Sonia Rao
Brazil Guide 2024
Band 5 : Dispute Resolution: White-Collar Crime
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+55 11 3372 7800Share profile
Band 5
About
Provided by Sonia Rao
Practice Areas
White-Collar Crime
Career
Sônia has over 40 years of experience and is regarded as one of Brazil's leading criminal lawyers. She represents clients in matters involving a broad range of corporate crimes, such as corruption, money laundering, crimes against the National Financial System, tax evasion, and environmental crimes.
During her career, Sônia has acted in several landmark cases, including matters related to the largest investigation ever conducted in Brazil ("Car Wash Operation"), and also to "Mensalão", "Castelo de Areia", "Pouso Forçado", and other important white-collar crime historical investigations, such as those involving Banco Econômico, back in the 80s and 90s, and Banco Santos, Banco Excel and Banco Panamericano, in the past two decades.
Professional Memberships
Sônia has served in various institutions and associations along the years. She was a member of the Human Rights and Prerogatives Commission of the Paulista Section of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB/SP) and of the Deliberative Council of the Defence Law Institute (IDDD). She was also a counsellor of the São Paulo Lawyers Association (AASP) and the São Paulo Criminal Lawyers Association (ACRIMESP). Currently, she is a member of the judging committee of the prestigious Instituto Innovare, which annually awards transforming practices in the Brazilian justice system. Sônia holds a Bachelor´s degree from the University of São Paulo (USP).
Languages Spoken
Portuguese and English.
Education
University of São Paulo
Bachelor
1984
Chambers Review
Brazil: Contentious
Experienced partner Sonia Cochrane Ráo is admired by peers and clients for her involvement in matters in a wide range of corporate crimes, such as corruption, money laundering, crimes against the national financial system, tax evasion, and environmental crimes.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Sonia is an icon when it comes to matters involving financial institutions. She is well-known, respected, and this bears a lot of weight when you are dealing with difficult issues and regulators."
"Sonia is very pragmatic and the depth of her knowledge comes very handy when you are dealing with white-collar issues."
"Sônia is a professional with great and sophisticated experience in criminal law. She displays a strong vocation for advocacy, shows commitment to her cases and to her clients."
"Sonia is an icon when it comes to matters involving financial institutions. She is well-known, respected, and this bears a lot of weight when you are dealing with difficult issues and regulators."
"Sonia is very pragmatic and the depth of her knowledge comes very handy when you are dealing with white-collar issues."
"Sônia is a professional with great and sophisticated experience in criminal law. She displays a strong vocation for advocacy, shows commitment to her cases and to her clients."