Mar 10 β€’ 22:49 UTC πŸ‡§πŸ‡· Brazil Folha (PT)

Payments made by Master to the law firm of Moraes' wife are above market rates, lawyers say

Specialized lawyers claim that the fees charged by the law firm of Minister Alexandre de Moraes' wife for services to Banco Master are excessive compared to market rates.

Specialized lawyers have assessed that the payments made by Banco Master to the law firm of Viviane Barci de Moraes, spouse of Supreme Court Minister Alexandre de Moraes, are significantly higher than typical market rates for similar legal services. The law firm, Barci de Moraes Sociedade de Advogados, outlined their activities for Banco Master covering consultation on compliance systems, document analysis, meetings, and the drafting of ethical governance policies.

This scrutiny comes in light of the firm's claim that they employed a dedicated team of 15 lawyers and collaborated with three other specialized firms throughout the lifecycle of Banco Master until its liquidation in November 2025. The firm reported conducting 94 work meetings and delivering 36 detailed legal opinions on various topics, which raises questions about the justification for their stated fees.

Moreover, the situation has broader implications for governance and public trust in judicial processes, especially considering the familial ties to a high-ranking judicial official. With the ongoing examination of financial ethics and compliance within legal reimbursements, this case underscores the need for transparency and accountability in legal practices, particularly when they involve relatives of public officials.

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