Post by Paula Razera

Some moments in a career remind us exactly why we work so hard. For me, the liability judgment in the Mariana dam case has been one of them. After a decade of resilience from the hundreds of thousands of victims - people who lost relatives, homes, businesses, and their entire environment, and years of dedicated work from Brazilian and foreign lawyers navigating a complex transjurisdictional claim, as well as deeply committed business operations and communications teams, justice has finally begun to be served for those affected by the Fundão dam collapse in Mariana, Brazil, in 2015. On 14 November 2025, the UK High Court ruled in favour of the victims, marking the first time that any of the mining companies behind the collapse have been held to account. The Court held that the disaster was caused by omission, negligence, imprudence and/or lack of skill, finding “overwhelming” pre-collapse evidence that the dam was unstable and that the risk of liquefaction and collapse was both foreseeable and preventable. And my part in all this? Until justice was delivered, I developed and implemented strategic planning and, together with the Corporate Affairs team — led by the brilliant Priscilla Mendes — worked tirelessly to ensure the victims’ stories reached audiences around the world and were never forgotten. We focused on making a highly complex case understandable, building trust with journalists, securing consistent and accurate coverage in top-tier international outlets, and managing crises with care and responsibility. Working on this case has reinforced why I care so deeply about responsible institutions, environmental justice, and cross-border problem solving. It has been a privilege to contribute to a process that amplifies voices which should never have been ignored. Huge thanks to everyone at Pogust Goodhead and Hotta Advocacia em colaboração com o Pogust Goodhead, and a special thank you to everyone who has worked, and continues to work, in the Corporate Affairs team: Priscilla Mendes, Caio Blanco Reis dos Santos Rafael Oliveira, Tabitha Burbidge, Adèle Bourguignon Anna Luisa Amaral Vandson Lima Simon Alcock Lauren Veevers Jon Bennett Nathalia Duarte Karen Vencovsky Matheus Pacheco Lima Isabela Cortese Rafael Diniz Sunny Hundal Kirsty Williams Kristiana Papi