Linklaters > Lisbon, Portugal > Firm Profile

Linklaters > The Legal 500 Rankings

Portugal > Banking and finance Tier 1

Linklaters is renowned for its broad expertise in banking and finance, serving some of the world’s leading financial institutions. The practice has built a solid reputation as a trusted adviser to international banks, alternative asset managers, distressed debt traders, and hedge funds, demonstrating particular proficiency in non-performing loan (NPL) transactions, acquisition financing, project finance, and refinancing. Leveraging the capabilities of its dedicated ESG team, it provides clients with thorough insights on sustainability and ethical practices across various industries. Practice head Francisco Ferraz De Carvalho covers project finance and project development, focusing specifically on the infrastructure sector. Gonçalo Veiga De Macedo is noted for his experience in structuring and restructuring work, while Teresa Novo Faria frequently represents sponsors, lenders and corporate borrowers, both in Portugal and in cross-border mandates.

Portugal > Capital markets Tier 1

Linklaters’ capital markets team is known for its strength in handling high-stakes transactions, overseeing both local and international placements of debt and equity. The team is strategically positioned to assist clients on derivatives and structured finance mandates, as well as public takeovers, private and public offers of securities, and regulatory filings. António Soares and Vera Ferreira de Lima jointly steer the practice. A litany of major corporations and national and foreign investors turn to Soares for his expertise on the full scope of capital markets transactions. Meanwhile, Lima, who oversees the firm’s financial regulation group, is recognised for her expertise on securities law, with extensive experience in structuring both public and private securities offerings. Rodrigo Moreira is frequently involved in high-profile equity and debt capital markets deals.

Portugal > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

Linklaters combines its sector-specific expertise in real estate, insurance, infrastructure, energy, transport, and IT with an extensive global network, making it a trusted adviser for high-profile corporate clients on complex M&A transactions. Its strength in managing multijurisdictional deals includes a special focus on Portuguese-speaking African regions, notably Mozambique. Practice head Diogo Plantier Santos  specialises in acquisitions and divestments, sale and leaseback operations, joint ventures and corporate restructurings. A litany of major corporates, financial institutions, private equity firms and alternative investment providers turn to Mariana Serra Baptista for her experience on high-stakes deals. Diogo Barros Pereira is recommended for his ability to assist clients on domestic and cross-border transactions.

Portugal > Dispute resolution Tier 1

With extensive expertise in domestic and international litigation and arbitration proceedings, Linklaters‘ dispute resolution team stands out for its skill in managing high-stakes commercial disputes. With an impressive array of blue-chip multinational clients on its books, the team is active across the banking, healthcare, pharma, construction, insurance and tech sectors. At the helm sits Nuno Ferreira Lousa, who advises on the full range of disputes and arbitration proceedings, as well as on regulatory investigations covering compliance, fraud and anti-corruption. Ricardo Guimarães stands out for his expertise in construction disputes, IP litigation and competition class actions. Raquel Galvão Silva excels in international arbitration, most notably proceedings involving financial, energy, construction and healthcare disputes. Manuel De Abreu Castelo Branco left the firm in December 2024.

Portugal > EU and competition Tier 1

Home to a ‘responsive and composed team’, Linklaters‘ competition practice provides end-to-end expertise in antitrust law, spanning transactional, regulatory, and contentious matters. The firm is a go-to choice for major global clients, particularly in navigating complex Phase II merger reviews and addressing complex cartel investigations and dominance issues in Portugal. The practice is led by the ‘brilliant’ João Pateira Ferreira, who frequently assists clients on high-profile cartels, merger control and state aid matters. Carlos Pinto Correia stands out for his expertise in state aid and regulatory matters, with a particular focus in the finance and energy sectors.

Portugal > Insolvency and restructuring Tier 1

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.

