About Me

When I look back on my career as a digital governance professor or practitioner, I see it as a journey shaped by a simple but powerful idea: in the digital world, success isn’t just about chasing opportunities, it’s about choosing your battles wisely.

For more than 20 years, I’ve helped professionals and organizations thrive in this fast-changing environment, focusing on something that isn’t always glamorous or revenue-generating but is absolutely essential: digital governance.

My work spans data privacy, artificial intelligence, and digital fraud, sitting at the intersection of law and technology. It’s about creating structures and safeguards that allow businesses to innovate without losing their footing. It’s not always the most visible work, but it’s critical. It builds the foundation businesses need to grow sustainably and responsibly.

The Early Days

My career started in a time when technology was outpacing regulation. Businesses were diving headfirst into the digital space, and many weren’t prepared for the legal and ethical challenges they’d encounter. Early on, I worked as Legal Director for the Módulo Paulista Group, a subsidiary of Portugal Telecom, and later at the Gennari and Peatree Group, focusing on IT law. These roles gave me a front-row seat to the complexities of technology-driven industries and showed me how important it was to think strategically about compliance and governance.

In 2013, I founded Cots Attorneys-at-Law because I wanted to do more than react to problems—I wanted to help businesses anticipate and navigate them. Over time, this practice evolved into a platform where I could partner with organizations on their most pressing digital challenges. Later, I joined GetGlobal International as COO, leading efforts in data privacy and cybersecurity on an international scale.

Defining Moments

One of the most humbling moments in my career was being awarded a Green Card for extraordinary ability by the United States. It was recognition of the global impact of my work in digital law and governance. But to me, it wasn’t just about personal achievement, it was about validation of the importance of this field and the contributions it makes to the broader business world.

Adding to this recognition, I have been honored to be invited to teach at American universities, sharing my expertise with the next generation of leaders and helping shape the future of digital governance.

Learning Along the Way

Throughout my career, I’ve leaned heavily on education to refine my perspective. I earned a Master’s in Business and Tax Law, completed an International MBA in partnership with Singularity University (Google), and pursued executive programs at Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School. These experiences weren’t just about adding credentials—they were about expanding my understanding of the intersection between law, business, and technology, and finding new ways to connect them.

Contributing to the Field

Over the years, I’ve had the chance to contribute to the development of the field in ways I’m truly proud of. I was invited by the Brazilian Senate to help shape data protection legislation, and I’ve been recognized as one of Brazil’s most admired lawyers in digital law. I’ve written books like Internet Civil Framework and Legal Risks and the Use of Technological Tools in Companies and spoken at international forums on topics ranging from startups to e-commerce. These opportunities have allowed me to share what I’ve learned and, more importantly, to learn from others.

A Philosophy of Governance

At its heart, my work is about helping businesses navigate complexity. Digital governance is sometimes seen as a hurdle or an afterthought, but I see it as an enabler—a way to build trust, resilience, and long-term value. Whether it’s designing data privacy strategies, addressing risks in AI, or tackling digital fraud, my goal has always been to give organizations the tools and frameworks they need to thrive in the digital world.

It’s not the kind of work that makes headlines, but it’s work that matters. And as I look ahead, I’m excited to continue helping businesses find clarity and strength in the face of digital challenges.