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Chambers Europe

The Firm

“An extremely strong player in TMT,” this firm acts for numerous major clients, including Sonaecom, Impresa and Media Capital. With wide-ranging expertise and excellent resources, it is able to handle the most challenging work in the telecoms, media and IT sectors. Clients also appreciate the full and integrated service on offer here.
One of Portugal’s largest tax departments, with two partners and 17 associates, this is a leading choice for advice on fiscal issues. The department has been busy of late with planning matters relating to a new tax law, in addition to litigation and restructurings, mainly in the financial and energy sectors. Recent litigation highlights include representing Borealis in a case before the Supreme Administrative Court that saw the recovery of a significant amount of tax and interest. The team also advised EDP - Energias de Portugal on tax restructuring following its acquisition of Horizon Wind Energy. Other clients include Chevron, Barclays Bank, Mitsubishi and Iverson Group.
This firm attracts clients with its broad range of specialisations and its lawyers' excellent availability and dedication. The real estate department advises on public law and planning, and benefits from a strong track record in construction and tourism matters. It recently advised SAIP on the planning and construction of a tourist resort in Alqueva, in Alentejo, a development that includes four golf courses, three hotels and several residential units.
The public law team at this full-service firm works in close conjunction with other departments to great effect. A prime example of this was the advice recently provided to the government and NAER - the public entity in charge of the new Lisbon airport - which involved the corporate, banking and projects teams. The competition group is another regular collaborator, especially for matters involving regulated sectors such as electricity and pharmaceuticals. Clients benefit from the firm's membership of the Lex Mundi network, and from wide national coverage, with offices in Lisbon, Porto and Madeira.
This ten-member group is a favourite choice with clients thanks to its “promptness and total efficiency in solving problems.” Private companies and financial houses are its main source of work in a broad range of projects, including infrastructure projects (particularly motorways), renewable energy and water concessions. The team advised an international syndicate of banks on the EUR450 million financing for one of the bidders for the Tunel do Marão road tunnel concession. Regular clients also include EDP, RBS and BES Investimento. “This is one of the best teams in the country, with an excellent track record,” competitors noted.
With a strong standing in the Portuguese market and a respected corporate team, this local firm acts for both private equity houses and companies. Clients observe: “It has extensive knowledge of the market and a broad range of specialists covering any area required.” The firm assisted Orey with the restructuring of its corporate group via the incorporation of a private equity fund. Other recent clients include ECS Capital and EDP - Energias de Portugal.
The planning team at this full-service domestic heavyweight makes the most of the firm's range of coverage and expertise: besides being part of the umbrella administrative, real estate and urban planning department, the team works in close collaboration with corporate, tax and finance colleagues, as well as the competition desk should the project involve a regulated sector. The firm receives a substantial amount of work from the tourism sector, and recently provided planning and construction advice to Saip, Casa Amiga and Vila Sol.The firm acts on behalf of clients from its bases in Lisbon, Porto and Madeira, and is the Portugal representative in the world’s leading association of independent law firms, Lex Mundi. The firm acts on behalf of clients from its bases in Lisbon, Porto and Madeira, and is the Portugal representative in the world’s leading association of independent law firms, Lex Mundi.
A leading force in many other practice areas, including corporate matters, this firm is devoting considerable resources to building up its IP expertise. The IP department focuses on high-value and complex cases involving patent violation, in addition to authors' rights and trade mark work. It acts for prominent pharmaceutical clients and high-profile sports personalities. The team is currently involved in a case relating to the generic pharmaceutical industry.
