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A Sociedade

Chambers Global

Since the 2004 merger between Morais Leitão, J Galvão Teles & Associados and Miguel Galvão Teles, João Soares da Silva & Associados, this firm has continued to consolidate its position in the market as one of Portugal’s leading firms in the sector. “The idea of bringing together the experience and expertise of the two firms is clearly working, and the group is consequently involved in the vast majority of the market’s major operations,” according to interviewees. Clients are full of praise for the “sober, solid and discreet lawyers who made up the team, a group capable of handling complex transactions and taking an aggressive stance when necessary.” Clients/Work Highlights: The practice advised BCP in the €1.5 billion securitisation of mortgage loan receivables using an FTC structure, and assisted this leading financial institution in relation to the €185 million credit facility granted to Controlinveste for the acquisition of the entire share capital of the media group Lusomundo. It also advised the banks on the €450 million refinancing of the Portuguese mobile phone operator Optimus. The team assisted Eurohypo on the €467 million sale of a portfolio of Portuguese mortgage credits in the international markets via an innovative legal structure. This allows for the registration in Portugal of the assigned creditors, whilst not involving withholding of tax in relation to the respective interest payments. Other key clients on the roster include: BNP Paribas; BES; Caixa Geral de Depósitos; Optimus; EDP; Portugália and Pontegadea.
The 2004 merger between the longestablished Portuguese law firms Morais Leitão, J. Galvão Teles & Associados and Miguel Galvão Teles, João Soares da Silva & Associados cemented the group’s reputation as one of Portugal’s market leaders for M&A and corporate law. The team advises a significant number of the main companies listed in the Lisbon Stock Market, as well as the major banks, and has experience of advising foreign clients on their business dealings in Portugal. Furthermore, “high-value, complex and cross-border transactions make up a significant portion of the group’s workload,” according to commentators. Clients spoke of a “highly experienced and dedicated team that forms part of a top-drawer, full-service firm with expertise across the board.” Clients/Work Highlights: The team advised EDP, a client who provides the firm with a substantial amount of work, on the acquisition of an additional 56.2% shareholding in the share capital of Hidrocantábrico. This manoeuvre enabled EDP to control 97.5% of Hidrocantábrico’s share capital. The transaction was valued at €1.2 billion. The team also assisted Millennium bcp in its negotiations with several bidders for the sale of its insurance companies, valued at €843 million. Portugal Telecom instructed the group on the structuring of the first share buy-back programme concerning Euronext Lisbon-listed companies, involving the acquisition of shares and the cancellation of shares connected with it. The deal was valued at approximately €790 million. Other highlights include advising Portucel on the €334 million reprivatisation of an indivisible block of nominative shares representing 30% of its share capital. Additional clients of the firm include: Abertis; Auchan; Akeler (Security Capital Group); Diageo; Cadbury Schweppes and Cadbury Adams; Globo TV; HJ Heinz; Lusoponte; Philips; Pernod Ricard; BES; BPI; BBVA; Bank of New York and Millennium bcp.
Since its merger in 2004, “the firm has consolidated its position in the market as the leading firm for litigation and arbitration.” It continues to grow and offers vast expertise in civil and commercial litigation, white-collar crime and fraud, as well as domestic and international arbitration, insolvency and bankruptcy. According to clients, the group offers an “incredibly strong team of proactive and resourceful practitioners, supported by the firm’s modern and fantastic structure.” Clients/Work Highlights: The group advised the Portuguese government in a €480 million lawsuit requesting indemnity by virtue of the privatisation of Banco Português do Atlântico, and represented EDP on the arbitration case against the public entity in charge of the construction of the Alqueva dam. A partner of the firm was counsel and advocate for Portugal in a case concerning the legality of the use of force (Serbia and Montenegro v Portugal) at the ICJ. Other key clients of the practice include: BP; Indian Union; Lusoponte; Oni Way; Pfizer; Millenium BCP; Banco Espirito Santo e Comercial de Lisboa and BTA Santander.
