Best Lawyers® is honored to continue celebrating legal excellence on a global scale with the release of the 2025 editions of The Best Lawyers in Brazil, Mexico, Portugal and South Africa.
These new releases underscore our dedication to recognizing distinguished legal professionals worldwide, showcasing leading lawyers across diverse practice areas and jurisdictions.
Built on a foundation of rigorous peer review, Best Lawyers is proud to continue serving as a trusted resource for clients seeking premier legal expertise across these regions.
Our Methodology: Peer-Driven Standard of Excellence
Best Lawyers' awards are built on a trusted methodology that combines thorough peer evaluations with an unwavering commitment to integrity and fairness.
The recognition process begins with an open nomination phase, where any member of the public, usually fellow lawyers, clients and legal marketing professionals, can submit a nomination for an outstanding legal professional.
Once nominations are received, only current Best Lawyers honorees are invited to participate in the confidential peer-review process, assessing nominees in the same practice area and geographic region.
Our peer-review process is structured to capture authentic insights from leading professionals who know the demands and standards of each practice area.
In evaluating nominees, voting lawyers consider a critical question: “How strongly would you recommend this nominee if you could not take on a case yourself?”. They rate each nominee on a five-point scale, with the option to provide additional insights or comments to further support their evaluation.
Each review is then meticulously analyzed to identify and minimize potential biases, ensuring a balanced assessment across all nominees.
To maintain a high standard of quality, Best Lawyers continuously refines this methodology, incorporating new feedback and evolving along with legal industry standards.
The 2025 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Brazil™
The 15th edition of The Best Lawyers in Brazil honors 2,752 experienced lawyers, representing the top 0.21% of Brazil’s extensive legal community.
This year, 332 new honorees were recognized, while 190 lawyers have maintained a presence since the publication’s inaugural edition, showcasing a blend of established and emerging leaders in the legal field. Additionally, 101 outstanding professionals also received the exclusive “Lawyer of the Year” award in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Brazil.
The second edition of the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch Brazil™, dedicated to spotlighting promising early-career lawyers, highlights 342 awardees this year, with 156 lawyers earning this distinction for the first time.
This edition serves as a valuable platform for rising legal talents, reflecting Brazil’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of legal expertise.
The participation in this year's peer-review process was remarkable with 85,562 evaluations analyzed for The Best Lawyers in Brazil and an additional 22,157 evaluations for Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch Brazil, reflecting the legal community’s active involvement in spotlighting excellence within the profession.
With São Paulo leading as the primary hub, followed by Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Brasília and Rio Grande do Sul, the geographical distribution of the honorees highlights Brazil’s diverse legal space.
Key Practice Areas in The Best Lawyers in Brazil
With Brazil having one of the highest concentrations of lawyers globally—one for every 164 residents—the demand for specialized legal services is high. The country’s legal professionals navigate a challenging environment, as courtrooms contend with over 84 million pending cases and a regulatory framework that is constantly evolving.
The Best Lawyers in Brazil honorees reflect this demand, with expertise across several key practice areas that are critical to supporting Brazil's complex business and regulatory needs.
Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions Law is the most represented practice area among recognized lawyers, fueled by Brazil’s active M&A market. Projected growth of 10-15% this year, supported by AI-driven tools that streamline due diligence, signals another busy year for corporate lawyers as medium-sized firms contribute substantially to the transaction landscape.
Tax Law remains vital amid evolving regulations, with specialists guiding companies through compliance and planning in Brazil’s complex tax environment. Arbitration and Mediation have also gained traction as alternatives to traditional litigation, helping clients manage disputes efficiently in a court system burdened with backlogs.
Litigation continues to play a crucial role, with high demand for expertise in regulatory and commercial disputes. As enforcement intensifies, litigators are essential for companies navigating regulatory challenges.
Finally, Intellectual Property Law reflects Brazil’s commitment to protecting innovation. IP lawyers support businesses in safeguarding patents, trademarks and copyrights, crucial for maintaining competitiveness in a tech-driven market.
