committee, which took place in Brasília, Distrito Federal, on September 19th and 20th. Paulo Valois was a lecturer in the " O Estado e Arbitragem nas Áreas Reguladas " panel.
July 11, 2011
Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel – Advogados sponsored the "Latin America Oil & Gas Conference 2011", promoted by Latin Lawyer, which took place in the city of Rio de Janeiro, on July 11, 2011. Paulo Valois was co-chair of the event and also a speaker in the "Pre-Salt legal and regulatory update" panel.
April 20, 2011
Dear Clients and Friends,
We are pleased to announce that, as has been the case since 2009, Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel - Advogados (“SVMFA”) has once again been highly ranked in the most prestigious legal publications.
In this year’s Chambers & Partners Global 2011, SVMFA was top ranked in “Oil & Gas”, and highly ranked in “Corporate/M&A”, “Power” and “Projects”, with the further nomination of the following partners in the respective areas: Antonio Luis de Miranda Ferreira in “Oil & Gas”; Rogerio Miranda in “Corporate/M&A”, “Oil & Gas” and
“Mining”; Paulo Valois Pires in “Oil & Gas”, and “Projects”; Guilherme D’Arriaga Schmidt in “Power” and “Projects”; Sonia Agel in “Oil & Gas”; and Roger Maier Boing in “Projects” in the category “Up and Coming”.
Furthermore, in this year’s publication, two of SVMFA’s name partners, Antonio
Luis de Miranda Ferreira and Paulo Valois Pires, were included in the spotlight table of Chambers & Global 2011 in Projects/Latin America Oil & Gas experts, which is comprised of the Top 20 Latin American Oil & Gas lawyers.
Chamber & Partners Global 2011 went on to say that: “Antonio Luis de Miranda Ferreira brings impressive experience and expertise to bear on all matters oil and gas, having spent ten years in-house at Shell Brasil before moving into private practice”; “Paulo Valois Pires also started his career in-house at Shell Brasil. He is a first-rate oil and gas lawyer with a wealth of complementary experience in infrastructure, finance and corporate matters.
Valois Pires recently assisted an international oil company with its bid to acquire upstream assets on projects in the Santos basin; “Rogerio Miranda is another lawyer with a Shell Brasil background. He also has overseas experience, having completed his studies at the University of Dundee in Scotland. Sobral de Miranda has the expertise to handle the full range of oil and gas matters, both upstream and downstream; “Sonia Agel adds 25 years' public sector experience to the team's considerable private sector experience. She was heavily involved with the energy sector as a federal state attorney and helped develop Brazil’s oil and gas regulatory framework while at the Agência Nacional do Petróleo (Brazil's industry regulator).
SVMFA was also mentioned in the Latin Lawyer 250, 2011 edition, as being a firm of “Energy Excellence with broader ambitions” with all the name partners being graced for their accolades in the energy area. Marcio Silva Pereira, a senior associate was also mentioned for his expertise in the environmental area.
We would like to thank you all for your continued support over the past few months.
We hope to continue to enjoy your trust during this coming year, when Brazil will continue to experience economic growth pushed by the activities in the energy sector and other investments in infrastructure. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours sincerely,
Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel - Advogados
Rua da Assembléia, 66, 17° andar
Centro - Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brasil
CEP: 20011-000
management@svmfa.com.br
www.svmfa.com.br
Tel: 55-21-2114-1700
Fax: 55-21-2114-1717
December 03, 2010
Paulo Valois and Sônia Agel were speakers at the "1st International Offshore Oil & Gas Law Conference: The Future of Offshore Exploration and Development After Macondo", promoted by the Institute for Energy Law (IEL), which took place in New Orleans, Louisiana, on December 8th and 9th. Paulo Valois was a lecturer in the "Hot & Evolving New Frontier and Offshore Development Deals" panel, and Sônia Agel was a speaker in the "Exploring Best Practices With Respect To Regulatory Oversight" panel.