This powerful team “clearly belongs in the first tier considering the sheer number of high-profile deals that it handles,” according to market feedback. Interviewees further highlight the team’s “consistent quality and its exceptional experience of acting for banks and financial institutions.” The firm has continued to provide legal advice to Lusoponte on issues related to the new bridge over the River Tagus, one of the largest projects ever carried out in Portugal with a value of €900 million. The group has also been active in the construction of football stadiums, PPPs in the health sector, and in projects related to water concessions, rail transport, wind and hydro energy, and roads. Clients/Work Highlights: The team advised Millennium BCP in financing the concession for the €717.3 million construction and operation of the Litoral Centro motorway, and represented the bank syndicate led by Banco Espírito Santo, in connection with the PPP public tender for the Loures Hospital valued at €142 million. Highlights of the year also include advising banks in the renegotiation of the concession of the rail link between Lisbon and the south coast of the Tagus valued at approximately €103 million. Other clients on the roster include: Fertagus; EDP; Abertis; AGS; Aquapor; BPI; Natexis Bank; Fortis Bank; Enersis and Caixa Geral de Depósitos.
The Firm: According to commentators, this “imaginative and confidence-inspiring team is excellent and a pleasure to work with.” The practice has substantial expertise in public procurements and project finance, and regularly acts for the Portuguese government in matters related to airports, railways and roads. Litigation also takes up a significant amount of the group’s time. Clients/Work Highlights: The team advised Águas de Portugal on public procurement and water legislation issues, and continues its long relationship with Lusoponte, assisting it in relation to the €1 billion third crossing of the river Tagus in Lisbon. The group also advised Rodoviária de Lisboa on the negotiations with the Portuguese government of compensation for public service obligations. Other main clients on the roster include: Administration of the Ports of Lisbon; AGS; EDP; Pfizer; Parque Expo and Sonae.
Clients were impressed with the quality of this ten-lawyer team’s work. The group has considerable experience in the field and has rendered advice to the Portuguese government and municipalities regarding urban operations and the provision of innovative solutions. Clients/Work Highlights: The team advised the Portuguese government on the creation of a programme to relocate several ministries and public services. It assisted Sonae on real estate matters relating to shopping centres, land use and planning. Saip instructed the group on the planning and construction of a €620 million tourism real estate venture in the Alentejo. Other clients include: Lusotur; Metro Sul do Tejo; Parque Expo; Inditex; Junta de Turismo da Costa do Estoril; Vila Sol; Lusoponte and Casa Amiga.
This substantial team has a “terrific knowledge of tax legislation, excellent international experience and a tremendous turnover.” Over the past twelve months, the group has been particularly active assisting its blue-chip clients on a significant number of tax reorganisations and a range of other tax issues. Judicial and administrative litigation are other key areas of development of this practice, whose lawyers also regularly assist on the firm’s M&A, project finance and privatisation transactions. Clients/Work Highlights: The team advised the Portuguese government in the sale of non-performing tax and social security claims for securitisation, involving an initial purchase price of approximately €1.8 billion of claims, with a nominal amount of €11.5 billion. This operation was the first of its kind carried out by a European state. The practice also assisted Pestana Group on the reorganisation of structures related to the taxation of its intellectual and industrial property, cash pooling and other tourist-related activities, and represented EDP Group in relation to several corporate transactions as well as in international operations in Spain and Brazil. Highlights of the year include the team’s assistance to Banco Espírito Santo, as the Portuguese mandated lead arranger of a USD2.25 billion jumbo loan for financing debts of the Angolan state and Angolan entities owed to the Portuguese state and a group of Portuguese banks and financial institutions. Other clients on the roster include: Portucel; Chevron Texaco; Santander Group; UniCredit; Nutrexpa; McKinsey; HP; Lusoponte; Impresa Group; BCP and Makro.

