The Legal 500

CMS’ practice, which spans regulation, renewable energy projects and energy legislation, is praised for its ‘outstanding service’ and ‘quick and appropriate legal solutions’. The team has ‘very good technical knowledge’, and is ‘client oriented’. Mónica Carneiro Pacheco advised National Grid on its (subsequently withdrawn) bid in the privatisation process of REN, and is advising Windplus on the installation of a platform for wind offshore electricity generation. Rui Pena has longstanding experience, and associate Bernardo Cunha Ferreira is recommended for his environmental practice.

Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados is ‘without doubt one of the leading firms for energy work’. Nuno Galvão Teles and Rui de Oliveira Neves advised EDP on the disposal of a stake in EDP Renováveis Portugal to a company in the China Three Gorges group, and also advised the Portuguese Republic and Parpública on the eighth phase of the reprivatisation of EDP, worth $3.4bn. ‘One of the most active and respected energy lawyers’, Neves has ‘extensive experience handling complex transactions in the energy arena’. On the environmental side, Fernanda Matoso and João Pereira Reis act for Sonae Sierra, Abertis and Respol Resinas.

The ‘effective and practical’ team at Vieira de Almeida & Associados has ‘excellent knowledge of energy markets’ and ‘understands specific client needs’. It has ‘sufficient size and expertise to play in an international league’, and is able to ‘put together multidisciplinary teams as required’. It was involved in two major privatisations in the energy sector in 2012, and the ‘highly specialised’ Vanda Cascão advised REN on the €75m financing of an EIP upgrade, the impact of the new waste law and on environmental aspects related to public tenders. Pedro Ferreirinha and senior associate Manuel Gouveia Pereira handle environment mandates, and Manuel Protásio is also recommended.

‘Excellent across the board’, Abreu Advogados has ‘one of the best environmental lawyers in Portugal’ in José Eduardo Martins, who is advising AEPSA on environmental matters including litigation against the Portuguese Environmental Agency. Other clients include Iberdrola Generación and Hidrocentrais Reunidas. Manuel de Andrade Neves and associate Madalena Bernardes Coelho are also recommended.

Singled out for its regulatory expertise and ‘tailor-made advice’, Garrigues’ ‘enthusiastic and hardworking’ team is led by João Rosado Correia, who has ‘deep knowledge of political and legal risks’. Correira recently advised the Portuguese Republic on legislative proposals in the energy sector, and advised Repsol on offences related to water and soil contamination and air emissions. Associates Sara Castelo Branco and Filipa Alves Botton are also recommended.

Linklaters LLP was involved in several privatisations in the energy sector, and most notably acted for Chinese company State Grid International Development in its €387m acquisition of 25% of REN’s share capital. The ‘very competent and experienced’ Pedro Siza Vieira advised Hanwha SolarEnergy Corporation on its acquisition of four Portuguese subsidiaries of Martifer Solar and HSF Prime Netherlands. The team has regulatory, renewables, mining, and oil and gas experience. Counsel Francisco Ferraz de Carvalho is also recommended.

PLMJ Law Firm acted for REN in its second phase of reprivatisation in 2012. Manuel Santos Vitor advised a client on a tender offer for the acquisition of onshore and offshore natural gas blocks in Mozambique. Senior associates Ana Oliveira Rocha and Manuel da Silva Gomes are recommended for energy and environment matters, respectively.

The ‘very efficient and knowledgeable’ SRS Advogados is ‘one of the best in the environmental area’. Pedro Rebelo de Sousa advised ENI on the sale of a 5% shareholding in Galp to Amorim Energia BV, worth €590m. Sousa and competition partner Gonçalo Anastácio are also assisting Galp in a state aid case. José Luis Moreira da Silva impresses with his ‘competence and care’. Sadly, environment partner Mário Melo Rocha passed away in March 2012.

‘Very hardworking and dedicated’, the team at Uría Menéndez – Proença de Carvalho has particular strength in public law and corporate matters, ‘where the firm can really make a difference’. The ‘excellent’ Bernardo Diniz de Ayala continues to advise Cimpor on the reform of the legal framework regarding the licensing and operation of stone quarries.

At AAA advogados, Gabriela Rodrigues Martins acts for Amorim Investimentos Energéticos/Amorim Energia BV. Vítor Pereira das Neves is advising ENEOP on wind energy installation projects.

ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados is advising APREN on the tax policy applicable to renewable energy and on changes to the legal framework relating to the licensing and production of energy facilities. Nuno Azevedo Neves and Bruno Azevedo Rodrigues are recommended.

AVM Advogados advised International Gold Explorations on its participation in five diamond mining concessions in Angola. Claudia Santos Cruz is recommended.

At the ‘very good’ Caiado Guerreiro, Ricardo Rodrigues Lopes advised LDK Solar on a potential €80m acquisition of a photovoltaic power plant in Portugal. João Caiado Guerreiro and senior associate Jorge Ribeiro Mendonça are also recommended. Clients include Sonangol and Corbario.

Campos Ferreira, Sá Carneiro & Associados is recommended for its corporate and project finance expertise in the energy sector. It advised clients involved in two privatisations in 2012, and also assisted in relation to the refinancing of two solar photovoltaic plants. Bernardo Abreu Mota, Duarte Brito de Goes, Maria Castelos and Martim Morgado are recommended.

Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira advised a bidder in the reprivatisation process of EDP. Diogo Perestrelo is advising Galp on the implementation of a new logistics unit in Portugal for the storage and supply of liquid fuels. José Diogo Horta Osório acts for EIP.

The ‘very good and efficient’ team at FCB&A – F Castelo Branco & Associados continues to act for REpower Systems and AE&E Lentjes. Miguel Lorena Brito, Miguel Castelo Branco and associate Dora Ribeiro are recommended.

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo represented the Oman Oil Company in its acquisition of a 15% share in REN from Parpública in the second phase of the reprivatisation process of REN. Fermín Garbayo Renouard handles energy work. Senior associate Sofia Rodrigues Nunes provides ‘accurate solutions’.

Miranda Correia Amendoeira & Associados has a very good client base across Lusophone Africa, and advises on environmental issues such as waste management and hazardous substances. Rui Amendoeira has oil and gas experience.

pbbr (Pedro Pinto, Bessa Monteiro, Reis, Branco, Alexandre Jardim & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados, R.L) ‘understands clients’ needs’. Carla Martins Branco advises Vestas Portugal on licensing for wind farms, and associate Tânia Ferreira Osório advises Bouygues Immobilier on environmental impact assessments.

Raposo Bernardo acts as ‘a true business partner’, and is advising Martifer Renewables on contracts related to its solar photovoltaic plants in Africa (totalling €90m). Nelson Raposo Bernardo is ‘a very reputable lawyer’. Generg, Glintt Energy and Fomentinvest are other clients.

Sérvulo & Associados’ team has experience in electricity, gas and renewables, and is supported by the firm’s corporate and public law practices. Lino Torgal, Rui Medeiros, António Teles and Sofia Carreiro are recommended.