Event Report

On October 23, Legal 500 held its GC Summit: Portugal 2025 at the elegant Hotel Real Palácio in Lisbon, bringing together a distinguished group of legal professionals, corporate counsel, and industry leaders for a day of high-level discussion and strategic insight. Hosted by Legal 500, the conference started with opening remarks by Francisco Castro, Research Editor at Legal 500, who welcomed attendees and set the tone for a day focused on innovation, regulation, and leadership in the legal profession.

The first session, titled “AI in Cybersecurity: Opportunities and Legal Risks,” was presented by Abreu Advogados and featured a panel of experts including moderator Ricardo Henriques, Partner at Abreu Advogados; Lara Reis, Head of Internal Control and Regulatory Affairs at Novo Banco; Mafalda Mascarenhas Garcia, Cybersecurity Lead Counsel for EMEA at IBM; Pedro Correia, Head of Legal at Lusíadas Saúde; and Catarina Tinoco de Faria, Head of Legal Analysis Networks at E-REDES, EDP. The discussion explored the dual role of AI in cybersecurity, examining both its defensive capabilities – such as anomaly detection and automated threat response – and the risks posed by its misuse. The panel addressed legal liability, incident response strategies, and the importance of robust contractual frameworks with AI vendors. They also highlighted emerging regulatory trends and the growing complexity of compliance in the AI era.

Following this, Deloitte Legal led a session on “The CLO Challenges in Mastering Change and Transformation.” Mónica Moreira, Managing Partner at Deloitte Legal, and Rosemary Martin, Senior Advisor at Deloitte Legal, discussed the evolving role of the Chief Legal Officer in navigating organisational change and technological disruption. They emphasised the importance of fostering a culture of curiosity and openness while maintaining the human touch at the core of the legal function. The session underscored the need for legal leaders to balance innovation with empathy and resilience.

The third panel, “Opportunities and Competition Challenges in the Digital Age,” was presented by PLMJ and featured Rita Aleixo Gregório, Partner at PLMJ; Rui Braga, Director of Data Science & AI at Banco BPI; and Melissa Carvalho, Legal Director at Defined.ai. The panel examined how artificial intelligence and data analytics are reshaping competitive dynamics and placing new demands on in-house legal teams. Speakers shared strategies for aligning innovation with competition law and discussed how legal departments can proactively manage risk while fostering healthy market practices.

After a short coffee break, the conference resumed with an exciting fireside chat on “The Future of Sino-Portuguese Business,” hosted by MdME. José Leitão, Partner and Head of MdME’s Lisbon office, was joined by Afonso Cardoso de Menezes, Executive Director and Head of Compliance at Haitong Bank. The conversation focused on the increasing influence of Chinese investment in Portugal’s infrastructure, energy, finance, and technology sectors. Drawing on real-world case studies, the speakers offered practical insights into managing cross-border legal, regulatory complexities and cultural differences, and provided strategic guidance for legal leaders navigating this evolving landscape.

The next session, “Compliance in the Workplace,” was presented by Macedo Vitorino and featured Guilherme Dray and Cláudia Fernandes Martins, both Partners at the firm. The panel addressed the multifaceted nature of workplace compliance, highlighting the importance of embedding ethical conduct, social responsibility, equal pay, data privacy, and employee wellbeing into organisational culture. The discussion also touched on the impact of shifting political dynamics and the heightened scrutiny of ESG principles, offering guidance on how legal teams can foster trust and transparency in the workplace.

The final panel of the day, “Navigating the Future of HR,” was led by VdA, and included Américo de Oliveira Fragoso and Manuel Cavaleiro Brandão, both Partners in the Labour Practice Area at VdA; Susana Almeida Lopes, Managing Partner at SHL Portugal; and Teresa Vicente, Head of People at Minsait Portugal. The session explored the profound changes affecting labour relations, including digital transformation, demographic shifts, and the rise of ethical and sustainable business practices. Panellists discussed emerging trends such as labour tech, diversity and inclusion, and algorithmic management, and emphasised the need for proactive, collaborative strategies to address the challenges of the modern workforce.

The event concluded with closing remarks from Francisco Castro, who thanked the speakers and attendees for their participation and reaffirmed the critical role of General Counsel in shaping the future of business and law in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. Everyone in the room was then invited for a light lunch and networking session to end the event on a more informal and relaxed level. The GC Summit: Portugal 2025 succeeded in providing a platform for meaningful dialogue, practical insights, and forward-thinking strategies for legal professionals navigating the challenges of today and tomorrow.