Firms To Watch: Fraud and white-collar crime

MFA Legal, a boutique firm devoted to criminal law, risk management and tax, was co-founded by the highly regarded ex-VdA parter João Medeiros in November 2023; Medeiros steers the team, which also includes Inês Almeida Costa, in white-collar crime and compliance matters.

Fraud and white-collar crime in Portugal

Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados

Well-regarded for its ability to provide an ‘exceptional quality of service’, the criminal, regulatory offences and compliance team at Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados regularly acts in high-profile cases of bribery, corruption, money laundering, tax crimes and insider trading. Recognised as ‘one of the most reputable Portuguese firms’, its expertise extends seamlessly to navigating complex cross-border matters. The practice is jointly steered by Rui Patrício and Tiago Félix da Costa; Patrício is noted for his focus on corporate and white-collar crime and regulatory offences litigation, while the ‘meticulous and detailed’ Costa is recommended for his experience advising on matters in the TMT, banking and distribution sectors. João Matos Viana is a key port of call for criminal and regulatory offences litigation involving banking, securities and insurance law. Associate Tiago Geraldo focuses on criminal litigation, regulatory offences litigation and compliance. Partner João de Lima Cluny has left the practice.

Practice head(s):

Rui Patrício; Tiago Félix da Costa


Other key lawyers:

Tiago Félix da Costa; João Matos Viana; Duarte Santana Lopes; Tiago Geraldo


Testimonials

‘What makes this team exceptional is its professionalism, integrity, attention and analysis of the client’s situation in allaspects.’

‘Rui Patricio is an excellent and exceptional lawyer with limitless human value.’

‘Exceptional quality of service provided. Great availability of partners, and we receive a very personalised service despite being a firm with many lawyers.’

‘Morais Leitão is one of the most reputable Portuguese firms, with a team of excellent lawyers, extremely competent, dedicated and professional. They use appropriate technology for your needs and billing is perfectly reasonable when compared to the competition.’

‘In terms of the team, I highlight Tiago Félix da Costa – an experienced, competent, professional, dedicated lawyer, who puts his time and energy to good use when we need it most. He has clear reasoning and explanations on very complex issues.’

‘Tiago Félix da Costa is meticulous and detailed. He prepares robust legal and regulatory documents and strategies covering a multitude of areas.’

‘The team has great knowledge of subjects and legal standards.’

‘I recommend for Rui Patrício and Tiago Geraldo.’

Sérvulo & Associados

Counting financial institutions, corporates and directors among its key client roster, the team at Sérvulo & Associados, praised for its ‘great legal knowledge’, is well versed in the full scope of corporate crime and regulatory compliance matters. The practice group is distinguished by its expertise in criminal and administrative litigation, successfully handling some of the most high-profile cases in the country. The team is jointly led by a capable trio: José Lobo Moutinho, lauded for his ‘impeccable professional qualities’; Teresa Serra, who is noted for her expertise in civil and commercial litigation, as well as in corporate crime and regulatory compliance; and Cláudia Amorim, who has advised on some of the most high-stakes corporate crime and large regulatory offences cases in Portugal. Consultant Ana Brito Camacho specialises in corporate crime and regulatory compliance issues.

Practice head(s):

José Lobo Moutinho; Teresa Serra; Cláudia Amorim


Other key lawyers:

Ana Brito Camacho; Miguel Santos Almeida; João Santos Marta; Rui Oliveira Alves


Testimonials

‘The team has lots of experience in public law and criminal law.’

‘The team is professionally oriented and is well positioned to handle complex work.’

‘The service is very personal and the concern for the client is genuine.’

‘José Lobo Moutinho – impeccable professional qualities and human approach.’

‘Ana Brito Camacho has a lot of experience in the subject in question and is always available to answer questions asked by the client.’

‘Sérvulo has lawyers with great legal knowledge, superior to other law firms. Furthermore, they are always available and work very quickly.’

‘The criminal law team has provided an excellent service in the representation and defence of the company in criminal litigation and administrative offence litigation with high success rates.’

‘José Lobo Moutinho is lawyer with extensive experience in the field of criminal and administrative law, holder of high ethical standards and high trust. Ana de Brito Camacho is a competent lawyer with extensive experience in the field of criminal and administrative law; she is also pragmatic and solution-oriented and supports clients in high-risk situations and with short response times.’

Key clients

Jerónimo Martins / Pingo Doce


Miguel Barreto


Alcon Portugal


EDP Group


Rui Manteigas


Projectual, Lda.


Paybyrd, B.V.


LUSA


Fernando Paes Afonso


Bit2me


Liliana Rodrigues


Sporting Clube de Portugal


Nefroserve – Serviços e Produtos Médicos S.A. / NephroCare Portugal, S.A.


