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Chambers Europe

This firm is consistently praised for the experience of its professionals and its ability to provide high-quality services in almost all areas of law. Located within the corporate department, the banking and finance group is highly recommended by both peers and clients. Recent highlights include advising EDP – Energias de Portugal on the EUR1.6 billion revolving credit agreement which the lenders made available to EDP and EDP Finance. Lawyers also assisted Norscut with the negotiation of the financial rebalance agreement of the SCUT Interior Norte Concession. Sources Say: “This team has in-depth knowledge of the subject and plenty of resources; it is efficient and provides timely responses. In addition, the firm is able to advise on the most varied matters.
This firm is widely considered one of the best in the capital markets arena. The team comprises 11 partners, three senior associates and 34 associates. The group's size enables it to take part in most prominent Portuguese transactions, always maintaining an excellent service. In spite of a slow equity market, the team's recent highlights include advising Banco Comercial Português (Millennium bcp) on its EUR1.3 billion offering of new ordinary shares with preferential rights to shareholders of the bank. Sources Say: “Sensational – experience and service are way above average. It's a very reliable firm, whose lawyers are always available.” “It has the resources and the experience to find simple solutions to complicated matters.”
This competition practice, which is divided equally between Lisbon and Porto, is one of the largest and most traditional in the country, and has a well-balanced ratio of senior to junior lawyers. The team advises high-profile clients on all aspects of competition and antitrust. Clients value its “consistently excellent service, and deep theoretical and practical knowledge.”
This full-service heavyweight's all-encompassing disputes practice includes litigation and arbitration in a number of key industry sectors, and also has the size and know-how to cover specialisations such as IP. The broad scope of the litigation practice is reflected in the sphere of arbitration, where the firm handles a number of cases for national and multinational players, both on an ad hoc basis and through organised bodies such as the ICC. Clients describe a “five-star service at both a technical and a client service level.” Significant clients include Banco Santander, Philips, Pfizer and BP.
This is the largest office in Porto, and perhaps the only team in town which competes at a truly national level. The “extraordinary” full-service group attracts consistently excellent feedback, and clients value its commitment to them, and its common-sense approach to finding solutions and closing deals. Sources highlight the corporate, tax, employment, IP, disputes and competition practices at the firm, and its impressive client list includes Sonae, Mota-Engil and Jerónimo Martins.
This IP group is divided between the firm’s corporate and litigation departments, and has the advantage of being able to draw on the firm's large pool of some of the country’s leading practitioners in other practice areas. Its strength in the sector continues to grow, and it advises on patent litigation and assists members of the media industry and other high-profile public figures. The practice recently represented Pfizer in patent litigation cases against other pharmaceutical companies, and acted for Philips in industrial property litigation against a number of hi-tech goods importers.
This firm's excellent reputation extends to its planning group, which, as part of the public law department, benefits from the input and expertise of a variety of practitioners. Whilst the team's bread-and-butter work comes from the tourism sector, it has been diversifying and branching out into logistics and business parks of late. The practice continues to advise SAIP on the planning and construction of Alentejo leisure venture Alqueva, and was also instructed by regular client Sonae Sierra on real estate and construction matters relating to retail centre plans.
It is not surprising that this private equity practice is a strong one, given the firm's premier reputation and pool of excellent lawyers. Clients point to the fact that the lawyers “manage to understand our business and are always completely committed to the project.” The group acts for both companies and funds, with recent mandates including representing a group of financial investors, including ES Concessões and ES Capital, in the EUR451 million joint acquisition (with Group A. Silva & Silva) of Cintra Aparcamientos; the team also advised Orey on the restructuring of its corporate group through the incorporation of a Luxembourg private equity fund.
