Meet the Class: Patrícia Mendonça de Almeida, LLM, ’24
Brazilian Lawyer Focuses on ADR and Construction Law
A native of Brazil, Patrícia Mendonça de Almeida, LLM, ’24, has acted as counsel on national and international arbitrations as well as on construction and engineering contracts related to basic sanitation, railroads, power plants, airports, manufacturing facilities. She holds a Bachelor of Law degree from Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo Universidade Católica de São Paulo and a post-graduate degree in Arbitration from São Paulo Law School of Fundação Getúlio Vargas, and an LL.M. in Contract Law from Insper, in São Paulo.
Please describe your background and professional path.
Since I was a child, my mother has worked in an NGO that supports children in vulnerable situations. Her dedication to help underprivileged communities has made me aware of the inequality that prevails in Brazil and of how privileged I am to have had access to a high-quality education. For that reason, my family and I have always prioritized and valued my education.
During elementary and secondary school, I was lucky to have been awarded the Rotary Club merit-based scholarship, which allowed me to study in one of the best private schools in São Paulo. After that, I attended one of Brazil’s most coveted and competitive law schools (PUC/SP), with the support of a government scholarship loan program named FIES.
In 2011, when I was 19 and at the second month of law school, I started working in a boutique firm focused on public, criminal and administrative law. In 2012, I was hired as an intern at Pinheiro Neto Advogados, where I have been working for eleven years in the Construction Law and Dispute Resolution team that deals with advisory and contracts as well as litigation, allowing me to acquire ample knowledge in the construction area.
Could you describe your practice in a little more detail?
I am member of the Construction and Dispute Resolution team at the law firm Pinheiro Neto Advogados, in Brazil. During the past 11 years at Pinheiro Neto Advogados I have acted as counsel on national and international arbitrations as well as on construction and engineering contracts related to basic sanitation, railroads, power plants, airports, manufacturing facilities, among others, including drafting and negotiation of such contracts. Acting jointly with other members of the Construction Law team, I have had the opportunity to ensure the success of many construction transactions. The challenge of diving into a dynamic segment and actively contributing to construction in Brazil has always been my major source of motivation.
What is your motivation for getting an LLM?
I have always been taught that prioritizing education was the way to achieve anything I wanted in life. Therefore, the LLM in the US was always one of my ambitions as it provides a unique opportunity to learn about law under a Common-Law perspective (as Brazil is a Civil Law country) through the Socratic Method (which is not an educational method usually applied in Brazil’s schools) as well as to acquire knowledge and share experience with lawyers from different countries and diverse backgrounds. Also, considering that I have already completed my bachelor’s degree, post-graduate, and LL.M. degrees in Brazil, the LLM is a natural next step in my academic and professional paths.
Why did you choose the University of Chicago Law School as the institution at which to get your LLM?
I decided to pursue my LLM degree at the University of Chicago not only because it is one of the best universities in the world and has the most remarkable and experienced professors in my area of expertise, but also because of particular aspects of the University of Chicago’s LLM program, such as the size of the class that offers a real connection between students, the University focus on Law and Economics as well as the curricular flexibility that permits students to choose different type of classes and seminars. Furthermore, the University of Chicago sense of community truly caught my attention.
What do you plan to do with your LLM?
After completing the LLM, I intend to have a brief professional experience in the United States. Then, I plan to return to Brazil with a stronger grasp of the business culture of the Common-Law practice, especially in the construction law and dispute resolution areas, and use this knowledge to boost my country’s socio-economic situation. Therefore, through the LLM and the professional experience in the US, I intend to become an even more specialized lawyer in the construction practice to assist my clients in the development of new infrastructure projects, which are extremely necessary for Brazil. I want to continue playing a role in this process and contribute to new construction projects for the improvement of Brazilians’ lives. I also plan to continue following my instincts and passion for social and diversity causes, which can go hand in hand with my law practice and is equally important for society.
What are you most looking forward to in coming to the Law School, the US, and or the city of Chicago?
My experience working with international law firms showed me that innovation in law occurs at the intersection of different disciplines and jurisdictions. Brazilian practice can benefit greatly from the experience of countries like the United States, in which issues related to construction projects and alternative dispute resolution methods (ADR) have been dealt with for years.
Since one of my ambitions is to continue gaining cutting-edge business intelligence to support a more global approach to construction transactions, I am certain that the Chicago cultural diverse environment and the University of Chicago Law School LLM Program’s rich curriculum, unparalleled faculty, and stimulating intellectual and multicultural atmosphere will provide me with unique tools to nudge Brazilian construction practice into a more internationally oriented, business-friendly, and legally secure framework. I also hope to develop strong relationships with the students and professors.
Any hobbies or interests you’d like to share?
Inspired by my mother, I am also devoted to social and diversity matters. In 2016, I was elected to be part of Women's Council of Pinheiro Neto Advogados, in which I organized events and promoted initiatives to assist women in upgrading their careers. In the same year, I became a member of the Social Responsibility Council of Pinheiro Neto Advogados. Since then, I have been part of the pro bono and the volunteer groups, leading volunteering initiatives, including the latest one for donation of clothes and toys to children in vulnerable situations.
What is a “fun fact” about you?
I have been with my husband for more than 15 years (which is almost half of my life, as I am 31). We started dating in high school, in 2008. He has been supporting and encouraging me in all my endeavors and challenges. The fact that we are so different from each other makes us a very fun couple. We are fortunate to be loved and supported by our friends and families.
Anything else you’d like to share?
In 2019 I was one of the youngest female associates to be mentioned in the editorial of The Legal 500 Latin America, where I was described as one of the “key names” from the “large pool of talented associates” of the dispute resolution department. This exposure was game-changing in my career.