M L

About Us

back

Chambers Europe

The Firm

Market leader with an exceptional reputation across a wide range of banking and finance matters including private equity financing, structured finance, investment funds and covered bonds as well as regulatory issues. Advises major national and international banking institutions on domestic and cross-border transactions involving Portuguese-speaking jurisdictions such as Angola and Brazil. "As a firm, I consider them to be on an excellent level in terms of market presence and expertise." "It is my favourite firm, because it provides good advice, delivers on time and has great understanding of its clients' needs."
Well-established firm which frequently advises state-owned institutions and banks. Offers experience across the full scope of capital markets with a focus on debt, public offerings and hybrids and other securities. Regularly advises on mandates with a cross-border element in Angola, Mozambique and other lusophone African countries. "By far the best lawyers in Portugal for capital markets. They present the most innovative solutions and have the best capacity to adapt to new and challenging operations."
Noted for its considerable dimension and track record, this Portuguese powerhouse remains a leading light in the market. Advises on the full gamut of competition and EU law including state aid, merger control and private enforcement matters. "Outstanding in competition law."
Formidable track record and bench strength across the full scope of corporate matters including recapitalisation, IPOs and M&A. Clients benefit from the firm's strong alliance with law firms in Africa. "The lawyers' professionalism in the work they do and the good relationship they keep result in an absolutely transparent and confident relationship between the team and its clients."
Outstanding bench strength and high-profile client base. Covers the full scope of litigation, white-collar crime and domestic and international arbitration in lusophone countries such as Angola, Mozambique and Brazil. "The team has extraordinary knowledge of the market and the initiative to contribute solutions that are not usually presented by other firms." "We use this team for our most complex matters because they offer a whole other dimension to their advice. The lawyers are some of the best you can find in the country."
Solid litigation practice coupled with expertise in regulatory matters such as employment agreements. Often advises high-profile domestic and multinational clients on employment issues related to restructurings and business transfers. "The team puts our legal questions in a business context and shows strategic thinking." "The firm shows a lot of quality in many different areas, which isn't easy to achieve."
Offers outstanding expertise across the gamut of regulatory issues and projects in energy and natural resources. Also handles a considerable flow of domestic and cross-border transactions, such as M&A and joint venture agreements for key clients in the sector. "The team is flexible in its approach to corporate matters, creative in its solutions and impressively responsive. The firm's extensive network facilitates international negotiations." "This is a knowledgeable and long-standing energy team."
Offers outstanding expertise across the gamut of regulatory issues and projects in energy and natural resources. Also handles a considerable flow of domestic and cross-border transactions, such as M&A and joint venture agreements for key clients in the sector. "The team is flexible in its approach to corporate matters, creative in its solutions and impressively responsive. The firm's extensive network facilitates international negotiations." "This is a knowledgeable and long-standing energy team."
A Portuguese powerhouse and leading light in the Porto market. Offers an impressive number of corporate and tax specialists with extensive transactional experience to advise major domestic clients. "A brilliant firm with excellent, quality people."
Highly regarded outfit with outstanding expertise in insurance, reinsurance and pension funds. Advises leading domestic and international players on the full scope of insurance matters, including the conception of products, insurance tax, claims and litigation. "One of the best teams in Portugal with this speciality." "The team shows a lot of concern for the client and is very responsive."
Covers the full scope of contentious and transactional IP in sectors such as pharmaceutical and media. Particularly skilled in arbitration and image rights. "A proactive team that always provides practical solutions to clients."
Full-service Portuguese giant offering a breadth of expertise across all planning issues. Frequently advises on municipal land use and the construction of retail, tourism and industrial sites. "We have an excellent opinion of the firm and appreciate its great professionalism."
Strong practice demonstrating remarkable know-how in the set-up and structuring of private equity funds. Covers regulatory and transactional mandates, often advising on the incorporation of national and transnational funds for strategic investments in Portugal. "The team delivers high-quality work. We trust in the decisions and proposals they make."
Leading Portuguese outfit praised for its wide-ranging insight into project finance across the energy, transportation and construction sectors. A popular choice for domestic banks on restructuring and financing operations. "The team responds to any question on time, cautioned us about risks we weren't aware of and did an excellent job at co-ordinating the work in different jurisdictions."
Broadly experienced across a variety of regulated sectors, such as life sciences, energy and TMT. Advises major domestic and international clients on regulatory, licensing, public procurement and public tenders. "A thorough team that provides a lot of confidence." "The lawyers show interest in helping us and understand what we want."
Noted for its significant corporate know-how in real estate matters stemming from M&A and joint ventures. Recent focus on real estate investment including rehabilitation. "The team inspires trust and has lawyers of great skill and merit." "The lawyers respond quickly and show availability."
Multidisciplinary team focused on covering all aspects of restructuring operations including tax and corporate law. Further experience in advising creditors on insolvency proceedings.
Sophisticated tax practice across the firm's Lisbon, Porto and Madeira offices. Advising financial institutions, corporates and private clients on a range of matters such as international taxation, restructuring, VAT and litigation. "The lawyers' technical preparation is remarkable and they show concern and consistency in the pursuit of the solutions that best represent our interests." "The team is very knowledgeable of tax matters and presents solid arguments."
Multidisciplinary team with depth of expertise in corporate and competition mandates in the telecoms sector. Growing experience in data protection and litigation. "The lawyers are able to contextualise matters and understand the circumstances of the company."
Funchal-based department boasting a wealth of experience in ship registration. Also covers salvage, pollution and insurance issues. "The team exceeded our expectations - it was extremely responsive and the quality of the legal work is remarkable."
Active in both civil and military aviation. Considerably experienced in advising private air carriers and international aircraft suppliers, covering licensing, registration, aircraft leases and purchase agreements. "We appreciate the team's responsiveness and commercial insight into the industry, which is very important."

