Our people
Amanda Andrade
Amanda Andrade is a Brazilian-qualified lawyer with over seven years of experience in international dispute resolution. Her practice focuses on complex commercial arbitration, particularly in the trade, energy, commodities, banking, infrastructure, and corporate sectors.
She represents clients under major institutional rules, including the ICC, LCIA, SIAC, Swiss Arbitration Centre, GAFTA, and LMAA, in strategically significant and high-value disputes across multiple jurisdictions.
Before relocating to Switzerland, Amanda worked for five years at top-tier law firms in São Paulo, advising on domestic litigation and international arbitration proceedings. She also served for two years as a case manager at CAM-CCBC, the largest arbitral institution in Latin America, and has extensive experience as secretary of arbitral tribunals.
She holds an LL.M. in International Dispute Settlement (MIDS) from the University of Geneva and the Geneva Graduate Institute. She also obtained a postgraduate degree in Business Law from Fundação Getulio Vargas and a Bachelor of Laws from Universidade Salvador.
Throughout her career, Amanda has participated in several intensive training programs and summer courses on international arbitration, mediation, and negotiation. A former Vis Moot competitor, she brings to her practice the precision of advocacy, an academic mindset, and a perspective shaped by experience across all roles within the arbitral process.
Education
CIDS, University of Geneva & Geneva Graduate Institute
MIDS – LLM in International Dispute Settlement (2025)FGV – Getulio Vargas Foundation – Sao Paulo, Brazil
Postgraduate Degree in Business Law (2021)Universidade Salvador (UNIFACS) – Salvador, Brazil
LLB, Bachelor of Laws (2018)
Summer Courses
Foundation for International Arbitration Advocacy (FIAA) – Geneva, Switzerland
Training Program – Cross-examination techniques | May 2025International Academy for Arbitration Law – Paris, France
International Arbitration Summer Course | Jul 2023CIDS – University of Geneva – Geneva, Switzerland
Latin American International Arbitration Summer Course | Jul 2020Pepperdine University, Caruso School of Law – Malibu, USA
Essential Negotiation and Mediation Techniques | May 2019Brazilian Institute of Arbitration and Mediation – São Paulo, Brazil
Negotiation and Mediation Summer Course | Apr 2019
Relevant Cases
ICC Arbitration (seat: São Paulo; applicable law: Brazilian law) – dispute arising out of the agreement governing the sale of a controlling stake in the pulp and paper industry. Alleged breach of contractual conditions, including failure to complete the agreed share transfer and to comply with pre-closing obligations. Parties: Brazilian holding company operating in the agribusiness sector v. Brazilian investment company, part of a global pulp and paper group. Multibillion dollar case considered the largest corporate arbitration in Latin America.
CAM-CCBC Arbitration (seat: São Paulo; applicable law: Brazilian law) – domestic dispute arising out of loan agreements allegedly unpaid due to financial distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Issues included the invocation of force majeure and the validity of contractual default provisions. Parties: Brazilian bank (claimant) vs. Brazilian exporting company (respondent).
CIESP/FIESP Arbitration (seat: Sao Paulo; applicable law: Brazilian law) – domestic construction dispute arising from the development of a large shopping center. Claims concerned delays in completion, additional costs, and alleged construction defects. Parties: Brazilian contractor vs. Brazilian developer.
CAMARB Arbitration (seat: São Paulo; applicable law: Brazilian law) – domestic construction dispute concerning the expansion of a large industrial facility. Claims involved delay, cost overruns, and defects in execution. Parties: Brazilian contractor vs. Brazilian project owner.
CAM-CCBC Arbitration (seat: São Paulo; applicable law: Brazilian law) – domestic agribusiness dispute under a long-term ethanol supply agreement. Claims related to the interpretation of price adjustment clauses and the applicable market index. Parties: Brazilian biofuel producer vs. Brazilian trading company.
ICC Arbitration (seat: Denmark; applicable law: Danish law) – dispute arising out of an Agency Agreement involving an alleged contractual breach linked to US sanctions. Parties: Spanish claimant vs. Danish respondent.
Ad Hoc Arbitration (seat: Geneva; applicable law: Swiss law) – dispute under an Agreement for the delivery of industrial equipment, including dismantling and transport services. Alleged breach of non-delivery of goods. Parties: Canadian claimant vs. Philippine respondent.
GAFTA Arbitration (seat: London; applicable law: English law) – dispute under a sale contract for yellow peas of Russian origin, concerning the impossibility of completing customs clearance formalities. Parties: Swiss claimant vs. Swiss respondent.
GAFTA Arbitration (seat: London; applicable law: English law) – dispute under a sale contract for yellow peas of Russian origin, relating to delayed payment and failure to register the cargo, rejection and delay at the Indian port. Parties: Swiss claimant vs. Swiss respondent.
LMAA Arbitration (seat: London; applicable law: English law) – dispute under a ULSD sale contract involving cargo contamination, cleaning of the vessel, demurrage and related issues. Parties: Swiss claimant vs. Swiss respondent.
LCIA Arbitration (seat: London; applicable law: English law) – dispute under an agreement for the sale and purchase of crude oil and petroleum products, concerning vessel nomination and alleged repudiation/breach of contract. Parties: Swiss claimant vs. English respondent.
Swiss Arbitration Centre (seat: Geneva; applicable law: Swiss law) – dispute under a contract for the sale of liquid gas and crude oil, arising from border closures in Russia and failure of payment. Parties: Swiss claimant vs. Ukrainian respondent.
- aa@smbc-law.ch
- /amandagrandrade
- +41 22 705 10 40
- www.smbclaw.ch
- Portuguese, English, Spanish