Demarest announces David Meiler and Bárbara Bittencourt as new Energy and Natural Resources partners

The lawyers, who have international specializations and solid experience in the sector, reinforce the firm’s performance in the area

Demarest announces David Meiler and Bárbara Bittencourt — recognized for their extensive work in the oil and gas area — as new partners in the firm’s Energy and Natural Resources area. With over 20 years of experience, the new partners are actively involved in transactions involving the Brazilian oil and gas industry, assisting different companies in operational, regulatory and contractual matters, mainly in the context of onshore and offshore project development, including purchase and sale of oil and gas assets, chartering vessels, importation, storage and distribution of fuels, in addition to assistance in obtaining licenses or authorizations from regulatory bodies and in structuring to participate in bidding rounds.

David Meiler graduated in Law from the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) and holds master’s (LL.M) degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, PA (USA) and from the University of Houston, TX (USA), in Energy, Environment and Natural resources.

Bárbara Bittencourt has more than 15 years of experience in the sector. A graduate in Law from Faculdade de Direito Milton Campos, she holds a master’s (LL.M) degree in Oil and Gas from the University of Aberdeen (Scotland) and an extension course qualification from Harvard University (USA) in Marine Policy and Ocean Management.  

“With their experience and expertise, the new partners will contribute to further strengthening a sector full of challenges and opportunities, which is proving to be so important for the Brazilian economy, with prospects for solid growth in the coming years. The arrival of David and Bárbara is essential for us to continue to offer excellence to our clients”, says Paulo Rocha, Managing Partner of the firm.

“I am sure that we will be able to share vital knowledge and experience to deliver the best solutions to our clients”, says Meiler. “I am very happy to arrive at Demarest and form a team of excellent professionals,” adds Bittencourt.

“We are honored to be a part of Demarest. We have a great opportunity to strengthen our practice, ensuring that our clients benefit from professionals who are so qualified in the various areas of law, recognized by peers and by the market”, say the new partners. “Our main objective continues to be to offer our clients quality services, with expertise and a high level of trust. We believe that these combined forces will be decisive for us to provide services that further enhance our clients’ businesses”, they conclude.