Demarest expands its tax practice area with the hiring of a new partner in Rio de Janeiro

Luiza Lacerda will be focused on administrative and judicial tax litigation

Demarest Advogados, one of the largest and most respected full-service law firms in Latin America, announces the arrival of Luiza Lacerda as a new partner in the tax practice area to bolster the team at the Rio de Janeiro office.

With more than 25 years of experience in the legal market, Luiza concentrates her practice in administrative and judicial tax litigation on prominent issues at the federal, state and municipal levels, in addition to providing tax consultancy to both companies and individual clients (wealth management).

Luiza holds a postgraduate degree in Business Law, with an emphasis on Tax Law, from Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV), and a law degree from Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-RJ).

Throughout her career, she has advised both domestic and foreign companies from various sectors, such as industrial, infrastructure, media, among others.

“The consumption tax reform, still in the regulatory phase, is generating significant demand for tax consulting and planning, since companies need to review their strategies and structures in light of the new tax rules,” says Demarest’s new partner. “Tax litigation is also on the rise, as tax authorities seek to increase revenue due to difficulties in implementing expense cuts and differences in the interpretation of legislation,” adds Luiza.

José Diaz, Managing Partner at Demarest, emphasizes that Luiza’s arrival is in line with the strategic planning for the period 2024 to 2026 and reinforces the firm’s commitment to offering technical excellence to clients on topics relevant to the development of the country’s business environment.

“The expansion of our tax practice, with Luiza’s arrival at the Rio office, represents a strategic move in line with the current scenario of tax transformation in the country. At a time when tax reform is advancing and posing new challenges and opportunities to companies and our clients, we are reinforcing our commitment to providing even more specialized, agile and regionally-focused advisory services,” says Demarest’s MP.

Following the arrival of Luiza, the practice now totals 16 partners who work in various aspects and segments with a focus on taxation.

“The inclusion of Luiza is confirmation of what we have planned for the firm and especially for the tax practice. It is the attraction of strong talent to consolidate the potential of our tax team. Rio de Janeiro has always been a focus of our work and will continue to be,” says Douglas Mota, partner in the tax practice and executive director at Demarest.

Luiza is recognized by Chambers Brazil, Chambers Global and ITR (International Tax Review) in the categories ‘Women in Tax Leaders’, ‘Tax Controversy Leaders’, and ‘Indirect Tax Leaders’. She is also recognized by LACCA Approved and Análise Advocacia Mulher.