CMS signs a cooperation agreement with Brazilian law firm FAS Advogados

CMS has signed a cooperation agreement with Brazilian law firm Focaccia, Amaral e Lamonica Advogados, known as FAS Advogados, to extend its reach and strengthen capabilities in Latin America.

“FAS has been working actively with CMS in Brazil and other jurisdictions for more than four years,” said Pierre Sébastien Thill, CMS Chairman. “Their strong position within the Brazilian legal and business communities as well as their international mindset make them a good strategic fit for CMS as we strengthen our foothold in key markets around the world.”

CMS has a track record of partnering with like-minded, independent firms with deep local expertise that are focused on excellence in client service. In 2021, the Norwegian firm Kluge joined CMS.

Currently, CMS has more than 5,800 lawyers in 74 cities and 44 countries worldwide.

Joining forces with the fastest-growing Brazilian law firm

“Thanks to this cooperation with FAS, we are further bolstering our position in this dynamic region that has a number of sectors with growth potential” said Isabel Scholes, CMS Executive Director and member of the CMS Latin America Steering Committee. “This puts us in the position to better serve regional and global clients doing business in Latin America.”

FAS is a full-service Brazilian law firm with 11 partners and more than 120 professionals. FAS has expertise in M&A, tax, banking and other corporate practices such as employment and pensions, data protection, insurance, commercial agreements and real estate that are of interest to foreign investors in Brazil and are all areas of strong synergy with CMS.

Sectors that provide opportunities for cross-border advisory and transaction work for both firms include renewables, infrastructure, technology, consumer products, life sciences and healthcare, manufacturing, automotive and agriculture (agribusiness).

“This is a great opportunity to cooperate with CMS,” said Paulo Focaccia, Managing Partner at FAS Advogados. “FAS is one of Brazil’s fastest growing law firms with offices in São Paulo, the biggest city in Latin America, and Rio de Janeiro. We operate as a full-service firm locally, developing legal strategies for our clients’ transactions and helping them assess their challenges. With a diverse and highly capable team, we are confident in the continued growth of the firm and the synergies we will create with our clients in the Brazilian and global market.”

CMS is now one of the largest international firms in Latin America, with a presence in five of the top six economies (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru).