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Chambers Global

The Firm

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.
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 on 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 right 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. It houses some of the country’s top capital markets lawyers, namely Carlos Osório de Castro and João Soares da Silva.
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 transactions of the past year, and 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.”
This local team is highlighted for its high-quality service, with clients reporting that the lawyers offer “creative and bright solutions and rapid and 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 Laboratories, amongst others.

Lawyers

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.”
Sources also praise veteran lawyer José Manuel Galvão Teles as “one of the best litigators Portugal has ever had.”
Miguel Galvão Teles is “one of the most respected lawyers in the country,” and 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 the parties.”
Tomás Vaz Pinto is described as “a promising lawyerwho 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.
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.”
Filipe Lowndes Marques is also noted as an excellent resource for securitisations work.
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 “outstanding, hands-on” 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.”
Soares da Silva is described as “a confident and methodical lawyer who always comes up with creative ideas.”
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.
Furthermore, the group houses a robust corporate crime practice, 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.

Patrons of the Serralves Foundation's National Contemporary Art Collection