M L

Sobre Nós

Pesquisa

A Sociedade

Chambers Europe

This traditional Portuguese giant is an acknowledged leader for banking and finance work. The team comprises two partners, four senior associates and three associates providing sophisticated advice to a large and loyal list of clients. The group has seen a huge surge in restructuring, refinancing and company reorganisation work. It advised an international syndicate of banks including BCP, Santander Totta, Barclays, BNP Paribas and Caixa Geral de Depósitos on the corporate reorganisation of Brisa Group. Sources say: "It is the best firm in Portugal, with excellent technical quality, proactive lawyers and ample knowledge of every practice area."
This domestic giant is an undoubted leader for capital markets work, and handles a huge range of high-yield transactions. The well-resourced team's impressive size enables it to advise long-standing clients on a constant stream of transactions. Although the Portuguese market has suffered due to the economic crisis, the firm advised EDP - Energias de Portugal on the issue of EUR750 million in notes due in 2016 under the programme for the issue of debt instruments. On the equity side, the team is assisting Banco Comercial Português with a complex and innovative programme of share capital increases. Sources say: "It is a highly competent team, attentive to the client's needs and with full capacity in every practice area."
This domestic giant maintains its position at the top of the competition market, despite a recent downsize in its department. The group now comprises nine lawyers, who have been extremely busy of late on merger control files, EU law litigation, antitrust and state aid. The team acts out of Lisbon and Porto, giving it considerable domestic reach and attracting clients from throughout the country. Key mandates include representing Abbott Laboratories in an administrative and judicial case regarding alleged cartel procedures. Another highlight saw the team represent SIC before the EC in a state aid judicial ruling, and advise it on subsequent measures granted by the Portuguese state. Sources say: "One of the best teams in Portugal. It is very much on the ball and is exceptional on technical points. We greatly appreciate the group's energy and dedication."
MLGTS remains one of Portugal's leading firms in this area, regularly advising on the country's biggest transactions. The firm has one of the largest teams for corporate/M&A and an unbeatable track record in the practice area. Large domestic and international corporations are part of the firm's long-standing clientele, and the economic crisis has seen the group focus on assisting clients with the development of their business abroad. The firm advised EDP - Energias de Portugal and its partners Iberdrola and Telco on the sale of Guatemalan holding company DECA II to Colombia's Empresas Públicas de Medellín. Sources say: "Undoubtedly one of the best full-service firms in Portugal, with high technical quality in every practice area."
This group covers national and international arbitration, commercial and corporate litigation and corporate crime. The size and scope of its practice means that it often handles some of the most complex, high-value and innovative disputes in the market. It boasts specialist litigators in areas such as TMT, labour, IP and sports, and regularly represents clients in the ICC arbitration courts in Paris. It recently acted for Lusoponte on an ICC international arbitration against the Portuguese state concerning the concession agreements entered into on two major bridge projects. Large multinationals including Philips, BP and Santander make up a substantial percentage of the team's client base. In a major recent highlight, it represented Pfizer in more than 150 separate proceedings surrounding patents. Sources say: “The firm is top-class - it is very well organised, with excellent lawyers who possess a variety of skills and are able to help their clients across several industries.”
The 12-lawyer employment team at this Portuguese powerhouse is split between the firm's Lisbon and Porto offices. It spent much of the past year focusing on restructurings, redundancies and collective dismissals. It is noted for its litigation skills and expertise in a number of sectors including technology, energy, pharmaceuticals and aviation, and counts a plethora of multinational corporations as clients. The group recently advised easyJet on the start-up of its operations in Portugal. Sources say: “It has technical quality and durable relationships with clients.”
MLGTS represents the biggest names in the energy market, and sources agree that it belongs in the top tier. The team of ten fee earners is involved in transactional and regulatory work in both traditional and innovative areas, such as wave and wind energy. The natural resources/environment group is part of the firm's public law department and supports the energy team. Recent highlights include advising Spanish group Abertis Infraestructuras on environmental impact studies and licensing procedures for the construction of a logistics platform. Other key clients include major Portuguese companies EDP - Energias de Portugal and REN, which the team is advising on their internationalisation processes.
