The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira is a first tier firm,

Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira’ clients state ‘the firm is certainly on par with the top firms in the world by way of knowledge, service and product’. The team acted for Anglo Irish Bank in the structuring, drafting and negotiation of a loan and related security documents, valued at €124.7m. The practice also played a role in the BCP/Aquapura Investment deal, wherein it advised the latter on its revision and negotiation of all loan and security documents. This transaction spanned both Portuguese and Czech jurisdictions, and is testament to the firm’s cross-border capabilities. Department head Manuel Magalhães impresses clients with his insurance sector expertise.

Within Capital markets, Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira is a second tier firm,

Noted for its ‘ability to respond rapidly to clients’ needs’, Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira’ capital markets practice is led by the ‘very capable’ Maria João Ricou. The team recently advised Rede Ferroviária Nacional on a €500m revolving loan facility agreement for a syndicate of banks, including ABN AMRO, Banco Santander Totta, Barclays Bank, BNP Paribas, Caixa Geral de Depósitos and Société Générale. The team also advised Metro do Porto on the borrowing of €120m from JPMorgan, whilst also assisting Banif with the issue of €50m worth of covered bonds.

Within Corporate and M&A, Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira is a second tier firm,

Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira recently advised OnGoing Strategy Investments on the acquisition of Económica, whereby OnGoing gained control of Económica’s subsidiaries, Diário Económico and Semanário Económico. Frederico Pereira Coutinho led a team advising MobiComp – Computação Móvel, and respective shareholders, on the sale of its entire share capital to Microsoft Corporation. Another highlight includes assisting Total France with the sale of Total Portugual to CEPSA. Manuel Castelo Branco leads the department, chosen for its ‘quality of advice and the ability to understand clients’ business’. Recommended partners include Diogo Perestrelo, André Luiz Gomes, José Diogo Horta Osório, and Luís Soares de Sousa.

Within Dispute resolution, Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira is a second tier firm,

Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira remains active in a number of complex disputes cases, recently advising the Portuguese State (AICEP) in litigation proceedings concerning the breach of an agreement entered into with General Motors Group. The firm is solidifying its arbitration expertise, and is often instructed for assistance with mediation and corporate crime matters. Significant clients include BASF, Galp Energia, Lenovo and BMW. Chosen for their ‘competence and strong reputation’, department figureheads include managing partner, Manuel Castelo Branco and Miguel Esperança Pina, while the firm’s Oporto office also has litigation experience in Mr. José de Freitas.

Within EU and competition, Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira is a second tier firm,

The ‘very good’, Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira recently represented easyJet with the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of GB Airways. The team also assisted UnitedHealth Group on filing a joint notification before the PCA, together with Vieira de Almeida on behalf of Tranquilidade, concerning the acquisition and control of AdvanceCare – Gestão de Serviços de Saúde by transfer of part of the share capital. Described by clients as ‘professional and updated’, the team is recommended for its ‘high degree of legal know-how and personal, professional quality’. Frederico Pereira Coutinho leads the department, while former European Commissioner António Vitorino offers strong expertise in this practice area.

Within Employment, Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira is a second tier firm,

Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira was strengthened by the arrival of Diogo Leote Nobre, a ‘very strong practitioner’ and former founding partner of Saraiva e Sousa, Gomes de Almeida & Associados. Maria da Glória Leitão continues to lead the department which provided due diligence advice to the firm’s corporate team, in addition to advising on day-to-day matters for a number of domestic and foreign companies in the retail, banking and insurance sectors. Clients say, ‘Everytime we need their support the team is always available to talk with us and to solve problems very quickly’.

Within Intellectual property, Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira is a second tier firm,

Carlos de Almeida Sampaio leads the IP department at Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira, providing regular advice to clients including Walt Disney, Getty Images and Associated British Foods. The team recently assisted with all IP issues related to the corporate reorganisation of Universal Music Portugal.

Within Legal market,

Spanish firms Uría Menéndez, GARRIGUES and Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira continue to solidify their Portuguese presence, each representing a host of high-calibre Portuguese clients. The global re-branding of Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira is indicative of the firm’s commitment to full integration between its Portuguese and Spanish offices. It would appear that many Spanish firms are keeping one eye firmly set on the Portuguese market, with Gomez-Acebo & Pombo Abogados rumoured to be its newest entrant.

Within Oporto: Leading commercial firms, Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira is a second tier firm,

Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira remains one of Oporto’s leading firms. At 25 fee-earners and three partners, the Oporto office is very much stand-alone and full-service, with particular specialism in corporate and M&A, labour, tax, public law and litigation. The firm is expanding its presence in the energy sector, whilst also focusing on healthcare services clients. Serving small-to-medium sized companies, the team provides ongoing advice to a number of highly coveted local players. José de Freitas has been with the Oporto office since 1989, and is regarded by many as a ‘good, strong lawyer’.

Within Project finance, Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira is a first tier firm,

‘Very professional and up-to-date’, Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira is a top-choice for project finance matters. The team is advising a consortium of bidders, including Mota Engil, Somague, Vinci, Teixeira Duarte, MSF, OPWAY, Banco Espírito Santo, Banco BPI and Banco Iest, in a public tender proposal for the TGV between Poceirão and Caia. Other highlights include assisting the consortium Somague/MSF with a proposal for the new Portuguese highway concessions under Portugal’s new PPP road financing model, including Transmontana, Baixo Alentejo and Douro Interior. Considered someone with ‘a high degree of legal know-how’, Diogo Perestrelo leads the team, ably supported by partner Duart Abecasis.

Within Public law, Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira is a first tier firm,

Duarte Abecasis heads the first-class public law department at Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira, noted for its ‘reactivity, fairness and competitive prices’. The team stakes involvement in many of Portugal’s most coveted public projects, including advising a consortium on its international public tender bid for the TGV at Poceirão to Caia. The team is also advising Metro do Porto on its financing of the network expansion plan and refinancing of the first investment phase, in addition to assisting the Somague/MSF consortium with its concession bid for Portugal’s new highways project. The practice is characterised by its ‘strong ability to listen to client’s needs and willingness to take initiative’.

Within Real estate, Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira is a first tier firm,

Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira is very active in the tourism sector, having recently been involved in the beach resort project, Quinta da Praia. The team advised Colinas do Alvor in the negotiation of a management agreement between the Quinta da Praia resort and Hilton International, in addition to assisting with general real estate matters, such as town planning and licensing. On the residential side, Drago Capital instructed the department to advise on real estate issues concerning several residential developments in Lisbon and Oporto. Other active clients include Carlyle, Hamptons International and H&M. Under the direction of Frederico Pereira Coutinho and Nuno Sá Carvalho, the team is ‘at the client’s disposal to find out alternative solutions in a comprehensive way’.

Within TMT, Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira is a third tier firm,

Frederico Pereira Coutinho led the team at Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira who advised MobiComp – Computação Móvel on its acquisition by Microsoft Corporation. The practice also assisted with the start up of a paysafecard operation in Portugal.

Within Tax, Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira is a first tier firm,

Clients choose Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira because ‘even as a big office, they act as promptly as a small office; the team is always available to talk and solves problems quickly’. The team advised GALP on tax issues related to branch incorporation in Spain and the allocation of a share portfolio. EDP Inovação sought the firm’s tax advice on the structuring of energy and new technologies investments, while it continues to provide ongoing advice to ING Real Estate on the structuring of a property logistics fund concerning Portuguese assets. Diogo Ortigão Ramos, a ‘truly great lawyer’ heads the department, while London-based António Rocha Mendes is thought to have ‘tremendous tax expertise and a lot of practical experience’. Carlos Almeida Sampaio also fetches positive market feedback.