This firm is rated by both peers and clients as “one of the best teams for project finance in Portugal,” and has played a role in many of the most important projects in the country. The team acted for a syndicate of banks on the EUR1 billion refinancing of a debt contracted by Pebble for the construction and operation of a wind farm portfolio. In another energy mandate it assisted a consortium of banks from the BES and Banif groups on the financing of the construction, installation and operation of a photovoltaic power station in Alentejo. Clients develop strong relationships with the lawyers, who “have the crucial resources and experience for dealing with problems, and finding simple solutions.” One source added: “It is good having these lawyers across the table, as they make a real effort to reach agreement.”
The large and diverse public law practice at this Portuguese giant advises clients on the full spectrum of matters, including projects, life sciences and litigation. It also works regularly in conjunction with the firm’s other departments. The team advised its public and private clientele on the new Public Contracts Code, and continues to act on the side of the government and NAER on the privatisation of ANA, and on the launch of various tenders connected to the construction of the new Lisbon airport. It is also present on hospital, highway, school and energy concessions, and represents pharmaceutical companies in public procurements for medical supplies. Clients value the department's multidisciplinary nature and its unfailingly “ultra-professional culture."
The real estate practice at this highly regarded firm is integrated into the planning section of the public law department. It advised Eiffage on the planning and construction project for the Barreiro Retail Planet, and assisted regular client Sonae Sierra Group with real estate and construction matters linked to shopping centres. The team wins praise for building strong relationships with its clients through the high quality of its work, and its dedication to getting to know clients' business and interests.
This full-service firm is universally recognised for the strength of its tax practice, and continues to lead the field. With offices in Lisbon, Porto and Madeira, it is close to the country’s main business players and has become a byword for both quality and quantity. The team covers advisory and litigious tax matters. Recent highlights include providing counsel to Chevron in relation to its local subsidiaries and the structuring of its investments.
Much of the momentum behind the strong TMT practice at this Portuguese giant comes from having major telecoms player Sonaecom as one of its principal clients. It also gives ongoing support to Portuguese media group Impresa, which counts television channel SIC amongst its interests. The team is able to provide full-service counsel, being comprised of lawyers from various different legal areas.
The shipping practice at this Portuguese powerhouse is spread across offices in Lisbon, Porto and Madeira. It primarily handles ship registration and assists banks with finance, as well as the management of shipping companies based in Madeira.
This firm's restructuring and insolvency practice centres around creditors' counselling, although it also advises the insolvent and assists with the restructuring of businesses. The sizeable restructuring team is integrated within the firm's litigation department, and includes four partners and ten associates. The group offers specialist expertise in litigation, corporate and tax matters, and has been advising major stakeholders in some of the most high-profile restructuring and insolvency cases in Portugal. Sources Say: “It has great connections in Portugal, which makes the execution of deals and negotiations very easy.” “Extremely professional, excellent client service, great follow-up, high quality of legal advice, fantastic timing: five stars.”
With roots going back to the 1930s, this firm has a solid corporate/M&A practice group that handles an impressive list of annual deals involving prominent clients such as EDP - Energias de Portugal and Banco Comercial Português. Recent work high-lights include advising on the merger between Pfizer and Wyeth, and assisting on Cristiano Ronaldo’s world record-breaking transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid. Sources Say: “Five-star service – truly focused on clients and their issues, providing excellent follow-up within a swift time frame. One of Portugal’s foremost legal outfits without a doubt”.