Legal 500

Tier 1

Leading Commercial Firms: Oporto

2006
One of the most acclaimed specialists in the field is Luís Branco, head of department at Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados. The firm boasts two partners in banking (partner Filipa Arantes Pedroso is also a leading individual) leading a team of eight lawyers. Well known for being the leading advisor to Banco Comercial Português, one of the largest banks, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ highlights in 2005 include advising the said bank with respect to the granting of credit facilities to Control invest, SA for the acquisition of leading Portuguese media group Lusomundo – Serviços, SGPS, SA - a deal worth € 184, 800 m. Senior associates Pedro Gorjão Henriques and Filipe Lowndes Marques are also highly regarded in the sector.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados is a universally acknowledge as being at the top of the capital markets tree. Boasting some of the most highly experienced partners is the field such as name partner João Soares da Silva and Nuno Galvão Teles, the firm was most notably involved in advising Millennium BCP in the €1.5 m securitisation of a mortgage backed credit portfolio. Following the firm’s merger with Osório de Castro, Verde Pinho, Vieira Peres, Lobo Xavier e Associados, the arrival of expert partners Carlos Osório de Castro is one of the most notable ones to Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ capital markets team.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados scored a major coup in the market once again by merging with outstanding former second-tier firm Osório de Castro, Verde Pinho, Vieira Peres, Lobo Xavier e Associados. The move justifies this year’s promotion in first tier, given the unparalleled corporate and commercial team and the quality of clients that were brought together under the same roof. The firm owes its stellar reputation to a thoroughly impressive team of corporate partners which includes name partner João Soares da Silva, Nuno Galvão Teles, Carlos Osório de Castro, António Lobo Xavier, Joaquim Vieira Peres, Eduardo Verde Pinho, Segismundo Pinto Basto and Luísa Soares da Silva. Its expertise in top-drawer deals was confirmed in its advice to EDP (Energias de Portugal) in the negociation with REN (Rede eléctrica Nacional) for the termination of a number of power purchase agreements, an operation adding up to €3.2bn. Other highlights include advising the same client in the €81 m sale of a 60% stake in the share capital of Edinfor to LogicaCMG.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ formidable capability in litigation is recognised in the market by peers and clients alike. Spearheaded by co-managing partner António Pinto Leite, the department boasts eight highly regarded partners and 20 lawyers. Name partner João Morais Leitão (mainly developing his work in arbitration), José Manuel Galvão Teles and Miguel Galvão Teles are just a few of the more senior names . While regularly being involved in some of the leading litigation cases in the country, the firm has also, most notably acted as advocate for the Portuguese Government in a case concerning the legality of the use of force the International Court of Justice (Serbia and Montenegro v. Portugal). Acting in major arbitrations for EDP – Energias de Portugal are other highlights of 2005.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados continues to enhance its reputation with strong merger control capability co-existing alongside a renowned litigation practice, as demonstrated by its representation of BCA (Banco Comercial dos Açores) before the ECJ regarding the annulment of a decision by the Commission on the compatibility of income tax in the Azores with EU state and rules. Partners Carlos Botelho Moniz and Joaquim Vieira Peres are two of the most reputed in the field.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados is legal counsel to some of the most important players in the Portuguese market. The team comprises three partners and is headed by senior associate Luís Miguel Monteiro. Highlights last year include advising BCP (Banco Comercial Português) on the proposed privatization and acquisition of the majority of the share capital of Banca Comerciale Romana, the largest Romanian bank.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ six-strong team is led by co-managing partner and litigation expert António Pinto Leite and is the adviser of choice for a wide range of international and domestic clients. The firm advised Pernod Ricard Portugal on trade marks in the context of its acquisitions of the Allied Domecq Group.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados had another successful year across the board with partners Luís Branco and Filipa Arantes Pedroso spearheading a team whose highlights last year include advising the syndicate of leading Portuguese banks that provided project finance facilities to the Sport Lisboa e Benfica Stadium. The work was connected to the €100m restructuring of such facilities by introducing a commercial credits assignment structure. Other major projects the firm was involved with include the €103m Tagus rail link concession and the €36m natural gas concession.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados offers a high standard of legal advice and collects praise for its outstanding team. Partner Fernanda Matoso is a leading individual and fellow partners João Serra and João Pereira Reis are also highly regarded practitioners. Some of the firm’s main operations include giving legal opinions on public procurement and water legislation issues to ADP (Águas de Portugal), advising concessionaire AGS in matters related to water and sewage concessions, and advising EDP (Electricidade de Portugal) on legal issues concerning electricity tariffs. Senior associate Margarida Olabazal Cabral gamers high praise.
Also recognised as a leading practice, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados advised Sonae Sierra Group on various issues, namely shopping centres, land use planning and municipal taxes, and Vilamoura XX, a €350m urban development project in the Algarve. Partner João Pereira Reis led the firm’s advice in these transactions. The firm was also advising SAIP on the planning and construction of a €900m tourism real estate venture in the south of Portugal.
Tier 2

