The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, CMS Rui Pena & Arnaut is a second tier firm,

At Rui Pena, Arnaut & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados, RL, the banking and finance practice is especially active on cross-border transactions involving Lusophone countries. The group recently advised the Overseas Private Investment Corporation on a €20m SME loan for an Angolan industrial project, and has a prominent presence on matters relating to East Timor. Other clients include Caixa Banco de Investimento, Barclays Capital, HSBC, Santander UK and Morgan Stanley. The ‘very dedicated’ team is led by António Payan Martins, who is ‘thorough in his work and perceptive to the needs of overseas clients’. Also recommended are the ‘excellent’ Francisco Xavier de Almeida, who offers ‘premium legal advice’, and the ‘very good’ João Caldeira.

Within Capital markets, CMS Rui Pena & Arnaut is a third tier firm,

Rui Pena, Arnaut & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados, RL provides ‘very professional service’, and has notable strength on debt markets work. It recently advised a syndicate of 14 banks, including Caixa Banco de Investimento, on Galp Energia’s €700m floating-rate note issuance. The group also has experience advising banks and state-owned companies on state-guaranteed note issuances. The ‘fantastic’ Francisco Xavier de Almeida is ‘proactive, dynamic and knowledgeable’, and has ‘tremendous capital markets expertise’. António Payan Martins and João Caldeira are also recommended.

Within Corporate and M&A, CMS Rui Pena & Arnaut is a third tier firm,

Rui Pena, Arnaut & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados, RL fields a ‘dedicated team of lawyers’ praised for ‘good response times and industry knowledge’. Practice head João Caldeira is rated for his ‘singular maturity and advice’, and also features the ‘very thorough and perceptive’ António Payan Martins. Explorer Investments is a key client, and the ‘savvy’ Francisco Xavier de Almeida recently advised the company on its acquisition of a restaurant chain. The team also advised Euromedic International on a €85m restructuring and reorganisation. Other notable areas of expertise include the energy sector and, geographically, work in Lusophone Africa and Brazil.

Within Dispute resolution, CMS Rui Pena & Arnaut is a second tier firm,

Rui Pena, Arnaut & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados, RL’s disputes practice was boosted by the recruitment of the ‘gifted’ Joaquim Shearman de Macedo from PLMJ Law Firm, who brought his ‘first-class practice’ to the firm. Practice head Nuno Pena is advising Petrogal in ten actions against fuel supplier Compete, and is also representing Prisa in three disputes against the Media Regulatory Authority relating to its television channel TVI. Pena also has experience on tax cases. Lopo Cancella de Abreu handles criminal litigation.

Within Employment, CMS Rui Pena & Arnaut is a second tier firm,

‘One of the top teams for employment law,’ SRS Advogados advises on some of the most high-profile cases in the country. César Sá Esteves is praised for his ‘business acumen, negotiating skills, professionalism and integrity’, and manages a team that is experienced in advising on collective redundancy procedures following corporate restructuring. This ‘knowledgeable’ group is well versed in contentious and advisory cases, representing clients such as Kraft Foods, BT, Galp Energia and Banco do Brasil. Associate Maria de Lancastre Valente is appreciated for understanding clients’ needs. Susana Afonso Costa and two associates left the firm in 2010 to join Rui Pena, Arnaut & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados, RL.

Within Energy and environment, CMS Rui Pena & Arnaut is a first tier firm,

The ‘outstanding’ Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados is universally agreed to have top-tier skills in this area. The team, including the ‘very good’ Rui de Oliveira Neves, recently advised EDP and Hidroeléctrica del Cantábrico on its €617m acquisition of Ente Vasco de Energia’s share in Naturagas. Energy expert Nuno Galvão Teles is highly recommended, along with environment specialists Fernanda Matoso and João Pereira Reis. Reis is advising Sonae Sierra on environmental impact studies and litigation, and acting for Sovena Group on its €90m acquisition of the Portuguese companies of SOS Corporácion Alimentaria. Casa Amiga, SAIP and Abertis are also clients.

Within Insolvency and restructuring, CMS Rui Pena & Arnaut is a third tier firm,

PLMJ Law Firm has an excellent reputation for insolvency and restructuring work, notably on the advisory side. Nuno Líbano Monteiro, ‘one of the best insolvency experts in Portugal’, advised on the high-profile insolvency of four subsidiary companies of Alicoop, a major distributor in the Algarve. The group advised Banco Privado Português (BPP) on a pre-liquidation process and defended the bank’s assets in Spain and the Cayman Islands. Associate Filipa Cotta is also recommended. Joaquim Shearman de Macedo left the firm in 2010 to join Rui Pena, Arnaut & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados, RL.

Within Intellectual property, CMS Rui Pena & Arnaut is a first tier firm,

Rui Pena, Arnaut & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados, RL’s experienced team has a superb reputation, and is deemed ‘quite unique in Portugal’ owing to its position as one of the first firms to deal with enforcement of IP rights. It advises on trade mark enforcements, prosecutions, and counterfeiting issues for clients from sectors such as pharmaceuticals, energy and luxury goods. The ‘hugely knowlegeable’ team manages the IP portfolios of Portugal Telecom, Danone and Unicer Group, and advises L’Oréal on contentious IP matters. Practice head José Luís Arnaut demonstrates ‘high professional knowledge’ and ‘extraordinary levels of client attention’. Senior associate Cristina Gouveia de Carvalho is recommended.

Within Public law, CMS Rui Pena & Arnaut is a third tier firm,

Rui Pena, Arnaut & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados, RL’s public law practice offers ‘appropriate advice and excellent, ready responses’, and features several ‘experts across different fields’. The group advises on regulatory and procurement law, including litigation, and particularly draws clients from the energy sector, where the firm thrives on its strong reputation. The firm advised new client Ren-Rede Eléctrica Nacional on all public tenders for infrastructure relating to the electricity grid. Galp Gás Natural is another key client. Rui Pena is ‘a highly experienced lawyer who provides excellent client service’. Gonçalo Guerra Tavares does an ‘excellent job’.

Within Real estate, CMS Rui Pena & Arnaut is a third tier firm,

Rui Pena, Arnaut & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados, RL recently advised Inter Ikea Centre Portugal on a licensing issue, and Swedwood Group on matters relating to expanding its factory. Drawing on the firm’s expertise in the energy sector, the team advises REN Gasodutos in real estate issues relating to a registration project. Practice head Luís Abreu Coutinho is recommended for his longstanding experience.

Within TMT, tier 4

Rui Pena, Arnaut & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados, RL’s TMT practice is closely integrated with its IP group, and has particular expertise in the media sector. Clients include Portugal Telecom and TMN. José Luís Arnaut is the key contact, with associate João Figueiredo also recommended.

Within Tax, CMS Rui Pena & Arnaut is a third tier firm,

At Rui Pena, Arnaut & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados, RL, Nuno Pena leads on tax litigation, while the ‘very dedicated’ Patrick Dewerbe handles tax planning and tax structured finance work. Clients include Mota-Engil, Banif, Barclays Capital and BNP Paribas. Dewerbe advised RDS Ultra-Deepwater on tax matters relating to the issuance of $270m senior secured notes and a further $270m loan agreement, while Pena is representing Prisa Group in 46 VAT litigation cases. The firm is particularly recommended for its value for money and competitive fee structure.