After graduating with a degree in Law in 1993 at Law School of Bauru University Center, in São Paulo, Mendonça concluded his specialization in Public Law at University of Brasília, Master's degree at University of Salamanca, with a thesis about corruption and the Rechtsstaat and received the highest grade by his Doctor's degree thesis Estado de Derecho y Gobernanza Global at the same University. Mendonça is assistant professor in Salanabca and Getúlio Vargas Foundation. He also graduated with a degree in Theology at Sul American Theological College, in Londrina, and served as a pastor at Presbyterian Church of Brazil, in Brasília. He was a lawyer at Petrobras Distribuidora, until joining the career of Attorney for Brazil at the Attorney General's office in 2000. He served as Head of the Solicitor General Office at Londrina, Vice-Principal of the office's school, coordinator of Disciplinary Measures and General Auditor. Mendonça was director of Department of Public Patrimony and Administrative Probity, nominated by then Attorney GeneralDias Toffoli, and coordinated the Permanent Group of AGU Pro-Active Acting. In 2010, the Department under his leadership helped to recover part of R$169 million, intended for the construction of the Labor Regional Court in São Paulo, which were embezzled from public safes. Between the convicted were justice Nicolau dos Santos Neto and then Senator Luiz Estevão. He also gained prominence at AGU for winning the special category in Innovare Award in 2011 - which honors efficient practices in the Judiciary, Public Prosecutor's Office, Public Defense and advocacy. Innovare recognized the practices of fight against corruption adopted by AGU. Between 2016 and 2018, he was special assistant for Comptroller GeneralWagner de Campos Rosário. On 21 November 2018, President-elect Jair Bolsonaro named him as the next Attorney General. He succeeded Grace Mendonça, who praised the selection of her successor from among AGU employees. Prior to his nomination, Mendonça had mostly worked at the Controllership General of the Union, where he was responsible to lead leniency agreements which involved the collaboration of great companies involved in illicit cases. On 27 April 2020, Bolsonaro named Mendonça to be Minister of Justice and Public Security upon the resignation of Sérgio Moro. He assumed that office on 29 April.