November 01, 2010
We are pleased to announce that Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel – Advogados (“SVMFA”), and its name partners were highly ranked in the following publications:
Chambers and Partners Latin America 2011
SVMFA was ranked in all of the firm’s core practice areas: “Oil & Gas”, “Power”, “Mining”, “Projects” and “Corporate/M&A”. Its partners and associates were listed in the following categories: Antonio Luis de Miranda Ferreira in “Oil & Gas”; Guilherme Guerra D’Arriaga Schmidt in “Power”, “Projects” and “Corporate/M&A”; Paulo Valois Pires in “Oil & Gas” and “Projects”, Rogerio Miranda in “Oil & Gas” and “Corporate/M&A”; Sonia Agel in “Oil & Gas”; Felipe Kfuri in “Power”; Pedro Henrique Raimundo in “Corporate/M&A”; and Roger Boing in “Projects”.
Chambers and Partners Global 2010
In this edition, SVMFA was ranked in “Oil & Gas”, “Mining” and “Corporate/M&A”, nominating the following partners in the respective areas: Antonio Luis de Miranda Ferreira in “Oil & Gas”; Guilherme Guerra D’Arriaga Schmidt in “Corporate/M&A”; Paulo Valois Pires in “Oil & Gas”; Rogerio Miranda in “Oil & Gas” and “Corporate/M&A”; and Sonia Agel in “Oil & Gas”.
Euromoney’s Energy and Natural Resource Lawyers 2010
SVMFA partners Antonio Luis de Miranda Ferreira, Guilherme Guerra D’Arriaga Schmidt, Paulo Valois Pires, Rogerio Miranda and Sonia Agel, were all ranked in this publication.
Who’s Who Legal 2010
SVMFA partners Antonio Luis de Miranda Ferreira, Paulo Valois Pires, Rogerio Miranda and Guilherme Guerra D’Arriaga Schmidt were listed in “Oil & Gas”.
October 25, 2010
Paulo Valois was a speaker at the Project Finance Tutorial Brasil event, promoted by INFOCAST, which took place in São Paulo, on October 25 and 26. His presentation involved The Role of the Independent Engineer in the Evaluation of the Technical Risk in the Due Diligence Process.
October 21, 2010
Guilherme Schmidt and Roseane Santos were speakers at the Brazil Renewable Energy Finance & Investment Summit event, promoted by INFOCAST, which took place in São Paulo, from October 19 to 21. Their presentation concerned the current Renewable Energy Market Regulatory Structure.
October 14, 2010
Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel – Advogados was a sponsor of the AIPN (Association of International Petroleum Negotiators) breakfast concerning Operational Safety in Offshore Exploration and Production Activities.
18 June 2010
Paulo Valois was a speaker of the 12th Franco-Brazilian Meeting of the Comparative Legislation Society (Deuxièmes rencontre Franco-Brésilliennes de La Société de Législation Comparée), held on June 18th in Paris, and organized by the International Chamber of Commerce. The theme of this year’s meeting was “Opportunities and legal risks for investments in Brazil”, and Paulo Valois addressed the issue of “Contractual Renegotiations with Public Entities”.
04 June 2010
“Environmental Law"
An article written by Márcio Pereira was recently published in the TN Petróleo magazine (Sustainability Brochure), encompassing the main aspects of Law # 12,187/2009, which deals with the National Policy of Climate Changes.
The article is available in Portuguese at http://www.tnpetroleo.com.br/revista
04 June 2010
"International Mining Law Congress"
Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel – Advogados will take part in the first edition of the International Mining Law Congress, which will be held in the city of Salvador, in the State of Bahia, on June 7, 8 and 9, 2010.
On June 8, Márcio Pereira will be a part of the panel debating “Mining Activities in Protected Areas”, together with other professionals and public authorities. This Congress is a partnership between the Brazilian Mining Institute (Instituto Brasileiro de Mineração - IBRAM), the Ministry of Mines and Energy, through the National Department of Mineral Production (Departamento Nacional de Produção Mineral - DNPM), and the Federal General Attorney School.
For more information, please visit the IBRAM website: http://www.ibram.org.br/
19 May 2010
Rogério Miranda delivered a speech about Legal Aspects of Doing Business with Petrobras in FIRJAN – Association of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro, at the visit of the Calgary Commercial Delegation to Rio de Janeiro.
