Demarest adds WFAA and integrates benchmark mining law team
Demarest Advogados has announced the launch of a new office in Belo Horizonte, which will integrate William Freire Advogados Associados (WFAA), a Belo Horizonte-based law firm regarded as a benchmark in the mining industry.
This deal will strengthen Demarest’s presence in Minas Gerais and consolidate its expansion into the region by opening a new office in Belo Horizonte. According to José Diaz, managing partner at Demarest (pictured left), and William Freire, founding partner at WFAA (pictured right), the move will integrate the WFAA team with Demarest’s partners and associates who already practice in the state, establishing a comprehensive structure with local leadership aligned with the firm’s 2024-2026 strategic plan.
With the addition of 8 new partners and 39 associates from WFAA, Demarest will bolster its capabilities in mining, tax, environmental, litigation, and related areas, combining regulatory depth and transactional skill with integrated and innovative solutions for its clients and the market. Demarest will now count 113 partners serving more than 2,500 clients in Brazil and abroad.
The eight partners joining Demarest are:
William Freire — founding partner of WFAA, with a Bachelor of Laws from UFMG (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais); professor of Mining and Environmental Law; arbitrator at CAMARB (Chamber of Mediation and Business Arbitration); author of dozens of books and articles, and a technical reference in the sector. He also serves as director of the Mining Law Department of the Minas Gerais Lawyers Institute (IAMG).
Tiago de Mattos — Mining Law partner; LL.M from CEPMLP (Centre for Energy, Petroleum, and Mineral Law and Policy) at the University of Dundee (Scotland); Master’s degree from UFOP ((Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto) and Bachelor of Laws from UFMG; President of the IBDM (Brazilian Institute of Mining Law); professor and author in mining law; chair of the Minas Gerais chapter and member of the Advisory Board of the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce (CCBC).
Marcelo Azevedo — Environmental Law partner; PhD candidate at USP (Universidade de São Paulo); master’s degree in public law from PUC Minas; specialist in Environmental Management and Sustainability from FGV; Bachelor of Laws from UFMG; Vice-President of IBDM; director of Environmental Law at IAMG (Institute of Lawyers of Minas Gerais); faculty member in postgraduate programs.
Paulo Honório de Castro Júnior — Tax Law partner; master’s degree in Economic, Financial, and Tax Law from USP and master’s degree in Tax Law from UFMG; President of the IMDT (Minas Gerais Institute of Tax Law); professor (PUC Minas) and author of dozens of articles and books, especially on mining and agribusiness taxation.
Bruno Costa — Mining Regulation partner; experience across all regional offices of the ANM (National Mining Agency); due diligence and mineral asset management; professor in the postgraduate program at CEDIN (Center for Studies in Law and Business); Director at the IBDM (Brazilian Institute of Mining Law); Bachelor of Laws from the Milton Campos School of Law (Faculdade de Direito Milton Campos).
Ana Maria Damasceno de Carvalho Faria — Dispute Resolution and Property Law (fundiário) partner; PhD in Law from UFMG, master’s degree from UFOP (Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto); postgraduate in Public Law (PUC Minas) and Bachelor of Laws from UFMG; recognized by industry rankings for her work in strategic litigation.
Bruno Feitosa — tax consulting partner; postgraduate in Tax Law from IBET (Instituto Brasileiro de Estudos Tributários); Bachelor of Laws from Milton Campos; approximately 10 years of experience at one of the world’s leading consulting firms, advising on M&A, tax planning, foreign investment, and tax compliance matters.
Rodrigo Henrique Pires — Tax litigation partner; master’s degree in public law (PUC Minas), postgraduate degree from FGV, and Bachelor of Laws from the Milton Campos School of Law (Faculdade de Direito Milton Campos); Experienced in administrative and judicial litigation and member of the Minas Gerais Institute of Tax Law (IMDT).