Lawyers

Claudia Santos Cruz

Band 4 Banking & Finance
2015

Claudia Santos Cruz

Band 3 Transportation: Shipping
2015
They compliment his "tremendous knowledge and immense support," and consider him to be "the best banking and finance lawyer in the country."
Filipe Lowndes Marques is described by a client as "a proactive and knowledgeable" lawyer.
Peers highlight partner João Soares da Silva for the quality of his work, describing him as "a great and highly active lawyer."
Carlos Osório de Castro is highly praised for his capital markets practice. Clients say: "He is very knowledgeable of the various structures that can serve the client's needs," and that he "finds solutions in tight deadlines."
Clients appreciate Nuno Galvão Teles' interaction, which they say "makes our relationship easier." He is a well-regarded practitioner and highly experienced in corporate, commercial and energy law.
Segismundo Pinto Basto frequently acts on domestic and cross-border M&A.
Market observers regard Luisa Soares da Silva as an exceptionally active member of the team.
Eduardo Paulino is regarded by market commentators as a promising associate and is praised by clients for his "peerless" work.
Practice head Carlos Botelho Moniz is unanimously declared a market leader by peers and recommended by clients, describing him as "very technical and thorough - he makes his opinions clear, which is very important in competition law."
Porto-based Joaquim Vieira Peres is commended for his experience and "excellent skills in merger control."
Clients say Eduardo Maia Cadete is "a creative lawyer who exercises very good judgement."
Pedro de Gouveia e Melo is considered a promising practitioner by market commentators, who attest that "he has done very intense work over the last year."
Associate Inês Gouveia recently acted on competition issues regarding the merger between ZON and Optimus.
Practice head João Soares da Silva has recently focused his M&A practice in privatisations such as the one undertaken by Caixa Seguros e Saúde.
Carlos Osório de Castro is considered by peers as "one of the greatest Portuguese lawyers." He has notable experience in commercial and corporate matters and remains one of the most active members of the team.
Tomás Vaz Pinto recently advised on the privatisation of Caixa Seguros e Saúde.
José Manuel Galvão Teles remains an authority among litigators in Portugal.
Practice head António Pinto Leite is an established litigator who handles civil, commercial, IP and arbitration disputes. He is recognised as a leading arbitrator in the market.
Rui Patrício is praised for his expertise in corporate crime matters. One client enthuses: "He is very trustworthy and dedicated, and makes us feel completely at ease because we know he will always do his best."
Francisco Cortez is described by a client as "a point of reference in contentious matters in Portugal." He handles civil, commercial and corporate litigation.
Rui Patrício is praised for his expertise in corporate crime matters. One client enthuses: "He is very trustworthy and dedicated, and makes us feel completely at ease because we know he will always do his best."
Practice head António Pinto Leite is an established litigator who handles civil, commercial, IP and arbitration disputes. He is recognised as a leading arbitrator in the market.
Clients "have a lot of confidence" in practice head Luís Miguel Monteiro, whilst peers recognise his "prestigious academic knowledge."
Pedro Pardal Goulão enjoys a growing reputation in the market: "He demonstrated solid knowledge and has a good practice," one source says. He recently advised Federação Portuguesa de Futebol.
Interviewees agree Helena Tapp Barroso is a "hands-on" employment lawyer. She recently advised Impresa Group on employment litigation as well as social security matters.
Joana Almeida has considerable experience in issues arising from corporate restructurings.
An established figure in the energy market, Nuno Galvão Teles impresses clients with his hands-on approach. Sources say: "He supervises the work and makes sure everything runs smoothly, remaining present and interested throughout." They add: "He is clearly a very good lawyer."
Jorge Simões Cortez is acknowledged by peers as a key member of the corporate and commercial team. He has recently led the Riopele - Têxteis MBO.
According to sources, Bernardo Maria Lobo Xavier is "a solid lawyer with a good track record." He demonstrates considerable activity in M&A.