April 07, 2010
Dear Clients and Friends,
SVMFA hereby informs that the Central Bank of Brazil has revoked, by means of the Circular no. 3,491, dated of March 24th, 2010, the Circular no. 2,997, dated of August 15th, 2000, which determined that the companies which receive direct foreign investments should, until April 30th of the each year, update their economical and financial information before the Central Bank of Brazil Data System (SISBACEN), considering the previous fiscal year.
Therefore, the updating of the economical and financial information of such companies before the Central Bank of Brazil will no longer be necessary.
Should you need any further information do not hesitate to contact us.
March 22, 2010
CENTRAL BANK OF BRAZIL - UPDATING OF THE ECONOMICAL AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION
In accordance with article 25 of the Regulation attached to the Normative Act No. 2.997, dated of August 15th, 2000, issued by the Central Bank of Brazil, the companies that receive direct foreign investments must, until April 30th, 2010, update their economical and financial information before the Central Bank of Brazil Data System (SISBACEN), considering the fiscal year ended on December 31st, 2009.
The non-compliance with the obligations foreseen in the above-mentioned Normative Act, will submit the defaulting companies to the application of the penalties foreseen in the Resolution 2.883, dated of August 30th, 2001.
Our law firm is at your entire disposal to provide any further information and/or clarification that may be needed, as well as to assist you in the update of the economical and financial information before SISBACEN.
APPROVAL OF THE ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNTS
According to article 1.078, I, of the Brazilian Civil Code and article 132, I of the Corporations’ Law, please be informed that the limited liability companies and the corporations shall, on the first 4 (four) months of the year following the conclusion of the previous fiscal year, hold a partners’ meeting in order to analyse the administration accounts and decide about the balance sheet and the economical results of the company.
The approval of the administration accounts will depend on the votes of the majority of the partners attending to the meeting, if not established otherwise in the company’s articles of incorporation/By-laws.
Our law firm is at your entire disposal to provide any further information and/or clarification that may be needed, as well as to assist you with the draft of the minute of such meetings.January 27, 2010
Márcio Pereira will be a speaker at the IBP’s HSE Subcommittee meeting. His presentation will be on the Participation of Unions in Environmental Licensing. The meeting will be held at 9:00, on February 02, 2010, at Av. Almirante Barroso, 52, 26th floor - Room 1, Rio de Janeiro.
IBP website: http://www.ibp.org.br/December 15, 2009
The Brazilian tax legislation was recently altered to establish limits for interest paid on loans contracted with foreign entities on the calculation of Income Tax and Social Contribution on Net Profits. In this sense, the following rules apply: (a) loans contracted with foreign related parties: the interest is considered tax deductible for loans which do not exceed twice the amount of the creditor’s equity participation (eg. the proportional part of the interest which refers to the part of the loans which exceeds the aforesaid limit is not considered deductible for income tax and social contribution on net profits purposes); (b) loans contracted with foreign non related parties: The rules mentioned in item (a) will be applicable, if a related party guarantees the loan, in all other cases, such rules will not be applicable; (c) loans contracted with foreign parties domiciled in the so-called tax heaven jurisdictions: the interest is considered tax deductible if it relates to a loan which does not exceed 30% of the borrower’s amount of the capital (equity) (eg. the proportional part of the interest which refers to the part of the loans which exceeds the aforesaid limit is not considered deductible for income tax and social contribution on net profits purposes).
In this sense, we recommend that the companies review their financing structure to anticipate potential adverse effects.
November 30, 2009
We are pleased to announce that Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel – Advogados (“SVMFA”) was ranked by the ANÁLISE ADVOCACIA 2009 Publication.
In addition, SVMFA Partner Antônio Luis de Miranda Ferreira was listed as one of the most admired lawyers in the area of infrastructure.
November 25, 2009
On November 24, Guilherme Schmidt, Felipe Kfuri, Tácito Ribeiro de Matos and Márcio Silva Pereira were lecturers in the workshop “Wind Power Auction – Competitiveness of Wind Power in Brazil: economic, tax, environmental, and regulatory aspects”, promoted by the firm Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira and Agel in association with Gesel (Group of Electrical Energy Studies of the Economics School of the Rio de Janeiro Federal University).
Guilherme Schmidt and Felipe Kfuri gave a presentation on the regulatory aspects of electric energy in Brazil, the legal difficulties pertaining the development of the wind power industry, the qualification process for enterprises and the characteristics of the next power auction.
Tácito Ribeiro de Matos’ presentation involved tax aspects related to wind power, discussing the tax benefits granted to wind power generation projects, tax benefits as a means for industrial policy and normative projects in course before the National Congress.
Márcio Silva Pereira’s presentation concerned the legal and environmental aspects which are relevant to wind power generation, licensing and environmental studies, legal conflicts pertaining the activity as well as normative tendencies.
November 09, 2009
We are pleased to announce that Guilherme Schmidt’s comments concerning the wind power prospects in Brazil, in light of the new wind power auction that will be held in December, were published in Latin American Advisor’s Newsletter.
For more information, please visit the Latin American Advisor’s website.October 22, 2009
SVMFA was one of the sponsors of the Brazil's Energy Future and the Pre-Salt event, promoted by the Institute of the Americas, which took place in Rio de Janeiro, on October 22. Antônio Luis Ferreira was a speaker in the event and gave a presentation on the “Pre-salt and the new regulatory regime”, presenting a critical analysis of the proposals which were submitted by the federal government.
October 19, 2009
Marcio Silva Pereira was a speaker in the 7th Environmental Summit, promoted by the IBC, which took place in São Paulo, on October 19. His presentation concerned the “New Rules and Reforms for the Forest law and its Effects on Ventures”, with a main focus on the effects on investments in Brazil in the energy, infrastructure projects, mining, transportation and agrobusiness sectors.
October 14, 2009
We are pleased to announce that Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel – Advogados (“SVMFA”), and its name partners, were highly ranked in the Chambers and Partners 2010 Latin America Publication in “Energy & Natural Resources: Oil & Gas”, “Energy & Natural Resources: Mining”, “Energy & Natural Resources: Power”, “Corporate / M&A” and “Projects”.
For more information please visit the Chambers and Partners website.
October 14, 2009
We are pleased to announce that Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel – Advogados (“SVMFA”), and its name partners, were listed by the Who’s Who Legal, Brazil 2009 Publication, with SVMFA being considered the top firm for natural resources and infrastructure.
For more information please visit theChambers and Partners website.
October 2nd, 2009
Paulo Valois Pires was a speaker in the LARC Event, promoted by the AIPN (Association of International Petroleum Negotiators), which took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 2. His presentation concerned the Brazilian Pre-Salt Cluster and the bills proposed for its exploration regime.
September 2nd, 2009
The following news article was published in the Latin Lawyer website on September 2nd, 2009.
September 2nd, 2009
The following news article was published in the Latin Lawyer website on September 2nd, 2009.
"New Brazil rules deal Big Oil a blow, say lawyers"
Published 2 September 2009
As Brazil announces its plans for the exploitation of its pre-salt oil, lawyers in the country say they would have preferred the Tupi oil field to be regulated in the same way as the Brazil’s other reserves.
On 31 August, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced that a new state oil company, Petrosal, will manage the pre-salt reserves which lie below a 2,000-meter-thick underwater salt layer of Brazil’s south Atlantic coast, while the concessions system will be replaced with production sharing contracts.
The government will also establish a fund to manage revenue from the reserves, redistributing it to social projects, as well as providing for a US$50 billion injection of new capital into existing state oil company Petrobras.
Mattos Filho, Veiga Filho, Marrey Jr e Quiroga Advogados partner Lauro Celidônio Gomes dos Reis Neto says, “The measures announced yesterday clearly indicate that the government intends to nationalise the Brazilian oil industry. The tough terms announced by the government may discourage further international investments in the oil sector, which is bad news not only for lawyers but for the country as a whole.”
The full details of the new rules are not yet available, but president Lula said that four bills will now be submitted to congress under a fast-track system, giving lawmakers 90 days to approve or reject them.
But, opposition parties have threatened to delay the bills’ progress through congress and are demanding that the urgency clause be removed.
