This corporate/M&A group continues to build on its strong reputation, and its broad remit extends from elements of energy, real estate and tourism to banking and antitrust, with a focus on large, international deals. The team handled the two largest Portuguese capital markets share offerings of the past year, and also advised Sonae Distribuição on its EUR662 million acquisition of 99.9% of the share capital of Carrefour (Portugal). Clients laud the team’s tremendous service, “creative solutions and quick, reliable responses.”

This firm maintains a high profile in the energy sector, in part due to its relationships with prominent clients EDP - Energias de Portugal and REN. Recently, the team advised EDP on an IPO of approximately 25% of EDP’s share capital. The team is also informed from an international perspective: it advised EDP on the negotiation of a strategic partnership with Sonatrach, an Algerian gas supply company. Sources note that this team is “co-operative and productive – the lawyers are excellent at finding solutions to problems.” The team’s “deep knowledge of its clients’ businesses” also wins praise.

The biggest office in Porto in terms of lawyer numbers, this full-service outfit has strong tax and corporate departments and provides first-class advice on employment, TMT, capital markets, dispute resolution and competition. Its clientele speaks for itself, with Sonae, Mota-Engil and Banco Comercial Português all part of the portfolio.

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.

“An extremely strong player in TMT,” this firm acts for numerous major clients, including Sonaecom, Impresa and Media Capital. With wide-ranging expertise and excellent resources, it is able to handle the most challenging work in the telecoms, media and IT sectors. Clients also appreciate the full and integrated service on offer here.

This corporate/M&A group continues to build on its strong reputation, and its broad remit extends from elements of energy, real estate and tourism to banking and antitrust, with a focus on large, international deals. The team handled the two largest Portuguese capital markets transactions of the past year, and advised Sonae Distribuição on its EUR662 million acquisition of 99.9% of the share capital of Carrefour (Portugal). Clients laud the team’s tremendous service, “creative solutions and quick, reliable responses.”

With ‘ great leaders and good teams’, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados has traditionally been regarded as ‘ the best’ Portuguese firm. The team advised EDP and EDP Renováveis on the IPO of 25% of EDP Renováveis’ share capital, the largest IPO ever made in Portugal. Additional highlights include advising Banco Comercial Poruguês (Millennium BCP) on the €1.3bn offering of new ordinary shares, while Sonae Distribuição instructed the team to advise on the €662m acquisition of 99% of the share capital of Carrefour. With João Soares da Silva leading the department, peers comment, ‘ when we’re against the firm, we know we have a strong competitor’. Carlos Osório de Castro and Nuno Galvão Teles attract praise from clients.

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’.

‘ Clearly number one’, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados is lauded by many as ‘ the best’ firm in Oporto. ‘ Legal genius’ and capital markets specialist Carlos Osório de Castro formed part of the team that advised Banco Commercial Português (Millennium BCP) on its €1.3bn offering of new ordinary shares. Meanwhile, competition expert Joaquim Vieira Peres assisted key client Sonae Distribuiçao with filing the proposed acquisition of Carrefour before the PCA. António Lobo Xavier is considered a ‘ tax guru’, contributing to the team a wealth of financial know-how. Although closely linked to its Lisbon counterpart, the Oporto office caters to a number of local clients, including several international football stars.

Morais Leitão Galvão Teles Soares da Silva & Associados is among the leading M&A firms in Portugal according to the market commentators. The firm has had a typically strong year, with involvement on some leading mandates such as advising Sonae Distribuição in its €662 million acquisition of the share capital of Carrefour Portugal last year. In another standout deal, the firm advised Automatic Data Processing in the acquisition of high-tech subsidiaries of Salvador Caetano and Entreposto. Morais Leitão Galvão Teles Soares da Silva & Associados is frequently called on for counsel by Energias de Portugal – this year it advised the company in four different transactions this year: the €2.2 billion acquisition of Horizon Wind Energy; a strategic partnership with Algerian state oil company Sonatrach; the €38 million purchase of Pebble Hydro from Babcock & Brown; and the sale of 40% and 27% of shares in Turbogás and Portugen respectively. In addition, the firm advised Millennium BCP in its attempted €16 billion merger with Banco BPI in November 2007. The bank returned to the firm for counsel in relation to a strategic partnership with Angolan oil-and-gas company Sonangol and Banco Privado Atlântic. The negotiations include the disposal of a 49,9% stake in BCP’s subsidiary Banco Millennium Angola to Sonangol.

“One of the most respected lawyers in the Portuguese market,” Miguel Galvão Teles continues to win the respect of peers and clients alike, all of whom acknowledge his brilliant reputation. This highly experienced and well-liked practitioner is considered “enduringly excellent in his field.”

Talented lawyer Carlos Osório de Castro is lauded as “technically faultless and an enormous asset at the negotiation table – a perfect combination for M&A work.”

The well-respected head of the corporate department, João Soares da Silva has an excellent reputation as a “truly corporate lawyer.” His expertise covers a broad slice of the corporate spectrum.

Nuno Galvão Teles continues to impress clients as a dedicated M&A practitioner. He has led on some of the most significant privatisation transactions executed in Portugal.

Segismundo Pinto Basto is noted for his exceptional relationships with clients.

Tomás Vaz Pinto is described as “a promising lawyer” who is “enjoyable to work with.”

Sources speak of Nuno Galvão Teles in glowing terms. “Phenomenally skilled,” he wins particular praise for his expert knowledge of the electricity sector.

Luís Branco is heralded as “an excellent lawyer with great problem-solving capabilities.”

António Lobo Xavier has impressive tax knowledge and is now responsible for developing the Porto TMT department.

Eduardo Verde Pinho, one of the founders of the firm, is another key member of the team and is praised for his in-depth advice.

Corporate partner Tomás Vaz Pinto deals with private equity matters and is described as “a friendly, organised and dedicated lawyer with strong technical skills.”

Carlos Osório de Castro is noted for his capabilities in corporate advisory work, and has great experience of advising telecoms clients on corporate matters.

“One of the most respected lawyers in the Portuguese market,” Miguel Galvão Teles continues to win the respect of peers and clients alike, all of whom acknowledge his brilliant reputation. This highly experienced and well-liked practitioner is considered “enduringly excellent in his field.”

Talented lawyer Carlos Osório de Castro is lauded as “technically faultless and an enormous asset at the negotiation table – a perfect combination for M&A work.”

The well-respected head of the corporate department, João Soares da Silva, has an excellent reputation as a “truly corporate lawyer.” His expertise covers a broad slice of the corporate spectrum.

Nuno Galvão Teles continues to impress clients as a dedicated M&A practitioner. He has led on some of the most significant privatisation transactions executed in Portugal.

Segismundo Pinto Basto is noted for his exceptional relationships with clients.

Tomás Vaz Pinto is described as “a promising lawyerwho is enjoyable to work with.”