Brazilian IP firm splits as founding partner lures 22 to start-up

Brazilian firm Di Blasi Parente Soerensen Garcia & Associados has split in two, forming new IP firm Soerensen Garcia Advogados Associados.

Founding partner Mario Soerensen Garcia left with 22 attorneys to set up his new firm, which has offices in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

Soerensen Garcia said: "At the other firm we were already insistent that each partner had his own clients. The split was a natural development. Our group started to become a little more independent from the rest of the firm."

The new firm focuses on trademarks and patents, but has plans to expand into other practice areas.

Soerensen Garcia said: "We're becoming a bit like a full law firm and in tech and IP we're doing everything.

"We need to cover more aspects of the law surrounding us, like competition law. We need to expand a bit in this direction."

The firm's client base is mostly made up of food and pharmaceutical companies, but also includes software and computer technology businesses.

Soerensen Garcia is the firm's only partner, with the rest of its employees working as associates.

Meanwhile, Di Blasi Parente Soerensen Garcia & Associados has rebranded as Di Blasi Parente Vaz e Dias & Associados after promoting IP lawyer Jose Carlos Vaz e Dias to partner.

Vaz e Dias specialises in trademark work and licensing agreements as well as handling anti-piracy matters.