Paulo Valois Pires of Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel - Advogados says, “I would have preferred the government to have kept the rules for the exploration of O&G in Brazil unaltered for the exploration of the pre-salt layer.”
“The introduction of the production sharing agreements for some areas, coupled with the creation of a state-owned company called “Petrosal” could bring some unrest to oil companies investing in exploration activities in Brazil,” he adds.
Celidonio says recent reports of dry holes in the pre-salt area suggest E&P activities present higher risk for oil companies than previously believed, and that high exploration costs in the pre-salt area fields will also make companies hesitant to enter into production sharing agreements.
Lawyers dealing with the new rules, he says, will face a challenge in, “addressing conflicts arising from the relationship between Petrosal, Petrobrás and the independent oil companies (if any) as partners in a consortium – particularly because the consortium will be managed by an operational committee, 50 per cent of whose its members will be appointed by Petrosal.”
Both lawyers say their firms are gearing up for an initial reduction in their oil and gas practices as a result of the new rules, with Valois explaining, “At first we would expect to see some retraction, especially due to the creation of Petrosal, which many could interpret as an attempt to bring back, at least in part, the old monopoly system to O&G exploration in Brazil.”
“However, as the rules become clearer and the model adapted to meet private investors’ demands, we expect an increase in oil and gas practice and investments in the exploration of the pre-salt layer,” he adds.
August 24th, 2009
The following news article was published in the Latin Lawyer website on August 24th, 2009.
"Schmidt Valois adds shipping and reinsurance lawyer"
Published 24 August 2009
Brazil's Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel - Advogados has hired Eduardo Briggs to head its new shipping and reinsurance practice.
Briggs, 46, joins the firm as of counsel next week after one year as an associate at Torres, Medina & Associados. Before that, he worked for nine years as in-house counsel at state-owned reinsurer IRB-Brasil Re.
"I'm very confident about the prospects for both practice areas," says Briggs. "The shipping industry is a big market still very much in development, and the reinsurance sector was only opened up to competitors quite recently - there are over 50 new reinsurers coming to Brazil."
Schmidt Valois partner Paulo Valois says, "Eduardo brings invaluable experience in two areas that are intrinsically connected with the energy and infrastructure sectors - our firm's core business."
Briggs began his career at Étude J-Potter van Loon in Switzerland, and practised for two years at Clyde & Co in the UK. He also advises on aviation and transport law, acting as a consultant to Brazil's transport law institute, IBDTrans.
August 21st, 2009
Rogério Sobral de Miranda was a lecturer at the Upstream Oil & Gas Outlook Conference 2009, promoted by Viex Americas and gave a presentation on the “Unitization during the Development and Production Phase”.
August 20th, 2009
Tácito Ribeiro de Matos was a lecturer at the 6th seminar “Taxation in the Natural Gas and Fuel Chain”, promoted by “Capcana Eventos” and gave a presentation on the “Analysis of Proposals of Tax Incentives in the Natural Gas and Fuels Sector”.
August 4th, 2009
The following news article was published in the Latin Lawyer website on August 4th, 2009.
"Schmidt Valois seals coke plant contract"
Published 4 August 2009
Brazilian law firm Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel Advogados is representing Companhia de Coque Calcinado de Petróleo (Coquepar) in the contracting agreements for a coke plant in the state of Rio de Janeiro
On 15 July, the company signed the construction and assembly agreement for the calcined petroleum plant, with engineering company UTC Engenharia taking on the building contract.
A month before, Schmidt Valois helped Coquepar negotiate an agreement for the plant’s calcinating, cooling and incineration system with US-based construction group FLSmidth.
Trench, Rossi e Watanabe Advogados represented FLSmidth in the negotiations for that contract.
Beatriz Mello, a partner with Trench Rossi, says, “negotiations for the cooling supply agreement were held in a very amicable environment,” adding that her main work was “to finalise guarantees and warranties, limitation of liabilities and resolve a few tax issues.”
State-oil company Petrobras wil supply green petroleum coke to the plant in Seropédica, which will have an annual generation capacity of 42MW of energy with 35MW is expected to be available for sale.
