History
GOUVÊA VIEIRA Advogados (GVA) was founded in the early 1930's, when João Pedro Gouvêa Vieira established his law firm based on a commitment to professionalism and excellence, dedicated to practices integral to law, with emphasis on tax and commercial law. GVA has evolved over time, modernizing its management, relentlessly dedicated to its mission with the same entrepreneurship as the one undertaken by its founder.
The GVA law firm has all the resources required for dealing with legal issues, regardless of their complexity. These resources are geared towards the needs of the business community, to whom our offices are ready to provide an extensive and legitimate service. Our customer base includes Brazilian and foreign companies, to which we offer a wide range of domestic and international services for transactions in the areas of planning, consulting and litigation.
Our legal team consists of lawyers and consultants skilled in diverse areas of law, working seamlessly with the support of trainees and interns so as to ensure that expertise developed in every field is competently accessed and applied, as may be required in each case.
The law firm is equipped with modern technology and infrastructure designed specifically for the legal profession. Our comprehensive library caters with maximum efficiency for all subject matters.
In order to ensure that our clientele receives complete legal coverage in geographical terms, we have developed a network of correspondents and associates both in Brazil and abroad, with whom we maintain a smooth and steady interaction.
Time Line
THE 1930s
The history of Gouvêa Vieira Advogados is fused with that of its founder, João Pedro Gouvêa Vieira. Initially working with José Thomaz Nabuco, Gouvêa Vieira soon formed his own firm bringing together the top talent of the time - young lawyers united for a common goal: to give legal support to new companies that were formed in the burgeoning capitalist movement in Brazil. From the beginning, GV collaborated in the establishment of new businesses in both the public and the private sector strengthening the business life of the country and participating in economic development. During this period GVA participated in the nationalization of the first refinery in Brazil, long before the national debate on oil production began.
THE 1940s
The end of the Second World War left a legacy of a strong alliance between Brazil and the United States. The world was reorganized and, in Brazil, economic liberalism gained strength, finally ending the Estado Novo policy of former president Getulio Dornelles Vargas. Trade between the former allied countries intensified and in a golden age of navigation that began with a revolution in communication, Gouvêa Vieira played an active part in the new world order. He consulted with foreign telegraph companies and attended to the legal affairs of the three largest companies in navigation at the time: British Royal Mail, the French Chargeurs Reunis and the Societa Italiana di Navigazione. He also handled the legal affairs of the operations of the port of Rio de Janeiro. However his shining achievement of this decade was the guidance he offered in the creation in 1945 of the first foreign owned bank based in Brazil, Credit Lyonnais. His model was followed by all foreign banks who wished to enter the country, and also by current banks in Brazil. Thereafter GVA established a strong customer base among French companies operating in Brazil.
THE 1950s
The National Bank for Economic Development (BNDE) was founded in 1952, in order to finance products related to infrastructure. Besides assisting in drafting its statute, Gouvêa Viera became member of its first Board of Directors. With a view to expedite the industrialization of Brazil, President Juscelino Kubitschek launched the "Plano de Metas" ("Target Plan") with the motto "50 years in 5". This period saw the outset of the car industry, the development of industry, and numerous construction projects. GVA was then active in all these sectors, besides providing assistance in the purchase of a subsidiary distribution network from Gulf Oil Corporation. The subsidiary was purchased by Companhia Brasileira de Petroleo Ipiranga, a company that was to become Brazil's foremost petroleum distributor.
THE 1960s
During this decade, when the economy was no longer predominantly rural, the country witnessed rapid urbanization and GVA was present and active in the the beginning of the cycle of import substitution and technology transfer. In 1962, the Profit Remittance act was passed which required the registration of current and past foreign capital. GVA recovered for its clients documents that were brought into the country during the last century and made the presence of foreign entities in Brazil viable. During this time the modern glass industry grew, along with the advancement of the cement and pharmaceutical industries and the first tourist resorts began operations. Affiliated with the tremendous development during this time, GVA provided services to not only the aforementioned sectors, but also helped create Pólo Petroquímico de Camaçari.
THE 1970s
The result of the economic miracle during this decade was fantastic and the GDP jumped by almost 10% a year. Brazil became the world center of investment and foreign investment flowed heavily into the country. GVA followed alongside the changes mandated by the government creating the legal engineering for foreign loans, the creation of the subway system and the expansion of insurance companies by adjusting their operation to the new laws and suggesting new business paths. He also worked for the financing of major state projects such as Campanhia Vale do Rio Doce and Petrobras. In the mining industry, the firm worked on legislation dealing with mining concessions.
THE 1980s and 90s
More than ever, businesses requested and relied on a legal partner at the time of cooperate restructuring due to high inflation and economic plans that included nullifying contracts. At the head of this tough environment Gouvêa Vieira Advogados became a partner of the capital markets, investment banks and brokerages. The new Corporations Act affected the taxes of the firm. GVA partner Jorge Hilário Gouvêa Vieira took part in the founding of the Securities and Exchange Commission as its first director (1977-1979) and became the second president (1979-1981). The firm offered the market its expertise in this segment. The banking law and the issue of securities for Brazilian companies became a great concern during this time and the most sought-after expertise of the firm. The business climate then pointed toward globalization and GVA opended its branch in Paris under the direction of Maria Isabel Neves Garcia dos Santos Nivault. In 1994, the partner Antonio Alberto Gouvêa Vieira was elected president of the French Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and remained in this position until 1997. The partner Carlos Mafra de Laet was appointed deputy-member of the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris. Lawyers who are part of GVA lend their expertise to the academic sector: composed of government agencies, private companies and participating governments.
Recent Developments
Gouvêa Vieira Advogados continued to follow its expansion project in Brazil and abroad. In Brazil it built a solid partnership with other law firms to create a national network, offering full legal services to its clients while respecting unique regional characteristics. Abroad, following the creation of the Paris office, GVA initiated contacts with Spain, one of the largest foreign investors in Brazil. With more than 70 years of experience, Gouvêa Vieira Advogados continues to find new ways to actively participate in the formation of an economically strong country with a solid legal foundation.
The Future
Inspired by a proud history of more than seventy years, GVA plans to continue the path it constructed as a law firm of effective results, supported by strict ethical principles and the experience and skills of its team. The mission that drives GVA is one to preserve the spirit of its founder within each of their dedicated lawyers.