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
The recent news that elite US firm Sullivan & Cromwell had apologised to a judge over AI hallucinations in a court filing prompted a collective wince from the legal profession.
But while some lawyers remain wary of AI, others are striking a more open-minded note, and at the LexisNexis AI Forum hosted this Wednesday (20 May) by Legal 500 and Legal Business, panelists argued that the risks are far outweighed by the opportunities.
Barbara Zapisetskaya, principal technology counsel at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, made the case that hallucinations and other potential pitfalls can be overcome with a shift in mindset.
‘What makes a difference,’ she said, ‘is empowering your lawyers to take responsibility for AI output – helping them become active AI operators, not just passive AI users. You have agency to decide whether you agree with the output or not.’
Zapisetskaya was among a line-up of leading in-house figures speaking on two panels, which covered everything from practical steps for AI implementation to the key decisions GCs need to be making in the coming months.
Financial Times general counsel Dan Guilford began by stressing the importance of building the right culture for AI adoption. In addition to proactively upskilling himself, Guilford talked about how he had implemented a voluntary weekly ‘show and tell’ meeting for team members to share successful use cases – or an exercise that became a gratifying measure of progress.
Other panelists discussed how increased in-house productivity is altering the dynamic with their external counsel.
While some see the use of AI by law firms as a precursor for reduced fees, Russell Davies, head of global operations for legal and compliance at Dentsu, said that faster results – however they are delivered – are something to be valued.
GSK assistant general counsel Anthony Kenny agreed, saying that while there was an expectation that external counsel would be utilising AI, the focus should be on the value of the output, rather than an overemphasis on identifying AI use as a justification to reduce fees.
Speaking on the second panel, MUFG EMEA general counsel James Morgan stressed the critical importance of education, noting that educating the C-suite on the advantages and risks of AI is just as important as enabling large in-house teams to use these tools.
Shanthini Satyendra, vice-chair of the AI Committee, Society for Computers & Law, CEO and founder of Manisain, offered a reminder of the importance of making the connection between tasks and the purpose behind them, extolling the virtues of identifying use cases for AI that can solve a meaningful problem.
Zapisetskaya concurred, adding that one of the most important tasks for GCs across the next six to twelve months is to create AI playbooks and templates, noting that ‘it is easy for lawyers to see problems – much harder for lawyers to see opportunities.’
There was also broad agreement among panellists that GCs should focus on upskilling their junior lawyers on AI, rather than – as some may expect – cutting back their workforce. As Satyendra summarised: ‘Some people are replacing human capital with AI without thinking about what’s required to make AI work. Retain your people and train them up.’
The panels were moderated by Emma Millington, head of the UK Lexis+ Finance Group, and LexisNexis director of segment management Stuart Greenhill.