The total investment in the plant will be about US$250 million, and is expected to be funded through loans from the Brazil’s development bank BNDES.
Construction work is scheduled to begin before the end of the year, with the plant expected to be operational by the second half of 2011.
Counsel to Companhia de Coque Calcinado de Petróleo
- Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel Advogados
Partners Guilherme Schmidt and Isabela Faria
Counsel to UTC Engenharia
- In-house counsel - Renato Tai
Counsel to FLSmidth
- Trench, Rossi e Watanabe Advogados
Partner Beatriz Mello and associate Adriana Stamato
June 25, 2009
Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel – Advogados (“SVMFA”) was one of the sponsors of the Model Contracts Workshop, organized by the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators, which took place in Rio de Janeiro between June 21st and 24th, 2009.
May 28, 2009
Paulo Valois Pires was a speaker in the workshop concerning the “New Brazilian Gas Law”, in the “Gas Summit Latin American 2009”, which took place in São Paulo, between May 26 and 28
April 22, 2009
Paulo Valois Pires was a speaker in the "International Mining and Oil & Gas Law, Development, and Investment” conference, promoted by the “Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation” and the “International Bar Association Section on Energy Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law”, which took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, between April 20 and 22. Sônia Agel was also part of hosting committee for the conference.
March 31, 2009
APPROVAL OF THE ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNTS
According to article 1.078, I, of the Brazilian Civil Code and article 132, I of the Corporations’ Law, please be informed that the limited liability companies and the corporations shall, on the first 4 (four) months of the year following the conclusion of the previous fiscal year, hold a partners’ meeting in order to analyse the administration accounts and decide about the balance sheet and the economical results of the company.
The approval of the administration accounts will depend on the votes of the majority of the partners attending to the meeting, if not established otherwise in the company’s articles of incorporation/By-laws.
Our law firm is at your entire disposal to provide any further information and/or clarification that may be needed, as well as to assist you with the draft of the minute of such meetings.
March 31, 2009
DECLARATION OF ASSETS HELD ABROAD
Pursuant to Resolution No. 3.540/2008 and Normative Act 3.442/2009, natural persons and legal entities resident, domiciled or headquartered in the country, must report to the Central Bank of Brazil the assets in currency or in rights held outside of Brazil on December 31st, 2008, until May 29th, 2009.
However, those who hold assets abroad that jointly do not reach, on December 31st, 2008, the amount of US$ 100.000,000 (one hundred thousand North-American dollars), or the equivalent in other currency, are discharged from the obligations of reporting the above-mentioned statement.
Please remember that an incorrect or incomplete statement, as well as the non-delivery, the delivery after the stated deadline or the provision of false information will subject the defaulting party to the applicable penalties foreseen in Resolution 3.540/2008.
March 31, 2009
CENTRAL BANK OF BRAZIL - UPDATING OF THE ECONOMICAL AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION
In accordance with article 25 of the Regulation attached to the Normative Act No. 2.997, dated of August 15th, 2000, issued by the Central Bank of Brazil, the companies that receive direct foreign investments must, until April 30th, 2009, update their economical and financial information before the Central Bank of Brazil Data System (SISBACEN), considering the fiscal year ended on December 31st, 2008.
The non-compliance with the obligations foreseen in the above-mentioned Normative Act, will submit the defaulting companies to the application of the penalties foreseen in the Resolution 2.883, dated of August 30th, 2001.
Our law firm is at your entire disposal to provide any further information and/or clarification that may be needed, as well as to assist you in the update of the economical and financial information before SISBACEN.
March 25, 2009
We are pleased to inform you that Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel - Advogados name partners Antonio Luis de Miranda Ferreira, Guilherme D’Arriaga Schmidt and Rogerio Sobral de Miranda were ranked in the "2009 Who’s Who Legal" for Oil & Gas. Should you need further information, please consult with the Who’s Who Legal website.
March 08, 2009
We are pleased to announce that Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel – Advogados (“SVMFA”), and its name partners Antonio Luis de Miranda Ferreira, Paulo Valois Pires, Rogerio Miranda and Sonia Agel, were highly ranked in the Chambers and Partners 2009 Global Publication in “Energy & Natural Resources: Oil & Gas and Mining”, for Brazil. SVMFA Partner Guilherme Guerra D’Arriaga Schmidt was also ranked in Corporate/M&A by the same publication.