Shipping

2006
Another of the acclaimed teams in telecoms is headed by Filipa Arantes Pedroso, partner at Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados. She led the firm’s advice to ASCOM Holding AG, a Swiss listed telecommunications company in relation to Project Mario, involving the sale of its private branch exchange division to a Danish subsidiary of Aastra Technologies Limited – a €7m transaction that involved a number of share and asset deals across various European countries.
The sheer experience and highly distinguished reputation of partner Francisco de Sousa da Câmara in the market secures Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ position as a leading practice in the field. In addition, having merged with Osório de Castro, Verde Pinho, Vieira Peres, Lobo Xavier e Associados, the firm saw one of the country’s most cherished tax experts, António Lobo Xavier, integrate into its astounding team of partners. The firm’s capabilities in complex matters were noted in its advice to EDP group, namely in the privatisation of 11% of its share capital. This was a ground-breaking transaction and the largest-ever in Portugal, which was intended to finance the acquisition of a 56.2% stake in Spanish energy company Hidroeléctrica del Cantábrico. Particular tax work was performed in order to have new shareholders benefit from specific tax incentives.
The post-merger Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares Da Silva & Associados has become a prime corporate firm in Portugal. Joao Soares da Silva, Nuno Galvao Teles, Segismundo Pinto Basto and Luísa Soares da Silva are four top-drawer partners in a star team. Highlights include advising Millennium BCPin the €843m sale of the insurance company of the Millennium BCP group. The firm also advised EDP – Electricidade de Portugal in its acquisition of an additional stake in Hidroelectrica del Cantabrico,having represented it on the largest foreign investment ever made by a Portuguese company.
Following Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares Da Silva & Associados’ recent merger, the firm now boasts three of the best litigators in Portugal: Joao Morais Leitao, José Manuel Galvao Teles and Miguel Galvao Teles. Although name partner Joao Morais Leitao has retired from the main practice, he is still very active on international arbitrations. The firm’s very experienced team also includes partner António Pinto Leite who is also highly recommended. Highlights include advising EDP – Electricidade de Portugal on an arbitration relating to the construction of the Alqueva dam.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares Da Silva & Associados’ head of department. Among several other transactions, the firm advised EDP in relation to notification to the European Commission of the acquisition of Hidroeléctrica del Cantabrico (the fourth largest electricity producer and retailer in Spain).
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares Da Silva & Associados acts for a number of national and international clients, such as Alcoa Fujikura, EDP – Electricidade de Portugal and Santander Group. Senior associate Luís Miguel Monteiro is he firm’s head of practice.

