Jointly led by Catarina Levy Osório and Irina Neves Ferreira, the team at ALC Advogados covers a broad spectrum of finance, projects, M&A, dispute resolution, labour and tax matters. Osorio heads the tax practice and is a dual-qualified private investment and labour tax expert. Ferreira has a strong private investment and real estate practice, particularly in the oil and gas sector. Bruno Xavier de Pina joined the team from PLMJ, bolstering the firm’s telecoms, electronics and aviation practices. The firm is also part of the Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados international network.
Local firms in Angola
ALC Advogados
Practice head(s):
Catarina Levy Osório; Irina Neves Ferreira
Testimonials
‘Excellent team. Responsive, reliable and motivated to provide top tier service.’
‘Very professional.’
AVM
António Vicente Marques leads the foreign investment-focussed team at AVM. The firm specialises in advising multinational clients in oil and gas projects, covering all aspects of transactions, including project planning, structuring and implementation. Marques’ expertise spans a wide range of corporate and commercial law, and he is an expert in the oil and gas sector. Sandra Teixeira da Silva stands out for her dispute resolution practice and is based in both Lisbon and Luanda. At the non-partner level, Hélder Fernandes Carrazedo is a key contact.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Sandra Teixeira da Silva; Hélder Fernandes Carrazedo
Dentons LEAD
Dentons LEAD's ‘strong local background’ paired with the partners’ 'extensive international experience’ allows it to provide a full-service commercial offering for both domestic and foreign clients. 2021 saw the team building its finance and corporate practice, particularly in the telecoms and mining sectors, and in tandem, its arbitration practice. Djamila Pinto de Andrade heads the corporate, M&A and banking practice; Emanuela Vunge leads the tax, public law, compliance and competition practices. António Caxito is in charge of the litigation and arbitration practice, with Itweva Nogueira leading the energy and natural resource areas. Raquel Lourenço heads up the real estate practice, whilst João Manuel Lourenço is a key figure in the employment department.
Practice head(s):
Djamila Pinto de Andrade; Emanuela Vunge; Itweva Nogueira; Raquel Lourenço; António Caxito; João Manuel Lourenço
Testimonials
‘DENTONS LEAD´s partners are young, innovative, but also experienced. They have a very strong local background along with an extensive international practice, not only working with foreign clients but also with worldwide recognised top tier international firms with whom they relate as peers. The team benefited a lot also from their incorporation with DENTONS as this really strengthened their international approach. DENTONS LEAD has a remarkable team covering all relevant areas of Angolan business law. They are reliable, proactive, fast and business oriented.’
‘As stand out-partners, one has to distinguish Djamila Pinto de Andrade, managing partner and a renowned corporate, m&a and finance attorney. She is also one of the best local lawyers dealing with foreign investment. Tax partner Emanuela Vunge and litigation partners António Caxito Marques and João Manuel Lourenço are beyond any doubt the go to attorneys in these fields of law. They are not only excellent praticioners but they also stand in client’s shoes to assess their needs and provide them with fast, clear and effective responses.’
‘My experience with Itweva Nogueira has been outstanding. She is an exceptional lawyer who gives practical advice and is very client friendly.’
‘Itweva Nogueira is very bright and knows the market well. Her advice is commercial and she is a good strategic thinker.’
‘The team is motivated and tireless, they are always available with a strong sense of commitment and dedication.’
‘They are 100% available to overcome problems and propose creative solutions for problem solving.’
‘Individuals that are dedicated, committed, respectable, engaged, trustworthy and reliable. Djamila Pinto de Andrade and Raquel Mateus are some of those individuals.’
Key clients
SONANGOL EP
Hemera Capital Partners
Fresenius Medical Care
Standard Chartered Bank
SODIBA
SONIP
Elevo Engenharia
SOMOIL
HBA Offshore
BP Exploration (Angola) Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Antin Infrastrucure Partner as local counsel, on legal matters related to the acquisition of Miya water and the related Angolan affiliate of Miya Water – Vista Water.
- Assisting Standard Chartered Bank in respect of a €149,720,169.92 term loan facility agreement relating to the financing and completion of the Burns Hospital in the Republic of Angola.
