Evolving legal solutions
With over 25 years of experience serving companies across diverse industries, we are a full-service law firm renowned for our expertise in tax law.
We continuously invest in our professionals and in tools that foster growth in transactional practices, ensuring we meet the expanding needs of our clients across all areas of legal expertise.
We are driven by the purpose of creating positive changes in the lives of our people, clients, and society.
From the very beginning, we have been committed to staying close to our partners. Our core principle in maintaining this commitment is straightforward: we cannot be more than 400 kilometers away from our clients. If that occurs, it’s a clear sign that we need to open a new office nearby. Within just 10 years, this approach led us to establish a presence in six states and the Federal District.
Discover the milestones of our journey in this timeline:
Our History
1997
João Joaquim Martinelli founded our firm, initially named Martinelli Advocacia Empresarial, in a small, rented house in Joinville/SC, with one client and 42 cases
1998
We inaugurated our first proprietary building in Joinville/SC, where our operations in the city are still based today
1999
We expanded nationally, opening offices in São Paulo/SP, Curitiba/PR, and Porto Alegre/RS, ensuring close service to our clients
2000
We began operations in Belo Horizonte/MG through the incorporation of a local firm. The expansion also enabled the opening of a new office in Rio de Janeiro/RJ and an advanced outpost in Brasília/DF to enhance direct proceedings in higher courts
2001
We launched operations in Maringá/PR
2004
While we started serving clients in Criciúma/SC in 2002, our physical office was inaugurated in 2004
2005
New offices were opened in Florianópolis/SC and Caxias do Sul/RS
2007
In just 10 years, we became a prominent player in the national legal market, serving many of the leading companies in the South and Southeast of Brazil
2008
We established the Martinelli Solidarity Institute, a non-profit organization focusing on third-sector initiatives to support children and adolescents
2009
Following the rapid expansion of Perini Business Park in Joinville/SC, we set up a dedicated office to better serve clients within Brazil’s largest multi-sector complex
2011
We opened a branch in Campinas/SP and inaugurated our proprietary building in Maringá/PR
2012
After serving clients in the Chapecó/SC region for several years, we established a dedicated office in the city. By our 15th anniversary, we had consolidated our position as the largest full-service law firm headquartered outside the Rio-São Paulo economic hub
2016
As our clients expanded globally, we performed our first on-site service for a client in China
2017
On our 20th anniversary, we released a commemorative book and established a Board of Directors along with new Corporate Governance tools
2018
We launched our new website and introduced the Martinelli Digital project to align with emerging technological trends. Our Porto Alegre/RS branch expanded its facilities, and the Martinelli Solidarity Institute celebrated its 10th anniversary with a special campaign
2019
We opened two new locations in Cascavel/PR and Passo Fundo/RS, enhancing proximity to clients in these regions. Our offices in Belo Horizonte/MG and Rio de Janeiro/RJ also expanded. Additionally, our branch in Perini Business Park relocated to Ágora Tech Park, an innovation ecosystem in Joinville/SC
2020
This year marked the completion of our leadership succession plan, with Juliana Martinelli, formerly a partner, assuming the role of CEO. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we adapted our operations to ensure our team could continue working remotely, adhering to the health guidelines in place at the time
2022
On our 25th anniversary, we expanded our practice areas, strengthened governance tools, and invested in innovation, technology, and new markets. We restructured our governance by creating management committees with partner participation and adjusted our corporate structure by establishing new partnerships.
2023
A year of significant institutional achievements! In addition to reaching 1,000 employees, we achieved the Great Place to Work certification, validating our investment in a healthy work environment for our teams. We also celebrated our expansion into the state of Mato Grosso with the inauguration of an office in Sinop.
A message from our founder
Since the foundation of Martinelli Advogados, the bond that unites us with our clients is, so to speak, like family. This bond was born from a single client who entrusted us with their entire legal portfolio.
The mission of providing exceptional legal services to this client, while simultaneously rushing to set up the entire structure of a law firm, was no easy task. In the end, everything was achieved to satisfaction.
Delighting clients has always been part of our commitment from the beginning. Their satisfaction has been the guiding principle behind all our decisions.
Above all, we know that clients will be well-served when our partners, lawyers, and consultants are satisfied with their career choices. This is why we invest in training, education, and in seeking out talented professionals who also prioritize loyalty.
We value professionals who are passionate and driven. These are the ones who are indispensable members of any organization; they make a difference.
João Joaquim Martinelli