This traditional firm maintains its robust position in the market. Its 33-strong corporate team has a wealth of experience advising local and international companies, and assisted Sonae Capital with the EUR37 million sale of its 50% stake in Sociedade Térmica Portuguesa to its partner Enel Green Power. Drawing from continual cross-practice support, the lawyers provide clients with a custom service to fit their needs. Sources say: "Rigorous, technically strong and highly practical. The team's work is outstanding."

This Portuguese powerhouse offers a six-partner IP practice which advises on contentious and transactional matters as well as patent prosecution. Recent highlights include representing Teva in a patent litigation case, and advising Philips on anti-counterfeiting issues. Pfizer, Nintendo and ANA-Aeroportos de Portugal are other clients of note.

This Portuguese titan offers collective talent in banking and finance, capital markets, regulatory and corporate law, providing clients with a tailored approach to private equity issues. Recently, the lawyers assisted Vallis Capital Partners with the incorporation of a EUR1 billion investment fund in Luxembourg. Other clients of note include ECS, EDP - Energias de Portugal, Banco Comercial Português and Espírito Santo Capital. Sources say: "Technically excellent."

This multi-disciplinary team of ten is integrated within the firm's corporate department, which also includes the banking and finance groups. The lawyers represent high-profile banking clients in energy and infrastructure projects across Portugal and lusophone Africa. Recent mandates include the construction of a shopping centre, the construction and operation of several wind farms, and the restructuring of an infrastructure project. Sources say: "First-class service. The lawyers are technically solid and experienced, and their multidisciplinary advice has proved very helpful."

This firm gets excellent feedback across the board. It works in IT, media and telecoms, advising on everything from competition, data protection and outsourcing to regulatory work. The team represents some of the biggest names in the market and regularly handles extremely sensitive cases. It recently advised Optimus on the regulatory issues associated with the launch of 4G services, and assisted EDP Comercial with data protection matters arising from a joint commercial campaign with Modelo Continente Hipermercados. Other big-name clients include Pfizer, ADP Dealer Services Portugal and Sage. Sources say: "Excellent quality and value for money."

With offices in Brazil, Angola, Mozambique and Macau as well as several outposts across Portugal, this first-class firm is well equipped to handle multi-jurisdictional matters. Its team of four maritime experts advises on vessel registration, regulations and compliance, mortgage enforcement, pollution claims and bills of lading. Notable clients include United European Car Carriers and DnB NOR Bank.

The scope and size of this national powerhouse's Porto office make it a clear leader in the region. It has 35 lawyers across a number of departments dedicated to specific practice areas. The lawyers are most active in corporate and tax matters, and also advise on competition, employment, litigation, IP and administrative law. The firm acts for an array of national and international clients including BNI, BPN and Mota-Engil. Sources say: "The firm really understands our company; it has really got to know the ins and outs of our business."

‘One of the best firms in Oporto’, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados maintains its significant position in the market, and is a recognised leader across a number of key areas. Highlights for Carlos Osório de Castro included advising a Portuguese bank on regulatory issues following the international bailout assistance given to the country in 2011, and advising Sonae Capital on the €37m sale of its stake in TP – Sociedade Térmica Portuguesa to Enel Green Power España. Elsewhere, consultant Paula Ponces Camanho handles employment matters; and, on the corporate side, Eduardo Verde Pinho is recommended along with the ‘totally committed’ Jorge Simões Cortez, who has ‘deep technical knowledge’. António Lobo Xavier leads on the tax side, and counts Turbogás and media group Cofina as key clients. For EU and competition matters, Joaquim Vieira Peres is singled out and acts for clients including ZON TV Cabo Portugal.

‘Simply outstanding’, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados demonstrates ‘a perfect command of client briefs’ and provides ‘thorough and innovative solutions to complex regulatory issues’. Nuno Galvão Teles and Rui de Oliveira Neves were appointed to act for the Portuguese state, Parpública and EDP in the eighth reprivatisation phase of EDP, and are noted for their ‘intellect and interpersonal skills’. The team also acted for the state and Parpública on the second reprivatisation phase of REN. In Oporto, the highly rated Carlos Osório de Castro is advising La Seda de Barcelona on the €30m sale of Artenius Portugal to Control PET. Eduardo Verde Pinho in Oporto and Liliana Malheiro Tomás have experience in the Angolan market. Segismundo Pinto Basto is ‘always on top of all issues’; Eduardo Rui Paulino is ‘totally committed’; and João Soares da Silva, Luísa Soares da Silva and Tomás Vaz Pinto are also recommended.

Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados delivers a ‘high level’ of service in insolvency and restructuring matters, and is praised for its ‘knowledge, toughness and negotiation strategies’. ‘Very meticulous’ senior lawyer Helena Soares de Moura is ‘an expert in the area’, and provides ‘quick and objective responses’. Moura is advising several insolvent companies in matters related to the Alqueva project, the largest artificial lake in the Alentejo region, and continues to advise EDP on the insolvency of Entigere. Eduardo Verde Pinho handles corporate and financial restructuring.

Responsive and commercially aware’, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados provides ‘an excellent service’. On the shipping side, manager of the Madeira office Francisco de Sousa da Câmara, Manuel Freitas Pita, and senior associate Cátia Henriques Fernandes advise shipping companies and banks. Aviation matters are handled by Lisbon-based Luís Miguel Monteiro; Segismundo Pinto Basto, who ‘understands clients’ needs’; the ‘very attentive and trustworthy’ Tomás Vaz Pinto; and João Serra. TAP and Omni are clients.

Miguel Galvão Teles is highly respected by peers across the country. With long experience and in-depth knowledge to draw from, Galvão Teles advises clients on commercial and corporate law issues, dispute resolution and arbitration.

"One of the most respected lawyers in Portugal," Carlos Osório de Castro specialises in company law, M&A, joint ventures and capital markets.

João Soares da Silva is "client-focused, personable, a great lawyer," state clients. His areas of expertise include corporate and commercial law, capital markets, and banking and finance.

Nuno Galvão Teles is well versed in commercial law, M&A, joint ventures and capital markets.

Segismundo Pinto Basto represents clients in privatisations and M&A operations in Portugal and abroad.

Tomás Vaz Pinto is "a deep thinker who understood our needs and balanced our commercial and legal interests very well. His experience is built on a solid foundation," a client declares. Vaz Pinto's areas of expertise include company law, M&A, joint ventures and IP.

Corporate and energy law expert Nuno Galvão Teles leads the team.

Tomás Vaz Pinto enjoys a strong profile in the market. He handles private equity matters as part of a mixed practice that also covers corporate law, M&A and IP.

Corporate law and capital markets expert Carlos Osório de Castro is unanimously considered a star individual: "He is one of the best lawyers in the country: extremely bright, flexible and results-oriented," say sources.

Carlos Osório de Castro has a strong track record in insolvency, and is well respected by peers.

Interviewees describe practice head Helena Soares de Moura as "really proactive, experienced, clear in her explanations and technically strong."

Carlos Osório de Castro as an excellent lawyer with strong market knowledge. He specialises in the corporate and capital markets aspects of TMT deals.

Sources confirm that public law specialist Nuno Peres Alves remains active in this sector. He recently advised Optimus on a tender procedure for new telecoms universal service providers.

Helena Tapp Barroso climbs the rankings following positive client feedback: "She really got involved in the case and it felt like she was a member of our team. She is pragmatic and knows the subject in detail, including all the technicalities."

Cátia Henriques Fernandes is based in Madeira and the best-known name for shipping work at the firm.

Eduardo Verde Pinho is managing partner of the firm's Porto office. He has decades of experience and regularly deals with clients from Angola and Mozambique.

Clients single out Jorge Simões Cortez for his skill in M&A and praise his "all-encompassing vision" and coverage of all aspects of the transaction.

Miguel Galvão Teles is highly respected by peers across the country. With long experience and in-depth knowledge to draw from, Galvão Teles advises clients on commercial and corporate law issues, dispute resolution and arbitration.

"One of the most respected lawyers in Portugal," Carlos Osório de Castro specialises in company law, M&A, joint ventures and capital markets. "One of the most respected lawyers in Portugal," Carlos Osório de Castro specialises in company law, M&A, joint ventures and capital markets.

João Soares da Silva is "client-focused, personable a great lawyer," states a client. His areas of expertise include corporate and commercial law, capital markets, and banking and finance.

Nuno Galvão Teles is well versed in commercial law, M&A, joint ventures, and capital markets. He has extensive knowledge of the Brazilian market and has fostered strong relationships with clients in the region.

Segismundo Pinto Basto represents clients in privatisations and M&A operations in Portugal and abroad.

Tomás Vaz Pinto is "a deep thinker who understood our needs and balanced our commercial and legal interests very well. His experience is built on a solid foundation," a client declares. His areas of expertise include company law, M&A, joint ventures and IP.