The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, tier 5

‘Providing innovative solutions to the problems presented’, ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados has strong experience, particularly in energy and carbon. This ‘energetic and proactive’ team advised Banca Comerciala Romana on financing a Romanian wind farm, and is advising Bank of America on regulatory matters. ‘Competent and efficient’ associate Bruno Azevedo Rodrigues is ‘very deeply insightful’, and recommended along with practice head Nuno Azevedo Neves.

Within Corporate and M&A, ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados is a third tier firm,

The ‘proactive’ and ‘solutions-oriented’ ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados has experience in corporate restructurings, including advising Aquapura Holdings and Companhia Papel Prado in this regard. Other clients include Perfect Aviation, MGD – Ocean Matters, Yamaha and FedEx. João Costa Quinta has been advising Aerosoles and MoveOn on the acquisition of 60 retail stores in Portugal. ‘Skilful transactional lawyer’ Nuno Azevedo Neves has ‘deep knowledge and experience’. Luís Filipe Carvalho is also recommended.

Within Dispute resolution, ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados is a third tier firm,

ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados has ‘outstanding industry knowledge’ and features ‘one of the most recognised arbitrators’ João Nuno Azevedo Neves at the helm of its ‘efficient and independent’ team. Its expertise spans several sectors, including employment, headed by Benjamim Mendes, and real estate and construction, where Luís Filipe Carvalho is the key contact. Highly rated litigator Rogério Alves leads in white-collar crime cases. António Moura Portugal handles aviation litigation, and advises Air France-KLM and Lufthansa. João Guedes is representing Allianz in litigation relating to retirement pensions, and acting for Banco Santander in an outsourcing dispute.

Within EU and competition, ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados is a third tier firm,

ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados has ‘very good knowledge of Portuguese and EU institutions and laws’, and provides ‘prompt and qualitative answers’ and ‘sound advice’ to clients including JTI, Lufthansa, and Servisair. ‘Brilliant professional’ António Moura Portugal has ‘vast experience’, and is ‘very collaborative and proactive’. Portugal is advising Logista on competition restrictions concerning its restructuring.

Within Employment, ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados is a first tier firm,

Employment is a key strength of ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados, which assists in litigation, restructurings and collective dismissals. It advised Swissport Group Services on the acquisition of a Portuguese business with 2,000 employees. Other clients include World Bags, Grupo Bernardino Gomes, VW Bank, Lufthansa and ICC Israel Chemicals. The ‘outstanding’ Benjamin Mendes heads the team, which is ‘quick to acknowledge the organisational impact of legal measures’, and praised for its ‘excellent client orientation and quality of information’. João Guedes has ‘sound legal knowledge’, and advised Banco Santander on employee pension claims.

Within Energy and environment, ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados is a third tier firm,

ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados has expertise in renewables, with associate Bruno Azevedo Rodrigues recommended for his ‘fast responses’ and ‘very good knowledge of the renewable energy sector’. Key clients include APREN, Banca Comerciala Romana, Generg and Iberwind.

Within Intellectual property, ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados is a third tier firm,

ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados provides ‘swift responses’, ‘extremely pragmatic advice’ and ‘good value for money’. The team has recovered well following several departures in 2010, and is now headed by the ‘experienced’ João Costa Quinta. Associates Carmina Cardoso and Margarida Leitão Nogueira are ‘very skilled’, and Ana Mira Cordeiro is notable as a regulatory expert. The team is advising Calvin Klein, Eli Lilly and Cisco on trade mark counterfeiting issues.

Within Legal market overview,

Lawyers have had to create new responses to the crisis: fee structures are now more negotiable, and several firms are joining international networks or forming alliances with firms overseas. ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados now has an association with DLA Piper LLP, and Rui Pena, Arnaut & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados, RL became part of the CMS network in January 2012 under the new name of CMS Rui Pena & Arnaut. CCA Advogados recently created an association with a firm in Brazil.

Within Project finance, ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados is a third tier firm,

ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados has solid capabilities. Nuno Azevedo Neves and associate Bruno Azevedo Rodrigues advised Banca Comerciala Romana on two separate facilities to finance a €40m wind farm and a biofuels project, both in Romania. The team is advising the Municipality of Portimão on PPP projects. Associate João Pedro Varandas is also recommended.

Within Public law, tier 6

At ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados, public law work is handled by the ‘up-and-coming’ associate Hugo Correia, who advises on public procurement, licensing, tenders and regulatory issues. The Municipality of Portimão, EDP and the Port Authority of Lisbon are all clients. Correia is praised for his ‘detailed knowledge of public matters’.

Within Real estate, tier 4

ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados is ‘focused on understanding and adhering to clients’ needs’. It advises EDP on development and acquisitions, and also represents FundBox, Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Mobiser and Incity. ‘Quick and assertive’ associate João Pedro Varandas advises several real estate investment funds, and has ‘great business skills’. The ‘very learned’ Luís Filipe Carvalho is a ‘top lawyer’ and is advising Barclays on structuring the sales of mortgaged real estate assets.

Within Shipping and transport, ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados is a first tier firm,

ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados has an outstanding aviation practice, and this ‘excellent’ team ‘quickly identifies problems’ and ‘finds smart solutions’. Its ‘very professional and helpful’ lawyers have ‘deep knowledge’, and advise on tax, employment, regulatory and commercial contracts matters, and in disputes. It is Portuguese counsel for Lufthansa, Brazilian airline TAM, and Air France/KLM, among others. ‘The best aviation lawyer in Portugal’, António Moura Portugal has ‘a patient and affable manner’, and is advising Corsair on aircraft slot issues, and also representing air cargo services provider DHL in a slot violation infringement case.

Within TMT, tier 4

ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados’ TMT team is led by associates Ana Mira Cordeiro, Carmina Cardoso and Margarida Leitão Nogueira, who all have ‘deep industry knowledge’ and provide ‘accurate advice’. Clients include Compuware, Samsung, Warner Bros and Google.

Within Tax, ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados is a second tier firm,

ABBC – Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Carvalho & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados is noted for its responsiveness, and has strong capabilities in tax litigation and arbitration. The team acts for clients in the tobacco, energy, aviation and financial sectors, including Iberwind, Banif Bank and TACV (Cape Verde Airlines). António Moura Portugal has ‘deep knowledge of tax legislation’, and ‘a superb ability to find solutions’. Nuno Azevedo Neves is recommended as having ‘knowledge and experience in corporate transactions’.