Lectures and a visit to the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court are some of the highlights of PinCade’s third week of activities

The 43rd edition of PinCade, a programme of the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), is in the third week of a series of activities, such as lectures from the Competition Defence course and a guided tour to the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court. 

At the beginning of the week, the students attended a lecture on competition compliance by Lucas Barrios, a civil servant at CADE. Then, they carried out practical activities in the units of CADE, where they were assigned.  

On 30 January, the students from the program joined another round of lectures. Commissioner Gustavo Augusto gave a lecture on the relationship between antitrust and digital platforms, and former Commissioner Luiz Hoffmann talked about competition law in practice. 

On 31 January, the students attended other lectures. Bruna Pamplona, the head of the International Unit of CADE, gave the first lecture on international cooperation and competition defence. Subsequently, attorney Barbara Rosenberg debated unilateral conduct and attorney Carlos Veras talked about artificial intelligence and competition.  

On 1 February, the students attended a talk by the vice-president of Global Competition and Regulatory Policy at the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), Krisztian Katona. Competition and regulation in Brazil and around the world were some of the topics discussed. In the afternoon, the Attorney General at CADE, Juliana Domingues, gave a lecture on the relationship between consumer protection and competition law.  

To round off the week of activities, the participants visited the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court. During the tour, the former Chief Economist of CADE Guilherme Resende shared his professional and academic experience in the antitrust field and debated antitrust law and its applications. The students also toured the office of the Supreme Court Justice minister, Gilmar Mendes.  

In the afternoon, they attended the 16th edition of "SG em Foco", an initiative of the Office of the Superintendent General that aims to spread knowledge among CADE’s servants, allowing them to share experiences outside the authority. 

During the event, the main aspects of the investigation on the DPA/Lactalis’ case were presented, which is an important transaction in the market of cold dairy. 

Experiences  

The chance to experience activities regarding competition matters in practice has been an enriching experience for PinCade participants. 

Bruna Sales is a law student at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA) and has been working at the Antitrust Analysis Unit 1 (CGAA1). As she stated, PinCade has been one of the greatest learning opportunities she has ever had.  

"My experience here has been incredibly inspiring, especially because of the lectures with highly qualified professionals, and the practical experience in the unit where I was assigned to," she said.  

According to the student, the programme provides a broad overview of competition law, and she has no doubt that she wants to work in the antitrust field now. “PinCade has reinforced my interest in the area, I recommend it for anyone who wants to have a solid learning experience. The lectures and the practical experience provide a valuable foundation for those who aim to enter this field," she said.  

Next week, another set of lectures with CADE’s representatives and civil servants is scheduled, as well as a follow-up to the first hearing of 2024.