Roberto de Palma Barracco brings a unique transnational perspective to sports conflict resolution as Senior Advisor at the Sports Conflict Institute, combining deep Brazilian legal expertise with global arbitration experience. Currently responsible for FIFA’s Legal Research Hub, he serves as a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) arbitrator on the Football List while maintaining appointments across multiple international dispute resolution institutions. His distinctive ability to serve as a “translator” of legal cultures—fluent in Portuguese, English, Italian, Spanish, and French—positions him as an invaluable bridge between diverse legal systems, particularly in connecting Latin American sports law with global governance frameworks.
Dr. Barracco’s expertise spans the entire spectrum of lifestyle industries—sports, art, entertainment, fashion, and food—with a specialized focus on crisis prevention and conflict management. His academic foundation includes a Ph.D. from the University of São Paulo School of Law (2024), where his dissertation examined Brazil’s football dispute processing model within procedural theory frameworks, and an LL.M. from the University of Oregon School of Law (2017), where he studied under Professors Jennifer Reynolds, Erik Girvan, and established lasting connections with the Oregon sports law community. This Oregon connection led to his annual return as faculty for the Summer Sports Institute, strengthening the bridge between Brazilian and American sports law.
As a prolific scholar and educator, Dr. Barracco has authored over 40 publications on sports law and dispute resolution, contributing regularly to LawInSport, Football Legal, and leading academic journals. His teaching portfolio spans institutions across Brazil, Europe, and the United States, including adjunct faculty positions at Mackenzie Presbyterian University, São Paulo Catholic Pontifical University, and guest lectureships at FIFA’s Certificate in Sports Arbitration and Diploma in Football Law programs. His thought leadership on the intersection of procedure, culture, and sports governance makes him a sought-after consultant for organizations navigating the complex dynamics of transnational sports markets.
International Panels & Arbitration Appointments
- FIFA – Legal Researcher, Legal Research Hub (2024-Present)
- Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) – Arbitrator, OLY/General List (2022-Present)
- Court of Arbitration for Art (CAfA) – Arbitrator & Mediator (2020-Present)
- Centro Brasileiro de Mediação e Arbitragem (CBMA) – Arbitrator (2023-Present)
- CAMARBRA – Arbitrator (2023-Present)
- CAMES Brasil – Arbitrator & Mediator (2018-Present)
- Brazil-Lebanon Arbitration & Mediation Chamber – Mediator (2019-Present)
Professional Experience
Current Positions
Legal Researcher
FIFA Legal Research Hub | 2024-Present
Leading FIFA’s global legal research initiatives, analyzing emerging trends in sports law and governance across jurisdictions.
Senior Advisor
Sports Conflict Institute | 2025-Present
Providing specialized expertise in international sports arbitration, cross-cultural dispute resolution, and Latin American sports law.
Faculty Member
University of Oregon Summer Sports Institute | 2017-Present
Teaching international sports law to J.D. students, covering CAS procedures, anti-doping, sports governance models, and athlete protection.
Selected Previous Experience
Principal
Fresh View Consultancy | 2016-2024
Led conflict management, governance, and compliance consulting for sports and lifestyle industries.
Chief Innovation Officer
Cambré | SE & IBN Sports & Entertainment | 2018-2022
Drove innovation strategies for international sports business and entertainment ventures across Europe and Latin America.
Legal Counsel
Sport Club Corinthians Paulista | 2014-2015
Managed legal affairs for one of Brazil’s largest football clubs, handling player contracts, governance, and regulatory compliance.
Head of Research
Brazilian Soccer Association National Dispute Resolution Chamber | 2018-2024
Led research initiatives supporting dispute resolution for Brazilian football’s governing body.
Areas of Expertise
- International Sports Arbitration (CAS, FIFA, FIVB)
- Latin American Sports Law & Governance
- Cross-Cultural Legal Translation & Negotiation
- Football Transfer Disputes & Economic Rights
- Lifestyle Industries Dispute Resolution
- Sports Integrity & Anti-Doping Procedures
- Art, Fashion & Entertainment Law
- Crisis Prevention & Conflict Management
- Sports Compliance & Governance Reform
- Mediation & Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Transnational Contract Negotiation
- Academic Research & Legal Education
Academic Credentials & Teaching
Education
- Ph.D. in Dispute Resolution – University of São Paulo School of Law (2024)
- LL.M. in Dispute Resolution – University of Oregon School of Law (2017)
- M.Sc. in Dispute Resolution – University of São Paulo School of Law (2018)
- LL.B. – University of São Paulo School of Law (2013)
- Certificate in Sports Arbitration – FIFA (2021)
- Financial Boot Camp – Wharton Executive Education (2019)
- Leadership Essentials – IMD Business School (2021)
Teaching & Academic Appointments
Currently serves as adjunct faculty at Mackenzie Presbyterian University (Sports Business MBA & Fashion Law LL.M.), visiting faculty at São Paulo Catholic Pontifical University (Sports Law), and faculty at CEDIN (Sports Law, Dispute Resolution, Negotiation). Guest lecturer for FIFA’s Certificate in Sports Arbitration and Diploma in Football Law programs, Den Haag University (Netherlands), and regular teaching assistant at University of São Paulo School of Law. Previously served as adjunct coordinator for CBF Academy’s legal and agency programs (2019-2024).