For more information please visit the Chambers and Partners website.
January 30, 2009
As per the Latin Lawyer edition of January 23, 2009, Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel - Advogados (“SVMFA”) is part of the legal team of outside counsels that assists BG Group in its project for the exploration of the pre-salt layer.
January 30, 2009
We are pleased to inform you that all Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel - Advogados name partners (Antonio Luis Ferreira, Guilherme Schmidt, Paulo Valois Pires, Rogerio Miranda and Sonia Agel) were highly ranked in the renowned “Expert Guides” publication as World’s Leading Energy and Natural Resources Lawyers of Expert Guides. Should you need further information, please consult with the Expert Guides website.
December 22, 2008
SVMFA has celebrated pro-bono partnerships with renowned and up and coming artists, with views of permanently displaying their work in our offices. This is a pioneer initiative and will allow the promotion of established artists and newcomers, amongst SVMFA clients, friends and professionals.
November 14, 2008
Energy start up investments in Brazil
Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel - Advogados (“SVMFA”) was a part of the legal team that assisted energy start up Vital Renewable Energy Company's first project (“VREC”). The legal team also included the US firm Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP. VREC has secured over US$ 1billion from investors in the US, Europe and the Middle East for future ethanol and electricity projects. VREC has joined up with established Brazilian ethanol producer Grupo Farias, which has been producing sugarcane ethanol for more than four decades, operating in several states, such as Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte, Goiás, São Paulo and Acre, to develop sugarcane ethanol and power co-generation projects. For more information, we refer to the article published in Latin Lawyer online on November 11, 2008.
October 16, 2008
We are pleased to inform you that Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira & Agel - Advogados ("SVMFA") was highly ranked in Oil & Gas, Power, Mining and Projects by the prestigious research guide Chambers and Partners in the 2008 edition of Chambers Latin America.
In addition, all five name partners of SVMFA (Antonio Luis Ferreira, Guilherme Schmidt, Paulo Valois, Rogerio Miranda and Sonia Agel) were named by Chambers Latin America as being "leaders in their field." Should you need further information, please consult with the "Chambers and Partners website.
Finally, according to the 2008 Who’s Who Legal, SVMFA “is the only firm with two nominees in the country” in the O&G sector, with Antônio Luís Ferreira and Rogério Miranda being listed. For more information, please visit the Who’s Who Legal website.
September 8, 2008
We would like to announce that “Schmidt, Valois, Miranda, Ferreira e Agel – Advogados” (SVMFA) has signed an Operating Agreement with “L.O. Baptista Advogados Associados”, a traditional law firm based in São Paulo and founded by Mr. Luiz Olavo Baptista, a renowned lecturing professor at USP and currently the President of the OMC Appeals Body.
The purpose of the Operating Agreement is to join forces in order to foster the services rendered to clients in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Together, the firms have 80 professionals, with varied experience, ready to assist clients in ventures in Brazil.
With the signature of the Operating Agreement, SVMFA now has a supporting law firm in São Paulo and becomes L.O. Baptista Advogados Associados’s correspondent in Rio de Janeiro.
August 29, 2008
Guilherme Guerra D'Arriaga Schmidt was a lecturer at the "Seminário de Negociação e Gestão de Contratos na Construção de Barragens" (Seminar for the Negotiation and Management of Contracts in Dam Construction), promoted by International Business Communications - IBC and gave a presentation on the "Gestão de Riscos Contratuais" (Contractual Risk Management).
July 08, 2008
We are pleased to announce that SVMFA partners Antônio Luis de Miranda Ferreira & Rogério Sobral de Miranda were listed for O&G in the "2008 International Who's Who of Business Lawyers"
June 11, 2008
Guilherme Guerra D’Arriaga Schmidt was a lecturer at the “Energy Tax Forum Brasil 2008”, promoted by “Energia IQ” and gave a presentation on the “Expected impacts on the tax burden of power companies, derived from the changes occurred in the Brazilian Corporate Law and how to conduct such changes”.
