Skip to main content

Tailor-made solutions for the most complex matters.

We aim at constructing tailor-made solutions for each company, according to its sector of the economy and challenges, focused on the practical results. With vast experience and a strong academic background, such as New York University (NYU), Harvard Law School, London School of Economics (LSE), FGV Direito Rio and UFF, our partners also had leading positions in Brazilian and international Law Firms, not to mention within the Public Administration in Brazil.

Our partners are acknowledged by the leading national and international ranking firms, such as THE LEGAL 500 LATIN AMERICA, LEADER´S LEAGUE, ANÁLISE ADVOCACIA and LATIN AMERICAN CORPORATE COUNSEL ASSOCIATION (LACCA), and they have lead a robust number of projects and pioneer deals in Brazil in the past few years.

VAK is specialized in strategic and complex legal issues, both litigious and non-litigious, involving the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary Branches, including the Prosecutor´s Office and Audit Courts.

Team

We have a talented team, made up of highly qualified professionals in our areas of expertise, with extensive professional and academic experience.

Founding partner

Fernando Villela de Andrade Vianna

Academic background

Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Trade Regulation, New York University (NYU);

Post-graduation in Regulatory and Economic Law, Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV Direito Rio);

Course in Regulation, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE);

Advanced Mediation and Negotiation Program, Harvard Law School;

Bachelor of Laws, Universidade Cândido Mendes.

 

Professional Experience / Activities and Affiliations

International Associate at Thacher, Proffitt & Wood, LLP and SNR Denton, in New York (U.S.);

Coordinator of the Airport Infrastructure Regulation Committee at FGV Direito Rio;

Vice-President in Airport Law at the Mediation and Arbitration Brazilian Center (CBMA);

Arbitrator at the Mediation and Arbitration Brazilian Center (CBMA);

Founding-Member of the Brazilian Institute of Aeronautical Law (IBAER);

Member of the Regulation Committee of the Brazilian Institute for Studies on Competition, Consumption and International Trade (IBRAC);

Former Vice-Chair of the International Procurement Committee of the International Law Section, American Bar Association;

Former Member of the Public Law Committee of the Brazilian Bar Association.

 

Honors and Awards

The Legal 500 Latin America: Projects & Infrastructure, 2014–2019;

The Legal 500 Latin America: Public Law, 2023;

Chambers Latin America: Public Law / Projects & Infrastructure, 2017;

Análise Advocacia: Infrastructure / Regulatory, 2014–2022;

Latin Lawyer 250:  Administrative Law / Aviation / Compliance / Mining Law / Energy, 2017–2019;

Leaders League: Public Law / Projects & Infrastructure, 2018–2023;

Latin America Corporate Counsel Association (LACCA Approved): Arbitration / Administrative Law, 2016–2022;

Latin America Corporate Counsel Association (LACCA Approved) Thought Leaders: Administrative Law, 2022.

Author of books and academic articles within the areas of Public Law, Regulatory Law and Infrastructure.

Founding partner

Renato Otto Kloss

Academic background

Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Regulatory and Antitrust Law, Universidade Cândido Mendes;

Post-graduation in Regulatory and Economic Law, Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV Direito Rio);

Bachelor of Laws, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF).

 

Professional Experience / Activities and Affiliations

Director of Airport Law at the Arbitration and Mediation Brazilian Center (CBMA);

Arbitrator at the Arbitration and Mediation Brazilian Center (CBMA);

Founding Member of the Administrative Law Institute of the State of Rio de Janeiro (IDAERJ);

Professor of the LL.M Program at IBMEC (2014-2019);

Professor of the Post-graduation in Administrative Law of Curso Fórum, in partnership with Universidade Cândido Mendes (2013-2017);

Professor of the Post-graduation in Administrative Law of the Goias Administrative Law Institute – IDAG (2008);

Former Deputy General Attorney at the Municipality of Duque de Caxias;

Former Advisor to Commissioner at the Rio de Janeiro State Energy and Basic Sanitation Regulatory Agency (AGENERSA);

Former Advisor to Commissioner at the Rio de Janeiro State Public Utilities Regulatory Agency (ASEP-RJ);

Former Attorney at Pró-Coração Foundation, in support of the Cardiology National Institute (Federal);

Former Legal Advisor of the 2nd Sectoral Attorney´s Office (Mayor´s Chamber), of the Attorney´s Office of the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro;

Former Legal Advisor at the Education Secretariat of the State of Rio de Janeiro.

 

Honors and Awards

The Legal 500 Latin America: Public Law, 2018 e 2021-2023;

Leaders League: Public Law, 2020-2023;

Análise Advocacia: Regulatório, 2020 e 2022;

Latin America Corporate Counsel Association (LACCA Approved): Arbitration / Administrative Law, 2021-2022;

Leaders League: Projects & Infrastructure, 2019;

Análise Advocacia: Admirados por Rio de Janeiro, 2017;

Análise Advocacia: Máquinas e Equipamentos; e Admirados por SP, 2016;

Análise Advocacia: Regulatório; Construção e Engenharia; e Serviços Especializados, 2015.

Author of academic articles in the areas of Public Law, Regulatory Law and Infrastructure.

Areas of expertise

Check out the firm’s areas of expertise.

Regulations

Regulatory Agencies

Public Utilities Concession Agreements and Public-Private Partnerships

Public Policies

Administrative litigation and Audit Courts

Compliance and Anticorruption

Bidding Proceedings and Administrative Contracts

Negotiations of Agreements with Public Authorities

Strategic judicial litigation

Arbitration and Mediation with the Public Administration

Due diligence in infrastructure projects