Best known for its impressive track record in project finance, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados is one of the first ports of call for clients engaged in high-value and innovative transactions across all infrastructure and energy sectors, including solar, wind and hydropower, roads, railways, real estate, waste management, water and sanitation, among others. The group is well positioned to assist both financing entities and promoters throughout all phases of the design of a project in Portugal and abroad, such as those involving Portuguese-speaking jurisdictions in Africa. Chaired by Filipe Lowndes Marques, a project finance specialist who has worked on several market-leading projects, ranging from motorways, renewable energy, and LNG terminals, the practice is rated for ‘providing the highest standards of legal services‘. Consultant Cláudia Castanheira Dos Santos is seasoned in the financing of energy projects and road concessions; she demonstrates further strength in structured finance and real estate matters. The latter is an area of particular activity for Filipa Morais Alçada, a consultant who has a wealth of experience acting for both lenders and sponsors in renewable energy projects, PPPs and concessions in the transport, water and waste segments.

With ‘in-depth sectoral knowledge of energy and infrastructure‘, the projects group at PLMJ is often called upon by an array of domestic and international stakeholders looking for guidance in all steps of the financing and construction of consequential projects in the transport, healthcare and energy segments. Besides its strong credentials in local projects, the team is also often engaged in cross-border mandates, including those with links to Angola and Mozambique. Inês Pinto Da Costa brings together over 20 years’ experience in project finance, PPPs and development of industrial plants and infrastructure projects in Portugal and abroad, with a special emphasis on the Angolan market. She jointly heads up the practice with Maria Zagallo, a key contact for both public and private entities in all matters of public and administrative law, including concessions, public procurement and PPPs. João Marques Mendes, whose areas of expertise cover regulatory matters, contractual issues and project implementation, stands out for his wealth of experience in renewable energy and airport projects. Other noteworthy practitioners include Diogo Perestrelo, who undertakes M&A and projects work in the transport, energy, distribution and tourism segments, and Diogo Duarte Campos, who is seasoned in major construction and concession projects in Lusophone Africa.

Leveraging bench strength in banking and financing transactions, as well as across public law issues and regulated industries, Uría Menéndez – Proença Carvalho is well positioned to assist clients engaged in local and cross-border project finance, development and M&A deals in the infrastructure and energy spaces. Infrastructure operators, concessionaires, financiers, international funds and companies routinely seek the group’s assistance in major projects covering renewable energy and greenfield PPPs, as well as M&A deals involving regulated assets. The team is jointly led by two partners: the ‘remarkable‘ Bernardo Diniz de Ayala, who marries a wealth of experience in project finance with comprehensive knowledge of public law; and Antonio Villacampa, another name to note for project finance. Transport and energy are key sectoral focuses for João Louro e Costa, who is often engaged in cross-border transactions, while Gonçalo Andrade Sousa maintains a fairly broad practice, encompassing public procurement, M&A in highly-regulated industries, and project development and finance. Former practice head Pedro Ferreira Malaquias is no longer at the firm.

Abreu Advogados‘ multidisciplinary practice draws on partners from across the full-service firm to provide comprehensive coverage of projects matters in Portugal and Portuguese-speaking countries around the world. A particularly strong performer in multijurisdictional mandates, the group is primarily retained by public entities, sponsors, and companies from the energy and natural resources sectors, but is also well positioned to assist financing entities in project finance, public procurement and M&A transactions involving regulated assets. Among the names to note, Manuel de Andrade Neves is recognised for his broad expertise in public law and environmental matters; he is the go-to counsel for clients engaged in domestic and international projects in the water and renewable energy spaces. Ana Sofia Batista is seasoned in project finance, while Mafalda Teixeira de Abreu advises on PPPs and concession contracts in the transport and healthcare segments. The firm’s project finance capabilities, especially in the energy sector, were bolstered by the arrival of Bruno Azevedo Rodrigues and João Lupi from TELLES in November 2022. Former Uría Menéndez – Proença Carvalho's banking partner Pedro Ferreira Malaquias also joined in January 2023.

