Resource Library

This article sheds light on the advantages of working in-house compared to working for a law firm from the perspective of a lawyer in Brazil.

This article profiles Michael Hartman, senior vice president and general counsel of DIRECTV Latin America, and his international legal team. Hartman strives to maintain a bird’s-eye view of the pan-regional operations and allows every subsidiary the leeway to function independently as specialized circumstances dictate. The legal department prides itself on being nimble and non-bureaucratic, something it accomplishes by keeping lines of communication open.

This article provides a few tips to remember before going to Brazil or dealing with a contract that has a Brazilian company as the other party.

Agreements providing for commercial representation, promotion services or distribution are treated as fully distinct by Brazilian legislation. It is extremely important to observe the legal formalities. This article covers specific rules and obligations of contracting parties entering into these types of agreements.

Over the past 15 years, Flávio Franco has served as corporate counsel for a variety of businesses spread across the IT, logistics, retail and e-commerce sectors. As the Latin America Legal & Business Practices Manager, Franco spent five years with global software company Compuware. Then, from 2004 to 2007, he was responsible for the Legal and Regulatory Department of FedEx, while also serving as the Legal Director of a local Express Industry Association. Most recently, as a Legal Director at Walmart, he led a team of approximately 50 professionals who were based in five different Brazilian states. This past August, Franco accepted the position of Legal Director of Netshoes, the largest e-commerce provider of sporting goods in Latin America.

Brazilian law requires arbitrators to state the reasons for their respective decisions. Failure to do so may result in annulment of the arbitral award. Learn more about recent opinions rendered by the Sao Paulo appellate court that shed some light on how much reasoning arbitrators are required to give in their awards.