Domicio dos Santos Neto

Santos Neto Advogados

São Paulo www.santosneto.com.br

domicio@santosneto.co.br Tel: +55 11 99979 6121

Biography

Domicio dos Santos Neto is the founding partner at Santos Neto Advogados, and head of the agribusiness, project finance, trade finance, corporate finance and banking and finance departments. Domicio has an outstanding track record advising clients on the negotiation of cross-border transactions, structured commodity financings and syndicated loans, with more than 31 years of experience. Domicio was admitted to the Brazilian Bar Association in 1990, and has a master’s degree in commercial law from the University of São Paulo.

What challenges did you face when setting up your own practice?

Hiring a qualified team with expertise in agribusiness, banking and finance, trade finance, international trade and commodity finance which are my core practice areas. In addition to that, training all these people is a great challenge.

How does Santos Neto Advogados distinguish itself from the competition?

We are known due to our availability, disposal, responsiveness, and our deep knowledge with respect to the market where we operate. We understand the business of our clients, create innovative solutions, and are always business oriented.

What qualities make for a successful practitioner in the agribusiness sector?

Agribusiness is a very specific niche. It comprehends the main practice areas of law. Agribusiness is always changing. A lawyer, to be a successful practitioner, needs to navigate well in several different practice areas for the necessary skills demanded by agribusiness in Brazil.

In what ways is agribusiness becoming greener? Do clients also have a role to play in this transformation?

For sure. This is a point of no return. Clients do not only have an important role to play. They mandatorily need to play such an important role. Agribusiness represents a great part of Brazilian GDP, boosting the Brazilian economy, so it makes sense for our agribusiness clients to lead this important transformation for the world.

What do you believe you can bring to the international reach of Brazilian agribusiness?

Our experience of more than 30 years. Agribusiness in Brazil is quite developed. Certain agribusiness negotiable instruments, warrants, financing mechanisms, logistics systems, technology, etc., only exist in Brazil. All such knowledge should be “exported” to other countries willing to adapt the great outcome in Brazil.

To what extent will the development of open banking solutions by major financial institutions in Brazil affect your practice?

I do not believe it will have an impact on our practice, but it will certainly enhance the transparency of information, allowing new possibilities for the persons and entities to achieve and access financing mechanisms with (expected) lower costs.

How are you advising clients in the wake of traditional Brazilian banks’ transformations?

People in Brazil, due to our history, have a huge power to adapt themselves to new circumstances and environment. Our important role is to be able to provide the necessary support for those creative banks searching for different solutions and legal products.

What would you like to achieve that you have not yet accomplished?

We had recently, in 2020, a very good experience with the Ministry of Agriculture, responsible, among others, for the preparation of the Agri Law (“Lei do Agro”), which enhanced several different financing mechanisms and agri-related collateral. In view of our long experience, living all different situations and scenarios, I would be glad to put the outcome of this experience to any government in Brazil, assisting in the preparation of new bills of laws to the agribusiness industry, viewing its growth and efficiency.

WWL says: Domicio dos Santos Neto is described by sources as “a renowned name in the market” who is a go-to for structured agricultural trade finance matters involving international investment funds.