Thomas Benes Felsberg

Partners, Felsberg Advogados

Thomas Benes Felsberg is the founding partner of Felsberg Advogados and is a global reference in the area of bankruptcy and company restructuring. He has taught international private law at the University of São Paulo. He is a member of the International Insolvency Institute (and former member of its executive committee); a member of the American College of Bankruptcy; former chairman and a member of Turnaround Management Association – Brazil; and legal counsel of the São Paulo State Federation of Industries. Mr Felsberg acted as Brazilian consultant to the World Bank in the area of insolvency and credit rights, having contributed, together with the IMF, to the 'Global Insolvency Law Database' and 'Reports on the Observance of Standards and Codes' projects. He is recognised by publications such as Latin Lawyer, The Legal 500 and Chambers as a Brazil leading insolvency lawyer. He formed part of the drafting committees responsible for development of the current bankruptcy and company restructuring law, and is part of a group selected by the government to remodel the Brazilian Insolvency Law. In addition to his work relating to insolvency and debt restructuring, Mr Felsberg plays an important role as an arbiter with important arbitration chambers both in Brazil and overseas. He is also a member of the Arbitration Chamber of the São Paulo Stock Exchange and the Arbitration Chamber of the Centre of Industries of São Paulo; a director of the Attorneys' Society Study Centre; and president of the Columbia University Alumni Club of Brazil.