Team size: 28

What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in? (Please mark anything confidential clearly, and feel free to speak in general terms if you wish, we’re just trying to describe the sort of work your team has been engaged with over the past year) 

Legal support and coordination in different levels through the organization of the privatization of TAP, including preparation and sign off of VDD materials. Divestments in two subsidiaries in the handling and catering areas, through complex M&A transactions, including renegotiation of service provider agreements and launching a public tender process. Praparation of a international bond programme, among other matters.

How has the role of the legal function evolved within your organisation over recent years, and where do you see it adding the most strategic value today? 

With the increasing regulatory framework of the world, specially in a company providing transportation services in several jurisdictions, the support and involvement of the legal department and/or General Counsel on matters has increased substancially, shareholders and board of directors’ of the company are much aware of the need to involve General Counsel area in the decision making process, avoiding and mitigating risks of the company instead of solving legal and/or regulatory problems after they arise.

In what ways has technology or process innovation changed how your legal team operates? 

The raise and development of AI techology represents a challenge (of adaptation and evolution) and a very good opportunity for developing the work of the area; the  new AI tools enable the  team to wider the scope of the work provided and reduce redundancies and/or work that is time consuming but not particularly of value added.