IFLR 1000

The 2004 merger that created Morais Leitão has been a great success, the new firm sitting comfortably in the top tier for each of the categories in Portugal. The firm won the award for Portuguese law firm of the year at IFLR’s annual awards earlier this year. Most interviewees considered it the strongest firm for banking, remarking that Morais Leitão “has a great mix after the merger” and “has gained a lot of strength and is now a good team.” Many banking and financial institutions agree, judging by the firm’s client roster. Banco Santander, Millennium BCP, Bank of New York, BNP Paribas, Portugal Telecom, Morgan Stanley, ABN Amro and UBS all seek advice from Morais Leitão. The firm recently acted on two of Portugal’s biggest banking transactions. In the first of these, the firm represented Banco Espírito Santo, the mandated lead arranger for a syndicated loan of €2.6 billion ($3.2 billion) to refinance the payment of Angola’s debts. This was one of the biggest syndicated loans executed in the international markets in 2004. The second big transaction involving Morais Leitão was the negotiation of two credit facilities, for a total of €2.65 billion, on behalf of Energias de Portugal (EDP). In two other smaller (but still considerable) banking transactions, Morais Leitão advised Eurohypo Portugal on the sale of a portfolio of Portuguese market credits for €467 million, and represented a syndicate of banks (ABN Amro, BNP Paribas and Société Générale) in relation to the €450 million refinancing of Optimus, Portugal’s third-largest mobile phone operator. The largest of the firm’s recent capital markets deals was the privatization of 11% of the share capital of EDP through a rights issue – the largest ever made in Portugal – to raise €1.2 billion. Morais Leitão advised EDP and the Portuguese government on the issue. The firm also acted in another groundbreaking deal when it represented Portugal Telecom on the structuring of the first share buyback programme concerning Euronext Lisbon listed companies. The programme saw Portugal Telecom purchase 7% of the share capital of the company (around 88,000 shares with a value of €790 million) and then cancel those shares. Portuguese bank Millennium BCP also sought the advice of Morais Leitão concerning an issuance of €500 million of perpetual non-cumulative guaranteed non-voting step-up preference shares. João Soares da Silva, who led the team in this and the Portugal Telecom deal, is recognized as one of the country’s top capital markets specialists. Nuno Galvão Teles is another leading name in this field.
According to one client, “the market leader in M&A is Morais Leitão, since it deals with the largest and most complex transactions.” Another remarked that “all the outstanding lawyers in M&A work for Morais Leitão.” While this is possibly overstating the situation slightly (PLMJ and Vieira De Almeida have equally strong practices, for example), these comments are a good indication of how highly regarded the firm is in this sector. Its consistent involvement in some of the most interesting recent transactions easily justifies its top-tier position. The firm’s M&A department comprises 16 associates and seven partners, and is led by João Soares da Silva, who “knows a lot and has the most experience in M&A transactions of any individual.” Meanwhile, Nuno Galvão Teles, the firm’s other leading partner, “knows the law, and has good business sense – which is useful in negotiating and closing out deals.” Speaking of these two lawyers in tandem, interviewees praised their capacity for “creative solutions” and “pointing out potential problems.” One of Morais Leitão’s biggest clients is Energías de Portugal (EDP), an electricity and gas supplier. In the last 12 months, Morais Leitão has advised EDP on three large M&A transactions. The first of these was EDP’s purchase of an additional 56.2% of the share capital of Hidroeléctrica del Cantábrico for €1.2 billion ($1.5 billion), which allowed EDP to assume full control of the company. Morais Leitão also represented EDP in relation to its acquisition of a 33.34% shareholding in GDP, a Portuguese gas distribution corporation, for €500 million. And the firm again acted for EDP when it sold a 60% stake in Edinfor Sistemas Informáticos to LogicaCMG Corporate Holdings (LCMG) for €81 million. The sale was executed through a share purchase agreement between EDP and LCMG, which also involved reshaping the shareholder and corporate governance rules applicable to Edinfor. Morais Leitão does not just advise EDP, of course. Among the year’s other highlights, Millennium BCP hired the firm when it sold its insurance companies to Caixa Geral de Dépositios and Group Fortis for €843 million, and Portucel also sought counsel from Morais Leitão in connection with the reprivatization of an indivisible block of shares representing 30% of the firm’s share capital, in a transaction valued at €334 million. The firm has continuously advised Portucel on its reprivatisation since its launch in 1995.
Morais Leitão, winner of IFLR’s award for Portuguese law firm of the year, is a strong player in project finance and “able to deliver excellent legal service”. The project finance group is headed by Luís Branco, one of the top Portuguese lawyers in the field who received numerous commendations for his “excellent experience and negotiation skills.” The largest transaction the department worked on recently was the €717 million ($885 million) concession for the construction of the Litoral Centro motorway. Morais Leitão advised the banks financing the concession (Millennium BCPI, Caixa Banco Investimento, Banco Santander, Depfa Bank and Mizuho Bank). The firm also represented the banks underwriting two other notable transactions: Sirsp’s provision of an integrated telecommunications service for the Portuguese emergency services (for €95 million), and the concession for the development of the Fertagus rail link over the Tagus River (for €103 million). Morais Leitão also advised AGS in its capacity as concessionaire in relation to the negotiation and €64 million financing of the Barcelos water and sewage project. Other clients of the firm include Lusoponte, BES Investimento, Abertis and Fortis Bank.

Advogados

Chambers Global

A leading competitor tells researchers: “Whenever I am conflicted out of a deal always refer my client to Luís Branco, he is probably the greatest of us all.” Peers and clients alike marvelled at his “fantastically creative and open minded approach, as well as his ability to do it all with a smile.” An international client adds: “He is a sharp and intelligent lawyer with the technical skills, experience and connections to put us at ease.”

