The São Paulo branch of the Brazilian bar association forced the cancellation last week of a seminar on U.S. law that was to be given by U.S.-based attorneys because those attorneys weren't registered in the country as foreign legal advisers.

The Order of Brazilian Attorneys in São Paulo warned March 6 that providing legal advice without registering as a foreign legal adviser could result in fines or even incarceration.

Furthermore, the group said that registered foreign legal advisers are forbidden from holding marketing events and educational seminars aimed at capturing clients in Brazil. They said a representative of the local chapter of the bar association, Ivan Rafael Bueno, personally delivered the message and explained the "seriousness" of the situation.