Led by Nuno Azevedo Neves, DLA Piper ABBC's projects team acts for a predominantly international client base, comprised of companies from the infrastructure, energy, real estate and financial services sectors. Besides its ability to advise both lenders and sponsors on all aspects regarding the structuring, financing, construction and operation of a project in Portugal, the team is also well versed in international mandates, most notably project finance in Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa. Energy - particularly solar power - is a strong point for the department, whose broad service offering also covers M&A involving regulated assets. With a broad practice encompassing transactional and regulatory matters, Gonçalo Castro Ribeiro stands out for his experience in the financing of renewable projects.

A leader in the public law space, Sérvulo & Associados ‘combines solid technical and theoretical knowledge‘ ‘with extensive practical experience‘ of acting for both public and private sector clients on the administrative side of large-scale projects. With a loyal following of public entities seeking advice on PPPs, concessions and public work contracts, the practice is particularly skilled in projects in the water and waste, energy, transport and healthcare segments. Benefitting from the relationships it has been building around the globe through its network SÉRVULO LATITUDE⦵, the firm has been increasingly engaged by development banks and foreign aid agencies in relation to international mandates, including projects in Mozambique, Cape Verde, São Tomé e Príncipe and – more recently – Tanzania. Focusing on the areas of public procurement and administrative litigation, Mark Kirkby chairs the department with Ana Luísa Guimarães, who became an equity partner in September 2021, and Francisca Mendes da Costa. Guimarães is skilled in PPPs, concessions and projects in the mobility and energy sectors, while fellow co-leader Mendes da Costa is a key contact for multijurisdictional matters.

Showcasing experience in both the implementation and financing of projects in Portugal and Africa, SRS Legal is seen with great regularity advising on concessions, PPPs and privatisations in the transport sector. International and domestic clients - including public entities and the Portuguese Government - turn to the team on a recurrent basis for assistance in all issues related to energy projects, encompassing the power, gas and renewables segments. M&A transactions involving regulated assets and contentious matters are other areas of activity for the firm, which draws on its great national coverage and international network to provide comprehensive advice on domestic and cross-border mandates. Co-head José Luís Moreira da Silva specialises in energy, infrastructure and transport projects, advising on concessions, arbitration and procurement, while fellow co-leader Alexandra Valente is the name to note for project finance and private equity transactions. Alexandre Roque stands out for his knowledge of public law; his areas of focus cover public procurement and administrative litigation.

A popular choice for clients with relevant activity in the ports sector, Albuquerque & Almeida attracts instructions from domestic and international companies in project finance and public law-related matters. Advising on port, shipyards and logistic concessions are core areas of activity for the department, which is also sought out for its experience in tenders for the operation of maritime transport of passengers and cargo, and investments into Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa. Department leader Alexandre De Albuquerque specialises in public law, receiving key support from Diana Silveira, a point of contact for public entities and maritime players.

The 'very dedicated' projects and infrastructure team at CMS is singled out for its 'professionalism, work capacity and efficiency'. Focused on transactional work involving infrastructure and energy projects, the group regularly acts for large companies and lenders seeking legal guidance in the financing and development of projects in Portugal and abroad. Noted for its experience in mandates involving Lusophone Africa, the team is often seen advising on projects in the renewables segment - including the financing of wind farms and solar plants - and in the Portuguese transport sector. António Payan Martins, a finance specialist, has recently led several project finance matters involving Angola. Alberto Galhardo Simões is further highlighted for his experience in Africa; he assists multilaterals, construction companies and financial institutions throughout all stages of a project. Mónica Carneiro Pacheco is a reference in the energy market; she brings together strong regulatory expertise and wide knowledge of financing agreements.

Clients praise Raposo Bernardo for its ‘deep knowledge of the legal framework, and ‘unique and differentiated service‘ it offers in the fields of project finance and development. Portuguese and international lenders, promotors, contractors and engineering companies turn to the team for assistance in the spectrum of infrastructure and energy projects. Joana Andrade Correia and Nelson Raposo Bernardo, the latter of whom ‘excels in all the areas necessary to master a project‘, jointly oversee the group.