About us
The safest bridge between European boards of directors and the South American market
Over 15 Years Navigating the Complexity of International Trade
From the demands of South America’s largest logistics hub to the financial heart of Europe.
The history of DCA Europe was not written from academic theories or distant offices. Our roots come from the front lines of global foreign trade. We were born from the consolidated and highly specialized experience of the Denega & Cheang Lawyers group, established over 17 years ago in Itajaí, Santa Catarina — one of the most important and busiest ports in Brazil.
Throughout this trajectory, we have validated hundreds of complex customs operations, structured multimillion-dollar supply contracts, and saved corporations from immense liabilities. Over time, we realized that European investors suffered from the distance, the time zone, and, most importantly, the lack of control over what was happening at South American customs.
That is why, in 2026, we expanded our operations and established our base in Lugano (Switzerland). We stopped being just local lawyers to become the definitive legal bridge. Today, your board of directors maps out the strategy with us in Switzerland, while our own team executes the operation on Brazilian soil.
End-to-end legal, customs, and commercial intelligence, with no outsourcing.
DCA Europe acts as your primary expansion partner. We are a niche firm, which means we do not accept thousands of generic cases. We focus our energy and expertise on one clear objective: protecting European capital in transit and in operation in South America.
Unlike large traditional multinational firms that outsource your case to unknown local correspondents as soon as the problem reaches Brazil, we have “boots on the ground” on both continents. Our work philosophy is based on total control: we track your goods and your contract from the signature on European soil to the final clearance before the Brazilian Federal Revenue and other Mercosur agencies.
Nearly two decades operating within South American regulatory complexity.
Our team accumulates nearly 20 years of uninterrupted experience in international customs, maritime, and corporate law. This is not a theoretical experience; it is forged in daily practice with regulatory agencies, maritime courts, Chambers of Commerce, and customs authorities.
We advise medium and large companies from countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and England, ensuring that their investments, branch setups, and supply flows achieve their projected profitability, without being eroded by exchange or tax penalties.
Over 20 Years Untangling the Complexity of Global Trade
DCA Europe does not operate with theories: we operate with commercial reality. Our team guarantees a 360º view of each multinational operation.
Silvano Denega Souza
Managing Partner · Global business.
PhD in International Law (UFSC/ Universität zu Köln – INC/I)
Registered with the Portuguese Bar Association and practising in the European Union and Switzerland. +25 of experience in cross-border operations.
Thiago Auth
Partner · Head of Maritime Law Specialist in Customs Law and Foreign Trade (UNIVALI)
Strong track record in protecting and clearing logistics operations.
Emily König Tietböhl
Partner · Head of Customs Law LL.M (UNESC)
Extensive experience in Customs Law and Customs clearence operations
Why Do Major European Corporations Trust DCA Europe?
Local expertise and global structure to valuate tax, customs, and contractual risks before they happen.
Unlike large European firms that subcontract unknown third parties when problems arise in South America, we put the control in your hands:
Dual Physical Presence (No Intermediaries): Our own structure in Lugano (Switzerland) and Itajaí (Brazil). We monitor your operations in real-time on both sides of the Atlantic.
Hands-on Customs Mastery: Very few law firms in Europe have practical knowledge of frontline operations in Brazil, from the port floor to the Brazilian Federal Revenue regulations. We do.
Multilingual C-Level Support: Communicate in English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, or Portuguese, in the European time zone. Support is fast, highly personalized, and focused on the board of directors’ pain points.
Nearly 2 Decades of Experience: An accumulation of vital expertise in high-pressure scenarios, protecting profit margins against customs fines and compliance failures.
Real Results in Asset Protection and Market Opening
Our Mission
To connect the European market to South America with absolute legal security. We proactively mitigate contractual, tax, and logistical risks, ensuring our clients’ expansion occurs smoothly and profitably.
Our Vision
To be the leading Legal and Strategic Business Hub between Europe and Mercosur, being the first and only choice for CEOs and Directors seeking excellence, Swiss precision, and high resolution capacity in South America.
Our Values
We operate on a foundation of Global Security and Extreme Transparency, prioritizing asset protection and clear risk assessments. Our Multinational Strategy and Hands-On Control ensure a 360º view of the EU and Mercosur markets without intermediaries, all delivered through highly personalized C-Level Humanization in your time zone and language.