June 11, 2008
Tácito Ribeiro de Matos was a lecturer at the “Energy Tax Forum Brasil 2008”, promoted by “Energia IQ” and gave a presentation on the “ICMS tax on inter-state power transactions”.
March 25, 2008
Update of the Economical and Financial Information before the Central Bank of Brazil
In accordance with article 25 of the Regulation attached to the Normative Act No. 2.997 issued by the Central Bank of Brazil, dated of August 15, 2000, the Brazilian companies which receive direct foreign investments must, until April 30, 2008, update their economical and financial information before the Central Bank of Brazil Data System (SISBACEN), considering the fiscal year ended on December 31, 2007.
The non-compliance with the obligations established in the above-mentioned Normative Act, will submit the companies in default to the application of the penalties foreseen in the Resolution 2.883, dated of August 30, 2001.
Our law firm is at your entire disposal to provide any further information and/or clarification that may be needed, as well as to assist your companies in the updating of the economical and financial information before the SISBACEN.
March 25, 2008
Approval of the Accounts of the Company’s Administration
According to article 1.078, I, of the Brazilian Civil Code, please be informed that the limited liability companies shall, on the first 4 (four) months of the year following the conclusion of the previous fiscal year, hold a quotaholders’ meeting in order to analyse the administration accounts and decide about the balance sheet and the economical results of the company.
The approval of the administration accounts depends on the votes of the majority of quotaholders attending to the meeting (respected the rules related to the instatement of the meeting set forth in article 1.074 of the Brazilian Civil Code), if not otherwise established in the company’s articles of association.
Our law firm is at your entire disposal to provide any further information and/or clarification that may be needed, as well as to assist your company with the draft of the minute of such meetings.
March 03, 2008
We are glad to announce that Tácito Ribeiro de Matos has become a partner in SVMFA and will be responsible for coordinating the firm’s tax department.
Tácito Ribeiro de Matos has 15 years of experience in Tax Law and is a member of the Internacional Fiscal Association, the Associação Brasileira de Direito Financeiro (ABDF) and the Associação Brasileira de Estudos Tributários das Empresas de Telecomunicações (ABETEL).
December 11, 2007
Guilherme Guerra D’Arriaga Schmidt gave a presentation on the “Legal and Operational Aspects of Contracting in the Free Energy Market” at the “Energy Forum VII”, promoted by the “Institute for International Research do Brasil Ltda.”.
December 3, 2007
Pedro Henrique Fonseca Raimundo was one of the authors of “Manual de Auditoria Jurídica – Legal Due Diligence”, published by Quartier Latin.
November 29, 2007
We are pleased to announce that SVMFA and partners Guilherme Guerra D’Arriaga Schmidt, Paulo Valois Pires and Rogério Sobral de Miranda were ranked for Brazil in the Chambers and Partners Global Guide 2007 in Energy & Natural Resources.
For more information please visit the Chambers and Partners website.
November 23, 2007
Paulo Valois Pires gave a presentation on the “Structuring and Negotiation of Gas Contracts” at the “3rd Brazil Gas Forum”, organized by the International Business Communications – IBC.
September, 18, 2007
We are pleased to announce that SVMFA partners Antônio Luis de Miranda Ferreira & Rogério Sobral de Miranda were listed for O&G in the "2007 International Who's Who of Business Lawyers"
August, 15, 2007
We are pleased to announce that our partner, Paulo Valois Pires, was appointed to the new and updated Energy Arbitrators' List of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution - ICDR of the American Arbitration Association - AAA.
May, 14, 2007
All the five SVMFA name partners were ranked in the "2007 Guide to the World's Leading Energy and Natural Resource Lawyers" of Euromoney.
April, 20, 2007
Guilherme Schmidt participated in an arbitration pannel at the Fifth Annual Arbitration and Litigation Conference presented by the Florida Bar International Law Section, in Florida, USA.
April, 16, 2007
Paulo Valois gave a presentation on "Pipeline Integration in the Southern Cone" at the Rock Mountain Mineral Law Foundation seminar in Buenos Aires, Argentina.