The Brazilian legal market

In Brazil, in October 2023, according to data from the National Council of Justice, there were 84 million cases pending in the country’s courts. The Brazilian judiciary, for example, adjudicates, on average, four times more cases than similar institutions in European countries. Brazil has the highest number of lawyers per capita in the world. In 2022, according to a survey conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), it was found that there is an average of one lawyer in Brazil for every 164 inhabitants. These data underscore the relevance and importance of carefully selecting the law firm that best serves the client’s interests, especially in contentious cases.

The Perdiz de Jesus Law Firm, established in 1995, stands out because of its commitment to excellence and dedication to its clients. It provides personalised client service and direct partner involvement. Ethics, dedication, and excellence are the core foundational principles on which it has built its reputation for its nimble advocacy. Perdiz de Jesus Attorneys focus is on meeting their clients’ needs and guiding them towards optimal resolutions to their legal issues.

In addition to the strong foundation of personalised service provided by the lawyers in our core litigation and advisory team, Perdiz de Jesus prides itself in having a process for managing excellent service delivery, in accordance with which we provide detailed reports, predicting possible adverse judgments based on legal research on the court’s database, preparing graphs showing the number of related cases by specific topics, and providing accurate and objective information to clients.

The Perdiz de Jesus Law Firm is renowned for its strategic and assertive approach before the Higher Courts. The Superior Court of Justice (STJ), for example, according to Brazil’s Federal Constitution of 1988, is responsible for standardising the interpretation of federal law throughout the country. To emphasise the importance of choosing a law firm with expertise in the Higher Courts, it is worth mentioning that in 2023 alone, the STJ broke its record for the number of cases received in a single year: 419,544 cases. These numbers have a direct impact on the judgment of cases received by the court.

Nevertheless, several measures have been adopted by the Brazilian courts to optimise the analysis of cases, such as the use of technological tools with artificial intelligence. It is believed that this is a trend worldwide, given the technological advancement and the search for optimised solutions for challenges experienced and daily issues. It is in this context that Perdiz de Jesus Attorneys reiterates its mission to provide legal services of excellence with responsibility and transparency amid a scenario of profound changes in the resolution of legal matters. The firm’s vision consists of maintaining the recognition of legal quality in ethical and personalised client service, whose actions are guided by the following values: knowledge, technical excellence, trust, honesty, and transparency.

Our team is highly qualified in preparing and advising on special appeals considering the civil, constitutional and administrative jurisdiction of the Superior Court of Justice and the internal rules, as well as on the obstacles to hearing appeals. Overall, our firm is dedicated to preventive, consultative and litigious law practice, monitoring administrative, judicial and arbitration proceedings, also working in risk assessment, crisis management, contracts, asset management, negotiation, and alternative dispute resolution, seeking the best strategies to resolve our clients’ interests.

Perdiz de Jesus Attorneys has a proven track record of success in handling complex litigation cases. With our extensive experience and deep understanding of the legal landscape, we have consistently achieved favourable outcomes for our clients. Through strategic planning, meticulous preparation, and effective advocacy, we have successful represented our clients in a wide range of cases, including high-profile disputed and challenging legal matters.

Along the years since its foundation, Perdiz de Jesus Attorneys has been ahead of various leading cases in the Superior Courts, leading emblematic victories to its clients. As an example, in the past 12 months, our firm represented Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) on the Superior Court of Justice regarding the application of a penalty clause for breach of contract, with vast media coverage. After careful consideration, the Superior Court of Justice ruled in favour of our client, setting a precedent that will have a lasting impact on future legal proceedings. This favourable outcome not only secured justice for our client but also contributed to the development of Brazilian jurisprudence.

Recently, our firm had the privilege of representing Soy Producers Association of Mato Grosso do Sul State (APROSOJA/MT) in a landmark case concerning a judicial dispute against a multinational agriculture and biotechnology company, aiming the declaration of nullity of a patent of invention which was processed at the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), after 12 years of analysis, and expired in 2018. The associated producers aim to obtain the cessation of payment of royalties inherent to the free and optional use of the technology inserted within the soybean seed, due to an alleged lack of technical innovation in the patented seeds and a lack of transparency when describing the invention, besides other legal aspects.

Last year, the Supreme Court of Brazil ruled a significant case that had far-reaching implications. The case involved a complex legal issue that required careful examination and deliberation. It was a leading case regarding the definition of the legal-constitutional status of tenure relations in areas of traditional indigenous occupation, where our firm represented the interests of the Mato-Grosso State Association of Cotton Producers (AMPA) as an impartial adviser (amicus curiae). The court’s ruling will probably have a huge impact on Brazil’s economy, as it may reduce the area of private farms that grows commodities and, consequently, diminishing its capacity of plantation and turning it to an indigenous area.

Perdiz de Jesus Advogados was hired in early 2022 to represent Itaipu Binacional in various lawsuits filed by the Union of Construction Company Ltd demanding compensation for losses allegedly suffered by the Brazilian construction companies represented by the Union during the construction of the binational hydroelectric power plant of Itaipu. The lawsuits started in 1999 and 2000 and have been under a long dispute in the Brazilian tribunals since then.

Last but not least, our partners are renowned in the market as leaders in the litigation field. Our founding partner José Perdiz de Jesus is widely known by peers and the Justices of the Superior Court and Federal Regional Courts as a leading lawyer in the litigation field, especially due to his deep knowledge of the civil and procedural law, his knowledge of the Superior Courts procedurals and internal rules and by the innovative case strategies he has built along the years since 1991. He is also one of the leading authorities on sports law in Brazil, where he currently holds the position as president at the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD). Our professionals are frequently invited to speak in seminars and courses and are also regular sources to the Brazilian media. Most recently, our partners José Perdiz de Jesus and Luanna Perdiz de Jesus, spoke at Academic Days on Open Government and Digital Issues – Imodev, at Université Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne and presented an article at an International Congress at Universidad Complutense de Madrid for the International Law Symposium Consinter 2022.

In sum, our firm’s dedication to delivering exceptional results has earned us a reputation for excellence in the legal community. We are proud of our record of securing favourable settlements, winning significant verdicts, and obtaining successful resolution for our clients. When you choose Perdiz de Jesus Advogados, you can trust that you are partnering with a team of skilled litigators who are committed to protecting your rights and achieving the best possible outcome for your case.