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If you are interested in starting a business in Brazil, or already operating in Latin America’s largest economy, you will need to have a good corporate attorney. Because your lawyer in Brazil will have an important role in guaranteeing that you are in full compliance with local laws, while also being a source of valuable advice and insight that could be very helpful in the launch and ongoing operations of your business.
Known as ‘The Giant of South America’ because of its geographic and economic might, the country registered a gross domestic product (GDP) of $1.44 trillion in 2020 — even despite significant turmoil caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
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That same year, Brazil registered a gross national income (GNI) of $7,850 per capita — placing the country as an upper-middle income nation by standards established by the World Bank.
With a population in excess of 210 million people, Brazil is the sixth-most populated country in the world, offering a ready supply of workers to investors and businesses operating in the country.
That includes a large and fast-growing middle class, with a large professional services industry concentrated in larger urban areas such as Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, meaning that there is a great deal of choice when seeking a lawyer in Brazil.
However, the country falls in the mid-range of English proficiency compared to other countries in the region, so if you are not proficient in Portuguese, you will need to make sure that the attorney you choose is able to communicate effectively in English or any other language you speak.
Other than Chile and Ecuador, every country in South America shares a border with Brazil, which is a founding member of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) — a 30-year-old economic integration initiative that also includes Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, and to which Bolivia is awaiting acceptance as a member.
Brazil is famed for being a major producer of agricultural goods and primary materials, including coffee, soybeans, meat, and timber. It also has considerable oil reserves.
All of this adds up to the country being a popular destination for investment, with foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2020 standing at $69.2 billion — the fourth-highest inflow registered globally.
Notably, FDI as a % of GDP has steadily increased — albeit with significant fluctuations — over recent years, highlighting the growing interest of the investment community in the country.
That saw FDI total 3.68% of GDP in 2019, having been 1.81% in 2003, and just 0.63% in 1995.
How can a corporate lawyer in Brazil ensure success?
A reliable and well-established corporate attorney in Brazil will help you to navigate the country’s regulatory regime, offering guaranteed compliance with employment law, labor law, corporate law, and any other specific legal codes related to your business activity.
That will mean that your lawyer in Brazil will have considerable influence over your standing in the eyes of local authorities and will play a key role in making sure that you establish and maintain good esteem in the market.
Your attorney in Brazil will also provide critical assistance in undertaking time-consuming tasks, such as drafting and completing documentation, including contracts and other legal documents.
On top of that, your lawyer in Brazil will engage with authorities, clients, and other stakeholders in order to support your business in any way necessary.
They will also be able to offer you important advice, such as what type of legal structure in Brazil will best meet your needs when going through company formation.
What will your attorney in Brazil do to support you?
You should expect the following benefits from working with a good corporate lawyer in Brazil:
Expert legal advice: Your attorney in Brazil will not only have a firm understanding of standard legal codes related to investment and doing business, but will also be able to guide you through more specialized areas of the legal code, such as mining law, commercial law, or laws related to the oil industry.
Valuable business connections: With a strong track record in the local market, your lawyer in Brazil will have connections that prove highly valuable during market entry and throughout your ongoing operations. That could include potential clients, partners, or other contacts, based on your commercial needs.
Intellectual property protection: Your attorney in Brazil will have the experience and knowledge necessary to guarantee that your intellectual property is protected, guaranteeing your competitive edge in the market.
Tax management advice: The Brazilian taxation system is known for its complexity, and your lawyer in Brazil will be able to help you navigate its particularities and will be able to try to help you make savings wherever possible.
What to look for in a lawyer in Brazil
When seeking out an attorney in Brazil, some key aspects to take into consideration include:
Professional standing: The reputation and standing of your lawyer in Brazil can reflect on you, so you will want to choose one with a strong track record and a history of satisfied clients. Reviewing the experience of past clients will give you a strong indication of what to expect from them.
Legislative awareness: As in any country, Brazilian regulations can be subject to change, so you will need to engage with an attorney in Brazil who keeps on top of upcoming and unfolding legislative changes.
Industry experience: If you are operating in a specialist industry, you will likely want to work with an attorney in Brazil who had experience in that same industry, as they will be able to anticipate common obstacles encountered by investors operating in that space.
Technological proficiency: In the event that you are not going to be based in the country, or will be away with frequency, you will benefit if your attorney in Brazil is proficient in using technology and comfortable using online management tools, in order for you to be able to stay on top of what they are doing.
Biz Latin Hub can be your corporate legal firm in Brazil
At Biz Latin Hub, our team of multilingual legal services specialists has the experience and know-how necessary to guarantee you success when launching and doing business in Brazil.
We offer a comprehensive portfolio of back-office services, including company formation, accounting & taxation, hiring & PEO, and visa processing, meaning that we can offer a tailored package of integrated services to suit every need.
With teams in place in 15 other markets around Latin America and the Caribbean, we are also specialists in multi-jurisdiction market entry and tax management.
If you need a corporate lawyer in Brazil, contact us today to discuss how we can support you.
Or read about our team and expert authors.
The information provided here within should not be construed as formal guidance or advice. Please consult a professional for your specific situation. Information provided is for informative purposes only and may not capture all pertinent laws, standards, and best practices. The regulatory landscape is continually evolving; information mentioned may be outdated and/or could undergo changes. The interpretations presented are not official. Some sections are based on the interpretations or views of relevant authorities, but we cannot ensure that these perspectives will be supported in all professional settings.
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