Brazilian strategist José Lemes Soares (JL Soares) has been gaining increasing visibility for his work in civil counterintelligence and high-complexity conflict resolution – a technical field that typically operates out of public view but has become indispensable across corporate, institutional, and family-governance environments in Latin America.
According to an article on AP News, the strategist’s growing prominence reflects a rising demand for expertise in handling systemic conflicts that conventional mechanisms cannot resolve.
Soares studied at Gordonstoun International School in Scotland – the same school attended by King Charles III – and comes from a family that established one of Brazil’s historic transportation groups. This background shaped an analytical method that integrates counterintelligence logic, structural diagnostics, legal-strategy alignment, and advanced negotiation engineering.
Today, he leads Perseu Counterintelligence, an independent structure that takes on conflicts where corporate, legal, or administrative tools have reached their operational limits.
A Technical Discipline That Operates Beyond Traditional Mechanisms
Unlike political or corporate consultancy, civil counterintelligence focuses on environments where:
- Informal power dynamics overshadow formal governance
- structural mechanisms determine outcomes more than documents
- Multiple stakeholders generate systemic deadlock
- hidden veto points impede progress despite legal compliance
- Conflicts unfold across emotional, organizational, financial, and structural layers
Instead of psychological or behavioral analysis, the work prioritizes identifying structural mechanisms that dictate real-world decision-making, including:
- decision-architecture dependence
- informal governance capture
- structural gatekeeping
- information asymmetry
- coercive internal environments
- power-concentration nodes
- multi-party stalemates
- vulnerabilities in authority and communication flows
“Many conflicts escalate not because of legal restrictions, but because of hidden structural forces no traditional tool is designed to detect,” Soares explains. “Our job is to neutralize these forces so institutions can function normally again.”
Publicly Documented Cases That Helped Establish His Reputation
Although most operations at Perseu remain confidential, several publicly verifiable cases have contributed to Soares’ recognition.
1. Unoeste/APEC Corporate Transformation
One of Brazil’s largest private universities faced a months-long deadlock during a corporate transformation. Major legal teams were unable to identify the root cause.
Because a family member of Soares was involved, the scenario did not fall under NDA, allowing parts of the case to be described publicly. Also check reelevant.
At the university’s request, Soares engaged directly with stakeholders who were blocking the process. Perseu identified a structural gatekeeper – an informal power mechanism capable of halting collective decisions.
Once the underlying structure was isolated, the deadlock dissolved.
The transaction was finalized within weeks.
Prominent law firms Mattos Filho and Manassero Advogados handled the closing after the intervention. Unoeste later issued a public note recognizing the importance of Soares’ participation, with additional testimonials available on Perseu’s website.
2. Fraud Attempt at a Brazilian Automobile Dealership
A dealership attempted to fraudulently sell a vehicle owned by Soares. The case escalated and was later documented by national television when congressman and TV host Celso Russomanno intervened on-site.
The dealership refunded the buyer, transferred the funds to Soares, and was ultimately shut down.
3. Europe-Based Technical Case Linked to an International Gaming Platform
During a period in the Netherlands, Soares carried out a technical assessment involving a global online gaming platform. Only limited information is public due to operational restrictions, but the existence of the intervention is documented.
4. Cross-Border Case Involving a U.S.-Based Executive
Perseu also managed a highly complex case affecting an executive connected to a major U.S. multinational beverage corporation. The operation required structural mapping and coordination across jurisdictions.
Operating Principles: Selective Engagement and Ethical Alignment
Although Perseu is a private structure and its operations require significant investment, Soares applies strict criteria before accepting any engagement:
- ethical alignment must be clear
- The structural architecture must be solvable
- systemic imbalance or risk must be present
- Motivation must go beyond financial incentives
“No financial offer alone can activate Perseu,” he notes.
“Complex conflicts demand motivation, alignment, and purpose.”
Increasing Demand and International Reach
Perseu operates through a flexible network consisting of:
- ethical hackers
- professionals with governmental counterintelligence backgrounds
- forensic analysts
- legal partners in Israel, the U.S., and Europe
- specialists in negotiation engineering
The structure adapts to each case by assembling the exact configuration of experts required for its technical and structural challenges.
This adaptability, combined with documented results – has fueled rising demand both regionally and internationally.
