Castelo Branco Advogados

Castelo Branco Advogados Associados

With over six decades of history, Castelo Branco Advogados Associados is recognized for its prominent role in some of the most complex and high-profile criminal law cases across Brazil. Our reputation is built on consistent excellence in navigating sensitive, high-stakes matters throughout the country, combining tradition with innovation in criminal defense.

Our firm has significantly contributed to the development and transformation of Brazilian criminal law. We played a pivotal role in shaping the Economic and Corporate Criminal Laws in Brazil during the 1980s and 1990s, and were actively involved in the most emblematic Federal Police operations of the 2000s, including prominent leadership in the Mensalão and Lava Jato cases. In recent years, we have been at the forefront of promoting a culture of corporate compliance, defensive investigations, and negotiated criminal justice in Brazil.

Our legal practice is distinguished by its strategic, technical, and personalized approach. The firm is composed of highly specialized professionals, with a strong commitment to academic and professional development, allowing us to provide bespoke legal services—both contentious and advisory—to major Brazilian and international companies, their executives, directors, and employees. We frequently collaborate with leading full-service law firms, both locally and abroad.

Beyond dispute resolution, Castelo Branco Advogadosis deeply engaged in preventive and strategic criminal advisory, helping clients avoid litigation and regulatory exposure. We believe that robust legal counsel must be holistic and multidisciplinary. Our team anticipates legal and institutional developments, ensuring proactivity in responding to legislative updates, evolving case law, and the increasing scrutiny from enforcement bodies.

Our Services

•Criminal Defense: Representation of Brazilian and foreign companies, as well as their executives, across all areas of criminal law, in both judicial and administrative proceedings.

•Strategic Advisory: Criminal risk assessments in contexts such as M&A transactions, tax planning, environmental compliance, and antitrust reviews.

•Preventive Counsel: Development of defense strategies, legal opinions, expert reports, and advisory work to anticipate investigations or enforcement actions.

•Institutional Representation: Assistance in administrative proceedings and Parliamentary Investigative Committees, including negotiation of leniency and plea agreements.

•Collaborative Work: Proven track record of working alongside leading national and international full-service firms on complex and sensitive criminal matters.

Areas of Expertise

We act across all domains Economic and Corporate Criminal Law, offering advice aligned with current Brazilian and international legislation, the latest jurisprudential developments, and strategic best practices. Our work includes (but is not limited to) cases involving:

• Tax and Financial Crimes

• Antitrust Violations

• Social Security Fraud

• Environmental Crimes

• Electoral Offenses

• Crimes Against Public Administration

• Consumer Protection Violations

• Digital Crimes and Data Privacy Offenses