Portugal 2026
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
Senior counsel | Tabaqueira (Philip Morris International)
Transnational Leaders
Head of legal and data protection officer | Cimpor Portugal Holdings
Legal and public affairs director | The Navigator Company
Transnational Leaders
Legal counsel | Softinsa (IBM Portugal)
Rising stars
Head of compliance and corporate affairs and company secretary | Teixeira Duarte
Group general counsel | Jerónimo Martins
Transnational Leaders
General counsel and chief compliance officer | StartCampus
Transnational Leaders
Director, general counsel | Grupo Visabeira
Transnational Leaders
Head of legal, regulatory, compliance and corporate affairs | Pignus - Crédito Económico Popular
Deputy general counsel, head of legal for commercial and litigation | Galp
Group general counsel | Jerónimo Martins Distribuição Portugal (Pingo Doce e Recheio Cash&Carry)
Legal and HR director | TML - Transportes Metropolitanos de Lisboa
Head of legal, compliance and human resources | Volkswagen Financial Services
Head of legal and compliance | Corticeira Amorim
Transnational Leaders
Head of legal, Iberia and Mediterranean | McKinsey & Company
Transnational Leaders
We are delighted to present the GC Powerlist: Portugal 2026, marking a return to recognising outstanding individuals following last year’s special focus on legal teams. While the 2025 edition celebrated the collective strength and increasing sophistication of in-house functions across Portugal, this year we shift the spotlight back to the individuals whose leadership and influence continue to shape that evolution.
The 2026 edition features our established categories highlighting leading General Counsel and Rising Stars, while also introducing a new and timely addition: Transnational Leaders. This category reflects a defining trend in today’s legal landscape, recognising those in-house lawyers whose roles extend well beyond national borders. These are individuals operating across multiple jurisdictions, navigating complex regulatory frameworks and contributing directly to international strategy, growth and transformation. Their inclusion acknowledges the increasingly global nature of Portuguese-based legal functions and the growing prominence of counsel who combine local expertise with international reach.
Our research this year has once again underscored the continued evolution of the in-house legal market in Portugal. Legal departments are no longer perceived as purely supportive functions, but as integral partners in business decision-making. GCs are increasingly embedded within senior leadership teams, often sitting at executive level, and are expected to contribute across a wide spectrum of areas – from risk management and governance to strategic transactions, ESG, compliance and digital transformation.
A number of key themes have emerged from our conversations. The regulatory environment remains a central pressure point, with developments in areas such as data protection, sustainability and employment law (including pay transparency) requiring significant internal mobilisation. At the same time, many teams are embracing technology – particularly legal tech and AI tools – to improve efficiency, manage risk and scale their operations. Cross-border activity also continues to expand, particularly across Europe, Latin America and Africa, requiring greater coordination and cultural fluency from in-house lawyers.
Equally notable is the emphasis placed on alignment between legal and business priorities. The most highly regarded legal professionals are not only technically excellent, but also commercially pragmatic and solution-oriented. The ability to communicate clearly, influence stakeholders and anticipate challenges has become as valuable as legal expertise itself.
This year’s publication is once again enriched by a series of exclusive interviews of those featured. These insights offer a valuable, first-hand perspective on the evolving role of in-house counsel in Portugal, covering topics such as leadership, innovation, regulatory change and the future of the profession. We are grateful to all participants for their openness and thoughtful contributions.
As always, the GC Powerlist reflects the strength, diversity and dynamism of the in-house community. We extend our congratulations to all those recognised in this year’s edition and thank the wider market for its continued engagement with our research.
Francisco Faria e Castro, Research Editor, Legal 500
On July 1st, Legal 500 unveiled the fourth edition of the GC Powerlist: Portugal 2026, in partnership with PLMJ. Hosted once again on the rooftop terrace of the firm’s Lisbon office under a blazing summer sun, the event brought together many of Portugal’s most accomplished in-house lawyers to celebrate this distinguished community of legal leaders.
Returning to its individual-focused format, this year’s edition marked the reintroduction of the Rising Stars category, recognising some of the country’s most promising emerging in-house counsel. It also saw the world debut of the Transnational Leaders category, highlighting general counsel whose leadership and influence extend beyond national borders and whose responsibilities span multiple jurisdictions.
The evening commenced with a welcome address from Legal 500’s editorial lead Francisco Castro, who emphasised the importance of continuously evolving the publication to reflect the realities of Portugal’s in-house legal market. He highlighted the rigorous research and selection process behind the GC Powerlist series and congratulated the honourees for their outstanding contributions to the profession and the organisations they serve.
Following this introduction, Bruno Ferreira, Managing Partner of PLMJ, took to the stage to congratulate those recognised in this year’s edition. In his remarks, he underscored the increasingly strategic role of in-house counsel in supporting business growth, navigating complexity, and driving legal excellence. He also reflected on the transformative impact that AI is having on the legal function and the opportunities it presents for corporate legal teams.
Concluding the formal proceedings, Alexandra Reis, Senior Counsel at Tabaqueira and a recipient in the inaugural Transnational Leaders category, shared a few reflections on the significance of recognising in-house lawyers and the value of fostering a strong, connected legal community. Drawing on her own experiences, she spoke about the importance of networking, knowledge-sharing and celebrating a profession whose contributions often take place behind the scenes.
The launch of the GC Powerlist: Portugal 2026 proved to be a fitting celebration of the country’s leading in-house legal talent. The evening showcased the depth, expertise, and influence of Portugal’s corporate counsel community while reaffirming Legal 500’s commitment to recognising and championing its achievements. We extend our sincere thanks to all those who participated in this year’s research process, and to PLMJ for once again partnering with Legal 500 to provide a platform that honours these exceptional legal professionals.
