This market-leading firm is highly regarded in the tax arena for its innovative solutions. The large practice is divided between the firm's Lisbon, Funchal and Porto offices. It is particularly strong in national and international tax planning, but offers a wide range of tax services, including arbitration and litigation.

This renowned Portuguese firm leads the market in many corporate, commercial and contentious areas, laying the foundations for its robust maritime practice. It provides high-quality advice on a wide range of shipping matters both domestically and internationally. The group recently worked with Ince & Co. on various maritime files.

Without a doubt at the top,’ Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados remains the most prominent firm in Oporto, with capabilities in numerous areas. As ‘one of the best lawyers in the country’, the ‘outstanding’ Carlos Osório de Castro excels on corporate deals and capital markets work, and in 2010 advised Teixeira Duarte on its €970m sale of a stake in Cimpor to Camargo Corrêa. Eduardo Verde Pinho is also recommended for his business acumen in corporate work. The group’s telecoms experts regularly advise Sonaecom Group. Joaquim Vieira Peres is the primary contact for complex EU and competition work, and acts for ZON TV Cabo Portugal and Sonae Investimentos. António Lobo Xavier is highly recommended for tax work, and is advising Barclays Capital on an intragroup financing project worth €1.7bn.

António Lobo Xavier and Francisco Sousa da Câmara co-head the transport group at Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados, which is particularly expert in shipping law. Clients include Single Buoy Moorings and United European Car Carriers. Senior lawyer Manuel Freitas Pita provides support from the Madeira office, and advises international shipping companies on registering fleet vessels.

Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados has an excellent tax group, featuring ‘one of the best tax specialists in Portugal’, Francisco de Sousa da Câmara, who is ‘really something else’. The team advises clients such as Mota-Engil, Nobre Alimentação and EDP on their ongoing tax needs, and also has expertise in taxes relating to M&A and financing. The team advised Barclays Capital on the Portuguese element of an intragroup financing operation worth €1.7bn. António Lobo Xavier leads in Oporto, and acted for the Grupo Jerónimo Martins on various tax liquidation claims.

Leading the practice in Lisbon and Funchal is prestigious lawyer Francisco de Sousa da Câmara, who comes highly recommended for complex corporate tax matters.

António Lobo Xavier co-ordinates the Porto practice. He is commended for his “deep understanding of the Portuguese tax system and real dedication to clients.”

Madeira-based lawyer Cátia Henriques Fernandes is recommended for her knowledge of offshore cases and her “prompt and thorough assistance.”

Leading light Francisco de Sousa da Câmara heads the team in Lisbon and Madeira and is hailed for his tax litigation skills.