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This conversation is less about legal theory and more about the emotional weight of being a lawyer. Through Felipe Barreto Veiga’s story, we see a profession defined by responsibility, sacrifice, and quiet loyalty. Being a lawyer, in his telling, means carrying the client’s anxiety as your own, standing beside them in moments of uncertainty, and showing up fully even when it costs personal time, comfort, or balance. It’s a reminder that law is not just a career—it’s a demanding commitment to always be prepared, emotionally present, and relentlessly aligned with the client’s best interests.

Felipe Barreto Veiga—founding and managing partner of BVA Law Firm in Brazil—shares his journey from modest early jobs to building one of the country’s most respected corporate law firms. 

Felipe reflects on leadership lessons from advising entrepreneurs and investors, emphasizing the importance of “seeking the truth” in markets often distorted by hype, inflated valuations, and short-term thinking. For him, good lawyers and good leaders must be honest with clients, even when the truth is uncomfortable.

A central theme throughout the conversation is loyalty. Felipe describes the lawyer as a “loyal squire” - someone who stands beside the client in both moments of victory and crisis. 

Felipe is candid about work-life balance, arguing that it does not truly exist in law. Instead, lawyers experience cycles of “war and peace,” where intense demands from clients can override holidays, family plans, and personal time. 

He also addresses the structural challenges faced by women lawyers and working parents, acknowledging the uneven burdens while stressing flexibility, empathy, and institutional support as essential for retaining talent. His reflections on upbringing, curiosity, resilience, and relationship-building reinforce the idea that successful lawyers combine technical excellence with emotional intelligence and human connection. Ultimately, Felipe returns to a single truth: law, business, and leadership are all about people.

Here are the Top 10 Takeaways from the conversation:

1. Being a lawyer is an emotional responsibility
   Lawyers don’t just manage transactions—they absorb client stress, uncertainty, and pressure.
2. Loyalty to the client comes above all else
   A lawyer’s role is to stand beside the client, even when advising against a deal.
3. There is no true work-life balance in law
   The profession operates in cycles of “war and peace,” driven by client needs.
4. Putting the client first requires real sacrifice
   Holidays, nights, and personal plans may be lost when the client is in crisis.
5. Protecting the client matters more than closing deals
   Success is measured by judgment and integrity, not transaction volume.
6. Truth is a critical leadership skill
   Great lawyers and founders cut through hype and face reality, even when it’s uncomfortable.
7. People—not deals—are the core of the business
   Talent, trust, empathy, and accountability determine long-term success.
8. Flexibility retains great lawyers, especially parents
   Understanding life outside work builds loyalty and sustainable performance.
9. Teaching and learning sharpen judgment
   Exposure to diverse perspectives makes lawyers better advisors and leaders.
10. Excellence is expected at all times
    Whether negotiating, advising restraint, or offering reassurance, lawyers must always bring their best.

Books: Good to Great, No Easy Day