Ruiz Miguel Human Rights

ABOUT

Ruiz Miguel is a boutique law firm specialising in international human rights law. Founded by Isabella Ruiz Miguel, who holds an MSc in International Human Rights Law from the University of Oxford and has legal experience in Brazil and abroad, the firm bridges international standards and national legal systems to support organisations, NGOs, and companies in implementing concrete social and institutional change.

International Human Rights Law · Strategic Advocacy · Business & Human Rights

SERVICES

International Human Rights Law

Specialised legal advice on international protection norms and mechanisms

•Engagement with international and regional human rights mechanisms (UN treaty bodies, Universal Periodic Review, Inter-American System)
•Strategic legal analysis and drafting of technical opinions for strategic litigation and institutional advocacy, in Brazil and before international mechanisms
•Applied legal research in international law and Brazilian law
•Advisory on the domestic implementation of international treaties to strengthen public policies and inform positions in global forums

Strategic Advocacy & Applied Research

Specialised legal support to strengthen institutional strategies and engagement in domestic and international settings

•Legal advisory for advocacy and institutional engagement initiatives
•Drafting of technical reports, shadow reports, and legal submissions for international bodies and governments
•Applied legal research in international law, comparative law, and Brazilian law
•Normative and strategic analysis for public policy development

Business & Human Rights

Legal consultancy in Business & Human Rights for companies, investors, and institutional stakeholders

•Human rights due diligence and social audits
•Human rights impact and risk assessments
•Development and review of ESG policies, frameworks, and practices
•Alignment with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and other international standards

Training & Capacity Building

Development of tailor-made workshops, courses, and training programmes for organisations, NGOs, companies, and public institutions

Training and capacity building in:

•International human rights law
•Business and human rights
•International protection mechanisms
•Strategic advocacy and normative analysis

ABOUT ISABELLA RUIZ MIGUEL

Education

MSc, University of Oxford

LLB, University of São Paulo

•MSc International Human Rights Law - University of Oxford (2025)
•LLB Law - University of São Paulo (2015)
•Postgraduate Certificate in Human Rights - CEI Course (2020-2021)
•Course 'How to Do Advocacy' - AdvocacyHub (2021)

Legal Experience

10+ years of legal experience, including in human rights, asylum, migration, and corporate law

Over a decade of legal experience in human rights, corporate law, and civil law across multiple settings (law firms, civil society, and academia). Successfully passed the public examination for Public Defender of the Federal District (2020).

Civil Society

Reception and protection of refugees at Caritas Arquidiocesana de São Paulo

Experience with the reception and protection of refugees and asylum seekers at Caritas Arquidiocesana de São Paulo, combined with applied research to support casework and analysis of public policies on migration and asylum.

Applied Research

Oxford Pro Bono Publico

Served at the Oxford Pro Bono Publico (2023–2025) as Research Officer, Communications Officer, and Chairperson, working on legal research projects for NGOs, experts, and international organisations.

Our work spans NGOs, academic research centres, companies, private foundations, and human rights organisations in Brazil and abroad.