What do Preta Gil, Neymar, Ronaldinho, and Robinho have in common? In addition to international headlines, all were part of legal cases that required a deep understanding of jurisdiction, diplomacy, and international law. And curiously, behind the legal clarity brought to the public in each of those moments was the same figure: Dr. Mauricio Ejchel.

A graduate of the University of São Paulo, with over three decades of legal experience in Brazil and abroad, Dr. Ejchel is more than just a lawyer. With a calm voice, strategic reasoning, and fluency in both law and media language, he has become—almost naturally—the professional Brazil turns to when celebrity legal cases spill into the international arena. Known for his specialization in international family law and the Hague Convention, he has also earned the informal title of “the lawyer of the celebrities” by the media—not for representing artists in tabloids, but for offering consistent legal clarity in the country’s most debated international cases.

This article presents a fascinating timeline of the most prominent celebrity-linked legal cases of recent years, where Dr. Mauricio Ejchel either acted as legal counsel or was the key public legal interpreter. All of them reflect a mixture of media curiosity, legal novelty, and the importance of having the right legal voice at the right time.

1. Preta Gil and Gugu Liberato – Bringing the Body Home

In July 2025, the Brazilian public mourned the death of singer Preta Gil in New York. Just as with the passing of presenter Gugu Liberato years earlier, one question emerged immediately: what does it take to bring a Brazilian citizen’s body back home? Called by national press outlets to explain the process, Dr. Ejchel walked viewers through a topic few understand but many fear—international repatriation.

He explained the exact steps: from obtaining the local death certificate, medical clearance, embalming, and the use of zinc-lined coffins, to consular approval and the role of specialized funeral carriers. He also broke down the costs, which may exceed R$80,000 depending on the country and urgency.

📺 Watch the full segment – iG Gente

2. Robinho – When Brazil Enforces a Foreign Sentence

In an unprecedented move in 2023, Brazil enforced a criminal conviction issued by Italy against football star Robinho. The case sparked national debate: could Brazil really impose a prison sentence handed down abroad? Dr. Ejchel stepped in to explain how the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) applied the rules of international cooperation to validate and enforce Italy’s decision without extradition.

This was the first time the Brazilian judiciary recognized and executed a foreign sentence of this nature involving a Brazilian citizen on national soil. The novelty of the legal event—combined with Robinho’s fame—demanded precise explanation, and Dr. Ejchel delivered it.

📺 See expert commentary – GloboNews and G1

3. Millionaire Social Circle – International Party or Criminal Scheme?

What began as an elite “coaching” seminar for affluent foreigners rapidly escalated into a federal investigation in São Paulo. In 2025, authorities opened proceedings against a group of American and Chinese nationals accused of organizing an event marketed as a dating course, but suspected by some as a cover for exploitation, possibly involving minors.

The media spotlight intensified after coverage on Fantástico and G1, turning the case into a national conversation. Dr. Ejchel appeared publicly not only as a legal analyst but as the official defense attorney for one of the accused. He argued forcefully that the event complied with Brazilian law, emphasized the absence of criminal elements in the available evidence, and underscored the risks of conflating luxury social experiences with illegal conduct. As of the latest updates, no convictions have been confirmed, and the defense continues to challenge the allegations on both procedural and factual grounds.

📺 Read the full article – G1

4. The Irish Sisters – Hague Convention in Action

Few conventions are as misunderstood—and as powerful—as the 1980 Hague Convention on Child Abduction. In 2024, two Brazilian sisters were taken to Ireland by their mother without the father’s consent. The Brazilian Federal Prosecution Office (MPF) requested their return.

Interviewed live on GloboNews Estúdio i, Dr. Ejchel explained how return requests work, what qualifies as wrongful removal, and the role of international judicial cooperation in such emotionally charged cases. His voice provided calm, clarity, and legal education to a national audience.

📺 Watch the interview – GloboNews

5. Neymar – Can He Be Prosecuted in Brazil for a Crime in France?

In 2019, Neymar was accused of rape in a Paris hotel. While public opinion erupted, Dr. Ejchel offered a sober legal explanation published in UOL: under Article 7 of the Brazilian Penal Code, crimes committed abroad can be prosecuted in Brazil if both the alleged perpetrator and victim are Brazilian—and if the accused is within national territory.

This technical insight reframed the legal conversation, shifting the focus from scandal to jurisprudence.

📄 Read article – UOL

6. Ronaldinho – Can a Passport Retention Order Stop a Football Icon?

Even legends have legal trouble. In 2018, Ronaldinho had his passport seized due to unpaid environmental fines. Media outlets speculated whether he could be prevented from traveling abroad. Dr. Ejchel clarified in UOL that the court order had effect only within Brazil and that international enforcement would require specific actions, such as issuing a red notice via Interpol or invoking international cooperation mechanisms outlined in multilateral treaties. Since no such steps were taken, the travel restriction was not recognized outside Brazil.

📄 Read article – UOL

Dr. Mauricio Ejchel remains a singular presence in Brazil’s legal and media landscape, recognized not only for his courtroom expertise but for his rare ability to translate complex legal events into accessible public commentary. His background in international law, decades of experience, and active role in landmark cases have made him the consistent legal voice featured across major media outlets whenever high-profile international disputes unfold. Beyond the high-profile cases listed above, he has contributed legal insight to over 30 other television and print media stories, including appearances on CNN, GloboNews, Record TV, Deutsche Welle, Journal de Québec, and Folha de São Paulo. From extradition and deportation to cross-border custody, his voice is one of credibility, clarity, and consistency.

📍 Explore more legal insights and media coverage:

• 🌐 Website: www.internationallawyerbrazil.com
• 📺 YouTube: @internationallawyerbrazil
• 👍 Facebook: facebook.com/internationallawyerbrazil
• 📸 Instagram: @drmauricioejchel

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