Established: 1967 Partners: 23 Total lawyers: 225
There is only a tiny handful of firms from outside São Paulo who have truly become national, and even fewer of those hail from the state of Minas Gerais – the most prominent of which by far is Azevedo Sette. The firm betrays its roots with its excellent mining practice, but it is also very good at attracting that class of client which so many of the firms in this list are so keenly aiming for – rapidly growing Brazilian businesses, either as they invest to further expand, or indeed sell out to Americans or Europeans looking to tap Brazil’s opportunities. This is reflected in its busy M&A practice, which aside from mining work is the firm’s landmark practice; its regional strength has allowed it to tap the booming middle market well. Another aspect which helps in this market is that the firm is known as better value than other firms at the top of the size tables – in part helped by its focus outside the most expensive city in the Americas, and also by the fact it is renowned for a businesslike approach, both in the execution of their clients’ interests and indeed their own. The firm is run on a tight rein by members of the Azevedo Sette family, although certainly other partners have come to prominence across the firm; while that might suggest that the succession issues which are proving so challenging for other large Brazilian firms are looming in the future, nonetheless the family are guiding their firm with energy and panache.”