He graduated in law in 1929, but exercised the profession of journalist, corresponding to the newspapers in the Bahian capital "Diário da Bahia" and "A Tarde".

In 1934, Filho entered politics, being elected federal deputy, being removed due to the coup of the Estado Novo, which returned him to journalism.

One of the founders of the PSD, he was re-elected to the same post, after the end of the Vargas Era, in 1945, in successive terms until 1966, when he became incompatible to run for the state government – in an election along the lines of the Military Regime, whose installation in the country he had supported – having been, since 1964, Extraordinary Minister for Affairs of the Civil Cabinet of the exception regime.

Filho became a Professor of Private International Law and History of Brazil at the Federal University of Bahia.

He was elected to the Brazilian Academy of Letters on 8 April 1954, the third member of Chair 22, whose patron is José Bonifacio.