Vilmar Luiz Graça Gonçalves

Partner

I feel very pleased to have the firm as a partner. Especially, sharing problems and seeking solutions with partner Vilmar has made me evolve a great deal. Excellent quality of service! They are always available when needed, whether by e-mail, telephone, or instant messaging. Great partnership!

— Client

Emailvilmar.goncalves@cmalaw.com

Call+55 21 3262 3000

Rio de Janeiro

About

Areas of FocusOil and Gas Waste Energy and Natural Resources Mining and Mineral Resources Infrastructure, Construction and Transport

Bar admissionsRio de Janeiro, Brazil

EXPERIENCE

Advising an agribusiness company on a study carried out by several companies in the Northern Region of Brazil, regarding the environmental impacts of their activities on land occupied by indigenous communities. We are also responsible for representing the client in environmental lawsuits, and investigative and administrative proceedings, arising from its operations.
Advised a Brazilian organization of producers of sugarcane and fuel ethanol on legal opinion regarding the analysis of the technical assumptions used in the studies prepared by Federal University of Rio de Janeiro that indicates values of maximum specific reactivity for ethanol higher than previously stipulated, from technical analyzes conducted by Unica, as well as the consequences of approval of the studies, by the Federal Environmental Agency (IBAMA), which supported the definition of new phases of the Vehicle Emissions Control Program affecting the technological development of the automotive sector in relation to flexfuel engines.
Advising water and sewer company on the environmental aspects of a project being developed for the provision of water and sanitation to 26 municipalities of the state of Rio de Janeiro and the construction of a wastewater collection system for the environmental recovery of Baía da Guanabara.
Defending Brazilian Power Company in administrative proceedings filed by IBAMA (the Brazilian environmental protection institute) and the Environmental Agency of Mato Grosso do Sul, which resulted in the imposition of fines due to environmental damage caused by a wildfire, for which the client is allegedly liable.
We provide legal assistance regarding environmental matters to an Australian globally-focused energy company in respect with its activities. We also represent Client before the Federal Environmental Agency (IBAMA) in Infraction Notice imposed against company regarding an industry issue that is affecting client's activity in Brazil.
Advising a Turkish energy company in several aspects related to an innovative Project that foresees the operation of four Powerships (floating Thermoelectric Power Plants), such as (i) legal advisory in environmental matters, (ii) legal assistance in the environmental licensing proceedings, (iii) representation in lawsuits filed by the Federal Prosecutor Office and NGO, (iv) negotiations with Public Prosecutors, environmental agencies as well as other stakeholders, (iv) assistance in communication with medias and interviews, and (v) representation in Parliamentary Investigation Committee.

Languages

Education

LL.M. in Public Law, Universidade Gama Filho

Degree in Administrative Law, Universidade Federal Fluminense

Degree in Consumer Law, Escola da Magistratura do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

Bachelor of Law, Universidadde Veiga de Almeida

Awards

The Legal 500 Latin America
2021-2022 - Recommended, Brazil Environment
Leaders League – Brazil
Environmental Law: 2021 and 2022

Publications

Prior Experience

Before joining the firm, Vilmar practiced at two Brazilian law firms. He additionally served as general counsel of the Chamber of Commerce of Rio de Janeiro and as the first vice-president of the Brazilian Center of Mediation and Arbitration.

Academic Activities