Otavio Carneiro is a partner at Harper Meyer LLP and leads the firm’s Brazil Desk. Licensed in both Brazil and Florida, Otavio specializes in assisting foreign individuals and companies in the international expansion of their operations and investments in the United States and Brazil. With over 20 years of practice at a top-tier law firm in Brazil, he has managed sophisticated, multijurisdictional transactions across various industries and business sectors. This breadth of experience enables Otavio to guide his clients through the complexities of the American legal system and Brazil’s civil law framework, helping them understand the distinctions between the two jurisdictions and bridging cultural and legal gaps to facilitate informed decision-making.
Otavio provides counsel on a wide range of legal matters, including corporate law, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, shareholder agreements, and commercial contracts. Known for his exceptional negotiation skills, Otavio is highly regarded by his clients as a trusted advisor for his strategic approach to complex legal challenges.
While Otavio’s core expertise lies in transactional work, he also serves his clients as an “in-house outside counsel,” acting as a key liaison between his clients and practitioners across various legal disciplines within the firm — including tax planning, trusts and estates, litigation, real estate, immigration, and intellectual property, among others.
Otavio firmly believes that legal solutions should be tailored to each client’s unique needs. He takes the time to understand his clients’ short-, medium-, and long-term goals and their specific challenges and backgrounds, ensuring that the advice and strategies he provides align with their objectives. Drawing on his dual experience in both civil and common law systems, Otavio often identifies gaps in his clients’ understanding, assists in determining the right questions, and helps them navigate through their available options to mitigate risks and seize opportunities.
Before joining Harper Meyer LLP, Otavio was part of an Am Law 100 firm in the United States. He spent several years at a premier Brazilian law firm, advising international clients in maneuvering Brazil’s complex legal landscape.
Otavio earned his Juris Doctor degree, with cum laude honors, as well as a Master of Laws (LL.M) in International Law from the University of Miami School of Law. He also obtained a Bachelor of Laws from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Services
- Transactional Matters (M&A, Joint Ventures, Commercial Contracts)
- Outbound Investments to Brazil and Latin America
- Inbound Investments to the United States
- Cross Border Transactions
Education
- LL.M., International Law, University of Miami School of LawJ.D., cum laude, University of Miami School of Law
- Undergraduate: Bachelor of Laws, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro
Affiliations
- Brazil-Florida Business Council, Inc., Director
- University of Miami School of Law’s International Alumni Ambassador Network, Inaugural Advisory Board Member, 2020-2023
- International Law Section of the Florida Bar
- American Bar Association, Section of International Law, Member
- International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA), Past Member
Published Work and Lectures
- “Brazilian Lawyers in Miami – Path to Success” organized by the Brazilian Law Students Association and the University of Miami School of Law – November 2024
- International Graduate Law Programs (IGLP), Speaker, “Cross-Border M&A Transactions: Practical Insights,” University of Miami School of Law, September 14, 2022,
- Lex Mundi, Speaker, “Practical Insights and Best Practices for Doing Cross-Border Deals in Latin America,” November 18, 2021
- Florida Bar International Law Section, iLaw2022 ILS Global Forum, Moderator, “Ethical Considerations in Cross-Border Negotiations and Dispute Resolution,” April 1, 2022
- Brazil-Florida Business Counsel Webinar, Presenter, “Doing Business in Florida: Legal Framework and Tax Considerations for Foreign Corporations,” February 25, 2021
- “US – BRAZIL: Tax Trends and the Brazilian Tax Reforms,” March 2024
Awards and Recognitions
- The Legal 500 2022, Mentioned for International Firms: City Focus – Miami
- The Legal 500 2017 Latin America, Recommended for Shipping
- The Legal 500 2016, Recommended for Latin America – Corporate and M&A
- Chambers Global 2014, Ranked in Corporate/M&A
- Chambers Global 2012-2018, Ranked in Shipping
- Who’s Who Legal, Brazil, Listed for Transport, 2016
- Best Lawyers in Brazil, 2010-2017, Listed in Banking & FinanceBest Lawyersin Brazil, 2013-2017, Listed in Corporate and M&A Law
Associations & Memberships
- The Florida Bar
- Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil, Seção do Rio de Janeiro (Brazilian Bar Association, Chapter of Rio de Janeiro)
- Brazil-Florida Business Council, Inc., Director
- International Law Section of the Florida Bar (, Member)r
- International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA) (, Past Representative of Brazil, Past President, Executive Committee; Past President, Banking, Finance, and Capital Markets