TozziniFreire announces two new partners in transactional areas
TozziniFreire, started 2026 with the addition of Gustavo Rugani (pictured right) as partner in the capital markets, M&A and corporate practices, working in São Paulo and Belo Horizonte, and Laura Souza (pictured right) as partner in the infrastructure and energy practice, based in São Paulo.
Gustavo Rugani has more than 20 years of experience and served as head of the Capital Markets practice at one of Brazil’s largest law firms, establishing himself as one of the country’s leading references in the sector. He also led the Belo Horizonte office for over a decade. Recognized for his work in large-scale transactions and for advising publicly-held companies on strategic matters, Gustavo brings unique expertise to the areas in which he practices.
His practice encompasses the design, analysis, and implementation of complex capital markets transactions, as well as consulting on the structuring, planning, and execution of mergers and acquisitions. He also advises on corporate reorganizations, corporate governance, and represents companies and executives before regulatory agencies. Among his most notable cases, he recently advised JBS on the dual listing of its shares on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and B3, Brazil’s Stock Exchange, in São Paulo.
Gustavo holds a bachelor’s degree in Law from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, an LL.M. degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and gained international experience at Clifford Chance US LLP in the United States between 2010 and 2011.
Laura Souza has more than 25 years of experience and is recognized as a leading authority in law applied to the electric power sector and related transactions. Her practice includes strategic support in project structuring, guidance in mapping different business models within the sector, as well as consulting for foreign companies starting operations in Brazil.
She also has solid expertise in energy regulatory matters. Throughout her career, Laura has provided legal support to clients across the entire electricity chain (generation, transmission, distribution, and trading), as well as to energy-intensive industries, large consumers, and organizations from various industries that incorporate power generation into their operations.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Law from Universidade Cândido Mendes, a postgraduate degree in Tax Law from Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, and an LL.M. degree in Commercial Law from Fordham University School of Law, United States. Laura is also a member of the Brazilian Institute of Energy Law (IBDE).
