Becoming a lawyer in Brazil is a demanding but rewarding journey. The country has one of the world's largest legal professions, with over 1.3 million registered advogados - yet the path to qualification is rigorous enough that many aspiring lawyers never complete it. This step-by-step guide explains exactly how to become a lawyer in Brazil, from choosing a law school to passing the OAB exam and building a successful career.
Step 1: Complete a Bacharel em Direito (Law Degree)
The foundation of every legal career in Brazil is the Bacharel em Direito - a five-year undergraduate law degree offered by MEC-accredited (Ministério da Educação) institutions. Unlike common law countries where law is typically a postgraduate degree, Brazil follows the civil law tradition of offering law as a first degree.
Choosing the Right Law School
Brazil has over 1,600 law schools - more than any other country on Earth. Quality varies enormously, and your choice of institution will significantly impact your career prospects. The most prestigious law schools include:
- USP - Faculdade de Direito do Largo de São Francisco (São Paulo) - Brazil's oldest and most prestigious law school, founded in 1827. A degree from "São Francisco" opens virtually every door in Brazilian law.
- FGV Direito SP (São Paulo) - A newer institution (founded 2005) that has rapidly ascended to elite status through innovative teaching methods and strong corporate connections.
- FGV Direito Rio (Rio de Janeiro) - FGV's Rio campus shares the same high standards and innovative curriculum.
- PUC-SP (Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo) - Particularly renowned for its postgraduate programmes in tax, constitutional, and civil procedure law.
- Mackenzie (São Paulo) - A traditional institution with a strong reputation in corporate and commercial law.
- UnB (Universidade de Brasília) - The top choice for those targeting public sector legal careers in the federal capital.
- UFMG (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais) - Leading law school in Belo Horizonte with strength in public law and human rights.
Admission to top public universities requires passing the vestibular entrance exam or achieving a high score on the ENEM (Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio). Private institutions have their own admissions processes, and some offer scholarships through PROUNI for high-performing students.
What You Will Study
The five-year curriculum covers the full breadth of Brazilian law:
- Years 1-2: Foundational subjects - Introduction to Law, Constitutional Law, Civil Law (General Part), Roman Law, Legal Philosophy, Sociology of Law, Economics, Political Science
- Years 3-4: Core practice areas - Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Administrative Law, Tax Law, Labour Law, Commercial/Business Law, International Law
- Year 5: Advanced electives, Monografia (thesis/dissertation), and practical training (Núcleo de Prática Jurídica)
Step 2: Complete Your Estágio (Legal Internship)
During the final years of law school (typically from the 7th or 8th semester onward), students are eligible to undertake an estágio - a supervised legal internship. The estágio is more than a box to tick; it is the single most important career development opportunity available to law students.
Top law firms, corporate legal departments, public defender offices, and courts all offer estágio positions. At major firms like Mattos Filho, Pinheiro Neto, and TozziniFreire, the estágio serves as a direct pipeline to full-time associate positions - the vast majority of new associate hires come from the firm's own intern pool.
To explore current opportunities, visit our legal internships in Brazil page. Setting up a job alert ensures you never miss new estágio postings.
Step 3: Pass the OAB Exam
The Exame de Ordem - administered by the Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil (OAB) - is the bar examination that every law graduate must pass to practise as an advogado in Brazil. It is one of the most challenging professional licensing examinations in the country.
Exam Structure
The OAB exam is administered three times per year and consists of two phases:
- First Phase (Prova Objetiva): 80 multiple-choice questions covering all major areas of law. Candidates must score at least 50% (40 correct answers) to proceed. This phase is notoriously difficult, with a pass rate averaging around 20% nationally.
- Second Phase (Prova Prático-Profissional): A practical examination in which candidates choose a specialisation area (Civil, Criminal, Labour, Tax, Constitutional, Administrative, Business, or Human Rights) and draft a legal petition plus answer four essay questions. The pass rate for the second phase is typically higher - around 50-60% - for those who cleared the first phase.