Portugal > Projects and project finance Tier 1

Standing out for its wealth of experience in the financing and development of infrastructure and energy projects across Portugal and Lusophone Africa, the team at Linklaters offers comprehensive advice to a diverse range of clients, most notably financial entities and entities operating in the energy, road, rail, telecoms, healthcare, and water segments. Dual-qualified (Portugal, England and Wales) Francisco Ferraz de Carvalho, a leading authority in project finance and development, leads the practice which is often involved in PPPs, long-term contracting, M&A and regulatory matters. Maria de Athayde Tavares specialises in regulatory and administrative law, demonstrating substantial technical experience in PPPs, public procurement, as well as project development and finance matters.

Portugal > Tax Tier 1

Praised for its ability to ‘communicate in clear, concrete language for client’, the tax group at Linklaters capitalises on the firm’s robust corporate team and extensive global network to assist with market-defining transactions and complex cross-border matters. Particularly skilled in transactional tax work, the team also offers standout expertise in regulatory and contentious tax issues. Rui Camacho Palma leads the practice, bringing exceptional knowledge of international tax planning and the structuring of transformative public and private M&A deals. Inês Pisco Bento adds strength in tax litigation, including arbitration and judicial proceedings.

Portugal > Energy and natural resources Tier 2

Linklaters brings cross-disciplinary and international expertise within its energy and infrastructure team, demonstrating strength across M&A, project development, and debt and equity financings. Practice head Francisco Ferraz de Carvalho has built up deep expertise concerning on- and offshore wind, solar, and LNG assets and regularly advises renewable energy developers and asset managers on project finance and development matters. Bolstering the breadth of the practice, energy sector specialist Maria de Athayde Tavares brings deep experience on regulatory, environmental, and administrative law issues pertinent to renewables M&A and financings.

Portugal > Public law Tier 3

The ‘exceptional’ public law team at Linklaters leverages a global network of talent and expertise to assist private sector clients with matters concerning highly regulated industries. Recognised as specialists in public procurement and regulatory matters, the team handles issues across sectors such as energy, telecoms, and water. Department head Maria de Athayde Tavares is commended for ‘always adding value to the business'. She frequently acts for major stakeholders involved in procurement, tender procedures and the execution of public contracts.  

Portugal > Real estate and construction Tier 3

Linklaters primarily caters to international clients seeking to invest in Portugal's expanding retail, tourism, and commercial property sectors. Led by Diogo Plantier Santos, the team excels in real estate transactions, including investments, finance, M&A, and development. Santos is highly experienced in managing construction projects, portfolio deals, sale and leaseback transactions, and a wide range of contractual matters. Diogo Barros Pereira leverages his corporate expertise to assist private equity funds and major financial institutions with complex property acquisitions.

Portugal > Employment Tier 4

Linklaters draws on its deep corporate and employment expertise to assist clients with domestic and cross-border transactional matters. The team is also active in labour disputes, restructuring projects, and collective bargaining negotiations, while also offering strategic guidance on senior-level hires and dismissals. Managing associate Sílvia Pinheiro Esteves is noted for her expertise across the entire spectrum of employment law and social security matters, adeptly handling both advisory and contentious issues. Former practice head Marta Afonso Pereira is no longer at the firm.

Mozambique > Foreign law firms Tier 2

Linklaters is active in the energy, infrastructure and power sectors, often advising on projects, and is also well-versed in representing global investor clients in prominent M&A and financing matters. The team is led by Lisbon-based Francisco Ferraz de Carvalho, who heads the energy and infrastructure department and acts as counsel to sponsors, commercial banks and financial institutions. Diogo Plantier Santos handles corporate and M&A transactions, with a particular focus on the mining sector. Rui Camacho Palma has extensive experience in assisting with inbound and outbound investment projects and tax matters.

Angola > Foreign firms

Linklaters LLP is involved in domestically and internationally significant matters in the infrastructure, finance, energy and TMT sectors. The practice is jointly led by Justin Faye and Francisco Ferraz de Carvalho and works on concession agreements, export financing and revolving credit facilities. The Paris-based Faye runs the firm’s Africa group and is involved in several multi-jurisdictional transactional matters, while Carvalho, based out of Lisbon, specialises in finance and energy cases in Lusophone countries.