Wife of Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Faces Scrutiny Over High-Profile Supreme Court Case
Viviane Barci de Moraes, a prominent Brazilian lawyer and wife of Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Alexandre de Moraes, is currently involved in a multimillion-dollar lawsuit at the country’s highest court. The case, which seeks approximately R$95 million (around $17 million USD) in judicial credits from the city of Natal in Rio Grande do Norte state, represents her primary active litigation in the STF.
The lawsuit stems from claims by her client, Henasa Empreendimentos Turísticos, against the municipal government. It arrived at the Supreme Court in 2023 and is under the rapporteurship of Justice Kassio Nunes Marques. While an initial injunction favored the company, the final outcome remains pending due to internal appeals.
Barci de Moraes has appeared as counsel in 31 cases at the STF since 2013, with 22 of those commencing after her husband’s appointment to the court in March 2017. A recent analysis by Brazilian media outlet O Estado de S. Paulo indicates that her office has recorded more losses than wins overall: 13 defeats compared to 8 victories across reviewed cases, with some terminated on procedural grounds.
Her professional activities have drawn increased public attention amid revelations of a lucrative contract between her law firm, Barci de Moraes Associados—where two of her children are also partners—and the now-liquidated Banco Master. The agreement, signed in early 2024, reportedly involved monthly fees that could have totaled R$129 million over three years for broad legal advisory services. The bank faced liquidation by Brazil’s Central Bank later that year amid fraud allegations, interrupting payments.
A separate case related to Banco Master is also pending at the STF, handled by Justice Dias Toffoli. Neither Barci de Moraes nor the Supreme Court has publicly commented on her ongoing litigation or the broader scrutiny.
Under Brazilian law, relatives of justices are permitted to practice before the STF, provided the justice recuses themselves from any related cases to avoid conflicts of interest. The episode has reignited discussions about ethical standards and potential reforms, including calls for a formal code of conduct for Supreme Court members.