Chambers Global

This firm is consistently praised for the experience of its professionals and its ability to provide high-quality services in almost all areas of law. Located within the corporate department, the banking and finance group is highly recommended by both peers and clients. Recent highlights include advising EDP – Energias de Portugal on the EUR1.6 billion revolving credit agreement which the lenders made available to EDP and EDP Finance. Lawyers also assisted Norscut in the negotiation of the financial rebalance agreement of the SCUT Interior Norte Concession. Sources Say: “This team has in-depth knowledge of the subject and plenty of resources; it is efficient and provides timely responses. In addition, the firm is able to advise on the most varied matters.”
This firm is widely considered one of the best in the capital markets arena. The team comprises 11 partners, three senior associates and 34 associates. The group's size enables it to take part in most prominent Portuguese transactions, always maintaining an excellent service. In spite of a slow equity market, the team's recent highlights include advising Banco Comercial Português (Millennium bcp) on its EUR1.3 billion offering of new ordinary shares with preferential rights to shareholders of the bank. Sources Say: “Sensational – experience and service are way above average. It's a very reliable firm, whose lawyers are always available.” “It has the resources and the experience to find simple solutions to complicated matters.”
With roots going back to the 1930s, this firm has a solid corporate/M&A practice group that handles an impressive list of annual deals involving prominent clients such as EDP - Energias de Portugal and Banco Comercial Português. Recent work highlights include advice on the merger between Pfizer and Wyeth, and assisting on Cristiano Ronaldo’s world record-breaking transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid. Sources Say: “Five-star service – truly focused on clients and their issues, providing excellent follow-up within a swift time frame. One of Portugal's foremost legal outfits without a doubt.”
This full-service heavyweight's all-encompassing disputes practice includes litigation and arbitration in a number of key industry sectors, and also has the size and know-how to cover specialisations such as IP. The broad scope of the litigation practice is reflected in the sphere of arbitration, where the firm handles a number of cases for national and multinational players, both on an ad hoc basis and through organised bodies such as the ICC. Clients describe a “five-star service at both a technical and a client service level.” Significant clients include Banco Santander, Philips, Pfizer and BP.

