What the team is known: for A sizeable team traditionally associated with large-scale projects. It has played a leading role in several privatisations and the recapitalisation of the Portuguese banking sector. Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients): "The team is made up of lawyers with a profound knowledge of legal issues in their respective areas of expertise, which brings the client a sense of confidence and security." Work highlights: Represented Sonaecom in the EUR1.5 billion merger between Optimus and ZON. Advised Caixa Seguros e Saúde and HPP International on the EUR85.6 million sale of a 100% stake in the share capital of the latter to Brazilian healthcare company Amil Participações.

What the team is known for: Well versed in transactional and regulatory matters in the energy sector, with a focus on electricity and natural gas. Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients): "The team knows our business. It is very commercial and business-oriented, and that adds value to its service." Work highlights: Advising EDP - Energias de Portugal on energy regulatory and environmental law matters.

What the team is known for: A highly experienced team providing regulatory and transactional advice to national and international private equity funds. Recently handled the incorporation of several funds in Portugal and abroad. Work highlights: Advised ECS – Sociedade de Capital de Risco on the structuring and incorporation of a EUR1 billion fund, Fundo Recuperação Turismo.

What the team is known for: Incorporated within the litigation department, the team covers contentious cases as well as tax, corporate and banking law. It acts on behalf of creditors and distressed businesses, and earns praise for its flexibility and clear advice. Strengths: (Quotes mainly from clients) "I can't speak more highly of the team. It's extremely accommodating and straightforward, and you can see it is highly regarded among lawyers and judges in Portugal. I trust it completely." "The lawyers complement each other very well." Work highlights: Represented EDP Serviço Universal and EDP Soluções Comerciais in the insolvency proceedings of Entigere. Assisted Sociedade Alentejana de Investimentos e Participações with its insolvency.

What the team is known for: A standout choice for M&A transactions with a TMT element. Particularly well regarded for its media know-how. Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients): "The team is sensitive to business issues and will make every effort to adapt in order to find a solution." "The lawyers are technically excellent, and they balance the legal risks to help you make a decision." Work highlights: Advised Sonaecom on competition issues arising from the EUR1.4 billion ZON/Optimus merger. Assisted DSTelecom with a public contract for the deployment, exploitation and maintenance of two next generation networks in rural areas in the north and south of Portugal.

What the team is known for: Operates out of Lisbon and Funchal, assisting international shipping companies with vessel registration, regulatory issues, mortgage enforcement, pollution claims and bills of lading. Also noted for its international presence, with corresponding offices in Angola, Mozambique and Macau. Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients): "I enjoyed working with this team; the lawyers are excellent in terms of communication and responsiveness."

What the team is known for: Increasingly active in civil and military aviation. Its expertise extends to the incorporation and licensing of air carriers, insurance negotiations and aircraft dry leases, wet leases and purchase agreements. Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients): "Our case was very complex and demanded attention, and the team's work was very detailed and thorough." Work highlights: Advised Brisa/CCT on a tender for the privatisation of ANA Aeroportos de Portugal. Represented TAP in the sale of a 50.1% stake in Serviços Portugueses de Handling. Segismundo Pinto Basto and Tomás Vaz Pinto are the main points of contact.

What the team is known for: Market-leading practice that boasts the largest full-service team in the region. Regularly handles corporate and transactional mandates, as well as tax and capital markets issues. Often represents the interests of its clients in Africa, especially in Angola and Mozambique. Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients): "The lawyers are committed to the cases and keep to the deadlines. They also have a solution-oriented approach." "The team does not only present problems, it comes up with workable solutions." Work highlights: Advised Vallis Capital Partners on the establishment of a new EUR1 billion private equity fund under Luxembourg law that will target the construction sector. Represented La Seda de Barcelona in the EUR30 million sale of Artenius Portugal-Industrial Polymers.

Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados combines ‘creative thinking’ with ‘high-impact service’. The firm is well known in the energy sector, and is increasingly active in Lusophone Africa. Nuno Galvão Teles advised Caixa Seguros e Saúde, SGPS, and HPP International Lux on the Portuguese state’s sale of Hospitais Privados de Portugal; and João Soares da Silva advised BCP on the sale of Greek bank Millennium. Carlos Osório de Castro and associate Paulo Rendeiro ‘perform outstanding work’, and Segismundo Pinto Basto, Liliana Malheiro Tomás, Eduardo Verde Pinho, Tomás Vaz Pinto and Luísa Soares da Silva are also recommended. Rui Oliveira Neves and Teresa Morais Leitão left the firm.

Acting for a varied international client base, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados has been involved in some of the most complex recent corporate and financial restructurings. Carlos Osório de Castro is highly respected in the field and has previously advised the government on the drafting of legislation. Practice head Helena Soares de Moura and Eduardo Verde Pinho are also recommended.

Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ Oporto team works closely with the firm’s wider domestic and international network. The ‘outstanding and professional’ Carlos Osório de Castro advised Vallis Capital Partners on establishing a private equity fund under Luxembourg law. Jorge Simões Cortez handled Wedo Technologies’ acquisition of Connectiv Solutions. Other clients include BA Group and Sonae Capital. Corporate lawyer Eduardo Verde Pinho and tax specialist António Lobo Xavier are also recommended

Acting in broader transport issues as well as shipping and aviation, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ ‘customer-oriented’ specialists have ‘a very high level of industry knowledge’. The team handles the full range of contentious and non-contentious work, with a particular focus on transactions and financing. Francisco de Sousa da Câmara and senior associates Manuel Freitas Pita and Cátia Henriques Fernandes are all highly recommended for shipping issues. On the aviation side, Segismundo Pinto Basto is ‘very professional, calm and an excellent leader’, and Luís Miguel Monteiro and João Serra are also highly recommended.

‘A great firm’ with ‘brilliant lawyers’, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ ‘shows deep knowledge in market and regulatory issues’. The practice is experienced across telecoms, media, IT and data protection, acting for the likes of Sage, EDP Comercial and DSTelecom. Joaquim Vieira Peres advised Sonaecom on the merger between Optimus and ZON; the ‘dedicated, knowledgeable and business-oriented’ Nuno Peres Alves advised Optimus on the public tender procedure to designate the Telecommunications Universal Service Provider; and João Alfredo Afonso advised ADP on investments in Angola. António Lobo Xavier advises the national regulatory authority, ICP-ANACOM. Senior lawyers Gonçalo Machado Borges and Eduardo Maia Cadete are experienced in competition law matters.

On the M&A side, as well as João Soares da Silva, Osório de Castro and Nuno Galvão Teles, clients commend Segismundo Pinto Basto and Tomás Vaz Pinto, the M&A team coordinator. An interesting M&A mandate in 2013 had Soares da Silva leading a team advising Banco Commercial Portuguës on the sale of the entire share capital of Millennium Bank and participation in Pireaus Bank: a large, high value, cross-border deal with EU competition implications.

Senior lawyer Helena Soares de Moura, who has been leading on various restructuring and insolvency cases.

Senior statesman Miguel Galvão Teles handles corporate and M&A matters as part of a varied practice which also includes litigation.

Peers regard practice head João Soares da Silva as a leading name in the Portuguese corporate/M&A market.

Clients enjoy working with Carlos Osório de Castro, with one stating: "He has a very deep understanding of business transactions and always gives accurate and crystal-clear advice."

Managing partner Nuno Galvão Teles attracts praise for his work in the energy and infrastructure sectors.

Segismundo Pinto Basto led many of the firm's key M&A cases of the year.

Managing partner Nuno Galvão Teles specialises in corporate and energy law. He is, according to clients, "a very knowledgeable lawyer who anticipates clients' needs."

Peers recognise key partner Tomás Vaz Pinto for his experience and expertise in private equity matters.

Carlos Osório de Castro brings his corporate law expertise to TMT deals. Peers praise him as "a brilliant lawyer, technically very strong."

Public law expert Nuno Peres Alves attracts praise for his expertise, availability and litigation skills. Peers remark that "he is an excellent litigator."

Helena Tapp Barroso represented Sonaecom in a litigation case concerning unpaid services and invoicing.

Funchal-based Cátia Henriques Fernandes attracts praise for her expertise and client-oriented approach.

Clients praise António Lobo Xavier for his tax law expertise and his business knowledge. Sources say: "He is an impressive lawyer, who possesses a profound knowledge of the corporate arena."

Department head Eduardo Verde Pinho is widely recognised for his corporate law expertise. He also co-ordinates the firm's Africa team, which advises clients with operations in lusophone African countries.

Clients highlight Jorge Simões Cortez's commitment, dedication and proactivity. In addition to handling both M&A and restructuring mandates, he possesses vast experience of the TMT sector.

Bernardo Lobo Xavier is recommended for his ability to handle M&A and real estate matters. "Clients like him a lot; he works hard and is very knowledgeable," reports one interviewee.

Senior statesman Miguel Galvão Teles handles corporate and M&A matters as part of a varied practice which also includes litigation.

Clients enjoy working with Carlos Osório de Castro, with one stating: "He has a very deep understanding of business transactions and always gives accurate and crystal-clear advice."

Peers regard practice head João Soares da Silva as a leading name in the Portuguese corporate/M&A market.

Managing partner Nuno Galvão Teles attracts praise for his work in the energy and infrastructure sectors.