Carlos Osório de Castro

Band 2 Banking and Finance
2006
Filipa Arantes Pedroso wins respect for her lead role in major deals and the “superb experience and expertise that she brings to the table, particularly concerning project and real estate-related finance.”
Clients appreciate Pedro Gorjão Henriques’ background in banking and admire his “hard-working and technically skilled approach.”
Filipe Lowndes Marques’ “excellent technical skills” guarantee him an entrance to the tables. “He is a brilliant lawyer and definitely a star of the future,” according to a satisfied client.
According to clients, Carlos Botelho Moniz is a “top lawyer with a fantastic reputation and excellent contacts in Brussels.” Market sources highlight the “combination of his experience and technical expertise with a calm and quiet approach.”
According to clients, Carlos Botelho Moniz (see p.1481) is a “top lawyer with a fantastic reputation and excellent contacts in Brussels.” Market sources highlight the “combination of his experience and technical expertise with a calm and quiet approach.” Margarida Rosado da Fonseca (see p.1489) is described as an “incredibly bright individual from a new generation of younger lawyers.”
Miguel Galvão Teles is a “huge name in the Portuguese legal market,” according to commentators. He covers a broad range of practice areas but concentrates his activity on litigation, public, international, constitutional and corporate law. One key client observed that he is “outstanding for advice on near impossible deals.”
Nuno Galvão Teles was hailed by clients as a “highly motivated lawyer and extremely tough negotiator.” “His sharp business sense allows him to both identify and assess the risks inherent in any deal.”
Rivals recommended Segismundo Pinto Basto for his expertise in M&A and energy law. He heads one of the groups in the corporate department and has participated in a number of the major deals over the past year. remarked one leading competitor.
Tomás Vaz Pinto also makes his first appearance in the tables on the back of excellent recommendations. “Although still young, he has to be one of the safest pairs of hands for complex transactions,” remarked one leading competitor.
João Morais Leitão (see p.1486) has an excellent reputation, both as a lawyer and as a pioneer of the legal profession in Portugal, and is still active in arbitration. Commentators point to Miguel Galvão Teles (see p.1485) as “undoubtedly one of the finest litigators Portugal has to offer.” Clients are particularly impressed with his “vast knowledge and experience, Commentators point to Miguel Galvão Teles as “undoubtedly one of the finest litigators Portugal has to offer.” Clients are particularly impressed with his “vast knowledge and experience, coupled with a friendly and open-minded approach.”
Head of the practice António Pinto Leite attracts praise for his involvement in leading commercial and labour-related dispute resolution cases. “He provides outstanding advice and is always available to answer questions.”
Senior lawyer José Manuel Galvão Teles participates in both litigation and arbitration and “knows how to juggle the practical contingencies of litigation and the local needs of his clients,” according to interviewees. A leading competitor describes his skills in court as “some of the most natural and amazing I have ever seen.”
António Sampaio Caramelo has recently been involved in some of the most prominent international arbitration arbitration cases.
Rui Patrício, an expert in criminal and civil litigation, enters the tables on the strength of his technical skills and “tough but fair approach.”
Clients and peers alike single out “highly experienced and sensible negotiator” Luís Branco as a “fine lawyer and undoubtedly a leader in the field.” His “deep understanding of the banks’ needs, excellent connections, and ability to work in an international context,” attract further praise from interviewees.
Although still young, Filipe Lowndes Marques enters the tables on the strength of his “outstanding intelligence and ability to remain focused on the client’s interests.”
Margarida Olazabal Cabral is “one of the most well-known and highly regarded lawyers in the sector.” Clients applaud her “immense knowledge of Portuguese law and positive approach to obstacles.” An international firm adds: “She is great at sustaining the momentum of a transaction.”
According to clients, Fernanda Matoso’s “systematic and patient approach is perfect for handling long, complicated matters.”
João Pereira Reis specialises in public and administrative law but also has expertise in real estate, zoning and environmental issues. One interviewee said: “He is great value in negotiations with the local authorities as he is extremely well connected.”
Market connoisseurs agree that Francisco de Sousa da Câmara is “one of the top tax lawyers the country has to offer.” Sources admired his “remarkable litigation skills and ability to deal with complex international transactions,” while one key client commented: “He relishes a challenge.”
António Lobo Xavier joined the firm as part of the merger and heads the team in Porto. Commentators sing his praises, describing him as a “highly intelligent and terrifically knowledgeable lawyer.”

IFLR 1000

Luís Branco

Leading Lawyer Banking
2006

Miguel Galvão Teles

Leading Lawyer Banking
2006

João Soares da Silva

Leading Lawyer Banking
2006

Nuno Galvão Teles

Leading Lawyer Mergers and Acquisitions
2006

João Soares da Silva

Leading Lawyer Mergers and Acquisitions
2006

Luís Branco

Leading Lawyer Project Finance
2006