Legal 500

Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados has an exceptional depth of talent in corporate law and ties with a swathe of the most active domestic corporates and banks, and provides ‘advice of the absolute highest calibre’. This strength has resulted in prominent roles across various regions and industry sectors, including work with Pfizer on the Portuguese aspects of its merger with Wyeth, and advising EDP on the acquisition of gas transmission assets from Gas Natural. Nuno Galvão Teles and recently promoted partner Rui de Oliveira Neves led on this deal, while Segismundo Pinto Basto draws praise for his ‘accuracy and efficiency’. Elsewhere, in practice head João Soares da Silva and Carlos Osório de Castro the firm has two of the market’s leading corporate lawyers.
With a team significantly larger than its peers, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados has the country’s ‘dominant dispute resolution practice’. Recent highlights include advising BP on multiple lawsuits and representing Pfizer on IP rights litigation against several companies. The team represents leading clients across a range of industry sectors and has the resources to address niche areas such as IP litigation and white-collar crime with ‘highly targeted expertise and in-depth knowledge’. Recent highlights include representing Lusoponte on two high-profile ICC arbitration cases against the Portuguese state. The firm also continues to advise leading Portuguese banks including BCP, BES, Santander, Totta and BPI. The ‘skilled, confident and responsive’ António Pinto Leite led on several of these prominent arbitrations and heads the practice. José Manuel Galvão Teles and Miguel Galvão Teles are ‘two of the best lawyers you could work with – they are legends in their own right’.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados divides its dedicated EU and competition experts between Lisbon and Oporto, and is considered to be ‘among the most accomplished and broadly capable practices’ operating in the market. Carlos Botelho Moniz heads the team and recently advised EDP Producão on the conditions of its agreement with EDIA, as well as its obligations to the Portuguese Competition Authority (PCA). Joaquim Vieira Peres is the key contact in Oporto and ‘a very honest and knowledgeable partner’ with ‘a safe pair of hands’. He acted for Sonae and RAR Group on the merger control issues surrounding its joint venture. Few competitors offer the same level of dedicated resources as this ‘absolutely excellent’ group.
‘One of the best legal minds in Portugal’, Luís Miguel Monteiro leads Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ ‘experienced, focused and results-driven’ employment team. Able to leverage off the firm’s corporate department, as well as acting in major standalone cases, the group excels at both contentious and non-contentious matters. Recent highlights include acting for Pfizer in dismissal proceedings and subsequent litigation, and representing Santander in employment and social security litigation. Another key strength is at associate level, where Pedro Pardal Goulão and Joana Almeida are recommended.
‘Absolutely gold standard’, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados is best known for its work for longstanding client EDP, which it represents across a range of transactions. Name partner Nuno Galvão Teles has ‘an incomparable understanding of the energy sector’, and recently led a team which advised EDP on the €330m acquisition of gas assets from Gas Natural. Along with the ‘resourceful and talented’ Rui de Oliveira Neves, the nine-strong team has acted on a swathe of finance, M&A and public law mandates. On environment matters, a group of 12 lawyers, including the ‘reliable’ and ‘pragmatic’ João Pereira Reis, advise clients on a spread of licensing work and administrative offences.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados acted on behalf of creditors in some of 2009’s largest insolvencies, and has several partners adept at handling the creditor side of insolvency proceedings. Among these, Carlos Osório de Castro has a notable depth of expertise, while Ana Isabel Seabra advised Portgás in relation to the recently bankrupt Araújo & Ferreira.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados has one of the oldest and ‘most reliable’ finance practices in the country, and has developed a projects practice that straddles a range of industry sectors. Filipe Lowndes Marques recently advised a consortium of banks including BES and BCP on the €154m financing of the construction and operation of a photovoltaic solar cell manufacturing plant. The ‘responsive and experienced’ Luís Branco recently advised a consortium of domestic banks on financing the Douro motorway subconcession.