Luiz Roberto Leven Siano

Maritime lawyer Leven Siano is the major and founding partner of SMA. Former Deck Officer with a Master Degree in International Law.

He started his professional life as a Merchant Marine Deck Officer (3rd Mate) at PETROBRAS, having been a cadet on the ship JOSE BONIFÁCIO and mate on the ships CAIRU, MURIAÉ and BARÃO DE MAUÁ. On land, he worked at PETROBRAS, in its Dark Products Management Department taking care of demurrage claims and, after, as charterman at its Chartering Division. He left the company in 1995, having founded DOLPHIN CONSULTORIA in 1994, providing training for more than 4,000 professionals of more than 200 companies. In 2002, he founded SMA together with his partner Fabiana Martins.

He used to be Iberoamerican Institute of Maritime Law President (IIDM) and is a Titulary Member of the Comité Maritime International (CMI). He has been a lecturer in various Brazilian and international workshops, seminars and summits and invited professor at the Summer Course of Institute of Maritime Law of Southampton University.

Languages:

Portuguese, English, Spanish and Japanese.

Experience:

• Consulting in charter party disputes
• Coordination of negotiations, litigation and strategy for the mitigation of damages in maritime incidents
• Represents owners through their respective P&I Clubs, in disputes involving collisions, personal injury, pollution and damage to cargo

Honours & Awards:

Founding partner Luiz Roberto Leven Siano remains highly regarded in the maritime sector as a preeminent practitioner. He draws from a long-standing experience in the field, assisting high-level clients in a wide range of sector-related mandates. A client commends "the objectivity and agility of the advice he provides." Another source notes Luiz's "excellent negotiation skills." (Chambers & Partners Brazil 2022)

Luiz Roberto Leven Siano continues to be viewed by market commentators as "a very competent lawyer, who gives great advice." He is held in particularly high esteem for his vast amount of experience defending P&I clubs in complex contentious mandates arising from shipping accidents and cargo claims. Interviewees confirm this, saying: "He is a very experienced shipping lawyer with particular expertise in litigation mandates." (Chambers & Partners Latin America 2021).

"Luiz Roberto Leven Siano is a highly respected shipping practitioner. Market sources commend his growing presence in the sector's most relevant mandates, and offer particular praise for his litigation skills. He is described by observers as "very hard-working" and clients add: "He can put himself in the position of others and consider a variety of possible interpretations of a matter" (Chambers & Partners Latin America 2017).

“Luiz Roberto Leven Siano boasts a “distinguished reputation” among peers. Considered a “first-class maritime litigator” (Who´s Who Legal Latin America 2016).

“Luiz Roberto Leven Siano draws on an “excellent network in the maritime industry” (Legal 500, 2016).

“Luiz Roberto Leven Siano frequently represents clients before the Maritime Court in liability disputes. He is president of the Iberoamerican Maritime Law Institute” (Chambers & Partners Latin America 2016).

“Luiz Roberto Leven Siano heads the firm's consultancy department and is widely acknowledged by peers as one of the standout names in the shipping arena” (Chambers & Partners Latin America 2015).

“Luiz Roberto Leven Siano is singled out by clients as a hard-working and creative shipping lawyer” (Chambers & Partners Latin America 2014).

“According to sources Leven Siano “has limitless energy and tenacity and is always able to come up with innovative ideas”. Siano has been a ship captain himself and sources appreciate the fact that he “has a solid maritime background” (Chambers & Partners Latin America 2013).

“Leven Siano makes the rankings on the back of glowing feedback: “He is very energetic, proactive and full of ideas – a truly exceptional lawyer” (Chambers & Partners Latin America 2012).

Organizations:

• Member of CMI
• President of Iberoamerican Institute of Maritime Law – IIDM (2014/2016)
• Member of Brazilian Maritime Law Association (ABDM)
• Member of Bar Association Maritime Law Committees at Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo
• Registered with the Brazilian Bar Association at Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo