The Legal 500

‘One of the Portuguese “Magic Circle” firms’, Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira is praised for efficiency and solving of problems. Diogo Perestrelo advised Gotan SGPS on its acquisition of 50% of The Edge II’s share capital. The ‘outstanding’ José Diogo Horta Osório is ‘a splendid lawyer’, and advised Grupo Electricidade Industrial Portuguesa (EIP) on the $21m acquisition of an electrical contractor company. Elsewhere, André Luiz Gomes advised Zedh Capital on buying Dunas Capital. Frederico Pereira Coutinho is recommended. Manuel Castelo Branco left the firm in January 2011.

Corporate-focused Linklaters LLP fields a ‘very good’ team, headed by António Soares and Jorge Bleck, which acts for an impressive roster of financial institutions and major corporates. Marcos Sousa Monteiro advised ArcelorMittal on the €3.24bn demerger of its stainless and speciality steels businesses, and also represented Tate & Lyle in the £67m sale of its molasses business to UM & S Holdings. Soares led advice to PortQuay West on the financing of the acquisition of Vertix’s 10% stake in Grupo Media Capital, and Bleck advised BP Portugal on selling its ground fuel business in the Azores to Bensaude Group. Other clients include Geocapital, Santander, and Enagás.

‘One of the pre-eminent firms in Portugal’, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados provides ‘prompt and focused advice’, and is particularly praised for its ‘extremely deep knowledge of the energy sector, its regulation and applicable laws’. João Soares da Silva ‘excels in M&A’ and has ‘an elegant manner’, and Nuno Galvão Teles has ‘superior analytical skills and client orientation’. ‘Excellent lawyer’ Tomás Vaz Pinto advised Tardes Solarengas as part of GlobalWatt, a joint venture between ES Capital and Salvador Caetano, on its €4.2m acquisition of PV Loiral. Oporto-based Carlos Osório de Castro, who is ‘brilliant’ and has ‘notable expertise in negotiations’, advised Sonae on a partnership agreement with Condis to launch a chain of Continente hypermarkets in Angola. Rui de Oliveira Neves has ‘in-depth energy knowledge’, and this ‘pragmatic’ and ‘top-of-class’ team also includes Luísa Soares da Silva, Segismundo Pinto Basto, and João Alfredo Afonso.

PLMJ Law Firm’s ‘very knowledgeable and responsive’ team ‘works diligently to complete acquisitions in very short time frames’. Victor Réfega Fernandes and Manuel Santos Vitor lead the group, which advised Ascendi on its successful award of the €900m Pinhal Interior PPP, and was involved in the sale of Wad Consult’s controlling stake in GB Minerals. The team represented Eurest Services during its acquisition of Relimpa, and acted for Sincronia do Tempo and Citytime in setting up an Israeli joint venture. Vasco de Ataíde Marques advises German clients seeking to invest in Portugal. Luís Sáragga Leal and Luís Pais Antunes are also recommended.

‘A top firm in the Portuguese legal landscape’, Vieira de Almeida & Associados is ‘very good for specific and complex legal matters’. The group, led by João Vieira de Almeida, advised BES Africa on its €7.1m acquisition of a stake in Moza Banco, and managing associate Sofia Barata advised Grupo Soares da Costa on its acquisition of a majority stake in Energia Própria. Brisa and PME Investimentos are also clients. Paulo de Barros Baptista provides ‘in-depth analysis together with creative solutions’, and Paulo Olavo Cunha has ‘excellent knowledge of business law’ and ‘quickly understands problems’. Helena Vaz Pinto is also recommended.

Garrigues provides ‘very good response times’, a ‘practical approach’ and ‘high-quality solutions’. Clients praise it for ‘quickly putting together a multidisciplinary team of highly experienced lawyers to handle complex domestic and cross-border transactions’. ‘One of the best Portuguese lawyers’, Diogo Leónidas Rocha advised Africatel Holdings and Companhia Santomense de Telecomunicações on its involvement in the Africa to Europe submarine cable. The ‘highly experienced’ Mário Lino Dias advised Secil on its €65m acquisition of Lafarge’s Portuguese subsidiary companies. Susana Pimenta de Sousa has ‘global knowledge of the law’ and ‘a strong commitment to clients’.

The ‘excellent’ Uría Menéndez – Proença de Carvalho provides ‘very fast answers’, and demonstrates ‘deep knowledge of key matters’. Francisco Brito e Abreu, who shows ‘very good knowledge of the local legal framework’, advised new client Patris Investimentos SGPS on its acquisition of Portuguese securitisation fund manager Oceanus SGFTC, and assisted AstraZeneca in the sale of its Astra Tech business in Portugal and Spain. The team also advised Lafarge on selling its ready-mix cement and stone quarries business. The ‘strongly committed’ Antonio Villacampa Serrano advised Vintage Capital Partners on acquiring 51% of Inter Risco’s share capital.

AAA advogados’ ‘proven and well-respected lawyers’ provide ‘fantastic service’ and ‘top-class responses’. The team is advising a Portuguese investor on a $500m structure to develop a retail and residential project in Brazil, and also advising Banco Carregosa on a €750m film financing structure. The team knows its clients and takes ‘a proactive stance on legal and regulatory changes’. ‘One of the best M&A lawyers in Portugal’, Gabriela Rodrigues Martins provides ‘total dedication’, and Vítor Pereira das Neves is recommended for his ‘profound knowledge’. Dulce Franco gives ‘fast answers to highly complex situations’. Senior associate Anabela Gonçalves Ferreira provides ‘trustworthy advice’.

The ‘proactive’ and ‘solutions-oriented’ ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados has experience in corporate restructurings, including advising Aquapura Holdings and Companhia Papel Prado in this regard. Other clients include Perfect Aviation, MGD – Ocean Matters, Yamaha and FedEx. João Costa Quinta has been advising Aerosoles and MoveOn on the acquisition of 60 retail stores in Portugal. ‘Skilful transactional lawyer’ Nuno Azevedo Neves has ‘deep knowledge and experience’. Luís Filipe Carvalho is also recommended.

Abreu Advogados provides ‘quick and good-quality advice’, and Miguel de Avillez Pereira and Miguel Teixeira de Abreu both ‘adjust very well to clients’ requirements’. The team advised Schneider Electric on its merger with American Power Conversion Corporation, and also Marriott International on a joint venture with AC Hotels Group. Fernando Veiga Gomes assisted Brazilian sports and media group Traffic Sports with its acquisition of football club Estoril SAD.

CMS Rui Pena & Arnaut has ‘a broad spectrum of expertise’, and is known for its energy sector experience. João Caldeira is ‘quick to understand specific client needs, and to translate them into corporate and legal language’. Caldeira advised Dali Invest Outdoor on the €60m merger of three operating companies into a special purpose vehicle. The ‘extremely proficient’ Francisco Xavier de Almeida ‘fulfils all deadlines’; he is advising Euromedic International on the €150m sale of its dialysis business in Portugal. Also recommended are António Payan Martins, and associates Laura Abreu Cravo and Margarida Vila Franca.

FCB&A – F Castelo Branco & Associados fields a strong team, featuring the experienced and ‘very helpful’ Pedro Guimarães, whose clients include Nike and Foot Locker. Rodrigo Almeida Dias advised ECS (manager of two Portuguese private equity funds) on acquiring a network of Portuguese car dealers. Gonçalo da Cunha and Nuno Cadima Oliveira are also recommended.

Franco Caiado Guerreiro & Associados, which pairs ‘considerable knowledge’ with ‘excellent service’, advised part of the Sonangol-led consortium on its acquisition of Portuguese engineering company COBA. The team is also advising ExxonMobil on the €700m sale of its Portuguese lubricants business to Galp. The ‘responsive and business-oriented’ João Caiado Guerreiro acts for clients such as Continental Airways, Impulsionatis, and Labco Group.

Corporate work is a strong focus for Macedo Vitorino & Associados, which has notable cross-border experience and acts for clients including Electronic Arts, Dell, V2Play and Apple. João de Macedo Vitorino and Susana Vieira lead the team, which advised Borg Warner on its acquisition of Ensa Portugal.

pbbr (Pedro Pinto, Bessa Monteiro, Reis, Branco, Alexandre Jardim & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados, R.L) combines ‘a high level of professionalism’ with ‘a down-to-earth attitude’, and the group ‘works hard to provide the most suitable solutions’. Pedro Pinto led advice to Chocolaterie Guylian on merging Guylian Portugal and Guylian Spain. Carla Martins Branco’s clients include British American Tobacco Group and Espírito Santo Viagens. Other clients of the practice include Bouygues Immobilier, ING Real Estate Development and Oracle. César Bessa Monteiro Jr, Teresa Freire and Inês Reis are also recommended, and Alexandre Jardim is a notable addition from Serra Lopes, Cortes Martins & Associados.

SRS Advogados provides ‘excellent’ advice and turnaround times. Octávio Castelo Paulo leads the team, which is particularly notable for its TMT and energy experience. Highlights included advising Japanese internet provider NEC on the squeeze-out of minority shareholders in a Portuguese subsidiary, and on the merger of two subsidiaries. It also advised on Air Liquide’s acquisition of Gasmedi in Spain and Portugal. An ‘excellent professional’, Nuno Miguel Prata provides ‘timely, clear and concise advice’.

Serra Lopes, Cortes Martins & Associados’ team ‘understands clients’ business needs’, and recently advised Efacec in joint venture negotiations with a Romanian company. Other clients include Controlinveste and Chamartín Imobiliária. The ‘very fast-thinking and strategic’ Luís Miguel Cortes Martins and the ‘very detail-oriented and accurate’ Rafael Lucas Pires are recommended, along with Martim Anahory and Miguel Pena Machete.