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ ‘dynamic and practical’ public law team draws on the resources of its impressive domestic network and is regularly engaged in big-ticket mandates. Pedro Gonçalves co-heads the team with Margarida Olazabal Cabral, and is noted for his ‘academic and technical prowess on legal issues’. Recent highlights include advising NAER – Novo Aeroporto and the government on the construction of the new Lisbon airport and on the NAER’s various public tenders. On the private side, the group advised EDP on several concession contracts concerning hydroeletric stations in Ribeiradio, Tâmega e Fridão. Miguel Nogueira de Brito and João Serra are recommended.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados is ‘very good for real estate advice’, and its sharp focus on the tourism sector has brought a flow of work. Led by Fernanda Matoso, the group also features João Pereira Reis, who recently advised Logoálapega on the planning and construction of tourism real estate ventures valued at €310m. Elsewhere, Pereira Reis acted for Sonae Sierra on real estate and construction matters surrounding the development of shopping centres.
Shipping law is a key strength of Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ 19-strong transport law team. ‘Able to give precise advice on time and with an exceptional attention to detail’, the team is led by António Lobo Xavier in Oporto, and Francisco de Sousa da Câmara, who splits his time between Lisbon and Madeira. The team advises a range of international and domestic shipping companies on management and maintenance procedures, and on the registration of fleet vessels with the International Shipping Register of Madeira.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ cross-practice TMT group advises several leading industry clients, including Impresa and Sonaecom. The team of ‘creative, forward-thinking lawyers’ is headed by António Lobo Xavier, and offers wide-ranging regulatory, transactional and commercial expertise. Tomás Vaz Pinto worked with Impresa on a content supply partnership with PT Group, including the creation of a new TV channel. The group is known for its ‘deep resources and diversity of talent’.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ Oporto team by size, reach and the scale of work it handles, has an edge over its competitors. Regarded as ‘the complete commercial team’, and replete with ‘strong experience and hands-on skills’, the group works seamlessly with counterparts in other offices on large finance and corporate deals. The ‘deeply knowledgeable’ Carlos Osório de Castro advised Banco Comercial Portugês on a €900m issue of subordinated debt and more widely handles a range of corporate and finance matters. Joaquim Vieira Peres is a prominent figure on competition matters and has advised on competition compliance programmes for several clients. António Lobo Xavier’s tax work marks him out as ‘an exemplary adviser’ and he counts Jerónimo Martins, Mota Engil and Sonaecom among his clients. Eduardo Verde Pinho also draws praise for his ‘intelligence and personal approach’, and in 2008 he advised Laboratório de Patologia Clínica Hílario Lima on the sale of share capital to SwissLab.
Benefiting from an ‘exceptional depth of experience’, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados has been able to ride the wave of project finance deals, while continuing to act on a spread of acquisition finance activities. Practice head Luís Branco is ‘smart, strategic and efficient’, and has recently acted for several major lenders including Banco Espírito Santo, which he advised on its €33m medium-term commercial facilities for Explorer’s acquisition of the Probos group. In terms of inbound work, the team acted for a syndicate of European banks on acquisition financing and refinancing facilities for Capio Laboratories. ‘The very reliable’ Filipe Lowndes Marques led on this deal.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados has, largely thanks to the close relationship its team has with an array of domestic issuers and arrangers, been among the most active practices in this difficult market. ‘By comparison with the competitors, the lawyers here are miles ahead’, and name partners João Soares da Silva and Nuno Galvão Teles are ‘without question two of the most experienced and knowledgeable lawyers available’. On the debt side, the group has handled a range of work for Energias de Portugal, including advising on its €1bn notes issuance. Luísa Soares da Silva, Carlos Osório de Castro and Rui de Oliveira Neves are also recommended.
Recommended for its ‘efficient, fresh, commercially astute tax counsel’, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados continues to provide support to some of the largest companies and banks in Portugal. Francisco de Sousa da Câmara is a ‘very, very strong lawyer – the ideal person to work with’, and he heads the group alongside Oporto-based partner António Lobo Xavier. The practice is well known for its cadre of work complementing transactional teams on major M&A and finance deals, notably working with Sonaecom on issues connected to the securitisation of telecoms corporate receivables. In terms of its litigation capabilities, the group has frequently proven itself ‘adept both in and out of court’ and represented Grupo Jerónimo Martins in claims against tax liquidation.

