The lawyer Sergio Bermudes passed away this Monday (27), aged 79, as a result of respiratory sepsisafter a prolonged period of hospitalization. He faced complications arising from covid-19.
Recognized as one of the most influential names in Brazilian lawBermudes built a trajectory marked by technical excellence, teaching and the defense of emblematic causes in favor of democracy and human rights.
Among the most notorious cases of his work is the case filed by Clarice Herzog, widow of journalist Vladimir Herzog, which led the Judiciary to recognize, for the first time, that the professional was murdered in military custody – a milestone in the history of Brazilian Justice.
Born in Cachoeiro de Itapemirim (ES), Bermudes was born on October 2, 1946. He graduated in law from the State University of Guanabara in 1969, and completed a doctorate in the history of the Roman, canonical and Lusitanian process at the University of São Paulo (USP).
In 1969, he founded Bermudes Advogados, a firm that would become a national reference in litigation and arbitration, with headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasília and Belo Horizonte. In teaching, he stood out as a professor of civil procedural law at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), a position he had held since 1978.
The Brazilian Lawyers Institute (IAB) expressed deep regret at the death of Sergio Bermudes, who had been a member of the entity for almost four decades. In 2023, during the celebrations of the IAB’s 180th anniversary, Bermudes was honored with the Teixeira de Freitas Medal, the highest honor granted by the institute.
“The IAB recognizes in Sergio Bermudes a trajectory of exemplary dedication to law, legal education and the strengthening of democratic institutions”, stated the entity, in an official note.
The Federal Council of the Brazilian Bar Association also deeply regretted the death of the lawyer and declared three days of official mourning in honor of the jurist.
“Sergio Bermudes brought together talent, courage and technical rigor in a trajectory that honors Brazilian law. His firm performance at key moments in our history leaves a legacy of integrity and commitment to the profession”, highlighted the president of OAB Nacional, Beto Simonetti.
For the president of the Constitutional Commission and honorary lifetime member of the Federal Council, Marcus Vinícius Furtado Coêlho, Bermudes has always been an innovative and faithful defender of constitutional postulates. “He will remain alive for his teachings and for his legacy of dignity and pride.”
