Brazil 2025
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
Legal and corporate compliance director for Latin America | Volvo Brazil
Legal director and company secretary | Vivo (Telefônica Brasil)
Global legal and compliance senior managing counsel executive, M&A and financial services | Accenture
Executive legal director and organizational culture PMO | Minerva Foods
Vice president, legal and institutional affairs | CPFL Energia
Legal director, compliance officer and data protection officer | Equatorial Energia
Executive general counsel, Latin America | GE Aerospace
Legal vice president, Brazil and Andean region | Visa
Senior legal and licensing manager | American Tower Company
Legal, compliance and government affairs director, Latin America | Air Liquide
General counsel | LOG Commercial Properties
Managing partner, legal and regulatoru | Brookfield
Legal corporate senior director, Latin America | Mercado Livre
Chief legal and institutional relations officer | Localiza Rent a Car
Senior director, government and legal affairs, Latin America | Hasbro
Regional general counsel for Latin America | Zurich Latin America Serviços BrasilÂ
Executive director, head of legal and commercial | Trident Energy
General counsel and chief compliance officer, Brazil | New Fortress Energy
Vice-president, legal, government affairs and sustainability | Siemens
Vice president, legal, Brazil | Kinross Brasil Mineração
Deputy general counsel for South America | Valeo
General counsel and head of fleet | Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras
It is with great pleasure that we present the GC Powerlist: Brazil 2025, continuing Legal 500’s longstanding commitment to celebrating the outstanding achievements of in-house counsel around the world. Once again, we are delighted to return the GC Powerlist series to the vibrant and forward-thinking Brazilian legal community. Building on the enthusiastic response to our recent editions in the country, this year’s list shines a spotlight, once again, on the most exceptional legal professionals driving innovation and shaping the future of corporate law in Brazil.Â
In a complex and fast-evolving business landscape, Brazil’s general counsel and senior legal leaders are playing an increasingly strategic role. Whether guiding digital transformation, enhancing corporate governance, embedding ESG values, or promoting diversity and inclusion, these professionals are redefining what it means to be not just legal advisors, but essential partners in executive decision-making. This publication seeks to honour not only their legal expertise, but also their vision, leadership, and growing influence across industries.
Within these pages, readers will find exclusive interviews, first-hand insights, and practical reflections from some of Brazil’s most respected in-house lawyers. These contributions provide a candid look into their priorities, challenges, and approaches, offering valuable perspectives on how legal departments are navigating uncertainty, influencing corporate direction, and preparing for the future.
At its heart, the GC Powerlist is a celebration of those whose work may take place behind the scenes, but whose impact is fundamental to business success. We are proud to recognise these individuals, whose stories highlight the transformation of the in-house legal function from a supporting role to a cornerstone of strategic leadership.Â
On behalf of the entire Legal 500 team, I extend our sincere thanks to all the in-house lawyers who contributed to this edition. Your insights continue to inform, inspire, and reinforce the critical role of the in-house legal community within the broader legal and business ecosystem.Â
We invite you to explore this year’s list and discover the remarkable individuals who are shaping the future of corporate law in Brazil.
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Francisco Faria e Castro, Research Editor, GC Portfolio seriesÂ
On 26 March, Legal 500 partnered with Portuguese law firm PLMJ to bring its renewed sustainability‑focused conference series to Lisbon with the ESG Forum: Portugal 2026. The half‑day event gathered senior leaders from the legal, financial, energy and sustainability spheres for a concentrated programme hosted at PLMJ’s offices. Throughout the sessions, speakers explored the regulatory, governance and enforcement forces reshaping ESG strategy in Portugal, offering a clear cross‑sector perspective on how organisations are adapting to an increasingly complex and fast‑moving landscape.
The event opened with some welcome remarks from Legal 500 editor Francisco Castro, who emphasised the value of events that bring the in‑house community together to learn, exchange experiences and build meaningful professional networks. In his welcome address, he highlighted the growing complexity of ESG obligations across Europe and the increasing pressure on organisations to adopt integrated, business‑wide approaches to compliance, risk management and strategic planning. By underscoring the need for practical, grounded discussion rather than abstract theory, he set the tone for a programme designed to deliver actionable insight and foster collaboration among practitioners navigating a rapidly evolving ESG landscape.
Followed an opening brief delivered by PLMJ’s Managing Partner, Bruno Ferreira, who provided a concise yet comprehensive overview of the ESG priorities defining Portugal in 2026. He outlined the expanding influence of EU regulatory frameworks on corporate reporting, due diligence and governance, noting how these requirements are reshaping expectations around data quality, transparency and accountability. His remarks positioned ESG not as a peripheral concern but as a central driver of corporate behaviour, capital flows and long‑term competitiveness in the Portuguese market.
The first panel, moderated by João Marques Mendes, Partner at PLMJ and joined by Cláudia Teixeira de Almeida of Banco BPI, Nuno Moraes Bastos of GALP and Diogo Graça of REN, explored how corporate governance and sustainable finance are shaping Portugal’s energy transition. The discussion examined how boards and executive teams are adapting oversight structures to manage transition‑related risks and how legal, compliance, sustainability and procurement functions are increasingly intertwined in project governance. Panellists described the growing influence of financing structures on project execution, noting that lenders’ expectations around ESG metrics, contractor performance and transparency now shape governance decisions from the earliest stages. They also addressed the operational constraints that continue to challenge Portugal’s transition ambitions, including permitting timelines, grid capacity limitations and delivery risk. While acknowledging the complexity of EU‑level frameworks, speakers emphasised that these standards also present strategic opportunities to harmonise practices, unlock investment and strengthen Portugal’s competitive position in the energy transition.
Following a short break, the second panel turned to litigation, liability and the emerging enforcement era surrounding sustainability claims. Moderated by Raquel Azevedo, Partner at PLMJ and featuring contributions from Carla Góis Coelho of PLMJ, Carlos Martins Ferreira of Jerónimo Martins, Filipa Rodrigues Carmona of Caixa Geral de Depósitos and Céline da Graça Pires of NOVA, the session examined the rapid rise of ESG‑driven disputes, investigations and regulatory actions. Panellists discussed the typical trigger points for scrutiny, ranging from sustainability reports and corporate websites to marketing materials and investor presentations, and highlighted how these touchpoints are increasingly tested by regulators, competitors, consumers and NGOs. They analysed recent case law developments and their implications for Portuguese organisations, noting the emergence of more stringent evidentiary standards around disclosures and due‑diligence obligations. The panel concluded that sustainability claims can no longer be treated as aspirational messaging; they now carry the weight of binding legal obligations, requiring more rigorous internal validation and cross‑functional coordination.
The forum concluded with closing remarks from Francisco Castro, after which attendees were invited to continue their conversations over a light lunch, providing a relaxed setting to deepen connections and reflect on the themes explored throughout the morning.
Legal 500 extends its thanks to PLMJ for its collaboration in bringing this conference format to Portugal’s in‑house legal community. The team looks forward to returning soon for the launch event of this year’s GC Powerlist: Portugal.
