The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Vieira de Almeida & Associados is a first tier firm,

‘One of the best firms in Portugal’, Vieira de Almeida & Associados provides ‘effective service’ and ‘timely execution’, and is highly rated for credit restructuring and structured finance. Pedro Cassiano Santos led advice to Banco Santander Totta on its debut securitisation as originator of receivables from term loans and commercial paper programmes established by small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Santos also advised BES Africa on taking a stake in Mozambique’s Moza Banco. The team represented Brisa during its €3bn reorganisation programme. Paula Gomes Freire and Pedro Simões Coelho, who advises clients on collective investment schemes, are recommended.

Within Capital markets, Vieira de Almeida & Associados is a first tier firm,

Vieira de Almeida & Associados is ‘number one for debt transactions’, particularly for banks, and can ‘suggest new solutions’. The team advised Morgan Stanley as arranger of EDP’s €12.5bn debt instruments programme, and acted for Deutsche Bank (London) as arranger and DB Trustees as common representative on €4bn-plus notes issues as part of Caravela SME No.2. Helena Vaz Pinto advised Reditus on a share capital increase through a public offer and listing of ordinary shares. Pedro Cassiano Santos has ‘vast experience’, and is recommended along with João Vieira de Almeida, Pedro Simões Coelho, and securitisation expert Paula Gomes Freire. Managing associate Hugo Moredo Santos is ‘very efficient and hardworking’. Former regulator José Pedro Fazenda Martins joined the firm from the Portuguese Securities Commission (CMVM) in October 2011.

Within Corporate and M&A, Vieira de Almeida & Associados is a first tier firm,

‘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.

Within Dispute resolution, Vieira de Almeida & Associados is a second tier firm,

‘Outstanding firm’ Vieira de Almeida & Associados’ litigation and arbitration team is ‘excellent from all viewpoints’. Frederico Gonçalves Pereira is advising BCP in a factoring agreement dispute, and the team also represents Brisa, Deutsche Bank Europe, Parkalgar and Volkswagen Autoeuropa. António de Magalhães Cardoso has ‘legal and strategic skills’ and experience in IP disputes and corporate crime. Managing associate Sofia Ribeiro Branco has an ‘outstanding capacity for work and organisational skills’, and ‘effective views on the best way to solve problems’.

Within EU and competition, Vieira de Almeida & Associados is a first tier firm,

‘Undoubtedly one of the best in competition law’, Vieira de Almeida & Associados continued its expansion in 2011 by recruiting two lawyers from Abreu Advogados, including Miguel Mendes Pereira. Nuno Ruiz has ‘an outstanding reputation’ and a ‘very deep understanding of the industry and clients’ needs’. He is advising Correios de Portugal on a competition law compliance programme, and representing PT in a European Commission investigation into anti-competitive practices. This ‘very effective and full-service’ team also advises on merger notifications, and has notable expertise in the pharmaceutical sector.

Within Employment, Vieira de Almeida & Associados is a second tier firm,

Vieira de Almeida & Associados is ‘a strong team’ with ‘excellent interpersonal skills’, and is recommended for its ‘fast reactions, permanent availability and good success rate’ in contentious and advisory employment work. Litigator Frederico Gonçalves Pereira is advising BES in a lawsuit relating to employee pensions. The ‘very responsive’ managing associate Tiago Piló, who ‘prepares cases well’, advised pharmaceutical company Almirall in a collective redundancy case. He is also advising Deutsche Bank in a cross-border merger project affecting almost 600 employees.

Within Energy and environment, Vieira de Almeida & Associados is a second tier firm,

Vieira de Almeida & Associados handles work in the waste management and electricity sectors and, in the environment space, it is advising is advising Sociedade Ponto Verde on managing the Portuguese packaging waste system. It is also advising REN on the €150m upgrade of the electricity system. Other clients of the practice include Euro-Yser, Nintendo Ibérica, Lilly Portugal and Turbogás. Manuel Protásio and Vanda Casção lead on projects, with Pedro Ferreirinha and Sofia Galvão the key contacts on the environmental side. Manuel Gouveia Pereira recently rejoined the firm from a governmental post, but Pedro Amaral e Almeida became a legal adviser to Portugal’s prime minister.

Within Insolvency and restructuring, Vieira de Almeida & Associados is a first tier firm,

Vieira de Almeida & Associados acts for clients in contentious cases and debt restructuring, and provides a general advisory service. Frederico Gonçalves Pereira is advising PT on CRH’s €20m insolvency proceedings, and continues to assist BCP, Banif and Casais as creditors in the insolvency proceedings of Sociedade Imobiliária e Turística do Campo de Baixo pertaining to Colombo’s Resort in Madeira. It also advised BCP during negotiations for construction group NOVOPCA’s restructuring plan.

