Cuatrecasas‘ restructuring and insolvency team is regularly engaged by both domestic and international clients seeking advice on complex insolvency, debt recovery, and liquidation proceedings, as well as debt restructuring and distressed transactions. The practice is jointly steered by Manuel Requicha Ferreira, whose expertise spans banking, finance, and capital markets, and Miguel de Almada, who focuses on litigation and arbitration, particularly in the financial, construction, energy, and telecoms sectors. Elsewhere in the team, Diana Simão Lourenço specialises in complex matters involving companies in trouble, asset recovery and restructuring, while Margarida Leal de Oliveira is noted for her experience in insolvency and special situations, and debt refinancing and restructuring.

Linklaters is an eminent player in the restructuring and insolvency space, renowned for its sophisticated handling of complex matters such as debt restructuring, capital raisings, distressed M&A, and formal insolvency procedures, as well as asset tracing and bank loan portfolio refinancing. The practice is helmed by Nuno Ferreira Lousa, who assists on the full range of contentious and non-contentious restructuring and insolvency issues, handling domestic and cross-jurisdictional insolvency and pre-insolvency proceedings. Gonçalo Veiga De Macedo is key port of call for for creditors, debtors and investors seeking assistance on non-performing loans and distressed debt transactions and restructurings.

Standing out for its ‘technical know-how’ and ability to support its clients’, the team at Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados is frequently instructed by debtors, creditors, investors, and other stakeholders on corporate restructurings and liquidations. Active in both judicial and extrajudicial proceedings, the team excels in litigation connected to insolvency cases and has a strong track record in out-of-court restructuring processes. Practice head Nuno Gundar da Cruz brings notable expertise in complex PER and insolvency cases in Portugal and distressed investment matters. Other key practitioners include Pedro Gorjão Henriques and Filipe Lowndes Marques, who are recognised for their proficiency in financial restructurings. Catarina Martins Morão, who offers valuable support, is also recommended.

PLMJ fields a ‘collaborative’ and ‘proactive’ team, recognised for its efficient collaboration across multiple practice areas, such as banking and finance, tax, corporate and M&A, real estate, and public law, allowing for tailored industry insights in complex cases. Nuno Líbano Monteiro , noted for his expertise in cross-border insolvency, restructuring, and litigation for prominent companies, co-leads the practice with Joaquim Shearman de Macedo, whose skill set includes debt restructuring and insolvency disputes, particularly for investment funds. Manuela Tavares Morais stands out for her proficiency in pharmaceutical-related cross-border insolvency cases and credit institution wind-ups, while Pedro Caetano Nunes specialises in corporate and financial litigation, supporting investment funds, distressed entities, and large insolvent estates.

Well-regarded for its expertise across a wide range of matters, the restructuring and insolvency team at VdA excels in financial restructuring, distressed asset negotiations, voluntary business recovery, special revitalisation processes, and insolvency proceedings. The practice is jointly steered by Frederico Gonçalves Pereira, a seasoned commercial litigator and corporate restructuring expert and Paulo Olavo Cunha, who is frequently engaged in significant projects, transactions, and group restructuring operations. Teresa Pitôrra is a key figure for both creditors and debtors, with a strong focus on restructuring and insolvency cases in sectors like banking and telecoms, while Catarina Carvalho Cunha specialises in restructuring and insolvency matters across Portugal and Portuguese-speaking African countries, assisting clients in the telecoms, banking, and energy sectors.

Sought after for its expertise in debt restructuring and distressed asset transactions, Garrigues Portugal brings together a diverse team of corporate, banking and finance, and dispute resolution specialists. The team adeptly handles domestic and multijurisdictional matters under the joint leadership of Vasco Rodrigues, who focuses on special situations and distressed transactions, and Miguel Azevedo, a trusted adviser on insolvency and pre-insolvency proceedings.