Use our Find a Lawyer Tool to search for our recognized lawyers by location and specialty in Brazil.
The 2025 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Mexico™
The 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in Mexico awarded 1,645 of the nation’s top legal professionals, accounting for the top 0.64% of Mexico’s legal industry. This year, 207 lawyers were selected as new honorees and 62 of them also received the title of 'Lawyer of the Year,' further setting them apart for their accomplishments in various legal fields.
The third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Mexico™ highlights 409 rising talents, with 104 early-career lawyers earning this acknowledgment for the first time. This edition serves as a platform for showcasing Mexico’s next generation of legal professionals, who bring fresh perspectives and expertise to the field.
In total, voter participation in 2025 was robust, reflecting the dedication of Mexico's legal community to acknowledging excellence among their peers. 56,397 evaluations were submitted for The Best Lawyers in Mexico and an additional 25,308 evaluations for Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Mexico. The collective interest indicates the respect and commitment within the profession to uphold quality standards.
Geographically, Mexico City leads with the highest concentration of honorees, followed by Monterrey, Guadalajara, Chihuahua and Tijuana, highlighting the distribution of expertise across Mexico's principal legal hubs.
Key Practice Areas in The Best Lawyers in Mexico
Similarly to Brazil, Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions Law remains the most represented field in The Best Lawyers in Mexico awards, emphasizing the significance of M&A activity within the country growing economic sectors.
As companies navigate both domestic and cross-border mergers, legal experts play a crucial role in supporting these high-stakes transactions, bringing essential insights to ensure compliance and strategic success.
Tax Law, the second-largest practice area, reflects the rising complexity of fiscal regulations, particularly with the introduction of “green” taxes by local governments to curb emissions.
These environmental taxes, with varied enforcement across states like Tamaulipas and Queretaro, have sparked legal challenges, positioning Mexican tax lawyers at the forefront of this evolving area.
In Labor and Employment Law, lawyers address Mexico’s evolving labor standards, helping employers and employees navigate changes in regulations that govern workplace rights, regulatory requirements and disputes.
Similarly, Administrative Law experts play a vital role in assisting businesses and individuals with government adherence, guiding them through the complexities of public sector regulations.
Banking and Finance Law rounds out the top five practice areas, reflecting Mexico's robust financial sector. Lawyers in this field provide essential support for both national and international transactions, ensuring adherence to regulations and advising on complex financial agreements.
Use our Find a Lawyer Tool to search for our recognized lawyers by location and specialty in Mexico.
The 2025 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Portugal™
In its 15th year, The Best Lawyers in Portugal awards continues to honor the country’s top legal minds, distinguishing 1,115 seasoned professionals who make up the elite 3.56% of Portugal’s legal field.
The 2025 edition introduces 155 new honorees, blending a spectrum of experience—from respected veterans to newly acknowledged leaders. Further enhancing this year’s distinction, 53 standout lawyers were also awarded the coveted “Lawyer of the Year” title, setting them apart in their specialties.
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch Portugal™ edition, now in its third year, shines a spotlight on emerging talent. This year, 303 early-career lawyers were celebrated, with 109 newcomers earning their place among the rising stars.
This growing platform not only highlights Portugal’s investment in future legal leadership but also amplifies the voices of the next generation of lawyers.
This year’s selection process saw striking engagement, underscoring the deep-rooted respect within Portugal's legal community for peer acknowledgment. Over 59,000 evaluations were considered for The Best Lawyers in Portugal, with another 33,000 reviews informing the Ones to Watch list—figures that speak to a shared commitment to upholding excellence and integrity in the profession.
Portugal’s legal expertise radiates from Lisbon, the city with the most honorees, followed closely by Porto, Madeira and Faro, reflecting a widespread foundation of legal talent across the nation’s main metropolitan centers.