IFLR 1000

Morais Leitão Galvão Teles Soares da Silva & Associados' banking practice is led by Luís Branco and remains in tier one after another strong year. "We choose the firm for three reasons," says a client. "First, they are pragmatic, second they seek solutions and the third thing is that they have very well balanced behaviour in the negotiation process and they implement a good environment, so there are never any difficult situations. It's very easy to have complicated relations between banks and lawyers but they are very careful not to do this." The same client goes on to praise Luís Branco and Filipe Lowndes Marques for their "very wide knowledge of the legal framework in Portugal". Competitors too heap praise upon the firm. "They have good lawyers and, also, special links with very important companies like Energias de Portugal that are often in the market - [so they] have access to new transactions very easily," says one rival. Corroborating this assertion, Luísa Soares da Silva led the team advising Energias de Portugal (EDP) and EDP Finance on a €1.6 billion revolving credit agreement in March 2009. And in December 2008 Luís Branco advised a consortium of banks, which included Banco Espírito Santo, on the restructuring of €148 million of Sporting Clube de Portugal's debt.
Morais Leitão Galvão Teles Soares da Silva & Associados is strongest in equity, however the firm has accumulated enough of Portugal's most experienced and skilled capital markets practitioners to make it a superb all-rounder, say rivals. "They have been our lawyers in terms of Portuguese law for quite a few years and we believe that they have been providing us with good advice, both in terms of the technical aspects and also their capacity to overcome the problems that always seem to come up when you are working for a company that tries to be at the forefront of the market," says one international corporate. The firm's securitisation and structured finance work is overseen by Luís Branco, while João Soares da Silva is responsible for the equity and debt capital markets teams. Soares da Silva is particularly well regarded by clients, who praise the partner for his efficiency and experience - particularly on debt transactions. But Luísa Soares da Silva has been the most active partner on the debt side this year. She has been advising Banco Comercial Português, one of the firm's longstanding clients, throughout 2008 and 2009 on its €25 billion Euro note programme, which included a €1.25 billion issuance of floating rate notes and a €1 billion issue of fixed rate notes in May 2008 and April 2009 respectively.
Morais Leitão Galvão Teles Soares da Silva & Associados' corporate practice is the most lauded in Portugal, known for its strong banking clients and thriving outpost in the country's industrial north. "If there is to be only one firm in tier one then it would be MLGTS," says one rival. "They have been able to maintain a very strong roster of day-to-day clients, which provides the firm with a good flow of everyday transactions - for example Energias de Portugal (EDP) and BCP bank. But, they are also competing in other transactions where there is a competitive bidding process - and they are doing well." Morais Leitão Galvão Teles Soares da Silva & Associados is also one of the largest practices in Portugal and works a considerable number of deals, though peers credit the firm with being more focused on quality transactions than other large practices. The corporate department is led by João Soares da Silva, but the firm is host to a number of leading lawyers. Carlos Osório de Castro is well regarded by competitors and, according to one commentator, is responsible for bringing in one of the firm's most prestigious clients, the Sonae conglomerate. But de Castro works large deals for a range of clients. In December 2008 he advised Martifer Group on the sale of its stake in the listed German company Repower to the Suzlon Group for €270 million.
Morais Leitão Galvão Teles Soares da Silva & Associados is a contender for best project finance firm in Portugal according to clients, who praise the firm's length of experience, practical approach and flexibility. The projects team, which acts predominantly on the lenders' side, is led by banking and finance expert Luís Branco and includes Filipe Lowndes Marques. Both practitioners command respect from peers who, almost without exception, approve of the firm's top-tier ranking. "I agree with Morais Leitão's tier one position," says one rival of the firm. "They have one partner, Luís Branco, he's a great guy - a very creative and client-friendly lawyer, and a guy to be trusted with finding a solution. He is a great guy to work with. Also, the firm has a great team and another lawyer, Filipe Marques, who has been developing for some time. We see them across the table most of the time and on good projects too." Illustrating the firm's prevalence, Luís Branco led on a deal advising a consortium of banks, including Banco Espírito Santo, Caixa Geral de Depósitos and Fortis Bank, in the €753 million financing for the sub-concession for the whole process - from conception to maintenance - entailed in the motorway stretches and associated roads project in Douro. And in March 2009 Filipe Lowndes Marques advised a consortium of banks from the Banco Espírito Santo and Caixa Geral de Depósitos groups on the construction and operation of an electrical transformer factory in the US state of Georgia. The €80 million deal was predominantly structured under Portuguese law.

