The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, tier 4

João Caiado Guerreiro’s team at Franco Caiado Guerreiro & Associados continues to advise CNP Barclays Vida y Pensiones on all matters in Portugal. The group also advised Mizuho Corporate Bank as leader of a syndicate of lenders in a facility agreement. Other clients include Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Anacap Financial Partners and United Overseas Bank.

Within Capital markets, tier 4

Franco Caiado Guerreiro & Associados advises banks, asset managers, and fund managers. The ‘very smart and fast’ João Caiado Guerreiro leads the team, which recently advised NYSE Euronext on incorporating a fund to invest in SMEs listed on Alternext Lisbon; and Labco Group on a €635m senior secured high-yield bonds issue.

Within Corporate and M&A, Caiado Guerreiro is a third tier firm,

Franco Caiado Guerreiro & Associados, which pairs ‘considerable knowledge’ with ‘excellent service’, advised part of the Sonangol-led consortium on its acquisition of Portuguese engineering company COBA. The team is also advising ExxonMobil on the €700m sale of its Portuguese lubricants business to Galp. The ‘responsive and business-oriented’ João Caiado Guerreiro acts for clients such as Continental Airways, Impulsionatis, and Labco Group.

Within Dispute resolution, tier 4

Franco Caiado Guerreiro & Associados’ ‘very client-focused’ team provides ‘complete and timely advice’, and handles civil, administrative, employment and contractual liability cases. It has ‘excellent legislative knowledge’ of pharmaceuticals disputes: João Caiado Guerreiro is advising Abbott Laboratories in a patent infringement case, and representing Novo Nordisk in a contractual liability case. Senior associate Sandra Ferreira Dias heads the practice.

Within EU and competition, tier 4

Franco Caiado Guerreiro & Associados’ ‘very effective’ team acts for clients such as Holquadros, BioMérieux, Novo Nordisk and Medinfotec. The ‘responsive, user-friendly and pragmatic’ Ricardo Rodrigues Lopes advised Aviagen on a notification relating to its acquisition of a poultry company.

Within Employment, Caiado Guerreiro is a third tier firm,

Franco Caiado Guerreiro & Associados’ ‘technically impeccable’ team advises on contentious employment issues, including collective dismissals. Ricardo Rodrigues Lopes has ‘remarkable technical skills’, and is advising Cintra on employee transfers to a new entity subject to TUPE regulations. ‘Star performer’ João Caiado Guerreiro is ‘a fine strategic thinker’ with ‘impressive in-depth knowledge of the international market’. Guerreiro advised Acision on the termination of employee contracts and compensation of employees following the closure of its office in Portugal. Clients rate the team’s ability to ‘cover challenging tasks in a demanding timeframe’. Senior associate Joana Gomes dos Santos is ‘outstanding’.

Within Energy and environment, Caiado Guerreiro is a third tier firm,

Franco Caiado Guerreiro & Associados’ João Caiado Guerreiro is advising ExxonMobil in Portugal and Angola, and advising Sonangol on an oil refinery in Lobito.

Within Insolvency and restructuring, tier 4

Franco Caiado Guerreiro & Associados has notable insolvency expertise. Tiago Caiado Guerreiro is advising Angelfrutas España as creditor on the recovery of €200m from an insolvent Portuguese company. Other clients include Banque Espírito Santo et de la Vénétie, and bulk chemicals supplier Interchim. Senior associate Sandra Ferreira Dias is also recommended.

Within Intellectual property, Caiado Guerreiro is a second tier firm,

Franco Caiado Guerreiro & Associados provides ‘good and focused answers’ on contentious IP cases, trade marks, patents and data protection. The team has notable pharmaceuticals experience, and acts for Orion Corporation, Abbott Laboratories and Eli Lilly. The team is advising Albuquerque Designers on trade mark protection, and SMA Solar Technology in a name registration matter. Senior associate Tânia Pinheiro gives ‘quick and reasoned advice’, and is recommended along with practice head Ricardo Costa Macedo.

Within Public law, tier 5

Ana Castro Gonçalves is the key contact in Franco Caiado Guerreiro & Associados’ public law practice. Recent highlights include advising Houston Casualty Company Europe on its participation in a Portuguese public tender. Infosistema, FundBox, Danipor and Kapsch TrafficCom are also clients.

Within Real estate, tier 4

Franco Caiado Guerreiro & Associados advises on investments, acquisitions, sales and litigation. It is advising Aeroflot on a hotel complex in Africa, and acting for FundBox on acquisitions. Senior associate Tânia Pinheiro is the main contact, and Ricardo Rodrigues Lopes is recommended.

Within Shipping and transport, Caiado Guerreiro is a second tier firm,

Franco Caiado Guerreiro & Associados provides ‘accurate, comprehensive, competent and timely advice’ to shipping and aviation clients. The team is advising Qatar Airways, and represents Continental Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and JSC Aeroflot on legal matters in Portugal. João Caiado Guerreiro gives ‘100% dedication and attention’, and Ricardo Rodrigues Lopes is also recommended.

Within TMT, tier 4

Tiago Caiado Guerreiro’s ‘excellent’ team at Franco Caiado Guerreiro & Associados advised Infosistema on public tenders, and recently assisted Johnson & Johnson with a review of its internet monitoring policy in Portugal. Ricardo Rodrigues Lopes gave Olympus data protection and regulatory advice. Associate Tânia Albuquerque de Almeida provides ‘quality advice and assistance’.

Within Tax, Caiado Guerreiro is a third tier firm,

Franco Caiado Guerreiro & Associados provides ‘clear advice’ on taxation, and ‘punches above its weight’ in this regard. Tiago Caiado Guerreiro has ‘very specific tax knowledge’, and advised Paperlinx on VAT issues. Ana Castro Gonçalves advised Enersistems, Energias on stamp duty matters pertaining to a €30m project financing.