Hogan Lovells has obtained a licence to practise in Sao Paulo, alongside the formal launch of its long-awaited office in Rio de Janeiro.

The Brazilian Bar Association gave the firm the green light to operate in both cities as a Foreign Legal Consultancy yesterday (10 July).

The firm confirmed plans to launch an office in Rio de Janeiro in February last year, with senior partners within the firm stating at the time that a Sao Paulo launch was also likely after the Rio office opened its doors.

Rio office managing partner Claudette Christian yesterday (10 July) told The American Lawyer that the firm has "no immediate plans" to launch a separate base in Sao Paulo.

The Rio office, the firm's 44th global base, is currently staffed by Christian alongside two associates. Christian, who was previously based in Washington DC, co-chaired the firm's global board from 2010 to 2012. The outpost will focus on practices including infrastructure, energy and projects as well as M&A and arbitration.

Hogan Lovells co-CEO Warren Gorrell said: "Given Hogan Lovells' extensive history with local clients and the rate at which the Brazilian market is growing, establishing an office in Rio de Janeiro was both a natural and crucial next step for the firm. We see long-term opportunities in areas like infrastructure and energy."

Last year the firm confirmed it is also considering launching in Mexico, as part of further expansion into Latin America. The firm said all options were up for debate, including an acquisition, an alliance and a joint venture.