Brazilian Highly Recommended firm Martinelli Advogados has strengthened its disputes and tax capabilities by hiring a partner from SiqueiraCastro, the tax head at Leite, Tosto e Barros Advogados and a tax specialist from multinational pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly.

The firm announced the arrival of André Frossard Albuquerque, Sérgio Grama Lima and Herick Manardi in the São Paulo office on 30 March. Martinelli now counts 130 partners across its network of 18 offices in Brazil.

Frossard joins the firm’s dispute resolution practice after more than two decades at Highly Recommended SiqueiraCastro, where he spent the past 10 years as a partner. He has built up extensive experience in corporate and commercial litigation, as well as arbitration proceedings involving complex business disputes across sectors such as infrastructure, energy, insurance and M&A.

Meanwhile, Grama arrives from Leite Tosto, which also comes Highly Recommended in Latin Lawyer 250, where he was a partner and led the tax practice for nearly five years. He advises clients on tax advisory and contentious matters, including administrative and judicial disputes, tax planning and issues related to Brazil’s ongoing tax reform.

Rounding off the trio is Manardi, who joins from Eli Lilly, where he most recently served as tax manager overseeing corporate income and indirect taxes, as well as tax controversy and litigation. He spent more than seven years at the pharmaceutical company, having previously held tax roles at the equipment manufacturing company Epiroc.

In a statement, the firm says the hires reflect a strategic focus on expanding capabilities in areas that are increasingly critical for companies navigating complex disputes and evolving tax regulations.

Frossard says he is “excited to contribute to the growth of the firm’s strategic disputes, arbitration and mediation practices,” particularly in high-stakes and pre-litigation scenarios.

Grama adds that he looks forward to supporting clients during “this period of transformation in the tax landscape,” such as the ongoing tax reform. The hires follow a series of recent partner additions at the firm. In February, Martinelli strengthened its tax and real estate practices by bringing in three partners across its Recife, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro offices, reflecting a broader strategy to expand its capabilities in key regional markets.

Latin Lawyer contacted SiqueiraCastro and Leite Tosto for comments on the
departures, but did not hear back before publishing.

Carlos Roberto Siqueira Castro, former CEO of SiquiraCastro, is one of two recipients of Latin Lawyer’s Lifetime Achievement Awards in 2026. He will be presented with his award at Latin Lawyer’s annual Awards ceremony in São Paulo on 7 May.

Fonte: Latin Lawyer | Publicado em 2/4/2026 | Clique aqui e veja a publicação original.