João Marçal has a broad experience and not only acts as an arbitrator in ad hoc and institutional proceedings, but also represents clients in judicial lawsuits, domestic and international arbitrations, mediations, dispute boards and administrative procedures.

Joao’s experience encompasses crisis management, by representing clients in civil inquiries, class actions, parliamentary inquiry committees, and negotiation of settlement agreements.

His client portfolio includes construction companies and service providers in several industries, such as construction, energy, healthcare, technology and oil and gas.

Education

• Fundação Getúlio Vargas de São Paulo, LL.M, 2023
• The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Business and Law Certificate, 2017
• University of Pennsylvania, LL.M., 2017
• Fundação Getúlio Vargas do Rio de Janeiro, LL.M, 2014
• Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, B.A., 2010

Recognitions

• Chambers, Brazil – Recognized as Up and Coming Lawyer in Dispute Resolution Litigation: 2023
• The Legal 500 – Recommended Lawyer in:
  • Dispute Resolution – Litigation: 2022 and 2023
  • Energy and Natural Resources – Hydrocarbons: 2023
• Best Lawyers – Recommended Lawyer in Corporate M&A: 2023 and 2024

Professional Memberships

• Brazilian Bar Association (OAB), Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo sections
• List of Arbitrators, Brazilian Center for Mediation and Arbitration (CBMA)
• List of Arbitrators, Arbitration Board of the State of São Paulo (CAESP)
• List of Arbitrators, Chamber of Specialized Mediation and Arbitration (CAMES)
• Member and Young Members’ Group Ambassador, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
• Vice Chair of Special Projects, ABA Section of International Law, International Courts and Judicial Affairs Committee
• Founding Member and Former Director, Penn Law International Arbitration Association
• Brazilian Institute of Private Law (IDP)
• Lecturer, Superior School of Law of the Brazilian Bar Association 
• Lecturer, Future Law (Thomson Reuters)
• Founding Member, Brazil Infrastructure Institute

Languages

• Portuguese
• English