- Assisting ODDO BHF Aktiengesellschaft in respect of two Hermes Covered Facility Agreements relating to the construction/equipping of two general hospitals.
ADCA Advogados
ADCA Advogados is part of the DLA Piper Africa group, furthering the firm’s already impressive international reach. Headed by founding partner and investment and real estate expert Luis Filipe Carvalho, the firm maintains a balanced practice across structuring, investments, corporate, banking and finance transactions. At the non-partner level, Joana Matos Lima regularly advises financial institutions and investment funds, and Islândia Ribeiro is a key name to note with regard to employment matters.
Practice head(s):
Luís Filipe Carvalho
Other key lawyers:
Joana Matos Lima; Islândia Ribeiro; Filipe Marques de Oliveira
Testimonials
‘The firm provides the legal services of good quality to the clients and other legal advisors which would like to know more of the local specifics. The lawyers we worked with know well local mineral resources laws, promptly respond to requests, are good in using modern technologies, all of which allows them to provide the best responses.’
‘We worked with Filipe Marques Oliveira. He was very supportive and professional, quickly addressing the client’s requests and trying to find the best solution. Filipe has a good knowledge of Angolan law, which is highly appreciated.’
‘The team is always available.’
Key clients
Africell Angola
IEP Group
Banco Comercial do Huambo
Pernod Ricard
SIEP Real Estate
Laborex
Groupe Castel
Multipla IT
Famar
Multipessoal Manpower
Work highlights
- Assisted the mobile network operator Africell in the closing of the Concession Agreement with the Angolan government for the new mobile telecommunications operator’s licence.
- Acted for IEP Group on the application for a public tender for the privatisation of agro-industrial assets.
- Acted for Skystone on a cooperation project for diamond mining activities in Angola.
FTL Advogados
FTL Advogados is praised by clients for its ’empathy and strong technical ability’, and is particularly active in the telecoms, energy, IT, aviation and investment sectors. Filipa Tavares De Lima leads the firm and is well known for her corporate, commercial and real estate expertise, and she also leads the team’s growing labour law practice. Of counsel Miguel Carvalho Brito draws on his previous in-house experience to support the firm’s international and domestic M&A and restructuring work.
Practice head(s):
Filipa Tavares de Lima
Other key lawyers:
Miguel Brito; Bruna Araujo
Testimonials
They treat each case we present with a high level of commitment, their communication is clear and they bring pragmatism to the discussion whenever possible.’
‘FTL offers us experienced individuals, who are young and energetic, providing solutions, always maintaining a high level of work ethics.’
‘The team at FTL has deep knowledge of local Angolan laws and constraints while having an international experience, making them able to work with even the largest players operating in Angola. Their assertiveness, response time and problem solving approach is second to none in Angola.’
‘Filipa Tavares Lima and Miguel Brito lead the firm. Even though they separated from the CMS international network they are able to advise in most legal matters in Angola given their international experience and solid local background.’
‘In difficult times, due to COVID-19 pandemic, and in an economy that is not really doing well, FTL is always there when we need. They are available, even with a short notice. Their main “asset” is the staff!’
‘Filipa Tavares de Lima is our focal point. She thinks “out of the box” and always looks for innovative solutions.’
‘Excellent follow-up, feedback and report of the processes, which gives the end client great comfort, and visibility that the issue is being well managed.’
‘Filipa Lima and Bruna Araujo showed total availability, empathy and strong technical and procedural knowledge in the treatment of cases.’
Key clients
ZTE Corporation
Sumitomo Corporation
Air France
Multiparques
JICA – Japan International Cooperation Agency
G4S
QGMI
Greentech
YBE / Crown Energy
Geração 80
Appy People
Jembas Assistência Técnica
Keyresearch
Work highlights
- Advised a client in relation to a bid to have the concession rights of the multipurpose terminal of the Luanda port.
- Provided comprehensive legal memos to a Chinese IT company on bankruptcy, arbitration, shareholders and management responsibility.
- Provided a private client with full-scope support in the acquisition of a real estate property from 24 sellers.
