With ‘in-depth knowledge of the Angolan market’, Dentons LEAD regularly acts for financial institutions, government bodies and international companies operating in a wide range of sectors, most notably banking, energy, oil and gas, infrastructure and mining. The group’s offering is equally broad, covering employment disputes, M&A, project finance, tax litigation and public law. With vast experience in international transactions, Djamila Pinto de Andrade heads up the corporate, M&A and banking teams, while Emanuela Vunge oversees the tax, public law and competition practices. Itweva Nogueira is recommended for energy and natural resources matters, Raquel Lourenço leads the real estate group and António Caxito heads the litigation and arbitration practice. Employment law is the key area of expertise for João Manuel Lourenço.

ALC Advogados is jointly led by managing partner Catarina Levy Osório and Irina Neves Ferreira, and is particularly active in the oil and gas, energy, natural resources, real estate and construction industries. The firm’s core areas of strength span capital markets, litigation, tax, and corporate and M&A. The group is also noted for its wealth of experience in advising on regulatory matters in the banking and insurance sectors, where Neves Ferreira is a popular choice for domestic and international insurance companies and financial institutions. Qualified in both Angola and Portugal, Levy Osório has significant experience handling infrastructure projects, foreign exchange issues, M&A and investment matters. Helena Prata is a key contact for asset financing and corporate restructurings, and senior assoicate Ana Leitão de Matos is recommended for contentious matters.

AVM is especially focused on assisting multinational companies with inbound investment matters, advising on tax structures, regulatory compliance, cross-border financing transactions and forex licensing. The firm is prominent in the oil and gas, energy and natural resources sectors, where it is often sought after to advise on concessions, privatisations, large infrastructure projects and supply agreements. Banking and finance is another key pillar of the group, which is geared to handle syndicated lending and project financing for domestic and international financial institutions, as well as government entities. Founding and managing partner António Vicente Marques is a key contact for energy projects, general corporate matters and tax issues. Splitting her time between Lisbon and Luanda, Sandra Teixeira da Silva excels in litigation and arbitration, employment and immigration matters and capital markets. Another key practitioner in the group is senior associate Hélder Fernandes Carrazedo.

Led by António Penelas, ASP Advogados is often engaged in transactions across key areas of the Angolan economy, including mining, oil and gas, banking, energy and construction. Notable for his experience advising on corporate, commercial and labour law matters, Penelas is a key practitioner in the litigation and arbitration team. José Miguel Oliveira is recommended for regulatory law, foreign investment and shipping matters, with a focus on the Angolan, Mozambique and Portuguese markets. Other key names are senior associate Marcelo Mendes and consultants Ângela Viana and Joana Pacheco. On the international front, the firm is the exclusive member of VdA Legal Partners in Angola.

PLMJ Colab Angola - RVA Advogados is rated for its ‘experienced team, local expertise and urgency in dealing with matters’. Regarded as ‘a real business partner’, the group is specialised in commercial law and works alongside other members of the PLMJ Colab network to provide domestic and international clients a cross-sector full-service offering. The group is led by founding partner Renata Valenti, who is especially sought after to assist companies in entering the Angolan market. Valenti is supported by senior associate Emmanuel da Silva, whose practice covers employment law, foreign investment and regulatory compliance, and associate Januário Macamba, who focuses on corporate and mining matters.