Highlighted for its ‘absolutely formidable work’, the team at Sérvulo & Associados combines expertise in finance, corporate governance, dispute resolution, and corporate and M&A to deliver comprehensive solutions in complex restructuring, insolvency, and liquidation cases across Portugal and Europe. The practice operates under the joint leadership of four experts: managing partner Manuel Magalhães , a go-to advisor for insolvent banks; Mafalda Ferreira Santos, who is highly regarded for her skill in dispute resolution and for representing both creditors and debtors in restructuring and insolvency proceedings; and António Teles and João Saúde, both of whom bring notable experience in litigation and arbitration matters.

Uría Menéndez provides expert support to both debtors and creditors in domestic and international matters, with a strong emphasis on preventive restructuring mechanisms, insolvency proceedings, and associated litigation. The team is also noted for its proficiency in devising and implementing step-in structures. Leading the practice are David Sequeira Dinis , known for his expertise in bankruptcy and corporate restructuring, managing both court-based and extrajudicial settlements, and Nuno Salazar Casanova, described as ‘competent, experienced, and results-oriented,’ who advises on insolvency and restructuring cases at both national and international levels. Luís Bértolo Rosa strengthens the team with his broad practice spanning litigation, preventive restructuring, loan-to-own strategies, and non-performing loan transactions.

Praised for its ‘high technical quality’, the team at Abreu Advogados showcases significant expertise in distressed M&A, corporate restructuring, insolvencies, creditors’ rights, and asset tracing, working closely with its financial, tax, commercial M&A, and labour law teams to provide comprehensive support. Practice head Francisco Patrício brings notable experience in pre-insolvency strategies, insolvency-related transactions, and distressed M&A, acting for creditors, board members, and shareholders of insolvent companies. Gonçalo Delicado frequently advises on the negotiation and implementation phases of corporate restructurings, while Eduardo Peixoto Gomes focuses on contentious insolvency and restructuring matters, representing financial institutions, funds, and corporations, with particular strength in special revitalisation procedures.

Singled out for its ‘great technical competence and commitment’, CMS assists clients across the banking, finance, real estate, retail, and telecoms sectors, offering comprehensive guidance on both transactional and contentious restructuring and insolvency matters. The practice is jointly helmed by Nuno Pena, who is noted for his expertise in Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive-related issues, and António Payan Martins, a specialist in restructurings, special situations, and transactions involving distressed assets and non-performing loans. Miguel Esperança Pina  has left the firm.

SRS Legal is well positioned to assist its diverse roster of clients, consisting of distressed companies, various creditor classes, and potential buyers, on a range of insolvency proceedings. Spearheading the restructuring and insolvency practice is José Jácome, who offers extensive dispute resolution expertise. Natália Garcia Alves excels in civil, commercial, and banking litigation, with significant experience representing credit institutions.

Working seamlessly with the firm’s banking and finance, tax, real estate, employment, and criminal law practices, DLA Piper ABBC offers comprehensive expertise in debt and financial restructurings, in addition to advising on the acquisition and disposal of distressed assets and formal insolvency proceedings. The practice is jointly steered by Nuno Azevedo Neves and Vanessa Antunes; Azevedo Neves focuses on financial restructurings and distressed investments, while Antunes specialises in litigation, representing both domestic and international clients.

Serving major clients in the construction, banking, agriculture, and media sectors, PRA-Raposo, Sá Miranda & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados RL is noted for its focus on special revitalisation proceedings. Susana Santos Valente, who is praised as an ‘excellent communicator’, leads the credit recovery and insolvency practice. She is supported by Andreia Damásio and Paula Magalhães Dos Santos.

Praised for its ‘impeccable legal service’, Raposo Bernardo provides comprehensive advice on restructuring and insolvency proceedings, serving clients across sectors such as banking, insurance, aviation, and real estate. Ana Cláudia Rangel, who leads the practice,  is noted for assisting with the recovery of non-performing loans, including mortgage credit portfolios tied to high-value assets such as hotels, office buildings, and luxury properties.