ASP Advogados
ASP Advogados is led by disputes, mining and labour partner António Penelas, and has a solid track record in advising clients on operational and regulatory issues, as well as restructuring matters across the oil and gas sector. Managing associate Joana Pacheco maintains a particular focus on the mining and energy industries, while Marcelo Mendes specialises in litigation and arbitration.
Practice head(s):
António Penelas
Other key lawyers:
Joana Pacheco; Marcelo Mendes
Key clients
Standard Bank Angola
Trafigura Group Pte Ltd.
Puma Energy (Angola)
KT – Kinetics Technology, SPA
SACYR, S.A.
Standard Bank de Angola, S.A.
Hapag-Lloyd Aktiengesellschaft (“HL AG”)
TDR Capital LLP (“TDR Capital”)
I Squared Capital Advisors (US) LLC (“I Squared Capital”)
BIOCOM
Unitel – Angola
Odebrecht Angola
Lusiaves, SGPS, S.A.
ANGOFLEX Industrial Lda.
Work highlights
- Assisting Standard Bank Angola (acting as the financial adviser) on the privatisation process of Banco de Comércio e Indústria.
- Advising Trafigura and Puma Energy on the sale of Sonangol shareholding in Puma Energy and the acquisition by Sonangol of Puma Energy shareholding in group Pumangol.
- Advising KT Kinetics Technology in connection with its bid to ENI.
PLMJ Colab Angola - RVA Advogados
Particularly strong in the agriculture, food and beverage, and oil and gas sectors, PLMJ Colab Angola – RVA Advogados maintains an active practice in Angola. 2021 saw the addition of Renata Valenti, reinforcing the team’s advisory services for local government and authorities, particularly in the water distribution sector. At the non-partner level, Emmanuel da Silva is building a practice within the corporate and commercial, and employment and labour areas. Real estate specialist Sandra Saraiva and former senior associate Elsa Tchikanha left the firm in early 2022.
Practice head(s):
Renata Valenti
Other key lawyers:
Emmanuel da Silva
Testimonials
‘Dealing with Angolan labour matters the team is very good and capable.’
‘Its strengths and differentiators are its high behavioral and technical skills, the high domain of the various legal areas of our interest, a deep knowledge of technical issues, great proactivity and practical problem solving skills, strong argumentation and very elegant speech and consistent.’
Key clients
Baker Hughes General Electric
Huawei
Shining Star Group
Be Water
Unitransfer
Recherche Exploitation Produits (REP)
BayQi
Suez Group
Internet Technologies Angola
DFG
Work highlights
- Advising Baker Hughes General Electric with its day-to-day operations from a corporate, employment, tax and litigation perspective.
- Advising Águas de Portugal on contractual issues relating to water supply contracts in different municipalities in Angola.
- Advising Huawei on a regular basis on many issues relating to its activity in Angola.
LBR Advogados
LBR Advogados works in close association with CMS to advise Angolan and international investors across Angola’s most relevant industries. Led by corporate, commercial and energy partner Luis Borba Rodrigues, who joined from Fátima Freitas Advogados, the team’s recent instructions include advising on several PPT transactions. Able to draw from the CMS global network, the firm’s offering also covers dispute resolution, employment and real estate.
Practice head(s):
Luis Borba Rodrigues
Other key lawyers:
Maria Figueiredo; João Leitão Figueiredo
Testimonials
‘LBR has demonstrated an accurate and prompt collaboration on matters such as copyright and technology.’
‘We felt a careful and almost personalized monitoring of each process, from Maria Figueiredo, Luis Borba Rodrigues e João Leitão Figueiredo, responding promptly and always offering assistance to each question raised.’
‘Luis Borba is a partner with great experience and is well connected. His pro-active approach and willingness to run the extra mile for his clients is well received and appreciated.’
Key clients
Ferpinta
Clariant
Bumi Armada
Kinda Home
GemCorp
Maersk Drilling
ZTE Corporation
Sanlam
The HALO Trust
ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG
Sun Africa LLC
EGUS Group
BES – Banco Espírito Santo
Work highlights
- Advising on the privatisation process regarding an industrial unit privatised by the Angolan state.
- Advised Egus Group on the public tender for the concession of social games in Angola.