Advogados

Chambers Europe

Carlos Osório de Castro mainly focuses on corporate/M&A, capital markets and restructuring/insolvency, and clients praise "his ability to find well-supported, swift, outside-the-box solutions.” For some clients he is simply “the best lawyer in the country.”
Department head Luís Branco is the star of this team and the Portuguese market, with peers and clients considering him a “true reference in the area.” As one source explains, “his knowledge, business-oriented mindset and strong work ethic combine to make him a unique practitioner.”
Filipe Lowndes Marques is another talented lawyer, recognised for his expertise in banking and finance, projects and capital markets.
Up and comer Martim Krupenski recently joined the firm from Barrocas. Clients praise him as an “extraordinary lawyer,” thanks to his speedy responses and habit of keeping clients constantly updated.
An undisputed market leader, Carlos Osório de Castro is consistently praised by peers and clients for his deep market and legal knowledge. He is described as a “fantastic lawyer – one of the best in capital markets,” and is also highly regarded in corporate and TMT.
João Soares da Silva is one of the department’s well-known names. Clients recommend him as an expert in this area and highlight his competence and charisma.
Filipe Lowndes Marques is well regarded for his expertise in securitisations. He is also highly rated in banking and finance and projects.
António Pinto Leite is a major figure in the team and heads the litigation department as well as co-ordinating arbitration. He has a superb academic and professional record and often speaks at conferences and seminars.
Luisa Soares da Silva is lauded for her efficiency and quick service, and was one of the partners involved in the rights issues of Millennium bcp, together with Osório de Castro and João Soares da Silva.
Margarida Rosado da Fonseca is creating a name for herself through her dedication and specialisation in the field.
Antitrust practitioner Eduardo Maia Cadete is “definitely one to watch.”
Tomás Vaz Pinto is also well-respected market player.
Miguel Galvão Teles is an outstanding figure in this field and heads one of the disputes teams, as well as the firm's public and international law department. In addition to his unbeatable professional credentials in both litigation and arbitration, he is described as “a real pleasure to work with.”
The universally respected José Manuel Galvão Teles focuses on special and unusual cases that capitalise on his distinguished legal experience.
Rui Patrício was recently appointed 'Delegate attached to the Constitutional Court' by the Lisbon District Council of the Portuguese Bar Association, as part of an initiative to foster a closer working relationship between the courts and legal professionals. He is one of the firm’s most experienced litigation experts and in recent years has focused on the area of corporate crime.
“Astounding” department head Luís Miguel Monteiro has profound expertise that comes from a strong academic grounding and practical experience, according to interviewees.
They also rave about young associate Joana Almeida, who is “super-practical, confident and has full command of the subject – you can tell that she is going to go far.”
Corporate lawyer Nuno Galvão Teles co-ordinates the practice and is recognised for his considerable expertise in the electricity industry, mostly through advising EDP. He builds strong relationships with his "great dedication to clients, unparalleled technical knowledge, negotiating skills and good honest advice on problem resolution."
“Excellent” project finance practitioner Luís Branco is recognised as a player in the energy sector, where he has mainly acted on the side of banks in energy projects.
António Lobo Xavier is the office's tax specialist, and an authority for TMT matters. “He is able to understand both the big picture and the more detailed, complex problems,” sources report.
Clients recommend Eduardo Verde Pinho for his global vision and solid advocacy. He manages the Porto office, focusing on corporate/M&A.
Of counsel Jorge Simões Cortez is valued for his “negotiating skills, understanding of the clients' needs, and pragmatic, rational thinking, which focuses on finding solutions.” He is part of the corporate/M&A team.
António Pinto Leite and Tomás Vaz Pinto are the IP contact partners.
António Pinto Leite and Tomás Vaz Pinto are the IP contact partners.
Commentators see partner João Pereira Reis as a point of reference in the field, and value his “thoughtfulness and analytical skills, which cover a wide range of areas.”
Tomás Vaz Pinto stands out for his negotiation skills and “his ability to defend our interests in complicated situations in an intelligent and constructive way," according to clients.
Clients rave about Luís Branco, who is unquestionably a project finance leader, explaining that he is very accessible and “has know-how that is hard to surpass. He takes a lot of time to understand our aims and can sort out any problem.”
Clients turn to Filipe Lowndes Marques for his ability to "combine legal advice with a commercial approach, helping negotiations to go smoothly and quickly.”
Sources highlight Margarida Olazabal Cabral’s pragmatism and practicality. According to interviewees, she and Pedro Gonçalves stand out for being “among the most innovative of lawyers, who have given profound thought to the public law issues arising in the market today.”
According to interviewees, Margarida Olazabal Cabral’s and Pedro Gonçalves stand out for being “among the most innovative of lawyers, who have given profound thought to the public law issues arising in the market today.”
Telecoms expert Nuno Peres Alves is noted for his overall regulatory expertise, and is praised as “flexible and solutions-oriented, with fine political awareness.”
Senior associate Filipe Freitas da Costa is recognised for his corporate real estate activity.
Carlos Osório de Castro is a member of the Portuguese Securities Code's review committee, and highly regarded in corporate/M&A and capital markets.
Helena Soares de Moura is currently leading the team's representation of the distressed company in one of Portugal's largest insolvencies. Sources praise her efficiency, remarking: "She has a proactive manner and gives us the confidence we need.”
"Excellent" tax specialist Francisco de Sousa da Câmara leads the group in Lisbon and Madeira, and is held in high regard by commentators.
Also a leading figure in the market, Porto practice head António Lobo Xavier draws praise for his "profound expertise," deep understanding of the big picture and ability to deal with complex problems.
“One of the best lawyers in Portugal” according to an interviewee, Porto-based Carlos Osório de Castro is primarily a renowned corporate practitioner, but is also noted for his telecoms-related activity.
Public law specialist Nuno Peres Alves “has deep knowledge of telecoms regulation, and has also played an important role in some of the sector’s most crucial legal battles,” researchers were told.
Funchal-based associate Cátia Henriques Fernandes is recommended for her shipping knowledge.
Segismundo Pinto Basto and Tomás Vaz Pinto are also well respected market players
João Soares da Silva is a noteworthy individual considered “one of the leaders of the market” by both peers and clients.
The “truly amazing” Carlos Osório de Castro impresses interviewees with his extraordinary corporate expertise
Miguel Galvão Teles is highly recommended for corporate/M&A and dispute resolution matters
Nuno Galvão Teles stands out as a safe pair of hands for corporate and capital market issues
Clients praised “brilliant” Porto-based Joaquim Vieira Peres for his “profound expertise and considerable experience of dealing with national and international competition authorities”
Carlos Botelho Moniz is “balanced in negotiations, and produces widely respected opinions,” according to sources.