Eduardo Verde Pinho is a partner in the corporate and commercial team and focuses on M&A and restructuring mandates.
Carlos Osório de Castro earns countrywide praise for his expertise in capital markets. He acts on a significant number of high-profile corporate operations, and Porto peers confirm: "He is a great lawyer - very intelligent and appreciated by clients."
António Lobo Xavier "has a lot of prestige in tax," agree sources. He advises key domestic players from the finance, retail and TMT sectors.
Joaquim Vieira Peres brings expertise in competition law issues.
Margarida Lima Rego is a professor of insurance law with plenty of practical experience and is acknowledged by market commentators as "a true specialist."
Practice head Luisa Soares da Silva is praised by clients for her commercial approach and for being "flexible and innovative" in her solutions.
Co-head of department Tomás Vaz Pinto handles all non-contentious matters such as copyright and trade marks. Clients say: "He has good sense and solid client management skills."
According to clients, associate Vasco Stilwell d'Andrade is "specialised in IP and always one step ahead; he defends our interests very well."
Leading practitioner João Pereira Reis is highlighted by peers for his long-standing experience: "He has a name in this market."
Senior associate Rui Ribeiro Lima is a highly active team member and specialises in the installation of alternative energy power plants.
Recognised for his negotiation skills, Tomás Vaz Pinto handles private equity M&A transactions.
Ricardo Amaro specialises in securities law with a focus on regulatory matters. He has recently acted on the structuring of Fundo Recuperação Turismo. Clients praise his knowledge and the quality of his work.
Luís Branco heads the banking and finance department and receives widespread accolades from market commentators: "He's clearly a leader with a lot of know-how and experience."
Filipe Lowndes Marques is a well-known player in the market noted for his skill in project finance and "increasing seniority and experience."
Senior associate Cláudia Castanheira dos Santos remains a key member of the team, regularly assisting with matters that involve other jurisdictions.
Sources agree Filipa Morais Alçada is a promising associate. Her experience in project finance covers infrastructure, water and sewage concessions.
Margarida Olazabal Cabral specialises in public contracts and PPP. Peers confirm that she is "a well-established lawyer" in the area.
Pedro Costa Gonçalves has extensive experience in public contracts and regulation.
Described as "a solid and clear lawyer," Miguel Nogueira de Brito receives further praise from clients, one of whom says: "His technical skills impressed me a lot."
Nuno Peres Alves has considerable activity in the telecoms sector. He recently advised Sonaecom and Optimus on regulatory issues related to the merger between Optimus and ZON.
Clients say practice head Filipa Arantes Pedroso "provides a lot of confidence," while peers point out that "she is a very experienced lawyer."
Senior associate Rita Ferreira Vicente is highlighted for her skill in real estate finance as well as "good technical knowledge and full availability."
Helena Soares de Moura "has a lot of experience," say clients. Peers praise her increasing activity in the area and further sources say: "She is great in insolvencies."
Eduardo Verde Pinho handles matters from the firm's Porto office and has considerable experience in financial restructurings.
Francisco de Sousa da Câmara co-ordinates the Lisbon and Madeira teams and is praised by peers for his experience. He focuses on transfer pricing, securitisation and the taxation of financial products.
António Lobo Xavier heads the tax practice in Porto. He specialises in double taxation treaties and corporate income tax.
Market commentators confirm public law practitioner Nuno Peres Alves has considerable experience in telecoms, mainly in regulatory matters.
Helena Tapp Barroso is active in data protection matters, where peers acknowledge her impressive know-how.
Practice head Cátia Henriques Fernandes is considered a "very active and skilled" shipping lawyer among peers. She has further expertise in tax law.
Bruno Santiago impresses market commentators with his "fantastic" tax know-how and handles a variety of issues including tax litigation.

Patrons of the Serralves Foundation's National Contemporary Art Collection