Manager & Counsel

We are looking for an experienced lawyer to join the General Counsel’s Organization (GCO) in Brazil as Manager & Counsel. The position requires approximately 4–7 years of relevant post-qualification legal experience, including demonstrated experience in card payments or the broader payments ecosystem in Brazil. This role will serve as a trusted legal advisor to multiple business partners, providing practical, business-oriented legal advice across a broad range of matters affecting American Express’ operations in the region, with focus on Brazil.

The successful candidate will work closely with business leaders and cross-functional partners to support strategic initiatives, commercial transactions, marketing campaigns, product development, corporate governance, litigation management, contractual negotiation, and day-to-day legal matters. The role calls for a hands-on counsel who can independently own matters within their remit, exercise sound judgment, recognize when specialist input or escalation is appropriate, and translate legal considerations into actionable business advice.

The role reports to the Director & Counsel and will interact closely with colleagues across Commercial Areas, Regulatory, Compliance, Government Affairs, Risk, Finance, Marketing, Product, Procurement, Controllership and Business Development, as well as external counsel when appropriate.

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• Serve as a trusted legal advisor to multiple business teams, providing timely, practical and commercially focused legal advice.

• Advise on legal issues arising from card payments and related business models in Brazil, including card network and payment-services arrangements, as relevant to the role.

• Draft, review and negotiate a wide variety of commercial agreements, including supplier, marketing, technology, confidentiality, partnership and services agreements.

• Provide legal support for marketing initiatives, advertising campaigns, customer communications and promotional activities.

• Partner with business leaders on strategic projects, new products, business initiatives and commercial opportunities.

• Advise on corporate governance matters, including support for local legal entity governance and corporate documentation.

• Manage litigation matters in partnership with external counsel, business stakeholders and internal legal teams.

• Coordinate and oversee external law firms, including budget management and strategic direction.

• Identify legal risks and develop practical mitigation strategies that enable business objectives.

• Partner closely with cross-functional teams, including on regulatory inquiries and interactions with public authorities when required, while escalating specialized or high-impact issues appropriately.

• Contribute to cross-functional legal projects and process improvements to enhance efficiency within the legal function.

• Develop and deliver legal training to business partners on relevant legal topics.

• Build strong relationships across the organization and contribute to a collaborative, high-performing legal team.

• Approximately 4–7 years of relevant post-qualification legal experience, gained in-house and/or at a law firm, with demonstrated experience advising on card payments or closely related payment services in Brazil.

• Practical understanding of the Brazilian payments ecosystem (e.g., issuers, acquirers, card schemes, payment institutions, merchants or fintechs), and the ability to identify relevant legal implications.

• Experience advising commercial businesses on a broad range of corporate and commercial legal matters.

• Experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements.

• Experience supporting marketing, commercial transactions, procurement, corporate governance and litigation management.

• Strong business judgment with the ability to balance legal risk against commercial objectives.

• Ability to advise and collaborate effectively with business stakeholders, including senior colleagues, with appropriate support and escalation.

• Ability to independently manage multiple matters simultaneously while appropriately prioritizing competing demands.

• Excellent drafting, negotiation and communication skills.

• Fluency in Portuguese and English. Spanish is a plus.

Required Personal Attributes

• Commercially minded and able to connect legal advice with business priorities.

• Business-oriented mindset with the ability to provide practical, solution-focused legal advice.

• Strong ownership, sound judgment and the confidence to influence stakeholders without requiring formal people-management responsibility.

• Collaborative and relationship-driven, with the ability to work effectively across functions and geographies.

• Highly organized, adaptable and comfortable managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong project management and problem-solving capabilities.

• High level of integrity, sound judgment and commitment to American Express values.

• Commitment to knowledge sharing, continuous learning and fostering an inclusive team environment.