This traditional Portuguese firm offers the complete range of IP services, with a dedicated team of 13 lawyers. The group acts on innovative, high-value transactions and has a particular focus on patent litigation, representing Pfizer in more than 200 separate proceedings. Besides its pharmaceutical industry work, the team advises clients from the electronics and TMT sectors, and recently acted for Philips on a number of cases relating to the counterfeiting of its products. Sources say: “Whenever I request clarification, the team is excellent at providing a helpful explanation of its points.”
The restructuring and insolvency team at this Portuguese giant incorporates lawyers from other practice areas such as tax, corporate and banking, depending on the nature of the work. The team of 12 represents a number of multinationals in a variety of industries, including finance, energy and pharmaceuticals, on both in-court and out-of-court restructurings. Recent highlights include advising several creditors on the Banco Privado Português insolvency, and representing a syndicate of creditor banks in the Fadesa Portugal insolvency. Sources say: “If we throw a large amount of work at them, they have the manpower and ability to do it quickly and accurately.”
The planning team at this leading Portuguese firm is housed in the public law department. It handles urban planning, licensing and environmental issues and assists a diverse client base including private sector entities, public institutions and architects. Major recent highlights include acting for SAIP on the construction of a key tourist development in Alentejo worth over EUR1 million, and advising Sonae Sierra on land use and licences relating to shopping centres.
This large domestic firm's private equity group is made up of lawyers from the corporate/M&A, banking and finance, and securities departments. Over the past year the team has focused on providing tailored advice to recovering funds willing to invest in distressed companies. It is noted for assisting ACEGE – Associação Cristã de Empresários e Gestores with the incorporation of private equity fund Bern Comum, which is designed to invest in socially oriented projects focusing on reducing unemployment. Sources say: "The execution was perfect, even with the added difficulty of establishing a management company in another jurisdiction."
This Portuguese giant's project finance practice is housed within the corporate department, alongside the banking and finance group. The majority of its clients are banks or financial institutions and, following the suspension of the majority of public projects in Portugal, it devotes nearly all of its time to the private sector. The team is particularly active in the renewable energy sector and on the restructuring of various infrastructure projects. A recent mandate saw it advise a major bank on the financing of a wind farm in Romania. Sources say: “The team knows projects and covers every aspect, including project finance. It has built up strong relationships with a large number of clients.”
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.
This leading Portuguese firm provides a full real estate service concentrating on tourism, corporate real estate and planning. Within those areas the team works on a variety of real estate issues including M&A, investment, litigation, structures and financing. The group boasts an extensive list of multinational clients such as Zara, Abertis Infraestructuras, Mousquetaires and VINCI, the latter of which it assisted with the tender for the operation of the car parks of the major Portuguese airports.
The tax team at this Portuguese powerhouse is divided between the firm's Lisbon, Funchal and Porto offices. Sources commend the group for its tax planning advice within corporate restructuring operations, and its strength in tax litigation. The team regularly advises EDP - Energias de Portugal on the tax implications of its international M&A, and also represents the company in tax litigation cases. Its client portfolio includes numerous multinationals such as Barclays, Mitsubishi and Siemens. Sources view the group as “one of the leading tax practices in the country” and enthuse about its pragmatic approach.
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.”
The shipping department of this large domestic firm is based at its Madeira outpost, from where it often advises international shipping companies operating with the International Business Centre of Madeira (IBCM). The group also advises foreign banks and financial institutions on vessel registration with the international shipping registry of Madeira. As well as a keen domestic service, the team handles leading international mandates and is often referred work by global law firms. Sources say: "An excellent team that provides timely and swift advice on complex matters."
This large Portuguese firm continues to be a heavy hitter in the north of the country. The team covers the full range of legal services and is highly recommended for transactional work, especially in M&A and capital markets. It attracts leading local and multinational clients, such as construction and infrastructure giant Mota-Engil. The group collaborates closely with its colleagues in Lisbon to offer clients a seamless and highly integrated service.

