2019 Legal Awards

Acquisition International - 2019 Legal Awards 35 Best for Tax Litigation - São Paulo Utumi Advogados: ffering outstanding levels of excellence and creativity within tax consulting and litigation, Utumi Advogados’ success is measured by the growth and success of their clients. Having worked alongside some of the biggest national and multi-national companies in Brazil and beyond, this firm’s expertise stretches globally to encompass a vast wealth of knowledge that clients are encouraged to tap into. For businesses today, navigating the murky waters of tax litigation and legislation can prove to be difficult. For those who are struggling, or have made a tax mistake along the way, Utumi Advogados are on hand to help with what comes next. The firm prides itself on advising on corporate and personal tax matters, preparing opinions, providing technical advice in discussions with authorities, as well as advising on litigation across both the judicial and administrative levels. Utumi Advogados is the brainchild of former tax clerk Ana Utumi, who founded the firm after gaining more than twenty-five years’ experience working in the sector, seventeen of which were as area head for one of Brazil’s biggest full-service office-based firms. Tax has always run deep in Ana’s blood, since graduating from the university in Sao Paulo with a Law degree in 1994, right through to gaining her PhD in Tax Law in 2006. Ana herself continues to spearhead the firm, getting stuck in to the work and specialising within certain areas of taxation law and litigation. Today, Ana’s passion is still as strong as it was when she started. She still acts in the areas of consulting and tax litigations, advising all manner of clients from family-run businesses to multi- national companies on the complexities of Brazilian and international tax law. Alongside her, leading the firm’s litigation tax practice, is partner Camila Tapias, who has almost 20 years of experience in the area. The team of lawyers at Utumi Advogados is a cornucopia of extensive legal experience across some of the largest offices and national companies within South America. Each member of the team is well-versed in tax law and how to navigate it. Offering unmatched legal advice, the team are highly-qualified and able to deal with even the most the difficult and diverse tax and business matters, no matter the economic sector. Drawing on more than twenty-five years of experience working with some of Brazil’s leading consultancies and law firms, former tax clerk Ana Claudia Akie Utumi founded the company Utumi Advogados. This boutique law firm has since grown to become one of the best in Sao Paulo for tax litigation, area which is headed by partner Camila Abrunhosa Tapias, so we profiled the firm to learn more, following their inclusion in AI’s Legal Awards 2019. Not content to offer a one-size-fits-all solution, Utumi Advogados understands that every business’ tax requirements are totally unique, and therefore requires a totally different skillset or solution. The team’s vast legal and financial knowledge, along with a plethora of diverse academic experiences, combine to offer clients a professional services in which various analytical approaches can reveal the best path for each situation. When it comes to offering their services to clients, the lawyers at Utumi Advogados view each case from all angles, taking a 360-degree approach. Analysing every single legal aspect and economic issue of each case, the team offer a personalised service to every client that comes through the door. That service includes researching previous cases where case law may be effective, current legislation that will be used in the courtroom, and potential trends within the taxation law arena that can be leveraged for an advantage. The result is a meticulously- prepared and watertight case which Utumi will work hard to see through to a satisfying conclusion. Utumi Advogados’ success is down to the culmination of all its moving parts. Everything works together seamlessly, from the academic and knowledgeable insight afforded by the lawyers, to the sage guidance of Ana’s leadership and network connections. Delivering meticulously researched and outstandingly-won cases in all areas of tax, this Brazilian boutique firm is one to have on your side. Company: Utumi Advogados Contact: Ana Cláudia Akie Utumi and Camila Abrunhosa Tapias Website: www.utumilaw.com Oct19192 “When it comes to offering their services to clients, the lawyers at Utumi Advogados view each case from all angles, taking a 360-degree approach. Analysing every single legal aspect and economic issue of each case, the team offer a personalised service to every client that comes through the door.” O