Portugal 2024
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
Senior counsel | Tabaqueira (Philip Morris International)
Hall of fame
Legal, compliance and public affairs director and company secretary | The Navigator Company
Head of legal and compliance and secretary to the board of directors | Banco Primus
Head of legal Iberia and Global co-head of McKinsey legal sustainability | McKinsey & Company
Country legal counsel and compliance head | Citibank Portugal
Hall of fame
Group general counsel, chief compliance officer and company secretary | Fidelidade
Hall of fame
Head of legal, compliance (DPO and AML) and corporate affairs | Pignus - Crédito Económico Popular
General counsel and company secretary | TAP Air Portugal
Legal counsel | Tabaqueira (Philip Morris International)
Rising stars
Head of legal and company secretary | REN - Redes Energéticas Nacionais
Head of legal and compliance | Corticeira Amorim
Hall of fame
Company secretary, director of governance and compliance | Semapa – Sociedade de Investimento e Gestão
Head of legal | Sociedade Central de Cervejas e Bebidas and Novadis
Senior legal counsel | Securitas - Security Services Ibero America
Head of legal, compliance and company secretary | Altri
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural GC Powerlist: Portugal, we are thrilled to introduce the 2024 edition, spotlighting the nation’s most successful and accomplished in-house lawyers. This publication celebrates the exceptional achievements and innovative approaches of the selected individuals as they navigate the complexities of the Portuguese legal landscape.Â
This year, we are proud to present the second-ever GC Powerlist edition to feature a Hall of Fame category. This prestigious section honours the most distinguished corporate lawyers who have made a lasting impact over the past two decades. Inclusion in the Hall of Fame is a testament to a lawyer’s outstanding track record, extensive experience, and significant influence on Portugal’s legal field. This new section celebrates their enduring contributions and aims to inspire the next generation of in-house lawyers.Â
Within these pages, you will find in-depth profiles and exclusive interviews with the most influential and highly regarded general counsel from a diverse range of industries. These individuals have consistently demonstrated their ability to shape legal strategies, mitigate risks, and provide invaluable strategic guidance to their organisations. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to the legal community, showcasing the profound impact that in-house lawyers can have on shaping business strategies and driving remarkable success.Â
Split between individuals, Hall of Fame and Rising Stars categories, this publication covers many relevant topics and challenges unique to the in-house legal field. We invite you to explore the GC Powerlist: Portugal 2024 and discover the extraordinary stories of these exceptional professionals. Through their experiences and insights, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the in-house legal landscape in Portugal and highlight the invaluable contributions of the country’s top corporate lawyers.Â
On behalf of The Legal 500, I extend our deepest gratitude to all the in-house lawyers featured in this publication for their valuable contributions and for sharing their journeys with us. It is my pleasure to present to you this distinguished collection, showcasing Portugal’s future generation of brilliant general counsel and the current most exceptional, diligent, and celebrated in-house lawyers.Â
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Francisco Castro | Senior research analyst | GC Powerlist seriesÂ
As we reflect on the past year, we are reminded of the myriad challenges that have tested our resilience and adaptability. The global landscape has been marked by unprecedented uncertainties, from economic fluctuations to regulatory changes and unforeseen crises. Yet, amidst these trials, I have witnessed remarkable fortitude and ingenuity within the internal legal teams of our companies.
It is truly inspiring to see how you, the leaders of these teams, have navigated through these turbulent times with such grace and determination. Your ability to foresee risks, manage complexities, and provide sound legal guidance has been instrumental in steering your organisations toward stability and growth. The legal landscape is continually evolving, and your proactive approach in adapting to these changes is commendable. You have tackled intricate legal issues, navigated regulatory mazes, and strategized for the future, ensuring that our companies remain robust in an ever-changing world.
I must take a moment to express our heartfelt admiration for the internal legal teams you lead. Your dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment have not gone unnoticed. It is your hard work behind the scenes that fortifies your companies, safeguarding their interests and enabling their ambitions.
The growth of these internal legal teams, under your exemplary leadership, has also been a source of growth and deep learning for us. As we engage with such dynamic and forward-thinking professionals, we too are driven to innovate, improve, and elevate our own practices. Your leadership not only influences your companies but also sets a benchmark for the wider legal community.
In conclusion, I want to extend PLMJ’s deepest thanks for sharing your valuable time with us. It has been a pleasure and an honour to share in your journey, to witness your resilience, and to grow together. As we look ahead, let us continue to build on this foundation of trust and collaboration, facing the future with confidence and optimism.
Thank you, and here’s to another year of shared success and mutual growth.
On Tuesday, Legal 500 had the pleasure of welcoming this year’s cohort to the GC Powerlist Spain 2026 launch event in Madrid: an evening celebrating the country’s in-house excellence shaping the legal landscape of today and tomorrow.
The evening, hosted in partnership with DLA Piper, brought together at Club Matador some of the most renowned names in the Spanish in-house legal market. This year’s reception welcomed senior in-house professionals from across industries, representing some of the most prominent companies in the country.
Carmen Godoy, lead editor of this edition of the GC Powerlist: Spain at The Legal 500, opened the evening by addressing more than 100 corporate legal professionals in attendance. In her remarks, Godoy highlighted how the research revealed Spain’s in-house legal community to be increasingly strategic and forward-looking. General counsel are evolving into key business partners, embracing innovation with pragmatism while providing resilience and stability in uncertain environments. With a strong focus on governance, compliance, sustainability, and leadership, these findings reflect a community that is strategic, innovative, and deeply human.
Following Godoy, Francisco Cerezo and César Herrero, managing partners of DLA Piper and hosts of the evening, addressed the audience, highlighting the importance of promoting spaces for exchange and recognition within the in-house legal community shaping modern business.
After their remarks, Carmen Godoy and David Freeman, on behalf of The Legal 500, proceeded with the certificate ceremony, during which each Powerlister was invited to the stage to collect their certificate.
This year’s GC Powerlist event in Madrid served as an excellent opportunity for awardees to connect and exchange reflections with their professional peers and the Legal 500 team.
On behalf of the entire team at The Legal 500, we extend our warmest congratulations to all those included in this edition of the GC Powerlist: Spain. You stand as an example of the talent, leadership, and vision driving the evolution of the general counsel role in the country.
We would also like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to DLA Piper, our sponsor, for joining us in recognising the exceptional talent driving progress across Spain’s legal profession. And, of course, to each of the honourees who shared their time and insights with us. It has been a privilege to share your stories and celebrate the enduring impact you make every day.