Chambers Global

Band 1

Banking and Finance

2012
Band 1

Capital Markets

2012
Band 1

Corporate / M&A

2012
Band 1

Dispute Resolution

2012
Band 1

Projects

2012

Legal 500

Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados is recommended for IP transactions, and also particularly for patent enforcement and copyright issues. Leading on the transactional side, Tomás Vaz Pinto provides ‘extremely sound and straightforward advice on complex IP issues’. Pinto is advising Euronext Lisbon on copyright and trade mark matters, and advised EDP on patent licensing and IP rights. António Pinto Leite is advising Pfizer in over 150 legal challenges brought against generic drug companies as part of Pfizer’s patent rights protection programme, and is assisting Philips IP in litigation against counterfeiters. Consultant Vasco Stilwell d’Andrade is also recommended.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados demonstrates ‘a good level of assertiveness in legal advice and litigation’. It acts for Banco Santander Consumer Portugal and Barclays Bank in litigation and advisory matters, and is also advising Turbogás on the new Portuguese tax regime. Other clients include EDP, Chevron Texaco, Cofina and Sonaecom. Francisco de Sousa da Câmara is recommended, and Oporto-based António Lobo Xavier is ‘particularly good’. Senior associate António Côrte-Real Neves’ experience includes consumer tax work, including petrol and alcohol tax.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados is ‘one of the best in Portugal for TMT’, and demonstrates ‘in-depth knowledge’ and ‘deep understanding of clients’ needs’. Oporto-based António Lobo Xavier leads the team. Clients include Audiovisual and Cinema Investment Fund, Medipress, Impresa and Pernod Ricard Portugal. IT expert Helena Tapp Barroso is advising Sonaecom on personal data processing to support litigation proceedings. Barroso also acts in telecoms matters, assisted by ‘pragmatic’ senior lawyer Nuno Peres Alves and senior associate Gonçalo Machado Borges. The knowledgeable Tomás Vaz Pinto acts for Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados has ‘very good industry knowledge in Portugal and Europe’ for the shipping and aviation industries. Francisco de Sousa da Câmara leads on the shipping side, assisted by ‘competent and proactive’ senior associate Cátia Henriques Fernandes, who is ‘instrumental in ship finance work’. Aviation expert Segismundo Pinto Basto is ‘an assertive leader’, and acts for aviation group Omni.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados has expertise spanning financing, planning and litigation, and it provides ‘very high-quality service’. Filipa Arantes Pedroso continues to advise Abertis on matters relating to its investments in Portugal, and Lusoponte on maintenance issues regarding the 25 de Abril bridge in Lisbon. João Pereira Reis advises on zoning, planning, environmental and contentious matters, including assisting SAIP in the planning and construction of a tourism and leisure complex in the Alentejo region.
‘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.
Another leading player in the project finance sphere, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados has renowned experience, particularly in renewable energy. Luís Branco advised EBRD on financing a Romanian wind farm, and represented Águas de Cascais in financing a wastewater treatment concession. Filipe Lowndes Marques advised BCP on the financing of a wind farm in Vila Real, and advised a syndicate of 11 banks on upgrading Iberwind’s Lagoa Funda wind farm. Senior associate Pedro Gorjão Henriques is also recommended.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados advises on insolvency and insolvency avoidance, and the team has related expertise in employment and tax, and cases involving criminal law. Senior lawyer and litigator Helena Soares de Moura is advising Shinsei Bank and JER as creditors seeking to recover €246m from the Fadesa Portugal insolvency, and is also advising EDP on Entigere’s insolvency. Carlos Osório de Castro is also recommended.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados has a superb reputation in this space, particularly for being ‘number one in electricity’. Clients include EDP, REN Group, Sonae Sierra, SAIP, Casa Amiga and Sovena Group. On the energy side, Nuno Galvão Teles has ‘deep experience’, with Fernanda Matoso and João Pereira Reis handling environmental matters. Rui de Oliveira Neves is also recommended.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ ‘brilliant’ team is led by the ‘very good’ Luis Miguel Monteiro. It is advising EasyJet on Portuguese employment matters, and representing Pernod Ricard Portugal in litigation. The ‘fantastic and efficient’ Helena Tapp Barroso represents Fujitsu and Parfois. António Emílio de Vasconcelos advised RCS in a case brought by former employees following a collective dismissal after the company’s transfer to China. Senior associates Pedro Pardal Goulão and Maria João da Luz, associate Joana Almeida and Oporto-based consultant Paula Ponces Camanho are also recommended.
