Souto Correa recruits De Vivo Whitaker’s arbitration head

Eliana Baraldi

Latin Lawyer

 

Brazil’s Souto Correa has recruited De Vivo, Whitaker e Castro Advogados’ arbitration head to help lead its disputes resolution practice from São Paulo.
Eliana Baraldi, 43, joined the firm last week. Her arrival increases the firm’s partner count to 14 and comes shortly after it absorbedsix-lawyer IP boutique Provedel Advogados.

Baraldi focuses her practice on both arbitration and litigation. She has more than 20 years of experience working as a lawyer, including lengthy terms at De Vivo Whitaker and Pinheiro Neto Advogados.

Latin Lawyer contacted De Vivo Whitaker prior to publication, but the firm did not comment on Baraldi’s departure.

Souto Correa’s newest partner will co-head the disputes resolution practice, working alongside former BMA – Barbosa, Müssnich, Aragão partner Marcelo Gandelman, who is based in Rio de Janeiro. The pair are supported by two other partners and 14 associates.

Baraldi’s hire is partly opportunistic, admits senior partner Guilherme Rizzo Amaral. “We don’t necessarily need another disputes partner, but we see Eliana’s lateral hire as a great opportunity for all of us,” he says. “She is a recognised talent in the market, admired by clients and peers, and is clearly aligned with our values.”

Souto Correa also wants to give disputes co-head Gandelman more time to develop operations at the firm’s newly opened Rio de Janeiro office, where he is supported by IP partner Letícia Provedel and three associates.

Amaral says the firm’s disputes practice is busy. “We have seen a steep increase in arbitration, especially proceedings involving construction, as well as in judicial recovery,” he says. Labour and consumer litigation is also on the rise.Brazil’s negative GDP growth and political turmoil have fueled the rise in disputes. This divisive situation has made arbitration and litigation partners among the most popular targets for lateral hires this year.

Souto Correa’s partner count has increased by 40% in the past 10 months, bolstered by its recent lateral hires and a double promotion at the start of the year.