Flexdeal


Infraestruturas de Portugal


Fine


Secretaria-Geral da Presidência da República Portuguesa


Work highlights


  • Representing Jerónimo Martins/ Pingo Doce in cases concerning alleged practices of resale price maintenance and/or ‘hub & spoke’, that constitute administrative offences.
  • Acting for Sporting in several criminal proceedings, including Operação Fora de Jogo.

VdA

VdA draws considerable praise from clients, who turn to the team for its ‘depth of analysis’ and ‘vast knowledge’ on the full gamut of regulatory and criminal investigations. The practice assists clients from the sports, financial services, telecoms, energy and media sectors on matters pertaining to regulatory investigations, money laundering and corruption cases, and search and seizure procedures. The team is spearheaded by Sofia Ribeiro Branco who is noted for her focus on regulatory offences cases across a wide range of sectors. Branco is supported by managing associate Joana Bernardo, who boasts considerable experience in criminal cases and misdemeanour and regulatory litigation.

Practice head(s):

Sofia Ribeiro Branco


Other key lawyers:

Joana Bernardo


Testimonials

‘The team has unique expertise in the Portuguese market. Sofia Ribeiro Branco is an excellent professional, with great experience in the area. She combines very solid legal knowledge, sagacity and great availability, involvement and commitment to the cases she works on.’

‘Depth of analysis and the team searched for alternatives with persistence.’

‘VdA has a team that is very available and focused on providing the best client advice.’

‘I highlight the availability and holistic vision of Sofia Ribeiro Branco, as well as the professionalism and thoughtful attitude of Joana Bernardo.’

Key clients

EDP Group


Mário Ferreira (Pluris Investments)


Doyen Sports Investment (DSI)- Football Leaks


Ascendi and Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian


Sport Lisboa e Benfica — Futebol, S.A.D.


Varzim sol – Turismo, Jogo e Animação, S.A.


CUF


Asperbras


Manuel Salgado


Several companies and insolvent companies of the Espírito Santo Group (BES Case) RFI/ESI


Francisco Andrade


Marítimo da Madeira Futebol – SAD


INE – Instituto Nacional de Estatística (the National Statistics Institute)


Engie Group


MEO (Altice Group)


Work highlights


  • Advising António Mexia and João Manso Neto and assisting REN in an ongoing criminal investigation, looking into the conduct of members of EDP Group, REN Group and the Portuguese Government.
  • Acting for Mário Ferreira and Pluris in an investigation by the recently created European Public Prosecutor’s Office for alleged fraud in obtaining European subsidies.
  • Representing Doyen in a cybercrime investigation case related to the illegal disclosure of several contracts and information.

Abreu Advogados

The ‘excellent’ criminal, sanctions and compliance team at Abreu Advogados is well versed in a range of matters, serving as a trusted adviser to companies, individuals and government bodies in money laundering, cybercrime corruption, and tax fraud cases. The team is jointly led by Francisco Patrício, Pedro Barosa and Ana Rita Duarte de Campos. Patrício also leads the dispute resolution practice at the firm and is noted for his expertise on insolvency and corporate restructuring, while Barosa is a key port of call for clients seeking assistance in economic and financial crimes. Campos regularly represents defendants in some of the most complex cases in the country. The team was bolstered by a number of recent hires: Ana Grosso Alves, a criminal, compliance and litigation specialist, joined from Gómez-Acebo & Pombo in December 2022, while Paulo de Sá e Cunha, who enjoys a strong reputation in the market, arrived in April 2023 from Cuatrecasas.

Practice head(s):

Francisco Patrício; Pedro Barosa; Ana Rita Duarte Campos


Other key lawyers:

Paulo de Sá e Cunha; Ana Grosso Alves; José Maria Formosinho Sanchez; Cátia Muchacho; Vasco Sousa Vieira


Testimonials

‘The Abreu team managed, with remarkable speed, to understand the specificities of our economic group and provide appropriate responses to our needs.’

‘Ana Rita Campos and Vasco Sousa Vieira have provided quick and technically correct responses to our needs, and have also provided very competent monitoring of the various ongoing processes.’

‘I have been collaborating with Cátia Muchacho for many years on many cases. Cátia has always been available and clear in explaining the critical points of each case and the strategies on how to win.’

‘I highlight the lawyer Ana Rita Duarte Campos, especially for her intelligence and work capacity.’

‘Excellent growing team!’

‘As I was a foreigner operating in a criminal matter in Portugal without knowledge of the legal system or without knowledge of the Portuguese language, Pedro Barosa was fluent in my language, understood what was important to me and gave excellent guidance to me leading up to the court case and in court.’