The ‘extremely competent, reliable and responsive’ Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados advises on antitrust matters, investigations, advisory work, and merger control, and on EU law before the EU courts. Carlos Botelho Moniz can ‘fix very difficult problems’, and is advising television broadcaster SIC in an annulment action, and representing Cerealis Moagens and Cerealis Produtos Alimentares in an antitrust case before the PCA relating to the alleged alignment of flour price lists. The team also assisted Hendrix Genetics with a merger filing. Joaquim Vieira Peres and Margarida Rosado da Fonseca are recommended, as are senior associates Pedro de Gouveia e Melo, Eduardo Maia Cadete and Gonçalo Machado Borges.
One of the firms at the ‘top of the league’, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados provides ‘outstanding advice’ and representation in employment, civil, commercial and criminal disputes. This ‘excellent team’ includes Miguel Galvão Teles and António Sampaio Caramelo, as well as António Pinto Leite, who is assisting Pfizer in 150 IP-related lawsuits, and successfully represented Lusoponte in an ICC arbitration against the Portuguese state regarding concession agreements for two Lisbon bridges. José Manuel Galvão Teles and the ‘strong and analytical’ Miguel de Almada are advising Santander in a €23m case against Marinha Guincho. Francisco Cortez is advising Gestifute, Cristiano Ronaldo and José Mourinho in litigation relating to image rights, as well as media, contract, and transfer disputes. Criminal expert Rui Patrício is recommended for ‘clarity, incisiveness and wins-to-losses ratio’. Luís Miguel Monteiro leads in labour cases, and counts Mondial Assistance and BP Portugal as clients.
‘One of the pre-eminent firms in Portugal’, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados provides ‘prompt and focused advice’, and is particularly praised for its ‘extremely deep knowledge of the energy sector, its regulation and applicable laws’. João Soares da Silva ‘excels in M&A’ and has ‘an elegant manner’, and Nuno Galvão Teles has ‘superior analytical skills and client orientation’. ‘Excellent lawyer’ Tomás Vaz Pinto advised Tardes Solarengas as part of GlobalWatt, a joint venture between ES Capital and Salvador Caetano, on its €4.2m acquisition of PV Loiral. Oporto-based Carlos Osório de Castro, who is ‘brilliant’ and has ‘notable expertise in negotiations’, advised Sonae on a partnership agreement with Condis to launch a chain of Continente hypermarkets in Angola. Rui de Oliveira Neves has ‘in-depth energy knowledge’, and this ‘pragmatic’ and ‘top-of-class’ team also includes Luísa Soares da Silva, Segismundo Pinto Basto, and João Alfredo Afonso.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ ‘very good, creative and reliable’ team produces ‘first-class work’ in equity and debt transactions. It is counsel to BCP, which it advised on a €1.75bn state-guaranteed floating rate notes issue in 2011. It advised EDP on updating its €12.5bn debt issuance programme, as well as on a €300m credit facility agreement. In the equity arena, the team is representing the banks in Efacec Capital’s planned IPO, and advising BCP on share capital increases. Oporto-based Carlos Osório de Castro and Lisbon-based João Soares da Silva are ‘among the best lawyers in Portugal’. Luísa Soares da Silva is ‘excellent’, Nuno Galvão Teles ‘understands clients’ needs very well’, and Rui de Oliveira Neves is also recommended.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados is widely known, particularly for advice to lenders on financings. Practice head Luís Branco advised Caixa Geral de Depósitos and Caixa – Banco de Investimento (CaixaBI) on matters regarding the conversion of shadow toll motorways into real tolls. Filipe Lowndes Marques advised Selenis Canada on financing for a PET plastic factory in Quebec. Debt restructuring and corporate reorganisation mandates included advising a bank syndicate on Brisa’s €3bn reorganisation. Senior lawyer Pedro Gorjão Henriques is recommended.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados remains ‘the number-one firm in Oporto’, and has a superb reputation across numerous legal disciplines. Carlos Osório de Castro, who leads on corporate transactions, advised Sonae Investimentos on a retail partnership agreement with Condis in Angola, and advised La Seda de Barcelona on the €30m sale of Artenius Portugal-Industrial Polymers to Control PET. EU and competition expert Joaquim Vieira Peres acts for Zon TV Cabo Portugal and ACP – Automóvel Club de Portugal. Tax expert António Lobo Xavier is advising Barclays and Santander in tax litigation, and also represents Sonaecom and Cofina.

