What is the VIPER visa (Golden Visa) in Brazil?

The VIPER (Visa por Investimento para Pessoas Estrangeiras Residentes) is an investor residency visa for foreign nationals who make qualifying investments in Brazil. ZS Advogados Associados guides clients through the complete application and compliance process.

Do I need a Brazilian lawyer for real estate transactions?

Yes, Brazilian law requires a licensed attorney to handle property transactions. ZS Advogados Associados conducts all communications in English while ensuring full legal execution in Portuguese to protect your interests.

Can I communicate with my lawyer in English?

Yes. All communications with ZS Advogados Associados are conducted in English, even though full legal execution occurs in Portuguese. This ensures clarity and reduces the risk of miscommunication.

What does initial contact mean regarding legal representation?

Initial contact with ZS Advogados Associados does not constitute legal representation. A formal engagement agreement must be executed before attorney-client relationship is established and privileged communications begin.

OAB-Licensed · Since 2012

International Law Firm in Brazil — Immigration, Real Estate, Corporate & Family Law

Founded by the first American licensed by the Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil. ZS Advogados Associados advises international clients on immigration, real estate, corporate, and family law — in English, under Brazilian law.

2012Founded

EN + PTFully Bilingual

Brazil-wideRemote Coverage

Zachariah Zagol, OAB-licensed attorney and founder of ZS Advogados Associados

About ZS

Built From the Inside Out, for Clients Who Come From the Outside In

Zachariah (Zac) Zagol moved to Brazil at 18. He learned the language, built a life, absorbed the culture, and then did something no American had done before: he sat for the Brazilian bar exam — in Portuguese, under Brazilian law — and passed. He was licensed by the OAB.

That credential matters because the clients ZS serves are people standing at exactly the same crossroads Zac once stood at. They are foreigners trying to navigate a country they find beautiful but legally complex. They need a lawyer who understands both sides of that experience.

"We translate the experience, not just the language."

ZS Advogados Associados was co-founded in 2012 by Zac and Karina Peres Silverio. The firm handles everything that legally requires a licensed attorney: lawsuits and litigation, contract drafting and review, visa petitions and immigration filings, company formation, real estate transactions, family law matters, international agreements, and compliance.

First American Licensed by the OAB

Zac passed the Brazilian bar exam in Portuguese — a credential that cannot be replicated.

Dual Legal Education

Law degree, Universidade de Toledo (Brazil). LLM, University of Southern California.

Brazil-Wide, Remote-Capable

Clients served remotely from anywhere. All communications in English and Portuguese.

Advising Since 2012

Over a decade of dedicated practice serving the international community in Brazil.

Zachariah Zagol

Founder, OAB-Licensed Attorney

First American licensed by the OAB. Dual legal education from Universidade de Toledo (Brazil) and the University of Southern California (USA). Fluent in English and Portuguese. Advising international clients on Brazilian law since 2012.

Karina Peres Silverio

Co-Founder, OAB-Licensed Attorney

Co-founder and strategic partner. Specializes in corporate and family law. Dedicated to providing seamless legal service for international families and foreign companies operating in Brazil.

Practice Areas

Legal Services for International Clients

ZS handles everything that legally requires a licensed attorney in Brazil. Every engagement is conducted in English, with full legal execution in Portuguese.