Sérvulo & Associados’ António Teles and Nuno Moura Roldão advised DomusVenda on service agreements with two Bank of America investment funds. Sofia Carreiro has ‘deep knowledge’ and is ‘quick to understand issues’, and Fernando Ferreira Pinto and senior associate Magdalena Ivanova Ilieva are also recommended. Carreiro and Ilieva advised Multicert on its €3m merger with Certipor.

Albuquerque & Associados is praised for its ‘excellent service’, ‘quick turnaround times’ and ‘targeted advice’. Highlights included advising on Portuguese elements of Swedish Match and Scandinavian Tobacco Group’s establishment of a new cigar and tobacco company, and also assisting Tecnifar with corporate and tax structuring of a new acquisitions project. António de Mendonça Raimundo has ‘a very good understanding of clients’ legal needs’, and Gonçalo Pinto Ferreira is recommended.

António Frutuoso de Melo e Associados Sociedade de Advogados, RL is very well known for representing banks in corporate transactions. António Frutuoso de Melo has a superb reputation.

M&A is a pillar of Cardigos e Associados’ practice, and the team is praised for its ability to adapt and learn. Clients include Sonatrach, Bipadosa and Denso Group. Pedro Cardigos is the key contact following Gonçalo Capela Godinho’s departure in 2011.

Carlos Aguiar, Ferreira de Lima & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados, R.L. advised an IT distribution group on the potential purchase of its Portuguese subsidiary, and also represents Smith & Nephew and Bloomberg. The ‘very personable’ Carlos Aguiar ‘understands the service levels required on international deals’. The team also features the ‘knowledgeable and professional’ Manuel Costa Salema, Maria Sottomayor, who is ‘very flexible’ and ‘always ready to find solutions’, Maria Roquette Valdez, and Maria Antónia Cardoso de Menezes.

Diogo Xavier da Cunha’s team at Miranda Correia Amendoeira & Associados has experience in Angola and Lusophone Africa, and assists on all corporate and M&A matters. The group has notable expertise in energy-related transactions.

‘A firm with a brilliant future’, Raposo Bernardo fields a team of ‘profound connoisseurs’ providing ‘top-quality’ service. It continues to advise Banif Mais Bank as a shareholder of Finibanco regarding Finibanco’s €341m takeover by Banco Montepio-Geral. BES Africa is another key client. The team also advised Toronto-listed Colt Resources on its €10m acquisition of land for a leisure and retreat centre. ‘Skilled negotiator’ Nelson Raposo Bernardo has ‘experience and “bulletproof” confidence in any matter’, and Joana Andrade Correia is ‘superb at solving complex problems’.

‘A model of excellence’, Alves Pereira & Teixeira de Sousa, RL provides high-calibre service. João Alves Pereira, who ‘fully understands the legal issues’, advised a motorcycle manufacturer on terminating a distribution agreement and on restructuring its Portuguese dealership network. Belén Granados advised a Spanish media company on commercial agreements with local publishers.

Baião, Castro & Associados, R.L. is marked by ‘pragmatism and strong business sense’, and provides ‘very good partner involvement and commitment’. Victor de Castro Nunes, valued for his ‘negotiation skills and flexibility’, advised Águas de Portugal on its €63m privatisation of Luságua. Felipe Baião do Nascimento is recommended for his ‘technical expertise and reliability’.

CCA Advogados’ broad practice was reinforced when Bernardo Reynolds de Carvalho joined from Spanish firm Ramón Hermosilla & Gutiérrez de la Roza in January 2011 to lead the team’s international work. The group advised Tim We on its IPO on Nasdaq, and Go4Mobility on the incorporation of a Spanish subsidiary. Domingos Cruz and Rita Cruz are highly recommended.

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo’s experienced team provides ‘immediate answers and much industry knowledge’. Jorge Santiago Neves led advice to Laureate Education on its €10m acquisition of ISLA Lisboa. Fermín Garbayo Renouard is advising Principle Power on the corporate structure for Windplus, its offshore project. Associates Susana Morgado and Francisco Goes Pinheiro are recommended, with the latter noted as ‘very accurate and efficient’.

AVM Advogados provides ‘in-depth analysis’ and ‘very good support for businesses in Lusophone countries’. António Vicente Marques has been advising Grupo CTT on incorporating a subsidiary. Other clients include Glintt, Banco BIC and Critical Software.

MGRA & Associados advises clients on structuring, implementing and reorganising businesses in Portugal and Lusophone countries. António Mouteira Guerreiro heads the team.

Marques Mendes & Associados’ team acts for GMAC, IT company SAS Institute and flight school network CAE Global Academy. The experienced Pedro Vilarinho Pires has an ‘understanding of international settings’.

Teixeira de Freitas, Rodrigues e Associados – Sociedade de Advogados RL provides ‘very good service’ under practice head Mafalda Barreto. Recent highlights include advising Avon Automotive on its sale to a French group, and representing an investment company on selling a stake in a carbon venture.