It is with great pleasure that we present the GC Powerlist: Brazil 2026, continuing Legal 500’s longstanding commitment to recognising the outstanding achievements of in-house counsel around the world. We are delighted to return once again to Brazil’s dynamic and forward-looking legal community, where the role of the general counsel continues to evolve at pace. Building on the strong engagement seen in previous editions, this year’s list highlights a new cohort of exceptional legal leaders who are not only responding to change, but actively shaping the direction of their organisations and the wider market.
Our research for the 2026 edition confirms that Brazil’s general counsel are operating at an increasingly strategic level. No longer viewed solely as legal advisors, they are firmly embedded as business partners and risk managers, closely aligned with commercial objectives and deeply involved in executive decision-making. Many legal teams have adopted more integrated operating models, including embedding dedicated lawyers within business units to enhance collaboration and ensure legal insight is translated into practical, business-oriented solutions.
Across our interviews, several consistent themes have emerged. Legal departments are continuing to drive digital transformation internally, with a strong focus on legal operations, automation, and the implementation of tools such as contract lifecycle management systems to improve efficiency, governance, and data visibility. At the same time, there is a growing emphasis on the strategic use of data to inform decision-making and elevate the legal function’s contribution to the business.
The rapid evolution of data protection, AI governance, and cybersecurity requirements is also front of mind. Many organisations are now operating with mature data privacy frameworks, supported not only by dedicated data protection officers but also by a decentralised network of representatives embedded across the organisation to drive company-wide engagement and accountability. In parallel, global AI governance structures are being implemented, with legal teams increasingly tasked with both enabling innovation and ensuring responsible and compliant use of emerging technologies.
In an uncertain and often challenging economic and regulatory environment, dispute management strategies are likewise evolving. A notable trend is the growing reliance on mediation as a more efficient and collaborative means of resolving conflicts, alongside more structured approaches to regulatory engagement and stakeholder management. Legal teams are playing a critical role in navigating ambiguity, strengthening relationships with regulators, and bringing greater certainty to complex operating landscapes.
Within these pages, readers will find exclusive interviews, first-hand insights and candid reflections from some of Brazil’s most respected in-house lawyers. Their perspectives offer a compelling snapshot of a function in transformation – one that is increasingly data-driven, technologically enabled, and strategically indispensable.
At its core, the GC Powerlist series remains a celebration of individuals whose influence often operates behind the scenes, yet is fundamental to business success. We are proud to recognise the lawyers featured in this edition, whose leadership, adaptability, and vision exemplify the continued evolution of the in-house role in Brazil.
On behalf of the entire Legal 500 in-house research team, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to all those who contributed to this year’s research. Your insights continue to inform, inspire, and reinforce the vital role of the in-house legal community within the broader business ecosystem.
We invite you to explore the GC Powerlist: Brazil 2026 and discover the individuals shaping the future of corporate law in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.
For the fourth consecutive year, we are pleased to extend our sincere thanks to Cescon Barrieu for their valued and continued support of this publication, which has been instrumental in bringing this edition to life.
Francisco Faria e Castro, Research Editor, GC Portfolio
