Isabela Faria, LLM ’98, has charted a dynamic international legal career. As partner at Schmidt Valois Advogados (SVMFA) in her native Rio de Janeiro, she specializes in a broad practice that encompass finance, project finance, banking, business transactions, oil and gas, energy, and infrastructure. Her journey to pursue her LL.M. in Philadelphia to her current role as a partner in a well-recognized law firm in Brazil showcases the power of determination and a passion for embracing new challenges.
Isabela, born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, was exposed to diverse cultures and backgrounds from an early age. Her parents played pivotal roles in shaping her broad worldview as they often traveled as a family. After completing her initial law degree in Brazil, one of her parents’ friends, whose wife was a Temple alumna, recommended the university’s LL.M. program to Isabela.
Before immersing herself in her LL.M. studies, Isabela participated in Temple’s Intensive English Language Program. This provided her with a head start in language proficiency as well as familiarity with the campus and its many international student resources. Her diligence was soon rewarded when she won a prize for her exceptional writing skills while in the program, setting a promising tone for her legal studies.
Throughout her LL.M. coursework, Isabela fully embraced the experience. She engaged with classmates from around the world and across the United States, demonstrating a keen interest in immersing herself in American culture. Her enthusiasm was not limited to social interactions; she also excelled academically. She actively contributed to class discussions and dove into her coursework, undaunted by the challenges of studying U.S. and international law in her second language.
Upon completing her Temple LL.M., Isabela first moved to Los Angeles, where she took a position in an entertainment law firm. After a year in this field, Isabela transitioned into financial law, further diversifying her legal expertise.
Today, Isabela Faria stands as a leading authority in energy and finance law. She is currently focusing on land acquisition for oil exploration and marking her contributions to groundbreaking projects in this area.
Isabela’s journey from Rio de Janeiro to her position as a partner is a testament to the power international legal education and the Temple LL.M. degree. Her success is an inspiration for aspiring lawyers in Brazil and around the world, showcasing what determination, passion, and hard work can achieve in the legal field and beyond.
