The article investigates the trajectories and requirements that led to the appointment of the first judges of the Court of Appeal of Pernambuco. The study highlights the strategies employed by these individuals to achieve such positions, examining factors such as academic achievements, political alliances, and the influence of their families. An analysis of the nuances of these paths will be carried out, from before enrollment at the University of Coimbra, outlining a panorama permeated by the need for financial resources and skill in forming alliances, especially for those from overseas. The main goal is to enrich the understanding of the journey of those who crossed the Atlantic in search of legal education and entered the judicial career.