Key Practice Areas in The Best Lawyers in Portugal
Litigation stands as the largest practice area in this year’s edition, with Portuguese lawyers actively engaging in cases shaped by Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives aligned with the Portugal 2030 investment framework.
Litigation trends are increasingly driven by consumer and environmental advocacy groups, such as The Portuguese Association for Consumer Protection and Ius Omnibus, who are challenging corporate practices.
High-profile cases include efforts to expose greenwashing, disputes over anticompetitive practices involving international corporations and lawsuits seeking to enforce government regulations on climate action.
The recent implementation of the European Artificial Intelligence (AI) Regulation, expected to finalize its Code of Practice by early 2025, adds new regulatory complexities that Portuguese litigators are poised to address.
Corporate Law also plays a significant role in Portugal, supporting the growth of businesses as they navigate a competitive market. The field remains crucial for advising companies on compliance, governance and strategic transactions, particularly as Portugal’s economy diversifies and attracts international investment.
In Tax Law, lawyers offer critical guidance through Portugal’s intricate tax framework, assisting individuals and businesses in meeting obligations and optimizing their fiscal planning.
Labor and Employment Law is equally prominent, focusing on shifts in worker rights and guiding employers in meeting evolving workplace standards.
Mergers and Acquisitions Law completes the list of top practice areas, reflecting the dynamic business climate in Portugal. Legal professionals in this field support domestic and cross-border transactions, leveraging deep knowledge of Portugal's regulatory requirements to facilitate corporate growth.
Use our Find a Lawyer Tool to search for our recognized lawyers by location and specialty in Portugal.
The 2025 Edition of The Best Lawyers in South Africa™
Entering its 16th year, The Best Lawyers in South Africa honors 974 leading legal professionals, representing the top 4.11% of the country's legal community.
This year’s edition introduces 136 first-time honorees, blending seasoned expertise with emerging talent. In addition, 48 lawyers have also earned the prestigious “Lawyer of the Year” title in their respective practice areas, highlighting their exceptional contributions.
The 2025 edition also saw unprecedented engagement from South Africa’s legal professionals. A total of 36,717 evaluations were reviewed, reflecting a 42.73% participation rate—underscoring the strong commitment to peer recognition in South Africa's legal industry.
This exceptional legal talent spans South Africa's key metropolitan centers, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.
Key Practice Areas in The Best Lawyers in South Africa
Corporate Law emerges as a significant area of focus this year, especially following recent amendments to the Companies Act. These changes, signed into law in late July, promote transparency and ethical governance by mandating audits of executive remuneration to address pay gaps, subjecting private companies with 10 or more shareholders to oversight by a Takeover Regulation Panel and requiring public disclosure of annual financial statements.
These regulations also offer businesses new flexibilities, such as relaxed rules around financial assistance to subsidiaries and reduced barriers to stock buybacks. Legal experts in Corporate Law are preparing to support companies through these sweeping changes as they come into effect.
Litigation continues to be a vital field, with South African lawyers addressing complex cases shaped by emerging issues such as environmental and social governance (ESG) and consumer advocacy.
Intellectual Property Law sees sustained demand as companies focus on protecting their innovations, while Mergers and Acquisitions Law plays a crucial role in South Africa’s competitive market, supporting both domestic and cross-border transactions.
Labour and Employment Law also stands out, addressing workplace compliance and evolving labor standards in response to regulatory changes.
Explore our Find a Lawyer Tool to search for recognized legal experts by location and specialty throughout South Africa.
Our Ongoing Commitment to Serving Clients, Lawyers and the Legal Community
For over 40 years, Best Lawyers has proudly served as a trusted platform connecting clients with top legal talent, supporting professional referrals across practice areas and providing a stage to celebrate distinguished legal professionals. Our mission is to empower clients, help lawyers expand their networks and honor outstanding contributions in the legal field.
Join us in celebrating the best in the legal field across Brazil, Mexico, Portugal and South Africa. Head to our Find a Lawyer page to discover this year’s honorees and see who made the list among the most distinguished legal professionals in each country.
