Felipe is considered a go-to trusted advisor for his clients in the United States. He is a partner with the Global Commercial Disputes and Latin America practices at Reed Smith. With almost 25 years of experience, he focuses on high-stakes cross-border commercial disputes and Section 1782 actions – particularly those with a Brazil-U.S. nexus.
Fluent in Portuguese and admitted to practice in both the United States and Brazil, Felipe advises Fortune 500 companies, leading Brazilian banks and conglomerates, and global investors. His clients value his deep understanding of both legal systems and cultural nuances, as well as his ability to anticipate challenges across jurisdictions – ultimately saving them time, resources, and risk exposure.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Represented Brazilian and other non-U.S. clients in dozens of Section 1782 actions in federal courts across the United States involving cross-border corporate, probate, and debt recovery disputes
Represented Brazilian non-lethal weapons manufacturer in high-stakes litigation against the government of Bolivia in Miami
Obtained dismissal for Brazilian clients in Miami litigation for lack of personal jurisdiction
Represented Brazilian and other non-U.S. clients in dozens of Section 1782 actions in federal courts across the United States involving cross-border corporate, probate, and debt recovery disputes
Represented Brazilian non-lethal weapons manufacturer in high-stakes litigation against the government of Bolivia in Miami
Obtained dismissal for Brazilian clients in Miami litigation for lack of personal jurisdiction
Represented Brazilian investor in cross-border dispute pending in both Texas and Brazilian courts involving a hospital venture and related investments in Brazil
Represented Brazilian creditors in Chapter 11 proceedings in Delaware, Florida, Texas, Virginia, and New York
Represented Brazilian debtors in Chapter 15 proceedings in Florida
Represented Brazilian cellphone maker in a multimillion-dollar cross-border dispute against U.S. microprocessor designer in design defect action in federal court in California
Represented the largest casual and social games developer in Brazil in defense of an action filed in California seeking a declaration in connection with parallel arbitration proceedings pending, and injunction orders issued, in Brazil
“On Demand” General Counsel for Latin America: Represented a number of U.S. clients as outside regional general counsel, providing daily counsel on transactional, regulatory, and litigation matters in Brazil and other jurisdictions in Latin America
Trade, Export Controls, and Anti-Corruption Compliance: Represented clients on regulatory issues related to international trade, including U.S. and Brazilian export controls and trade sanctions, and anti-corruption compliance in the United States and Brazil
U.S. Market Entry: Represent foreign clients, especially from Brazil, in navigating the U.S. legal system, including in connection with setting up their operations in the United States, contract negotiations, disputes, as well as general corporate and regulatory matters
Recognitions
- Highly Recommended in the 2023 edition of the Latin Lawyer 250 – Arbitration
- Selected through peer review for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© for Corporate Law, 2021-2025, and for International Mergers and Acquisitions, 2023-2025
- Ranked in Chambers Global for International Trade (USA) as a Foreign Expert for Brazil, 2015-2021
Credentials
Education
Education
- Georgetown University Law Center, 2005, LL.M., with distinction; Dean’s List
- Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, 2002, LL.B.
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
- Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil
- Florida, Certified Foreign Legal Consultant
- *Not licensed in Florida
Court admissions
Court admissions
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of International Trade
- U.S. District Court - District of Columbia
Professional affiliations
Professional affiliations
- Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida, Advisory Council, Member
- Brazil-Florida Business Council, Advisory Board, Member
- District of Columbia Bar, International Law Section, Member
- Georgetown University’s Institute of International Economic Law, Alumnus Fellow
News
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