Chambers Brazil: Key insights from Industries & Sectors Guide 2026

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This edition reflects another research cycle shaped by extensive dialogue with the Brazilian legal market, careful analysis of the information received, and a continued deepening of our sector-focused coverage.

To arrive at the results presented in this guide, we processed 3,469 market interactions, including 963 interviews and 2,506 surveys and questionnaires. We also received 771 submissions, representing growth of 12.88% compared with our previous cycle.

In addition to well-known market areas, this year’s guide introduces three new tables: electoral law, private pensions and urban law, created following extensive dialogue with market participants.

In this article, we highlight some of the key trends identified during the research process, particularly in the newly launched areas, alongside data that helps illustrate the growth of the guide and the evolution of the legal market in Brazil.

Brazil’s regulatory environment for technology and data protection remains particularly active. One of the most prominent issues is the protection of children and adolescents in the digital environment, particularly following the entry into force of the Digital ECA. The new legislation has expanded the obligations of platforms, social networks, games, apps and other digital services likely to be accessed by minors, creating a scenario of increased regulatory scrutiny and a greater need for companies to adapt. In this context, the market sees the role of the ANPD as a regulatory authority becoming even more consolidated, with an important role in providing guidance, carrying out oversight and modulating the application of sanctions.

Artificial intelligence also occupies a central position on the sector’s agenda. With Bill 2338/2023 progressing through the Chamber of Deputies, following its approval in the Senate, companies that develop or use AI systems are expected to face more sophisticated discussions around governance, databases, information security, risk metrics, and the limits applicable to the collection and processing of data.

In public law, there is consensus among interviewees that 2026 has been an important year for concessions, particularly in sanitation, motorways, schools, airports, ports and social infrastructure. The sanitation sector appeared frequently in interviews as an area of high demand, with references to new auctions, project expansion and discussions with governments.

This trend underscores the growing importance of legal teams capable of advising not only on litigation and traditional legal opinions, but also on the structuring of complex public projects, negotiations with public authorities and the preventive management of regulatory risks. In interviews, lawyers highlighted a trend away from prolonged disputes and towards more consensual approaches, including renegotiations, agreements with public entities and greater institutional dialogue, including engagement with the Federal Court of Accounts.

One of the new features of this edition is the creation of a table dedicated to electoral law. This new coverage arrives at a timely moment, as firms and practitioners prepare for the next national elections.

The electoral law specialists we spoke to were unanimous in highlighting the growing influence of technology on the dynamics of public elections. Broader access to digital tools democratises campaigns and communication strategies, but also increases risks related to disinformation, the improper use of artificial intelligence and deepfakes.

- Chambers Brazil research interviewee 

Also created this year, our urban law table points to a market that is increasingly sophisticated and difficult to navigate. Regulatory complexity has grown significantly, with more detailed rules, increased regulatory frameworks and, above all, more room for interpretation. In practice, this leads to more litigation, disputes with communities, the Public Prosecutor’s Office and associations, while projects carry more risk from the outset.

This completely changes the role of the legal adviser. A lawyer no longer steps in only to solve problems, but becomes part of the strategy from the beginning, helping to structure projects, anticipate risks, negotiate with public authorities and ensure feasibility.

At the same time, cities are undergoing structural transformations, with a greater focus on retrofit projects, the redevelopment of city centres, densification and increased attention to environmental impacts. All of this exists alongside a market dynamic that is increasingly guided by financial logic. In other words, real estate is increasingly treated as a tradable asset rather than as functional space. This is evident, for example, in discussions of real estate funds and in production models aimed at investors, which can create distortions such as vacant properties, under-occupation and oversupply.

The private pensions ranking, also introduced in this edition, reflects a market in transformation. Our interviewees pointed to regulatory and political changes as determining factors, with potential impacts linked to the outcome of the elections, influencing oversight and the regulator’s interpretation. At the same time, demographic pressures and the limitations of the public pension system have increased the importance of private pension plans, supporting the sector’s long-term growth.

Another central issue is the restructuring and consolidation of pension plans, as sponsors respond to actuarial deficits, cost pressures and higher governance requirements. This movement has led to an increase in plan mergers, sponsorship withdrawals and migrations to multi-sponsored entities, often accompanied by complex negotiations and disputes. As a result, litigation remains relevant, especially in matters related to changes to benefits and the funding of deficits, although there has also been a noticeable shift towards more advisory and preventive work.

The growth of the Chambers Brazil: Industries & Sectors 2026 guide reflects the expansion of Chambers Brazil’s coverage and the deepening of its research into key sectors of the economy. The number of ranked departments grew from 344 to 405, an increase of 17.73%. Among individuals ranked, the guide reaches 744 lawyer rankings, a rise of 21.77%. With the creation of three new tables, the guide now covers 24 practice areas.

The data also shows progress in gender diversity among ranked individuals. In 2022, women represented 29.30% of ranked lawyers, a figure that reached 33.96% in 2026.

Female representation is even more significant in the Up and Coming, Associate to Watch and Star Associate rankings. See below:

Looking at the firms with the highest number of ranked departments, Pinheiro Neto is tied with Mattos Filho in first place, with 19 departments each. With three new ranked departments this year, Machado Meyer has drawn level with Veirano Advogados, both with 17 ranked departments.

This year, Mattos Filho increased from 11 to 14 ranked departments and took the lead among firms with the highest number of departments ranked in Bands 1 and 2. Pinheiro Neto follows, remaining at 13 ranked departments.

In the lawyer rankings, Pinheiro Neto moved into first place with 45 ranked practitioners, eight more than in 2025. Mattos Filho obtained six new lawyer rankings, reaching 43 in total. In third place is Demarest, with 34 lawyer rankings.

Among the highest bands, Mattos Filho remains in the lead with 17 ranked lawyers, followed by Pinheiro Neto Advogados with 13. With two more rankings than in 2025, Machado Meyer moves into third place this year.

The launch of the Chambers Brazil: Industries & Sectors 2026 guide reinforces the importance of our research in tracking the sophistication of the Brazilian legal market across areas affected by constant regulatory, economic and social change.

We would like to thank all the firms, lawyers and clients who took part in this research cycle and contributed to the creation of independent, accurate and useful rankings. We remain committed to improving our processes, expanding our coverage and recognising the professionals and firms that are distinguished by their technical excellence, strategic vision and ability to respond to their clients’ challenges.

Explore the Chambers Brazil: Industries & Sectors 2026 guide today.