What do lawyers charge in Brazil? It’s a question we get frequently, and frankly, there’s no easy answer.

Like in the US, law firms in Brazil set their own fees. Legal fees must be reasonable based on factors such as the location of the services, the lawyer’s prestige and experience, the work to be performed, and so on. But every lawyer or law firm charges differently.

Brazil, however, is unique in one respect. The Brazilian Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil or OAB) requires that lawyers charge a minimum fee for their services. The purpose is to ensure balance and fairness in the legal industry. A lawyer who charges less could face trouble from the OAB’s Court of Ethics and Discipline.

Each year, the local chapter of each state Bar publishes its list of minimum fees. The list serves as a reference for both lawyers and their clients so they know what’s “market” for a particular service. This doesn’t mean that a lawyer cannot agree with a client to a higher price. It simply sets a threshold.

Say you need a lawyer to help with an extrajudicial divorce or you need defense counsel for a civil lawsuit in São Paulo. Just click here and you can see the 2020 fee schedule published by the São Paulo section of the OAB.

The next time you need a lawyer in Brazil, remember to first consult the OAB fee schedule. Although it may sound high, that 20% success fee proposed by your lawyer might just be the minimum set by the Bar.