The public law practice at this domestic powerhouse concentrates on public work for a variety of private companies. Its main areas of focus are public tenders; regulation within a variety of sectors including energy, health, telecoms and urban planning; and administrative litigation. The team plays a central role in the pharmaceutical industry and advises energy companies such as REN and EDP - Energias de Portugal on public procurement matters. Recent highlights include advising the APL (Lisbon Port Authorities) on the launching of a public tender for the award of the future operation of the new Lisbon multi-purpose terminal, and assisting with the Parque Escolar project, responsible for the modernisation of public schools across Portugal. Clients praise the group for its professionalism and responsiveness.

The multidisciplinary TMT group at this Portuguese giant comprises lawyers from the public law, dispute resolution, competition and corporate/M&A departments, and is strong in all three areas of TMT. On the media side, the team represents private television broadcaster SIC in various regulatory issues, and in the IT area the group advises clients on compliance, software licensing and data protection matters. Recent mandates include assisting Sonaecom with various matters, such as advising its subsidiary Optimus on a mobile phone 4G bid, and challenging the new regulatory fee structure. Sources say: “These lawyers are problem solvers. It is easy to discuss matters with them.”

‘One of the best Portuguese firms’, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ very strong public law practice is recognised for its ‘in-depth knowledge’, ‘incisive advice’ and ‘prompt feedback’. The team is led by the ‘excellent’ duo of Fernanda Matoso and Margarida Olazabal Cabral. Cabral is advising ENATUR on several public tenders, and assisting Pfizer and Abbott Laboratórios on public procurement matters. Matoso is representing Lusoponte-Concessionária para a Travessia do Tejo in an ongoing litigation case. Pedro Gonçalves is also recommended. Senior lawyers Nuno Peres Alves and Miguel Nogueira de Brito also have notable clients, the former advising Sonaecom and Auchan Group, and the latter advising EDP on energy saving projects and public contract issues.

Margarida Olazabal Cabral leads the team and is highlighted by sources for her deep knowledge of public procurement.

Pedro Costa Gonçalves is also an important member of the team, and worked on the Parque Escolar schools project.

Sources regard Nuno Peres Alves as “hard-working and technically astute.”

Sources praise key team member Nuno Peres Alves for his telecoms expertise.

Clients deem IT area head Helena Tapp Barroso “co-operative, practical and quick. She is prepared to talk the TMT language.”

Renowned capital markets lawyer Carlos Osório de Castro has in-depth experience in the TMT field and works closely with Sonaecom.