Publications & Thought Leadership
Selected Academic Works
- Sports, Procedure and Law: The Brazilian Football Dispute Processing Model – Ph.D. Dissertation, University of São Paulo (2024)
- Court of Arbitration for Sport and Doping: Jurisdiction, Procedure and Enforcement – LL.M. Thesis, University of Oregon (2017)
- Contribution to Sports Procedure Systematization: Sports Jurisdiction Foundation – M.Sc. Thesis, University of São Paulo (2018)
Selected Recent Publications
- “Reflections on the Impact of the Diarra Case on Brazilian Football’s Domestic Transfer Market” – Football Legal (2024)
- “Sports Law in 2024: Key Issues in Central & South America” – LawInSport (2024)
- “Access to Justice and Private Order: Sports Jurisdiction as Justice in Many Rooms” – Quartier Latin (2022)
- “Soccer Intermediaries & Agents Regulation: Quo Vadis FIFA?” – LexisNexis (2021)
- “Mediation and Football: CBF System Conflict Management in COVID-19” – Football Legal (2020)
- Editorial Board Member, LawInSport (2018-Present) with 40+ published articles
Notable Achievements & Recognition
- Appointed to Court of Arbitration for Sport Football List at age 31 (2022)
- Global Corners Award, University of Oregon (2016)
- Academic Excellence Scholarship, University of Oregon School of Law (2016)
- Coordinator/Director, Brazilian National Sports Law Academy (2020-Present)
- Advisory Board Member, IB|A Académie du Sport (France, 2017-Present)
- Advisory Board Member, University of São Paulo Sports Law Research Center (2017-Present)
- Member, International Association of Sports Law (IASL)
- Published author with over 40 articles on sports law and dispute resolution
Professional Service & Leadership
- CBMA Sports Special Council Member (2024-Present)
- Brazilian Bar Association Sports Gambling Commission (2024-Present)
- AIAF (France) Member (2023-Present)
- Brazilian Arbitration Committee Member (2023-Present)
- LawInSport Editorial Board (2018-Present)
- Brazilian Sports Law Institute Member (2016-Present)
- FIVB Appeals Panel Member (2021-2024)
- FIFA Mediator (2022-2024)
- Brazilian Bar Association São Paulo – Disciplinary & Ethics Tribunal Member (2024-2025)
Speaking & Consulting Topics
Roberto is available for keynote speaking, workshops, and consulting on:
- International Sports Arbitration and CAS Procedures
- Latin American Sports Law and Market Dynamics
- Cross-Cultural Negotiation in Sports Business
- FIFA Regulations and Football Governance
- Lifestyle Industries: Art, Fashion, and Entertainment Law
- Building Effective Dispute Resolution Systems
- Sports Integrity, Compliance, and Anti-Doping
- Crisis Prevention and Conflict Management Strategies
- Transnational Legal Practice and Cultural Translation
- Innovation in Sports Business and Legal Technology
Languages & Cultural Competency
Roberto’s multilingual capabilities—fluent in Portuguese, English, Italian, and Spanish, with elementary French—combined with his extensive international education and professional experience, enable him to navigate complex cross-cultural negotiations and serve as a bridge between different legal traditions. His passion for Eugene, Oregon, where he returns annually to teach, reflects his commitment to fostering international collaboration in sports law education.
Roberto de Palma Barracco, JD, LL.M., Ph.D.
Senior Practitioner | Sports Conflict Institute
FIFA Legal Researcher | CAS Arbitrator | International Sports Law Expert
Connect & Learn More
Leverage expertise in international sports arbitration, cross-cultural dispute resolution, and Latin American sports law.
Sports Conflict Institute | Portland, Oregon | info@sportsconflict.org