Supporting and contributing to the refinancing agreement and full novation of Grupo Teixeira Duarte’s debt with a syndicate of leading banks—Banco Comercial Português, Caixa Geral de Depósitos and Novo Banco, was a particularly defining experience. This was not only due to the scale and complexity of the transaction, but above all because of its strategic impact on the Group, both domestically and internationally.

It was especially rewarding to be actively involved in a process of such visibility and importance, contributing directly to a solution that strengthens the Group’s financial stability and creates the conditions for its sustainable future growth.

I would also highlight the significant professional development gained through working closely with multidisciplinary teams, both internal and external, which further strengthened my communication, coordination and performance in high-pressure environments.

The most important aspects of my development as an in-house lawyer have stemmed from working on complex, high-impact transactions across the Group, often involving significant financial exposure and requiring a high level of legal precision and attention to detail.

In particular, I would highlight my involvement in the refinancing agreement, as well as in the first phase of the Porto–Lisbon high-speed rail project, in which Teixeira Duarte is a participant, both due to their scale and strategic relevance.

I also consider my exposure to different legal systems in an international context—namely in Brazil, Angola, Mozambique and Macau—to be highly valuable, as it has enabled me to develop a broader perspective and strengthen my ability to adapt to diverse legal and operational frameworks.

Finally, I would emphasise the importance of strong communication skills, effective prioritisation and the ability to perform under pressure, all of which are essential qualities for an in-house legal role.