Gómez-Acebo & Pombo > Lisbon, Portugal > Firm Profile

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo > The Legal 500 Rankings

Portugal > Banking and finance Tier 3

With a strong track record of acting for domestic and international credit and financial institutions, insurance players, and borrowers, Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is proficient in a range of financing transactions and regulatory work. The practice is steered by Mafalda Barreto, who routinely takes the lead on major financing deals and restructuring matters. A multitude of foreign and domestic financial institutions and blue-chip companies turn to Filipe Santos Barata for his expertise on debt restructuring, syndicated lending and insurance mandates. Former practice co-head Miguel Castro Pereira is no longer at the firm.

Portugal > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3

The ‘top-notch’ corporate, commercial and M&A team at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo earns high praise from clients for its ‘extremely efficient and dedicated’ approach. A litany of domestic and international companies turn to the team for its experience in buy and sell-side deals, as well as commercial agreements, contracts and day-to-day corporate issues. The practice is steered by the 'fantastic' Mafalda Barreto, who is noted for her experience advising on cross-border transactions. Former co-head Miguel de Avillez Pereira is no longer at the firm.

Portugal > Dispute resolution Tier 3

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo‘s dispute resolution team is particularly active in corporate, civil and commercial disputes. Often called upon by companies from the insurance, transport and construction segments, the group possesses a strong track record in infrastructure-related litigation and arbitration proceedings in Portugal and abroad, namely in Mozambique. Department leader Ricardo Campos steers the team in construction disputes, and represents clients in administrative proceedings. Rita Espírito Santo focuses on white-collar crime and criminal compliance matters.

Portugal > Energy and natural resources Tier 3

Lauded for its ability to provide a ‘complete and accurate service’, the energy team at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo possesses wide-ranging experience in the renewable energy sector, covering wind, solar and hydro power. The team is spearheaded by Luísa Carrilho da Graça, who frequently advises national and international clients on project finance, development matters and M&A involving regulated assets. Ana Luísa Guimarães joined from Sérvulo & Associados in February 2024.

Portugal > EU and competition Tier 3

The team at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is routinely engaged by an impressive roster of clients on the full scope of competition law matters. The practice is reputed for its experience in handling complex cross-border deals involving multiple merger filings, as well as cartel investigations and litigation. Practice head Mário Marques Mendes, described by one client as a ‘unique asset and a professional of excellence with top-level results’, handles the entire spectrum of antitrust mandates, including private damages actions, leniency cases and compliance. Pedro Vilarinho Pires oversees the firm’s TMT practice and adeptly supports Mendes in a range of competition matters. Joaquim Caimoto Duarte, who joined from TELLES in December 2022 as of counsel, brings over two decades of experience in merger control proceedings and cartel cases before the PCA and the European Commission.

Portugal > Planning law Tier 3

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo provides expert guidance to foreign clients seeking investment opportunities in Portugal’s residential and tourism sectors, with a focus on resorts, hotels, and leisure centres. The practice is led by Sofia Rodrigues Nunes, who draws on her ‘vast experience in the areas of ​urban planning and spatial planning’ as well as environmental and regulatory law to advise on licensing and planning procedures.

Portugal > Projects and project finance Tier 3

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo plays a significant role in major infrastructure projects both in Portugal and internationally, including ventures in Mali, Honduras, Mozambique, and the Republic of Niger. This involvement extends to financing, development and refinancing mandates, as well as acquisition or divestitures involving regulated assets. Mafalda Barreto specialises in cross-border infrastructure and energy transactions, collaborating closely with the firm’s offices in London, New York, Brussels, and Madrid. She heads up the practice with Ricardo Campos, who possesses a wealth of experience in administrative, regulatory and construction matters. Ana Luísa Guimarães joined from Sérvulo & Associados in February 2024.

Portugal > Capital markets Tier 4

The ‘very responsive and thorough’ capital markets team at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is routinely instructed by issuers and banks on a range of transactional mandates. Typical engagements for the team include advising on the placement of debt and equity instruments, and filings before the CMVM. Co-head Mafalda Barreto is regularly involved in major banking and M&A deal. Of counsel Filipe Santos Barata is the name to note for complex insurance matters. Former co-head Miguel Castro Pereira is no longer at the firm.

Portugal > Insolvency and restructuring Tier 4

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is frequently instructed by investors and financial entities, including lenders, and bondholders, in relation to restructuring and insolvency mandates. Mafalda Barreto is adept at advising international corporations and investment funds, working in close collaboration with the firm’s offices in London, New York, Brussels, and Madrid. The department was significantly bolstered by the arrival of the highly regarded Filipa Cotta in January 2024, who previously oversaw VdA‘s insolvency and restructuring practice. Former co-heads Miguel Castro Pereira and Miguel de Avillez Pereira are no longer at the firm.

Portugal > Intellectual property Tier 4

Praised for its ‘excellent expertise’, the IP team at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is divided into three different subgroups, focused on trade marks, patents and copyrights. The practice handles a variety of IP matters, including transactional and litigation issues, working in close collaboration with the firm’s offices in Spain. Practice head Cláudia Tomás Pedro enjoys a strong reputation among clients, earning praise for her ‘solid knowledge and extensive experience in the most diverse areas of IP and technology law’.

Portugal > Public law Tier 4

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo assists clients with administrative procedures, concession agreements, and public tenders, showcasing particular strength in infrastructure projects. At the helm of the public law practice is Ricardo Campos, who brings extensive expertise in administrative and regulatory law, handling both non-contentious matters and arbitrations. Sofia Rodrigues Nunes possesses substantial experience in urban planning, environmental law, and regulatory issues. Ana Luísa Guimarães joined from Sérvulo & Associados in February 2024.

Portugal > Real estate and construction Tier 4

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo’s real estate and town planning department offers advice to both corporate and private entities on office, residential, tourism, and industrial real estate ventures. In addition to real estate developments, the group is well positioned to handle acquisitions, sales and leasing agreements. Sofia Rodrigues Nunes leads the town planning and real estate department, where senior associate Afonso Scarpa is another name to note for real estate transactions and planning matters.

Portugal > Tax Tier 4

The ‘intelligent, insightful, attentive and skilled’ team at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is regularly engaged by clients hailing from the energy, transport, banking, TMT and retail sectors in both contentious and non-contentious tax mandates. The team is led by Nuno De Oliveira Garcia, who is noted for his expertise in energy and environmental taxation; he is often retained in regulatory matters as well as complex litigation proceedings. Tax specialist Ana Paula Basílio offers key support to the firm's corporate and M&A practice, while Catarina Rosa has recently advised several clients from the energy and real estate sector on non-contentious tax issues.