Within Intellectual property, Vieira de Almeida & Associados is a first tier firm,

Vieira de Almeida & Associados has a wealth of IP knowledge, particularly in contentious cases and patent work for the pharmaceuticals industry. The ‘very bright’ António de Magalhães Cardoso is ‘one of the best lawyers’ for trade mark and patent issues, and managing associate Ana Falcão Afonso is recommended. It represented Eli Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim Portugal, and Novartis in patent disputes. It is also assisting a leading consumer computer and electronics company on trade mark enforcement and design rights.

Within Oporto: Leading commercial firms, Vieira de Almeida & Associados is a second tier firm,

Vieira de Almeida & Associados continues to grow its already strong profile. Office head Isabel Gião de Andrade, who is recommended, is advising gas cylinder producer Amtrol-Alfa on international distribution and supply agreements, and Escala Braga on a matter regarding Braga Hospital. The group, which has ‘good solid banking industry knowledge’, advised Banco Português de Negócios on selling its French branch to Banque BCP. Managing associate Joana Domingues has ‘a sound understanding of clients’ perspectives’.

Within Project finance, Vieira de Almeida & Associados is a first tier firm,

The ‘very good’ Vieira de Almeida & Associados advises banks and corporate clients from many sectors. It is advising Caixa Banco de Investimento and Caixa Geral de Depósitos on the financing, installation and operation of a chemicals factory in Sines. Other clients include Elos, Brisa and Energia Própria. The knowledgeable Manuel Protásio, Vanda Cascão and Paulo de Barros Baptista are recommended, as are senior associate Frederico Quintela and managing associate Teresa Empis Falcão, who has a ‘businesslike approach to legal issues’.

Within Public law, Vieira de Almeida & Associados is a second tier firm,

Vieira de Almeida & Associados’ public law team has ‘very good knowledge of business and industry’, and provides ‘excellent legal advice’. Mário Esteves de Oliveira is advising Banco Espírito Santo, BPI, Banco Santander and Caixa Central de Crédito Agrícola Mútua on a €450m litigation case concerning a state-guaranteed loan. ‘One of the most competent professionals’, Paulo Pinheiro recently advised the Ministry of Economy and Innovation on a €110m international tender to connect a photovoltaic power plant to the public grid, and also advised Braga Hospital’s clinical services concessionaire on various matters. Rodrigo Esteves de Oliveira acts for several public entities, including ANA and REN. Managing associate Catarina Pinto Correia is also recommended.

Within Real estate, Vieira de Almeida & Associados is a second tier firm,

Vieira de Almeida & Associados’ ‘excellent, motivated and client-focused lawyers’ represent clients in the energy, leisure, tourism, and financial sectors. Clients include Inspira Group, Imopólis and Leoni Wiring Systems. Pedro Ferreirinha assists Energopark with real estate negotiations, and is ‘able to present several solutions for the same problem’, Sofia Galvão is ‘a real expert in all issues of public law and real estate’, and has ‘outstanding knowledge and technical capabilities’. Associate Hugo Nunes is a ‘rising star’.

Within TMT, Vieira de Almeida & Associados is a first tier firm,

‘The best for TMT’, Vieira de Almeida & Associados’ team advises on IT outsourcing matters, regulation, privacy and data protection, media and electronic communication legislation. The group has expertise in matters locally and internationally, exemplified by ‘excellent’ regulatory specialist Magda Cocco’s recent advice to CV Móvel on the public tender for 3G and 2G licences in Cape Verde. Fernando Resina da Silva has ‘very good knowledge and negotiation skills’: he leads on the IT side, and advised Moza Bank on issues relating to outsourcing its IT infrastructure. The group is assisting the Angolan government with a new legal framework for the ICT sector, and advising PT Comunicações regarding the largest data centre in Portugal. Margarida Couto advises clients in Lusophone Africa, and has ‘real TMT know-how’. Senior associate Catarina Mascarenhas is also recommended.

Within Tax, Vieira de Almeida & Associados is a first tier firm,

Vieira de Almeida & Associados provides ‘outstanding service’, and ‘prompt and objective responses’. Clients appreciate the ‘specialised advice from subject matter experts’. The team advised Banco Português de Negócios on tax matters relating to the sale and transfer of its French branch to Banque BCP. Other clients include Stericycle, Brisa and Ongoing Strategy Investments. The ‘dynamic and dedicated’ Tiago Marreiros Moreira delivers ‘very constructive insights’, and associates Conceição Gamito, Joaquim Pedro Lampreia, Joana Domingues and Ricardo Seabra Moura are also recommended.