IFLR 1000

"We've worked with Morais Leitão, we were always happy with the firm," says one client. The firm was involved in a €246 million transaction as it represented three creditors on the insolvency proceedings of the Spanish company Martinsa Fadesa. The largest Portuguese electricity supplier EDP also called in the firm in relation to Entigere's insolvency declaration in February 2011. Entigere used to run a payment system named "Megarede" and EDP had a contract allowing consumers to pay their bills on Megarede. Another similar transaction saw the team advise Abbott in relation to CJ Sousa Andrade's insolvency and liquidation proceeding.
"I've worked with Morais Leitão, my experience with them is very good," says one client. In addition, the firm's flagship project finance lawyer Luís Branco also impressed both his clients and rivals. "I've worked with Luís Branco, he's a very good one, and a very nice lawyer," says one client, while a peer says: "Luís Branco is a very good project finance lawyer and he's very good at project finance." Though most of the PPP (public-private partnership) projects in Portugal have been suspended due to the economic downturn, Morais Leitão has fortunately managed to maintain a steady stream of mandates. One example saw Branco and Filipe Lowndes Marques lead the team advising on a €600 million PPP financing for a new hospital in the Lisbon area. Branco was again involved as the team advised Águas de Cascais as concessionaire in the negotiation of the financing, under a project finance regime, of the water and waste concession of Cascais. The mandate was worth €63 million. Renewable energy is still a key area of activity for most project finance teams with Morais Leitão no exception. February 2011 saw partner Lowndes Marques lead the team advising a syndicate of 11 commercial banks together with bondholders in relation to the repowering of a wind farm held by the Iberwind group, involving the substitution of 20 obsolete turbines with six new generation turbines. The €14 million mandate includes the amendment of the existing facilities, the release of security over the dismantled equipment, as well as the creation of additional security over the new wind turbines. Another highlight in the renewable energy sector saw Marques lead the team advising Banco Comercial Português in relation to the financing of the construction, installation and operation of a windfarm located in Vila Real, composed of six wind turbines with a global capacity of 15MW. The project, worth €12 billion approximately, was developed by Alto do Marão - Energia Eólica Unipessoal who acted as borrower and was sponsored by Enerflame Investimentos.
Morais Leitão's solid M&A work has been commended by several peers, with one saying: "Their M&A work is very good, I think they're the best in M&A in Portugal." One substantial mandate saw João Soares da Silva lead the team advising Euronext Lisbon - Sociedade Gestora de Mercados Regulamentados on the implementation of all regulatory requirements in Portugal in the context of the NYSE Euronext/Deutsche Börse merger. The transaction was valued at $9.8 billion. Another highlight saw Carlos Osório de Castro involved in advising La Seda de Barcelona on the sale of Artenius Portugal-Industrial Polymers to Control PET, a company owned by the Imatosgil and Banco Espírito Santo group, worth €30 million. De Castro stands out among the M&A lawyers in the Portuguese market, as one peer says: "I would see Carlos as a notable M&A lawyer, this guy is very good in capital markets, but also a very good M&A lawyer." In December 2010, a team led by De Castro also advised Bento Pedroso Construções in relation to its dissolution of Odebrecht Investimentos e Participações SGPS (OIP), which was worth €80 million. OIP is a company that was wholly owned by Bento group, and it is an important player in both the civil construction and public works' markets.
Morais Leitão's capital markets practice is traditionally very strong and is unrivalled in terms of Portuguese domestics. This status is backed by a number of clients and peers. "Morais Leitão has a very strong capital markets practice," says one peer. "If I am to distinguish someone that would be higher than others, then I would say that should be Morais Leitão. " While a client says: "I've worked with Morais Leitão, they're good in their own way." However some mention that the departure of Maria Antonia Cardoso de Menezes in 2009 has affected the firm to some extent. On the equity side, Carlos Osório de Castro, António Lobo Xavier, and Jorge Simões Cortez advised Vallis Capital Partners on the set up of private equity fund Vallis Sustainable Investments I. Another mandate saw Nuno Galvão Teles and Rui de Oliveira Neves advising a syndicate of banks, including Caixa BI and Morgan Stanley, on the preparation of Efacec Capital's IPO listing. "De Castro is a notable lawyer in capital markets, he's the best capital markets lawyer in Portugal," says one peer. "He's very good and very aggressive; you will find him on all these capital markets transactions." In the debt capital markets, one of the firm's key clients,EDP Energias de Portugal , called in a team led by partner Luísa Soares da Silva to advise on its issue of €750 million 5.875% notes, which is part of a €12.5 billion programme for the issuance of debt instruments. Again Da Silva was involved when BCP called in the team to work on the update of its €15 billion commercial paper programme on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Elsewhere the firm also advised BCP on a €1 billion issue floating rate covered bonds under a €10 billion covered bonds programme. On the securitisation market, Filipe Lowndes Marques again advised BCP on a €2.7 billion securitisation portfolio of receivables, arising mainly from small-and-medium-sized enterprise loans, which aims to assist banking activities of the originator. It was the first securitisation transaction involving only overdraft facilities in the Portuguese market. Morais Leitão also has an extremely good banking reputation and the firm has caught clients' eyes due to its established banking practice. "We work with Morais Leitão mostly on corporate governance and basically this firm is the principle firm of the banks, with whom the banks are working with on corporate governance," says one lawyer. "We've worked with several lawyers from the firm, João Soares da Silva is possibly the best lawyer there and we're quite happy with their firm." In banking, a team led by Luís Branco and Pedro Gorjão Henriques advised a syndicate of banks, including BCP, Banco Santander Totta, and Barclays alike, in relation to the corporate reorganisation of the Brisa Group. The transaction involved the transfer of the existing debt to the new concessionaire and the establishment of an MTN Programme for Brisa – Concessão Rodoviária. In terms of banking work, Branco is seen by peers as the firm's key figure. "Luís Branco is a leading lawyer in banking and project finance," says one rival. Another notable banking deal saw Branco involved again advising Caixa Geral de Depósitos and Caixa – Banco de Investimentos in regard to a €56 million investment in the infrastructure and equipment of Miff toll collection systems.

