A Leader Who Transformed Law Through Education
A central figure in the world of Brazilian law, Ary Oswaldo Mattos Filho’s legacy is one of a visionary leader who was deeply committed to education. A lawyer, professor and one of the founding partners of Mattos Filho, Dr. Ary left us on December 1, 2025, yet his generosity and entrepreneurial spirit have been written into Brazil’s history and will continue to mark the generations to come.
Dr. Ary was an advocate and firm believer in continued learning as a way of opening doors and creating opportunities capable of transforming lives, and this conviction guided his work in both academia and in the legal sector throughout his life. At Mattos Filho, he was a leader who created opportunities and paved the way for training and developing countless people at the firm. For Dr. Ary, excellence did not stem from one’s vocation, but from discipline, effort and study. These values underpinned his story and have shaped the path of countless professionals both inside and outside the walls of Mattos Filho.
Dr. Ary’s multifaceted career went well beyond the boundaries of the legal world, reaching positions of significant importance for Brazil itself. In addition to founding our firm, he served as president of the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM), a member of the National Monetary Council (CMN) and as a judge at the São Paulo Taxes and Fees Court (TIT). He also played a leading role in academia and was fundamental in creating the law school at Fundação Getulio Vargas in São Paulo.
Our founding partner and friend has left an indelible mark on Brazilian law, education and the lives of all who had the privilege of learning from and working with him. In our gratitude, we will continue to honor his memory by keeping alive the principles he taught us – commitment to excellence, integrity, the tireless search for innovation, and the conviction that law is an instrument for transforming society.
Otávio Veiga Filho, Pedro Luciano Marrey Jr. and Roberto Quiroga
"Many of his students and the countless lawyers who had the opportunity to live with him benefited not only from his teachings, but also from the relationships he generously shared and the professional opportunities he provided"
Otávio Veiga Filho
Founding partner
"Generosity was one of his most distinguishing qualities. Ary dedicated himself to creating opportunities for everyone around him to develop and realize their full potential"
Pedro Marrey
Founding partner
"In addition to being a remarkable professor and brilliant lawyer, Ary's legacy leaves an invaluable impact on law, on our firm and on all who had the privilege of learning from him. The opportunities he offered us as professors and lawyers had a decisive impact on both our professional and personal trajectories"
Roberto Quiroga
Founding partner
Ary's trademark was generosity. He gave everyone opportunities to grow. He was a very easy person to deal with – he never sought the accolades for himself
Brazil Journal,
During his time in Brasilia, Ary Oswaldo dedicated himself to modernizing Brazil's economy – he chaired the CVM at a critical moment and headed the group that drafted the first tax reforms after the 1988 constitution was issued
Valor Econômico,
Ary was responsible for implementing steps that were extremely significant in building the current foundations of Brazil's capital markets, and left a deep mark on the history of law and legal education in the country
Folha de S. Paulo,
His innovative vision for legal education and his tireless dedication created a school committed to excellence, marked by academic rigor, high-quality training and strong integration between theory and practice. His legacy will remain alive in the history of FGV and Brazilian law
Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV),
Ary Oswaldo Mattos Filho has left a significant mark on the CVM's trajectory, making important contributions to the strength of our institution and improvements to Brazilian capital market regulation throughout his tenure
Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM),
Ary's trademark was generosity. He gave everyone opportunities to grow. He was a very easy person to deal with – he never sought the accolades for himself
Brazil Journal
During his time in Brasilia, Ary Oswaldo dedicated himself to modernizing Brazil's economy – he chaired the CVM at a critical moment and headed the group that drafted the first tax reforms after the 1988 constitution was issued
Valor Econômico
Ary was responsible for implementing steps that were extremely significant in building the current foundations of Brazil's capital markets, and left a deep mark on the history of law and legal education in the country
Folha de S. Paulo
His innovative vision for legal education and his tireless dedication created a school committed to excellence, marked by academic rigor, high-quality training and strong integration between theory and practice. His legacy will remain alive in the history of FGV and Brazilian law
Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV)
Ary Oswaldo Mattos Filho has left a significant mark on the CVM's trajectory, making important contributions to the strength of our institution and improvements to Brazilian capital market regulation throughout his tenure
Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM)