M L

Sobre Nós

Pesquisa

A Sociedade

Chambers Europe

This traditional Portuguese firm has long been at the forefront of banking and finance matters in the country. Its ten-strong team handles structured finance, investment funds, derivatives, insurance and project finance issues on behalf of local and international banks and investment funds. In addition to the influence it enjoys in Portugal, the firm has strong ties to law firms in Angola, Brazil and Macau. Sources say: "The lawyers always have their eye on the goal. Technically sound and very well organised."

Chambers Global

Band 1

Banking and Finance

2013
Band 1

Projects

2013

Legal 500

Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados is highly recommended for its domestic financing work. Luís Branco’s team counts Banco Comercial Português, Banif – Banco de Investimento, Eurohypo and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria among its clients. It is active in advising key banks on debt restructuring matters, while other recent work includes assisting with the structuring of an aircraft lease agreement, and advising on a term loan facility agreement granted to an Angolan corporation. The ‘very good’ Filipe Lowndes Marques is ‘a sound lawyer’ noted for his ‘great gravitas and experience’.
One of the best firms for project finance work’, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados has particular experience in renewable projects in Portugal and Portuguese-speaking Africa. The team is also involved in the restructuring of credit facilities for a shopping centre development. Clients include Banco Santander Investment, the European Investment Bank, and Group Espírito Santo. Luís Branco is ‘very good’, and Filipe Lowndes Marques and senior associate Pedro Gorjão Henriques are recommended.

IFLR 1000

One of the few firms to take a top ranking across all three practice areas, Morais Leitão is simply put one of the premier financing firms in Portugal. With Luís Branco at the helm of the banking and project finance teams and João Soares da Silva guiding the capital markets team, the firm has two premier operators. Elsewhere in the financing department, Filipe Lowndes Marques is another active and highly regarded name spanning both bank and projects work. "Morais Leitão is by far the best firm. They have continued to approach us. They spend a lot of time with us, they make sure we are good," says one client. While the practice is fairly broad, the team is most often active on the bank side. Deals: On the bank side Luis Branco and Filipe Lowndes Marques acted for Banco Comercial Portugues, Banco Espírito Santo and Caixa Geral de Depósitos on the €3 billion financing of the public offer for Brisa Auto-Estrada de Portugal by Tagus Holdings. Branco also assisted China Development Bank on a $70 million loan granted to Angolan company Unitel for the payment of equipment. In the capital markets space, the firm has been involved in various matters related to bank recapitilisations, advising the likes of Banco Comercial Portugues. Luísa Soares da Silva also advised the bank on updates to its €25 billion EMTN programme and its €12.5 billion covered bonds programme. Soares da Silva also advised Deutsche Bank as the dealers on a similar deal for Banco Espírito Santo. The team has also advised EDP on various debt issuances. On the equity side Nuno Galvão Teles has advised the banks on the preparation of IPOs for the likes of Efacec Capital and TIM.
Despite problems in recent years, renewable energy is still an active sector in Portugal and last year the firm picked up two notable wind farm deals. In one Lowndes Marques advised the European Investment Bank (EIB) on the €260 million financing of 14 windfarms by ENEOP 2 and in a similar matter the same partner acted for the Government of Cape Verde on the €45 million project financing for a series of wind farms on the islands. Elsewhere in the financing department, Filipe Lowndes Marques is another active and highly regarded name spanning both bank and projects work.

Advogados

Chambers Europe

Seasoned player Luís Branco receives unanimous praise for his expertise in this area. "He's pragmatic, has strong commercial acumen, sets objectives and aims to achieve them. He has years of experience as well as excellent technical knowledge and negotiating skills," remarks a client.
Clients enjoy working with Filipe Lowndes Marques: "He is very intelligent and constructive, and offers high availability and responsiveness. He identifies risks and gives us exactly what we need."
Luís Branco leads the team. Clients admire his "solid technical knowledge, common sense and calm, balanced approach."
Commentators describe Filipe Lowndes Marques as "very commercial, tough and proactive."
Associate Cláudia Castanheira dos Santos is singled out as having a promising future. Her practice focuses on structured finance, real estate and project finance.

Chambers Global

Clients enjoy working with Filipe Lowndes Marques: "He is very intelligent and constructive, and offers high availability and responsiveness. He identifies risks and gives us exactly what we need."
Seasoned player Luís Branco receives unanimous praise for his expertise in this area. "He's pragmatic, has strong commercial acumen, sets objectives and aims to achieve them. He has years of experience as well as excellent technical knowledge and negotiating skills," remarks a client.
Luís Branco leads the team. Clients admire his "solid technical knowledge, common sense and calm, balanced approach."
Commentators describe Filipe Lowndes Marques as "very commercial, tough and proactive."
Associate Cláudia Castanheira dos Santos is singled out as a promising prospect for the future. Her practice focuses on structured finance, real estate and project finance.

IFLR 1000

Luís Branco

Leading Lawyer Project Finance
2013

João Soares da Silva

Leading Lawyer Project Finance
2013