How to Prepare
Most successful candidates invest in structured preparation:
- OAB preparatory courses (Cursinhos) - Organisations like Damásio, LFG, and CERS offer intensive preparation programmes.
- Practice exams - Solving past OAB exams is the single most effective study technique.
- Study groups - Collaborative preparation helps cover blind spots and maintain motivation.
- Time commitment - Most candidates dedicate 3-6 months of focused preparation, studying 4-8 hours daily.
Passing on the first attempt is ideal for career purposes - it signals strong preparation and competence to prospective employers.
Step 4: Register with the OAB
After passing both phases of the exam, you must register with the OAB in the state (Seccional) where you intend to practise. Registration requires:
- Proof of passing the OAB exam
- Law degree diploma (or certificate of completion)
- Clean criminal record certificate
- Payment of registration fees and annual dues
Once registered, you receive your OAB number and carteira (professional card), officially authorising you to practise as an advogado anywhere in Brazil. If you wish to practise in a state different from your registration, you will need a supplementary registration (inscrição suplementar).
Step 5: Launch Your Legal Career
With your OAB registration in hand, you have several career paths available:
Private Practice - Law Firms
Joining a law firm is the most common first step. If you completed an estágio at a reputable firm, you may receive an offer to continue as a junior associate. Otherwise, apply broadly to firms in your target practice area. For guidance on the most prestigious options, see top law firms in Brazil 2026.
In-House / Corporate
Corporate legal departments at banks, tech companies, multinationals, and major Brazilian corporations hire OAB-qualified lawyers for in-house roles. These positions often offer better work-life balance and competitive salaries - see our salary guide for detailed figures.
Public Sector - Concurso Público
Brazil's public sector offers some of the most stable and well-compensated legal careers through the concurso público system. Positions include:
- Procurador (Government Attorney) - Federal, State, or Municipal level
- Promotor de Justiça (Prosecutor) - State-level Ministério Público
- Juiz de Direito (Judge) - Requires additional experience and exam
- Defensor Público (Public Defender)
Concurso exams are extremely competitive, and many candidates spend 2-5 years in full-time preparation. However, the rewards - including job stability, high salaries, and generous pensions - attract many of Brazil's brightest legal minds.
Solo Practice
Opening your own practice (escritório individual) is an option, though it requires entrepreneurial skills and an established network. Solo practitioners often focus on consumer law, family law, or labour claims where individual clients seek representation.
Academia
For those drawn to scholarship, a career in legal academia requires an advanced degree (Mestrado or Doutorado) and typically involves a combination of teaching, research, and publishing. Academic positions at top universities are highly competitive.
Step 6: Continue Your Professional Development
The Brazilian legal market rewards continuous investment in education and specialisation:
- Pós-Graduação Lato Sensu (Specialisation) - Typically 18-24 months, these programmes provide deep expertise in a specific area. Popular choices include tax law, corporate law, digital law, and labour law.
- Mestrado (Master's Degree) - A 2-year academic programme for those considering academia or seeking deeper analytical skills.
- LLM (Domestic or International) - An international LLM can be career-transforming, providing global perspective and connections.
- MBA - Increasingly popular for lawyers moving toward business-oriented roles or in-house positions.
Timeline Summary
| Stage | Duration | Key Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| Law School (Bacharel em Direito) | 5 years | Diploma from MEC-accredited institution |
| Estágio (Internship) | 1-2 years (during school) | Practical experience at firm/court |
| OAB Exam Preparation | 3-6 months | Pass both phases |
| OAB Registration | 1-2 months | Receive OAB number |
| Total Time to Qualification | ~5.5-6 years | Licensed to practise as Advogado |
Start Building Your Career Today
Whether you are a law student planning your estágio, a recent graduate preparing for the OAB, or a newly qualified advogado seeking your first position, the key is to act strategically. Browse legal jobs in Brazil on LegalAlphabet to see what the market is demanding, and register for job alerts to stay ahead of opportunities. If you hold a foreign qualification and are considering practising in Brazil, our guide on foreign lawyers in Brazil covers the revalidation process.