‘Pedro Barosa is a highly skilled criminal lawyer. He is a diligent lawyer who remained utterly focused throughout the process.’

‘The team does a great job of making the Portuguese legal system accessible to non-Portuguese clients.’

Key clients

Federação Portuguesa de Futebol


Work highlights


  • Assisting the Portuguese Football Federation with the criminal proceedings against Rui Pinto, the alleged whistleblower and creator of “Football Leaks”, charged for 90 cybercrimes and extortion attempts.

PLMJ

Fielding a strong team that is highly regarded for its ability to cover the full scope of fraud and white-collar criminal matters, PLMJ is rated by clients for its ‘legal acumen‘ and ‘unparalleled dedication.’ Counting former politicians, bank directors, financial institutions and companies among its key roster of clients, the practice stands out for its focus on administrative litigation before regulatory bodies. It also boasts extensive experience in handling corruption investigations, anti-money laundering compliance programmes, tax fraud and financial crimes. At the helm sits Paulo Farinha Alves, who regularly acts for clients in corporate crime cases, including embezzlement and labour crime matters. Managing associate Dirce Rente is no longer at the firm.

Practice head(s):

Paulo Farinha Alves


Testimonials

‘The team has in-depth knowledge of its clients’ activities, and the specific legislation that governs it. Obtaining this knowledge can only be acquired after long years of experience.’

‘My collaborations involving Portuguese jurisdiction have led me to engage with PLMJ. Their comprehensive understanding of Portuguese law, coupled with an intuitive grasp of the challenges I face has made them an invaluable ally.’

‘What truly distinguishes PLMJ in my experience isn’t just their legal acumen, but their unparalleled dedication to their clients. Their attentiveness, vast network of connections, and unwavering patience have consistently gone above and beyond, ensuring that both my needs and those of my clients are met with the utmost professionalism.’

‘The team’s availability, regardless of time differences or pressing schedules, speaks volumes about their commitment to excellence and client satisfaction.’

‘Paulo Farinha Alves has been one such individual whose expertise and professionalism have consistently left a lasting impression on me. What makes Paulo stand out isn’t just his exceptional legal acumen, but the holistic approach he brings to every challenge, an approach that effortlessly blends analytical rigour with a deep understanding of client needs.’

‘Compared to counterparts at other firms, Paulo’s dedication to his work is palpable. He has an innate ability to anticipate potential pitfalls, strategise proactively, and communicate complexities in an accessible manner. Beyond his technical skills, I’ve deeply valued his qualities of attentiveness, responsiveness, and patience.’

‘We have been working on some processes with Paulo Farinha Alves who has found solutions that have allowed processes to be concluded in a very positive way for society. His calmness and knowledge allows him to calm the most delicate situations by offering valid options and discussing the consequences of each of these options in a very clear and transparent way.’

‘Paulo Farinha Alves – technical knowledge, tranquility, availability.’

Key clients

TAP Group


Secil / Cimpor


H&M


Somincor


Minor Group / Marinóteis


REN


Somincor / Lundin Mining Group


Microsoft


Itelyum


Norwegian Airlines


Work highlights


  • Defending Henrique Granadeiro in the criminal case known as “Operação Marquês” or “Caso Sócrates”, in which several top-level Portuguese companies, high society individuals, bankers and politicians, including a former Portuguese Prime Minister, are defendants.

Rogério Alves & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados, SP, RL

Rogério Alves & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados, SP, RL, a boutique firm devoted to criminal law affairs, is a strong choice for a diverse range of clients, who turn to the team for its wide-ranging capabilities in white-collar crime and criminal litigation matters. Noted for its ‘excellent command of subjects’, the team is regularly engaged in high-profile criminal cases involving bank directors, shareholders, financial institutions and companies. The practice is led by Rogério Alves, who has been described by one client as ‘one of the best, if not the best, lawyer in Portugal for crisis management involving criminal law’. Criminal law specialist Bárbara Marinho Pinto covers civil and criminal law litigation, while André Matos Faria is often involved in major criminal procedures involving bank insolvencies.

Practice head(s):

Rogério Alves


Other key lawyers:

Bárbara Marinho e Pinto; André Matos Faria


Testimonials

‘Fantastic knowledge of processes. Very close collaboration and always defending the client’s interests.’

‘The firm’s boutique format, provides a service with the quality and dimension that a big firm allows, but with personalised service. Excellent command of subjects.’

‘Rogério Alves stands out for his strategic ability, good relationships with colleagues and Magistrates and excellent knowledge.’

‘The Rogério Alves & Associados firm has for several decades been our choice in Portugal, especially, in addition to its experience, for its ability to serve foreign clients with a deep understanding of both local and international legal nuances.’