Advogados

Chambers Europe

“Excellent” department head Luís Branco is well known for his project finance experience and works closely with a number of banks.
Sources laud Filipe Lowndes Marques for his “profound knowledge of projects from the lenders' point of view.”
Luís Branco is undoubtedly the star player of this team. He led the team that assisted Caixa Geral de Depósitos and CaixaBI with structuring and organising the acquisition of credits corresponding to the investment in the infrastructure and equipment of MLFF toll collection systems.
Filipe Lowndes Marques represented Banco Comercial Português in the securitisation of a portfolio of receivables from small and mid-sized enterprise loans, and sources report him to be "proactive and knowledgeable."
Filipe Lowndes Marques is the group's securitisation expert, and also handles banking and finance mandates.
Carlos Osório de Castro works out of the Porto office and is considered to be a heavyweight in capital markets.
João Soares da Silva leads the department, and headed the team that assisted Banco Comercial Português with its high-profile share capital increase.
Luisa Soares da Silva is another valuable member of the team and the main partner leading transactions undertaken for EDP - Energias de Portugal.
Department head Carlos Botelho Moniz wins tremendous feedback for his "excellent client support and in-depth knowledge of EU law."
Sources admire Porto-based Joaquim Vieira Peres for his established competition/EU law practice, hailing him as "one of the best in Portugal."
Eduardo Maia Cadete "looks to understand our needs in order to find the best solution. He is like part of our company," says one interviewee.
Miguel Galvão Teles heads the public and international law department and is widely acclaimed for his experience on a number of large, complex, domestic and cross-border financial operations, with sources describing him as "one of the greatest Portuguese lawyers."
João Soares da Silva is praised for "his ability to always find innovative solutions to complex matters."
Carlos Osório de Castro is described by sources as "a fantastic lawyer with ample international knowledge and legal vision."
Nuno Galvão Teles specialises in energy and natural resources, and his business acumen and proactive attitude are key attributes for corporate clients.
Segismundo Pinto Basto is a well-established name for commercial transactions.
Tomás Vaz Pinto is a highly skilled transactional practitioner.
The market continues to recognise Miguel Galvão Teles as a star lawyer “who sees things nobody else sees.”
Highly regarded practice head António Pinto Leite is “a very clever and reasonable guy, who manages cases well and quickly understands the principal issues,” say sources.
Rui Patrício is a key member of the team working on both civil and criminal matters.
Observers point out that corporate litigation team head Francisco Cortez “is very accurate and knows exactly when something should be done. We always get the best possible result with him.”
Senior statesman José Manuel Galvão Teles continues to work on complex disputes.
Clients and peers applaud practice head Luís Miguel Monteiro, declaring that “he is extremely solid and structured in his analysis of the legal questions, and has a deep knowledge of the employment field.”
Interviewees appreciate key team member Joana Almeida's “great attention to detail and valuable opinions.”
Clients are impressed by associate Pedro Pardal Goulão, who has expertise in sports law.
Nuno Galvão Teles is a well-established corporate lawyer with ample experience in the sector.
Finance specialist Luís Branco supports the energy team on large transactions in the energy area.
Team co-head Tomás Vaz Pinto earns praise for the accuracy and thoroughness of his work.
Carlos Osório de Castro is a prestigious and experienced lawyer who is recognised by his peers for his role in formulating the Portuguese Insolvency Code.
Sources describe senior associate Helena Soares de Moura as "highly analytical and a strong negotiator with great contacts."
Sources recognise department head João Pereira Reis as a market leader, highlighting his experience, strong personal relationships and expertise in the planning area.
Associate to watch Rui Ribeiro Lima is an important team member who advises a number of key clients.
Tomás Vaz Pinto is admired as a multi-talented lawyer with expertise in capital markets and corporate/M&A.
Associate to watch Cláudia Castanheira dos Santos is heavily involved in infrastructure projects.
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.”
Filipa Arantes Pedroso heads up the corporate side of the real estate practice.
António Lobo Xavier is the driving force behind the Porto team. Interviewees note his “strength in court and excellent arguments before the tax authorities."
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.
Madeira-based Cátia Henriques Fernandes is described as "a very good shipping and corporate lawyer, with in-depth knowledge of local regulation issues within an international context."
Star lawyer Carlos Osório de Castro maintains his top-tier position in the market, particularly for capital markets, corporate/M&A and restructuring and insolvency cases.
Tax expert António Lobo Xavier is a key figure at the firm and wins excellent market feedback.
Sources describe Eduardo Verde Pinho as "very well thought of in the Porto market and a great administrator." His broad practice covers corporate and commercial law.
Peers are impressed by Jorge Simões Cortez's expertise in M&A transactions.
Leading light Francisco de Sousa da Câmara heads the team in Lisbon and Madeira and is hailed for his tax litigation skills.