The biggest office in Porto in terms of lawyer numbers, this full-service outfit has strong tax and corporate departments and provides first-class advice on employment, TMT, capital markets, dispute resolution and competition. Its clientele speaks for itself, with Sonae, Mota-Engil and Banco Comercial Português all part of the portfolio.
This firm maintains a high profile in the energy sector, in part due to its relationships with prominent clients EDP - Energias de Portugal and REN. Recently, the team advised EDP on an IPO of approximately 25% of EDP’s share capital. The team is also informed from an international perspective: it advised EDP on the negotiation of a strategic partnership with Sonatrach, an Algerian gas supply company. Sources note that this team is “co-operative and productive – the lawyers are excellent at finding solutions to problems.” The team’s “deep knowledge of its clients’ businesses” also wins praise.
The employment division is just one of the several highly acclaimed departments at this full-service Portuguese heavyweight. Like the whole firm, the labour department is considered strong all round, with the capacity to handle both consultation and courtroom work. To the delight of its clients, the team combines deep Portuguese employment law knowledge with a keen business sense, and recently demonstrated its skills on a number of restructuring processes. The lawyers’ expertise in handling collective dismissals and downsizings is likely to be sought after in the present economic climate, with such highlight work already including advising Alcoa Fujikura following a factory closure and assisting Carris with collective bargaining matters.
This local team is noted for its high-quality service, with clients reporting that the lawyers offer “creative and bright solutions and rapid, practical responses.” The 38-member team covers the whole range of dispute resolution matters, and is particularly acclaimed for IP litigation and arbitration; its impressive client portfolio includes BPI Pfizer, Philips, Pernod Ricard and Abbott, amongst others.
This corporate/M&A group continues to build on its strong reputation, and its broad remit extends from elements of energy, real estate and tourism to banking and antitrust, with a focus on large, international deals. The team handled the two largest Portuguese capital markets share offerings of the past year, and also advised Sonae Distribuição on its EUR662 million acquisition of 99.9% of the share capital of Carrefour (Portugal). Clients laud the team’s tremendous service, “creative solutions and quick, reliable responses.”
A powerful combination of “a large team that hosts some of the best lawyers in the country and an impressive client portfolio across different sectors” makes this one of the top firms for competition law matters. Significant work includes assisting Optimus with challenging a Portuguese law that created stamp duty on increases in share capital, and advising TAP on the acquisition of Portugália Airlines. Overall, clients value the team’s “promptness and efficiency in solving problems.”
This firm has long been active in capital markets and “has gained critical know-how by assisting key clients such as BCP and EDP,” both of which the team advises on transactional and day-to-day capital markets matters. Recent highlights include representing EDP - Energias de Portugal in the IPO for its renewable energy assets (EDP Renováveis) in Portugal and abroad, and advising BCP on its EUR1.3 billion offering of new ordinary shares with preferential rights to shareholders; other key clients include REN, Martifer and Morgan Stanley. The group is particularly robust on the equity side, and is also said to be gaining momentum on the debt side.
Market sources consider this group “one of the front runners for banking matters.” It often deals with demanding and complex transactions, and clients laud the “ace team’s faultless language and negotiation skills.” In line with its high profile, the team recently advised Bank of America on the EUR192 million financing of the IPO for the Freeport Group, which involved the first Portuguese secured bond issue. Other key clients include Caixa - Banco de Investimento, Millennium bcp investimento and Eurohypo.

