PRACTICE AREAS
- Corporate
- Banking
- Latin America
EDUCATION
- Candido Mendes University, Riode Janeiro, Brazil, Post-graduate in Corporate Administrative Law (2010).
- University of Miami School of Law,CoralGables, Florida, LL.M.in Comparative Law (2000).
- Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro School of Law (PUC), Rio de Janeiro,Brazil, LL.B. (Juris Doctor Equivalent 1996).
BAR ADMISSION
- Florida, Foreign Legal Consultant.
- Brazilian Bar Association, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo (1996).
LANGUAJE
- Portuguese (native)
- English (fluent)
- Spanish (spoken)
PEDRO ROMANO FRAGOSO PIRES is a corporate attorney with a U.S. Master of Laws degree (LL.M) who advises U.S. and foreign companies doing business in Brazil and Latin America, and Brazilian companies doing business in the US. With 28 years of legal experience at major Brazilian and U.S. law firms, in Brazil and in the US, Pedro coordinates and supervises legal work throughout Latin America, serving as leading counsel on corporate and international matters (outbound work). Pedro also represents and supports Brazilian clients with existing operations in the US, as well as Brazilian clients expanding their operations into the US (inbound work), helping them navigate the local market, particularly Miami, Florida, where Pedro first lived and worked 25 years ago. Prior to joining Rasco Klock Perez & Nieto and a team of attorneys whom Pedro worked with when he first moved to the US back in 1999 to assist the firm open offices in Brazil, Pedro was a member of the Miami office of prominent global US law firms. Although Pedro’s core is corporate law, Pedro started his career as a labor and commercial litigator and is known in the market as someone who feels comfortable navigating in other areas, such as financial services and real estate, to achieve the best results to his clients. Due to his native Portuguese and knowledge of Brazilian law and the Brazilian culture, Pedro facilitates cross-border matters between Brazil and the US, acting as an outside general counsel to his clients even if it is beyond his areas of expertise. While in the US, Pedro has also developed a substantial expertise in private client work advising Brazilian families on immigration, pre-immigration tax planning and estate planning issues. Before returning to Miami, Florida in 2018, Pedro was a founding Partner of a Brazil-based law firm with offices in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Brasilia for more than 10 years.
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE:
- Supports Brazilian financial institutions expanding into the US.
- Assisted a major Brazilian construction company in the bid for the construction of Terminal “H” of the Port of Miami.
- Represented a JV formed by a major US social media and networking company and a major telecom service provider in the acquisition of lands and structuring of its operations for the construction and installation of telecom submarine cables in Argentina and Brazil.
- Advised a Brazilian restaurant in the sale of its operation in the US.
- Advised a number of Brazilian ultra-high-net-worth individuals on immigration, pre-immigration tax planning and estate planning issues.
- Advised a major multinational Oil & Gas service provider in the capacity of creditor in one of the largest reorganizations in Brazil.
- Represented a consortium of constructors in an EPC project for an oil rig in Brazil.
- Assisted a Brazilian Oil & Gas operator in the sale of its aerial services provider and a fleet of six aircrafts.
- Drafted aircraft sale and purchase agreements, aircraft lease agreements, drilling rig sale and purchase agreements and drilling rig rental agreements for a Brazilian Oil & Gas operator.
- Represented a major US air carrier in matters dealing with the reduction of the base commissions of the travel agents in Brazil.
- Represented air carriers in passengers and cargo claims in Brazil.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- Opening and closing remarks, “Global Compliance: Lessons from Recent Developments in Brazil.” (April 14, 2021).
- Moderator, “Chapter 11 x Bill 4.458/2020: Insolvency in the U.S. and Brazil – What’s Happening,” Brazil-Texas Chamber of Commerce Exclusive Webinars (December 16, 2020).
- Moderator, “Trending Issues in Litigation and Arbitration in Time of Pandemic: US and Brazil perspectives” (October 15, 2020). Organized by Brazil-Florida Business Council.
- Panelist, “Product Distribution & Franchising in Brazil,” Foley’s 29th Annual Law of Product Distribution & Franchise Seminar (October 8, 2020).
- Moderator, “The Journey of Brazilian Startups into the U.S. Market” (September 17, 2020).
- Panelist, “Pre-Immigration Tax Planning: Considerations for Brazilian Individuals and Companies,” Miami (February 28, 2019). Organized by Brazil-Florida Business Council.
- Moderator, “Understanding Legal Aspects When Establishing a Company in Florida: Intellectual Propriety, Company Constitution and Immigration,” Start Out Brazil, Apex USA, Miami (September 10, 2018).
RECOGNITION
- Pedro has been ranked by Chambers Global. Clients say his commitment and flawless sector knowledge are the main reasons for his success: “He works incredibly hard to get the best result for you.”
PUBLICATIONS
- Co-author, “U.S. Supreme Court Rules That Parties In Foreign Commercial Arbitrations Cannot Obtain Discovery in the United States” (June 15, 2022).
- Co-author, “Brazilian Government Makes the LGPD Effective Imminently” (September 10, 2020).
- Co-author, “International Labor & Employment Laws”, Supplements to Volume I, published by American Bar Association, Labor section (1999-2017).
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Member, International Law Section, Florida bar.
- Member, Brazil-Florida Business Council.
