Clients named this as “a top-notch firm” for restructurings, acquisitions, joint ventures split offs and M&A. The group’s corporate focus on complex multinational cases is said to be “undeniably its forte”. Clients note the team’s involvement in some of the most “intricate” cases including its advice for Cadbury Schweppes in the acquisition of Adams from Pfizer for €4.2 billion. The group was adviser to Ascom Holding, a Swiss-listed telecoms company, on the sale of its private bank exchange division to Aastra Technologies. In a further matter it advised EDP on the structured sale of Iberdrola stock, which involved the creation of a legal structure to allow sale of stock due to the contractual conditions agreed between EDP and Iberdrola. The Clients: Abertis; Auchan; Akeler (Security Capital Group); Cadbury Schweppes and Cadbury Adams; Diageo; EDP; GLOBO TV; Hays; Heinz; Pernod Ricard and FLS Industries.

Led by Segismundo Pinto Basto and Maria Antónia Menezes, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares Da Silva & Associados maintains a involved in the sale of the minority stake of Galp Energia, where it acted for EDP – Electricidade de Portugal. Partner Luís Branco is also highly recommended in this area.

His “terrific” colleague Miguel Galvão Teles has the ability to deal with a variety of areas in public, constitutional and corporate law. Clients praise: his “excellent negotiation skills” and consider him “a generalist who can deal with anything thrown at him.”

“Magnificent negotiator” Nuno Galvão Teles led the team in the advice given to EDP, worth an estimated €315 million, on the transfer of the entire share capital of OPTEP, SGPS, SA, a telecoms holding company that indirectly holds 25.5% stake in Optimus, the third-largest mobile telecoms operator in Portugal.

Head of corporate Filipa Arantes Pedroso spearheaded the team advising Globo Group on the sale of its 15% stake in Portuguese company SIC, owner of one of the two private channels to BPI which exercised its pre-emption right after a €20 million offer made by BPN.

“Rising name” Segismundo Pinto Basto specialises in energy and M&A. He was noted for his leadership skills in a case concerning Portucel, SGPS, in the second phase of reprivatisation of the company share capital for a total of €396 million. He also acted for WPP in the acquisition of a 40% share capital in Marktest Investimentos, SGPS, SA.