Fernando Martins

Full Profile

Fernando is a dual-qualified international disputes lawyer licensed to practice in England and Brazil.

With more than a decade of experience, his expertise lies in advising Brazilian clients doing business internationally, as well as global corporations operating in Brazil and Lusophone Africa.

In his practice, Fernando represents clients in international commercial arbitrations and transnational litigation, having worked on some of the most notorious cross-border disputes with ties to Brazil to date.

He has worked on several high-stakes disputes involving cross-border transactions, joint ventures, infrastructure projects, shareholder agreements, and commercial contracts in the insurance, energy, mining, and natural resources sectors.

With a background in business, Fernando is committed to providing clients with pragmatic and effective solutions that help them achieve their business objectives.

Given his extensive international experience and legal qualification in both civil law and common law jurisdictions, Fernando is comfortable working with legal teams from diverse cultural backgrounds, which gives him a valuable perspective on the global legal landscape.

Fernando holds a Master of Laws from Northwestern School of Law (LLM) and a Certificate in Business Administration from Kellogg School of Management (CBA).

He is fluent in both Portuguese and English and has working knowledge of French and Spanish.

Experience

• Advised leading steel manufacturer on international arbitration arising from dispute with plant manufacturer.

• Acted on behalf of insurers in various disputes regarding D&O liability policies arising from corruption allegations around the world.

• Represented clients in mediation relating to securities class actions filed in New York, and negotiated settlement.

• Advised clients on international arbitration relating to losses in large hydroelectric power plant in northern Brazil.

• Negotiated and settled cross-border dispute arising from claims made under performance bonds issued for the construction of naval vessels.

• Advised clients on international arbitration dispute arising from a mining project in Latin America.

• Representing Brazilian sellers before the English Courts in a dispute arising from a cross-border M&A transaction in the financial services sector.

• Representing an African state-owned entity in an international commercial arbitration arising from joint venture dispute in the mining sector.