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Chambers Europe

Market sources consider this group “one of the front runners for banking matters.” It often deals with demanding and complex transactions, and clients laud the “ace team’s faultless language and negotiation skills.” In line with its high profile, the team recently advised Bank of America on the EUR192 million financing of the IPO for the Freeport Group, which involved the first Portuguese secured bond issue. Other key clients include Caixa - Banco de Investimento, Millennium bcp investimento and Eurohypo.
With a strong standing in the Portuguese market and a respected corporate team, this local firm acts for both private equity houses and companies. Clients observe: “It has extensive knowledge of the market and a broad range of specialists covering any area required.” The firm assisted Orey with the restructuring of its corporate group via the incorporation of a private equity fund. Other recent clients include ECS Capital and EDP - Energias de Portugal.
This ten-member group is a favourite choice with clients thanks to its “promptness and total efficiency in solving problems.” Private companies and financial houses are its main source of work in a broad range of projects, including infrastructure projects (particularly motorways), renewable energy and water concessions. The team advised an international syndicate of banks on the EUR450 million financing for one of the bidders for the Tunel do Marão road tunnel concession. Regular clients also include EDP, RBS and BES Investimento. “This is one of the best teams in the country, with an excellent track record,” competitors noted.

Chambers Global

Market sources consider this group “one of the front runners for banking matters.” It often deals with demanding and complex transactions, and clients laud the “ace team’s faultless language and negotiation skills.” In line with its high profile, the team recently advised Bank of America on the EUR192 million financing of the IPO for the Freeport Group, which involved the first Portuguese secured bond issue. Other key clients include Caixa - Banco de Investimento, Millennium bcp investimento and Eurohypo.

Legal 500

Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados is considered ‘an excellent choice’ for banking and finance matters. Its reputation is largely attributed to the calibre of its lawyers, including the formidable Luís Branco, considered ‘ the best Portuguese banking lawyer there is’, partner Filipe Lowndes Marques, and senior lawyer, Pedro Gorjao Henriques. The team advised Eurohype-Lisbon in the refinancing of two shopping centres; the deal, valued at €171.5m, involved using a complex crossed security structure in order to avoid financial assistant issues. The team also advised Bank of America on an acquisition finance matter for Carlyle Group, while other banking clients include Millennium BCP and Norscut. Clients rate the team’s ‘ knowledge, efficiency, performance and integrity’.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados advised an international syndicate of banks on the €471m project finance structure of the Marão Tunnel highway concession, the first to close under the new Portuguese roads legal framework. The team also advised another syndicate of banks on the €557.7m financing of a power plant in Pego. Luís Branco, noted for offering ‘ always brilliant solutions’, leads the department, while Filipe Lowndes Marques is considered a key practitioner. The team ‘ has the expertise and knowledge to provide legal services to a project finance deals for both sponsors and banks’.Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares Da Silva & Associados advised an international syndicate of banks on the €471m project finance structure of the Marão Tunnel highway concession, the first to close under the new Portuguese roads legal framework. The team also advised another syndicate of banks on the €557.7m financing of a power plant in Pego. Luís Branco, noted for offering ‘ always brilliant solutions’, leads the department, while Filipe Lowndes Marques is considered a key practitioner. The team ‘ has the expertise and knowledge to provide legal services to a project finance deals for both sponsors and banks’.
Recent highlights for Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados include advising Impresa on its acquisition of several media companies, as well as assisting Sonaecom in a number of high-profile acquisitions, valued at €50m. António Lobo Xavier leads a department that clients praise as ‘ very efficient and very good quality’, citing, ‘ we can always trust on the work done’.

IFLR 1000

Morais Leitão Galvão Teles Soares da Silva & Associados is the most consistent team in the rankings, according to clients and rivals. Says one competitor: “They have a great team in banking – they are proactive, trustwhorthy, and have a great lawyer in Luís Branco.” Filipe Lowndes Marques also receives much praise from the market for his banking work, and is regarded by the market as an “exceptional lawyer”. In February 2008, the firm advised RBS on Portuguese law matters in the €40 million financing of the acquisition of the public Swiss company Unilabs. In one of the most important deals in Portugal this year, the team advised Energias de Portugal (EDP) in the negotiation and execution of a $3 billion credit facility for the acquisition of Horizon Wind Energy. In October 2007, the firm advised Eurohyppo in €316 million acquisition and refinancing to both Almada Fórum and Montijo Fórum. In addition, the team advised long-time client EDP in the execution of a revolving credit agreement.
Morais Leitão Galvão Teles Soares da Silva & Associados’ project finance is respected by competitors for the depth of its knowledge. “It is one of the firms that if you have a deal with them, you always end up learning something”, says one rival. The partner adds: “They have Luís Branco, who is an amazing lawyer, and Filipe Lowndes Marques, also a good lawyer, and are involved in most of the project finance deals in Portugal.” The firm has a strong domestic project finance practice, advising in many of the key Portuguese project finance transactions for this year. In December 2007, the firm advised Banco Espírito Santo in the financing for the first hazardous-materials treatment centre in Portugal. In March 2008, the firm advised a bank syndicate on a €550 million project finance facility to a company held by International Power and Endesa for the construction and development of a natural-gas power plant. A month later, the team advised a bank syndicate in the financing for the Túnel do Marão road tunnel concession. “I think the firm has a deep knowledge and experience in project finance and provides an excellent service to their clients”, comments one client. “Luís Branco has extensive experience in project finance, and is very proactive in trying to solve things and reaching a successful transaction.”

Lawyers

Chambers Europe

Luís Branco stands out for his “extremely creative and value-added advice,” and sources attest that he is “a top-notch banking and finance lawyer who is directly and personally involved in every single deal.”
Filipe Lowndes Marques is another notable member of the department. This “hands-on and outstanding” lawyer’s fruitful practice includes banking and finance, PFI and investment funds.
Corporate partner Tomás Vaz Pinto deals with private equity matters and is described as “a friendly, organised and dedicated lawyer with strong technical skills.”
Competitors noted, singling out group head Luís Branco as “one of Portugal’s most knowledgeable projects lawyers.” Branco and newly promoted partner Filipe Lowndes Marques lead “an experienced group of lawyers who promote the smooth running of negotiations, focusing on the relevant matters.”
Branco and newly promoted partner Filipe Lowndes Marques lead “an experienced group of lawyers who promote the smooth running of negotiations, focusing on the relevant matters.”

Chambers Global

Luís Branco stands out for his “extremely creative and value-added advice,” and sources attest that he is “a top-notch banking and finance lawyer who is directly and personally involved in every single deal.”
Filipe Lowndes Marques is another notable member of the department. This “outstanding, hands-on” lawyer’s fruitful practice includes banking and finance, PFI and investment funds.

IFLR 1000

Luís Branco

Leading Lawyer Banking
2009

Luís Branco

Leading Lawyer Project Finance
2009

Filipe Lowndes Marques

Leading Lawyer Project Finance
2009