‘Rogério Alves is, without a doubt, one of the best, if not the best, lawyer in Portugal for crisis management involving criminal law.’

‘This firm provides a very efficient, modern, professional service and, above all, has a very competent and knowledgeable team.’

‘In addition to Rogério Alves, a professional of the highest competence and seriousness, I highlight Bárbara Marinho e Pinto, a lawyer with great work capacity, a lot of knowledge, availability and competence.’

Antas da Cunha Ecija

Under the leadership of Alexandra Mota Gomes, the criminal, misdemeanour and compliance team at Antas da Cunha Ecija handles a steady stream of tax fraud, corruption, cybercrime and money laundering cases. The team is regularly engaged by multinational and domestic players in the financial services, pharmaceuticals, construction and energy sectors. Gomes is assisted by senior associate Beatriz Eusébio da Costa who provides legal advice and compliance training to Portuguese and multinational companies.

Practice head(s):

Alexandra Mota Gomes


Other key lawyers:

Beatriz Eusébio da Costa


 


CCA Law Firm

With a diverse roster of clients on its books, comprising financial institutions, foreign individuals and medium-sized companies, CCA Law Firm boasts vast experience in criminal cases. The team is well versed in proceedings involving money laundering, tax fraud, corruption and cybercrime. The practice is jointly steered by Henrique Salinas and Marta Duarte. Salinas is praised for his ‘technical competence’, while Duarte is noted for her focus on dispute resolution, particularly civil and criminal litigation matters.

Practice head(s):

Henrique Salinas; Marta Duarte


Other key lawyers:

Francisco Pimenta


Testimonials

‘Quality and clarity of the information provided. Provision of a specific platform for managing complaints. Good synthesis and organisation skills.’

‘Marta Duarte stands out for her professionalism, rigour and availability.’

‘Henrique Salinas stands out for his technical competence, knowledge of different legal areas and availability to the client.’

Key clients

Vidrala Group


Portuguese Competition Authority


Sofia Catarino


Cofina Media


Eurocrane


Raúl Schmidt


Cíntia Martins


888 Portugal Limited


Bene Farmacêutica, Lda.


Aldi


Kade Global Limited


Work highlights


  • Advising the Portuguese Competition Authority on the proceedings initiated against the Portuguese Professional Football League and several football clubs.
  • Assisting Aldi with the design and review of the compliance programme for its group companies in Portugal.
  • Representing Imorequerente in a €1.2m criminal proceeding against a former shareholder and manager of the company.

Cuatrecasas

Well-regarded for its ‘high technical competence’ and ‘good knowledge’, the white-collar crime and corporate governance team at Cuatrecasas is a key port of call for financial institutions, sports clubs, former politicians and corporates seeking counsel on bribery investigations, tax fraud and money laundering. Spearheading the team is Maria Raquel Moreira, who joined the team in January 2023 following the incorporation of SLCM, and is noted for her focus on civil and commercial litigation. Miguel Pereira Coutinho has a wealth of experience in compliance, criminal and misdemeanor litigation, with a special focus on the financial sector. Former practice head Paulo de Sá e Cunha is no longer at the firm.

Practice head(s):

Maria Raquel Moreira


Other key lawyers:

Miguel Pereira Coutinho; Rita Travassos Pimentel; Leonor Sarmento Fontes


Testimonials

‘The general level of service is excellent. The team demonstrates good knowledge and in-depth understanding of the legal framework, high technical competence, professionalism, great negotiation skills and a particular ability to reach consensus solutions, placing the client’s interest at the centre of the analysis and resolution of each problem.’

‘They have an integrated vision and analysis of topics, covering the different specialties of law. The team is always available and able to give their opinion and work within demanding deadlines..’

‘We have worked mainly with Miguel Pereira Coutinho. He is an expert in his practice, with in-depth knowledge of the general legal framework, ensuring that all matters are handled professionally and efficiently. ’

‘Good knowledge and command of subjects. Scrupulous compliance with defined deadlines.’

‘Miguel Pereira Coutinho stands out for his professionalism and seriousness.’

Key clients

Banco Espírito Santo (BES)


Credit Suisse


TAP SA and TAP SGPS


Banco Privado Português (BPP)


Dassault Systèmes


Samsung


Sporting Clube de Portugal


Nowo


DHL


Grupo Manuel Champalimaud / OZ Energia


Globalvia


Work highlights


  • Advising and representing Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD (SCP) in several criminal proceedings.
  • Advising and representing Banco Espírito Santo (BES) as well as its winding-up board in pre-litigation and litigation matters, including crime complaints filed against the previous board of directors and several regulatory proceedings filed by the Bank of Portugal.
  • Advising and representing Dassault in criminal matters of infringements related to software.