LP Law Launches Compliance Practice

In the year it celebrates its 20th anniversary, Lopes Pinto Advogados has yet another reason to celebrate: the firm has officially launched its Compliance Practice, now led by attorney Mauricio Bove, the newest partner at LP Law.

With this expansion, LP Law is now equipped to assist both new and existing clients, complementing its existing legal services. The new practice has been structured to offer services such as the design, implementation, maintenance, evaluation, and improvement of compliance programs. Key services include risk mapping and management (Risk Assessment), governance of compliance programs, creation or review of codes of ethics and conduct, corporate policies and procedures, third-party and M&A due diligence, as well as preventive and detective measures such as whistleblower channels, internal investigations, enhancement of internal controls, communication, training, consulting for ISO 37001 certification, assistance with leniency agreements, and representation in administrative proceedings, among others.

“Having a Compliance Program today is a key asset for companies—especially those operating or seeking to operate in the Oil & Gas sector, which continues to expand even during times of crisis,”explains Alessander Pinto, founding partner of LP Law.

A Specialized Team Behind LP Law’s Compliance Practice

LP Law’s Compliance Practice already has active projects underway under the leadership of Mauricio Bove. Mauricio is an experienced lawyer and compliance specialist. He was the creator and instructor of the Anti-Corruption Compliance Training Course for the Energy Sector at the Brazilian Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels Institute (IBP).

With nearly nine years of experience in the Oil & Gas sector, Mauricio served for approximately six years as Head of Compliance and Legal at IBP. He is a certified Lead Auditor for ISO 37001 and brings a solid background from a Big Four audit firm and major law firms. Mauricio has extensive experience in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) at all organizational levels. He was also co-founder and coordinator of IBP’s Compliance Committee, which brings together the largest companies in the Brazilian Oil & Gas sector. He led the signing of the Oil & Gas Industry Integrity Pact (2018) and the Good Practice Guide for Integrity in the Oil & Gas Sector in the same year.

“Implementing or improving a Compliance Program is a strategic move for business competitiveness and market appeal,”says Mauricio Bove.“The market is increasingly focused on ethical and sustainable practices, demanding that companies demonstrate values-aligned behavior. Compliance reduces the incidence of fraud and misconduct—which cause losses, distractions, and waste—and mitigates legal risks, financial losses, and reputational damage. It also protects companies from being blocked or banned from contracting with public entities. A clear example is Petrobras’s Integrity Due Diligence process, known as the DDI.”

Collaboration with Renowned Expert Rafael Mendes Gomes

The structuring of LP Law’s Compliance Practice was supported by Rafael Mendes Gomes, one of the most respected compliance professionals in Brazil. Among many achievements and recognitions, Rafael was voted Top of Mind in Compliance in 2017 across all lawyers and consultants in the country. In April 2018, following an independent executive search, he was appointed by the Board of Directors at Petrobras as Executive Director of Governance and Compliance, a position he held until mid-2019 before returning to the private sector after fulfilling a legal cooling-off period.

Since 2012, Rafael has assisted over 100 companies in designing, implementing, maintaining, evaluating, and improving compliance programs, policies, and procedures. His work includes remediation efforts and responses to compliance demands from clients or authorities, such as Petrobras’s DDI.

“The results of a structured compliance initiative are quickly recognized—not just by employees and business partners, but also by investors, regulators, and other stakeholders,”concludes Rafael Gomes.“For clients, it becomes a significant asset and often a competitive advantage.”