Chambers Global

Department head Luís Branco is the star of this team and the Portuguese market, with peers and clients considering him a “true reference in the area.” As one source explains, “his knowledge, business-oriented mindset and strong work ethic combine to make him a unique practitioner.”
Filipe Lowndes Marques is another talented lawyer, recognised for his expertise in banking and finance, projects and capital markets.
Up and comer Martim Krupenski recently joined the firm from Barrocas. Clients praise him as an “extraordinary lawyer,” thanks to his speedy responses and habit of keeping clients constantly updated.
An undisputed market leader, Carlos Osório de Castro is consistently praised by peers and clients for his deep market and legal knowledge. He is described as a “fantastic lawyer – one of the best in capital markets.” He is also highly regarded in corporate and TMT.
João Soares da Silva is another of the department’s well-known names. Clients recommend him as an expert in this area and highlight his competence and charisma.
Filipe Lowndes Marques is well regarded for his expertise in securitisations. He is also highly rated in banking and finance and projects.
Luisa Soares da Silva is lauded for her efficiency and quick service, and was one of the partners involved in the rights issues of Millennium bcp, together with Osório de Castro and João Soares da Silva.
Practice head João Soares da Silva is a noteworthy individual considered “one of the leaders of the market” by both peers and clients.
The "truly amazing" Carlos Osório de Castro impresses interviewees with his extraordinary corporate expertise.
Miguel Galvão Teles is highly recommended for corporate/M&A and dispute resolution matters.
Nuno Galvão Teles stands out as a safe pair of hands for corporate and capital market issues.
Segismundo Pinto Basto is also well-respected market players.
Tomás Vaz Pinto is also well-respected market players.
Miguel Galvão Teles is an outstanding figure in this field and heads one of the disputes teams, as well as the firm's public and international law department. In addition to his unbeatable professional credentials in both litigation and arbitration, he is described as “a real pleasure to work with.”
The universally respected José Manuel Galvão Teles focuses on special and unusual cases that capitalise on his distinguished legal experience.
António Pinto Leite is a major figure in the team and heads the litigation department as well as co-ordinating arbitration. He has a superb academic and professional record and often speaks at conferences and seminars.
Rui Patrício was recently appointed 'Delegate attached to the Constitutional Court' by the Lisbon District Council of the Portuguese Bar Association, as part of an initiative to foster a closer working relationship between the courts and legal professionals. He is one of the firm’s most experienced litigation experts and in recent years has focused on the area of corporate crime.

IFLR 1000

Luís Branco

Leading Lawyer Banking
2010

Luís Branco

Leading Lawyer Capital Markets
2010

Carlos Osório de Castro

Leading Lawyer Capital Markets
2010

João Soares da Silva

Leading Lawyer Capital Markets
2010

Nuno Galvão Teles

Leading Lawyer Mergers and Acquisitions
2010

Carlos Osório de Castro

Leading Lawyer Mergers and Acquisitions
2010

João Soares da Silva

Leading Lawyer Mergers and Acquisitions
2010

Filipe Lowndes Marques

Leading Lawyer Project Finance
2010

Luís Branco

Leading Lawyer Project Finance
2010