Biography
Pedro Romano Fragoso Pires is a seasoned Brazilian attorney and Florida-certified Foreign Legal Consultant with three decades of legal experience spanning Brazil and the United States. He holds an LL.M. from the University of Miami, earned in 2000, and is fluent in Portuguese, English, and Spanish.
Pedro focuses on cross-border transactional and international matters, advising U.S. clients doing business in Brazil and Latin America and Brazilian companies, entrepreneurs, families, and investors doing business in the United States. He coordinates and supervises legal work in Brazil, serving as lead counsel on corporate and international outbound matters, while also supporting Brazilian clients establishing, expanding, and managing operations in the U.S., particularly in Florida.
Throughout his career, Pedro has worked with prominent Brazilian and U.S. law firms, gaining experience in both transactional and dispute-related matters. He began his career in labor and employment and commercial litigation before developing a primary focus on corporate, financial, and international transactions. His broad legal background enables him to serve as outside general counsel and a trusted, go-to advisor, coordinating matters across practice areas and jurisdictions.
Pedro has also developed substantial experience in financial services, compliance and investigations, real estate, and private client matters. He advises Brazilian families and ultra-high-net-worth individuals on U.S. immigration, pre-immigration tax planning, and estate planning, working closely with other professional advisors to help clients navigate complex cross-border issues.
Before returning to Miami in 2018, Pedro was a co-founding partner of a Brazil-based law firm for more than a decade, with offices in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Brasília. His experience living and working in both countries, combined with his knowledge of U.S. and Brazilian law, business practices, and culture, allows him to bridge the legal and business environments of Brazil and the United States effectively.
*Foreign Legal Consultant, Florida. Not licensed to practice Florida law.
Areas of Practice
Education
- University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, Florida, LL.M. in Comparative Law (2000).
- Candido Mendes University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Post-graduate in Corporate Administrative Law (2010).
- Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro School of Law (PUC), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, LL.B. (Juris Doctor Equivalent 1996).
Certifications & Specializations
- Anti Money-Laundering Certified Associate (FIBA)
- OFAC Sanctions Professional Certification
Admissions
- Florida, Foreign Legal Consultant.
- Brazilian Bar Association, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo (OAB/RJ and OAB/SP).
Publications
- Co-author, “U.S. Supreme Court Rules That Parties In Foreign Commercial Arbitrations Cannot Obtain Discovery in the United States” (June 15, 2022).
- Co-author, “Brazilian Government Makes the LGPD Effective Imminently” (September 10, 2020).
- Co-author, “International Labor & Employment Laws”, Supplements to Volume I, published by American Bar Association, Labor section (1999-2017).
Speaking Engagements
- Panelist, "Terrorist designations and corporate risks: what general counsels need to know", GC Elite (July 2026)
- Panelist, Virtual round table with the General Counsels Group (Brazil), Diaz Reus (July 2026)
- Moderator, "When Organized Crime Takes on the Characteristics of Terrorism", FIBA (May 2026)
- Moderator, "Mapping the Threat: U.S. Designation of cartels and its impact in Brazil", Brazil-Florida Business Council (February 2026)
- Panelist, “Corporate and Tax structures for acquisition of real estate by non U.S. residents”, Elite International Realty (July, 2025).
- Opening and closing remarks, “Global Compliance: Lessons from Recent Developments in Brazil.” (April 14, 2021).
- Moderator, “Chapter 11 x Bill 4.458/2020: Insolvency in the U.S. and Brazil – What’s Happening,” Brazil-Texas Chamber of Commerce Exclusive Webinars (December 16, 2020).
- Moderator, “Trending Issues in Litigation and Arbitration in Time of Pandemic: U.S. and Brazil perspectives” (October 15, 2020). Organized by Brazil-Florida Business Council.
- Panelist, “Product Distribution & Franchising in Brazil,” Foley’s 29th Annual Law of Product Distribution & Franchise Seminar (October 8, 2020).
- Moderator, “The Journey of Brazilian Startups into the U.S. Market” (September 17, 2020).
- Panelist, “Pre-Immigration Tax Planning: Considerations for Brazilian Individuals and Companies,” Miami (February 28, 2019). Organized by Brazil-Florida Business Council.
- Moderator, “Understanding Legal Aspects When Establishing a Company in Florida: Intellectual Propriety, Company Constitution and Immigration,” Start Out Brazil, Apex USA, Miami (September 10, 2018).