We spoke with Agnaldo Ferreira, Legal Trainee at JCB Brazil whose journey into law began with a love for understanding how the world works - through history, philosophy, and politics. What started as curiosity about fairness and systems has grown into a career that bridges law, business, and people.
Now working in-house, Agnaldo is gaining hands-on experience in everything from contracts to corporate strategy, while learning how legal work supports every corner of a global business.
In our chat, he shares what inspired him to choose the in-house route, what he's learned along the way, and how mentorship, teamwork, and curiosity keep him motivated both in and outside the office.
What initially drew you to a legal career, and more specifically, to working in-house?
In high school, I was drawn to subjects like history, philosophy, and politics. These areas helped me understand how the world works — its systems, problems, and the ideas behind societies. As I learned more, I saw that law connects all three. It holds the history of legal rules, the deep questions about fairness and right and wrong, and the power struggles that shape laws and government. This made me want to follow a career in law.
When I got the chance to join JCB in a legal role inside the company, I knew it was special. Instead of working at a law firm, this job let me be part of the company, learn how it runs, and help with big decisions. It was a rare chance — one that needed not just legal skills, but also the ability to adjust, understand business, and work well with others.
I gladly took the offer, and I’m very happy I did. The job has taught me a lot, giving me a wider view of how law works in business and how legal experts can help beyond courtrooms and contracts. It’s a path that keeps me motivated every day.
What influenced your decision to train in-house rather than following the traditional law firm route?
I believe my decision was shaped by a combination of factors. First, the exciting prospect of working in a multinational company like JCB was incredibly appealing. The scale, complexity, and global reach of such an organisation promised a dynamic environment where I could grow both professionally and personally.
What truly sealed the deal though was the opportunity to collaborate with professionals from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Being part of a global team means I get to engage with different perspectives, learn from varied experiences, and even use another language in the workplace. That aspect alone has been incredibly enriching. It’s not just about practicing law — it’s about doing so in a vibrant, international setting that constantly challenges and inspires me.
Can you tell us about your current role and the kind of work you're exposed to?
Currently I work as the only Legal Trainee at the company in Brazil, I support our Legal Department, mostly drafting and reviewing contracts and NDAs, developing internal systems related to legal operations, assisting both internal and external clients, and managing the payment to associated legal firms etc. The other part of my work is learning as much as possible about the core business of the company, as well of the Brazilian Legal System and its many laws.
What have been some of the most rewarding or surprising aspects of your in-house training so far?
Without a doubt, the most rewarding aspect of my role has been the opportunity to learn far beyond the boundaries of law. Working in-house at a multinational company has exposed me to the full spectrum of corporate operations — from accounting and finance to sales, engineering, and information technology. Each department offers its own challenges, language, and logic, and being able to interact with them has broadened my understanding of how a business truly functions.
This interdisciplinary exposure has been invaluable. It’s one thing to understand legal theory, but it’s another to see how legal decisions impact product development, budgeting, supply chains, or customer relationships. I’ve come to appreciate how law is deeply integrated into every facet of the company’s administration, and how legal professionals must often act as translators between technical, commercial, and strategic teams.
How have you found balancing your legal studies with the demands of working in-house, and what strategies have helped you manage both successfully?
Balancing work and college has been one of my biggest challenges. With little time during the week, handling deadlines, classes, and job tasks often feels like I’m juggling too much. It takes focus, good planning, and a lot of strength. Sometimes the pressure is high, and I’ve had to give up things to keep everything moving forward.
Still, one of the best parts of this experience is how well my college studies match what I see at work. Many of the topics I learn — like business law, contracts, and rules — show up in the company’s daily work. Seeing these ideas used in real situations helps me understand them better and learn faster. Studying theory in class is useful but watching how it works in a global company gives me a deeper view.
A good strategy is planning your week on Sundays, writing everything you will probably do during the week, be that in the job or in college, and then adjusting along the way based on the unforeseen events that may or may not occur.
How would you describe the support and mentorship you've received within your team?
One of the most valuable aspects of my experience has been the mentorship and guidance I’ve received from the leadership. Their support has played a crucial role in shaping my growth as a professional. Whether through formal feedback, informal conversations, or simply observing how they navigate complex challenges, I’ve gained insights that go far beyond textbooks or classroom learning.
What advice would you give to students or early-stage professionals considering an in-house training path?
I would say that focusing on learning soft skills is very important, they are fundamental in navigating the corporate world and making good decisions, learning how to make good relationships with colleagues and the leadership is very important.
The second important thing is being able to understand the core business that you are inserted into, its strengths and weaknesses, how and why things are done in the company, then you can focus in learning the areas of law that will bring the most benefits to your team, the company and your career.
Having a good mentor or a senior partner is also essential, someone that will help you through the challenges and teach you how the work must be done.
In general, I would say that you need to have the willingness to learn, and improve yourself constantly, never being satisfied, embracing every opportunity that you get and making the most of what you have.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to play the clarinet, watch videos about various subjects but mostly games and medieval history. I also like to read but recently haven’t had the time to enjoy a good book, mostly reading law texts and manuals (which are very interesting but not that exciting as something like science fiction). In the weekends I like to go to church and hangout with my friends, also spending some time with my family and pets.