Lawyers

Carlos Osório de Castro is noted for his capabilities in corporate advisory work, and has great experience of advising telecoms clients on corporate matters.
Porto department head António Lobo Xavier splits his time between tax and general business law. He is an “extremely intelligent and amazingly creative lawyer,” with clients remarking on his excellent connections and broad vision.
Lisbon and Madeira head of practice Francisco de Sousa da Câmara is a specialist in international tax and transfer pricing, and “undoubtedly one of the best lawyers in the field.” One source enthused: “He is excellent academically – and that helps to put him ahead of the competition.”
Young partner Filipe Freitas da Costa enjoys a good reputation in the real estate and tourism sectors.
This high quality group is fronted by two respected lawyers, Margarida Olazabal Cabral and Pedro Gonçalves.
This high quality group is fronted by two respected lawyers, Margarida Olazabal Cabral and Pedro Gonçalves.
Branco and newly promoted partner Filipe Lowndes Marques lead “an experienced group of lawyers who promote the smooth running of negotiations, focusing on the relevant matters.”
Competitors noted, singling out group head Luís Branco as “one of Portugal’s most knowledgeable projects lawyers.” Branco and newly promoted partner Filipe Lowndes Marques lead “an experienced group of lawyers who promote the smooth running of negotiations, focusing on the relevant matters.”
Corporate partner Tomás Vaz Pinto deals with private equity matters and is described as “a friendly, organised and dedicated lawyer with strong technical skills.”
As former secretary of state for local administration and land use planning, João Pereira Reis naturally packs experience, prestige and a strong contacts list.
Eduardo Verde Pinho, one of the founders of the firm, is another key member of the team and is praised for his in-depth advice.
António Lobo Xavier has impressive tax knowledge and is now responsible for developing the Porto TMT department.
Luís Branco is heralded as “an excellent lawyer with great problem-solving capabilities.”
Sources speak of Nuno Galvão Teles in glowing terms. “Phenomenally skilled,” he wins particular praise for his expert knowledge of the electricity sector.
One satisfied customer spoke highly of the "great energy and positivism" emitted by the team’s leading members, Luís Miguel Monteiro and Joana Almeida. Almeida recently returned to Lisbon after a one-year study programme in London.
One satisfied customer spoke highly of the "great energy and positivism" emitted by the team’s leading members, Luís Miguel Monteiro and Joana Almeida. Monteiro is renowned for his analytical approach and clients benefit from his strong academic background.
Furthermore, the group houses a robust corporate crime practice; this is led by Rui Patrício, who is highly praised as “one of the most important names in this field.” He covers both corporate crime and commercial litigation.
Group head António Pinto Leite is acclaimed not only for his “proficient technical skills” but also for his “outstanding ability to perfectly define the appropriate strategy and work closely with his clients.”
“One of the most respected lawyers in the country,” Miguel Galvão Teles is admired for his successful advice as both arbitrator and counsel. Peers say he is “a well-rounded lawyer with vast experience and a natural ability to achieve consensus among parties.”
Sources also praise veteran lawyer José Manuel Galvão Teles as “one of the best litigators Portugal has ever had.”
Tomás Vaz Pinto is described as “a promising lawyer” who is “enjoyable to work with.”
Segismundo Pinto Basto is noted for his exceptional relationships with clients.
Nuno Galvão Teles continues to impress clients as a dedicated M&A practitioner. He has led on some of the most significant privatisation transactions executed in Portugal.
The well-respected head of the corporate department, João Soares da Silva has an excellent reputation as a “truly corporate lawyer.” His expertise covers a broad slice of the corporate spectrum.
Talented lawyer Carlos Osório de Castro is lauded as “technically faultless and an enormous asset at the negotiation table – a perfect combination for M&A work.”
“One of the most respected lawyers in the Portuguese market,” Miguel Galvão Teles continues to win the respect of peers and clients alike, all of whom acknowledge his brilliant reputation. This highly experienced and well-liked practitioner is considered “enduringly excellent in his field.”
New to the tables, Eduardo Maia Cadete wins praise for his “outstanding communication skills and practical advice.”
Also working in the energy sector, Margarida Rosado da Fonseca attracts attention for “the outstanding quality of her work and responsiveness.”
Porto-based Joaquim Vieira Peres is deemed “an unstoppable antitrust lawyer” who has gained amazing experience representing important clients such as Sonae. Commentators say: “The standard of his work is as good as any international competition lawyer.”
Singled out as a first-rate lawyer, Carlos Botelho Moniz has broad expertise, including particular knowledge of the energy sector.
Filipe Lowndes Marques is also noted as an excellent resource for securitisations work.
It houses some of the country’s top capital markets lawyers, namely Carlos Osório de Castro and João Soares da Silva. Soares da Silva is described as “a confident and methodical lawyer who always comes up with creative ideas.”
It houses some of the country’s top capital markets lawyers, namely Carlos Osório de Castro and João Soares da Silva. Osório de Castro is highlighted as an excellent lawyer with a wealth of experience in the field.
Filipe Lowndes Marques is another notable member of the department. This “hands-on and outstanding” lawyer’s fruitful practice includes banking and finance, PFI and investment funds.
Luís Branco stands out for his “extremely creative and value-added advice,” and sources attest that he is “a top-notch banking and finance lawyer who is directly and personally involved in every single deal.”

Patrons of the Serralves Foundation's National Contemporary Art Collection