Chambers Global

Department head Luís Branco is undoubtedly the star player of this team. He led the team that assisted Caixa Geral de Depósitos and CaixaBI with structuring and organising the acquisition of credits corresponding to the investment in the infrastructure and equipment of MLFF toll collection systems.
Carlos Osório de Castro works out of the Porto office and is considered to be a heavyweight in capital markets.
João Soares da Silva leads the department, and headed the team that assisted Banco Comercial Português with its high-profile share capital increase.
Filipe Lowndes Marques is the group's securitisation expert, and also handles banking and finance mandates.
Luisa Soares da Silva is another valuable member of the team and the main partner leading transactions undertaken for EDP.
Miguel Galvão Teles heads the public and international law department and is widely acclaimed for his experience on a number of large, complex, domestic and cross-border financial operations, with sources describing him as "one of the greatest Portuguese lawyers."
Carlos Osório de Castro also stands as a leading figure in the sector thanks to his ability to rapidly "analyse complex legal matters and provide creative solutions.”
João Soares da Silva is praised for "his ability to always find innovative solutions to complex matters."
Nuno Galvão Teles specialises in energy and natural resources, and his business acumen and proactive attitude are key attributes for corporate clients.
Segismundo Pinto Basto is a well established name for commercial transactions.
Tomás Vaz Pinto is a highly skilled transactional practitioner.
Highly regarded practice head António Pinto Leite is “a very clever and reasonable guy, who manages cases well and quickly understands the principal issues,” say sources.
Rui Patrício is a key member of the team working on both civil and criminal matters.
Observers point out that corporate litigation team head Francisco Cortez “is very accurate and knows exactly when something should be done. We always get the best possible result with him.”
“Excellent” department head Luís Branco is well known for his project finance experience and works closely with a number of banks.
Sources laud Filipe Lowndes Marques for his “profound knowledge of projects from the lender's point of view.”
Associate to watch Cláudia Castanheira dos Santos is heavily involved in infrastructure projects.
The market continues to recognise Miguel Galvão Teles as a star lawyer “who sees things nobody else sees.”
Senior statesman José Manuel Galvão Teles continues to work on complex disputes.

IFLR 1000

Luís Branco

Leading Lawyer Project Finance
2012

Luís Branco

Leading Lawyer Banking and Capital Markets
2012

João Soares da Silva

Leading Lawyer Banking and Capital Markets
2012

Carlos Osório de Castro

Leading Lawyer Banking and Capital Markets
2012

Filipe Lowndes Marques

Leading Lawyer Project Finance
2012

Carlos Osório de Castro

Leading Lawyer Mergers and Acquisitions
2012

Nuno Galvão Teles

Leading Lawyer Mergers and Acquisitions
2012

João Soares da Silva

Leading Lawyer Mergers and Acquisitions
2012