Ganado Advocates maintains a strong presence across a wide range of financial and corporate matters, with notable activity in mergers, pensions law, and the structuring of public offerings. The practice is jointly led by five key individuals: Conrad Portanier, who advises on deal structuring; Matthew Bianchi, who focuses on the insurance sector, regularly acting for insurers and insurance managers; Matthew Brincat, whose expertise centres on employment and pensions law; Leonard Bonello, who advises credit institutions, payment service providers, and electronic money institutions; and Nicholas Curmi, who is well-regarded for his work on the establishment of securitisation structures. Catherine Formosa is another key figure, particularly noted for her work on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and advisory support in retail banking and corporate law matters.

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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘This is a highly competent team built on a foundation of extensive experience, but also balanced with adaptability, innovation, and a strong understanding of evolving business needs.’
‘Ganado Advocates always provide clear and comprehensive advice to our queries. Their experienced lawyers use their knowledge to provide effective assistance, ensuring we receive timely and well-informed guidance tailored to our needs.’
‘Nicholas Curmi is the No. 1 capital markets lawyer in Malta, in my opinion. He is creative, skilled and also has the required network to stay on top of the market and developments.'
‘The partners and associates are highly knowledgeable in their respective specialisations, and their extensive experience consistently translates into excellent service. They stand out for combining technical expertise with clear, commercially focused advice.'
‘Ganado Advocates is a distinguished law firm known for its deep expertise, client-centric approach, and strong regional presence.’
‘Partners and associates possess a thorough understanding of both local and international banking and finance regulations, enabling them to provide clear, actionable advice even in complex scenarios.’

Key clients

APS Bank plc Merkanti Bank plc Merkanti Holding plc Multitude SE IIG Bank Limited FIMBank plc Bank of Valletta plc BNF Bank plc Catena Media plc Dino Fino Finance plc International Finance Corporation Lidion Bank plc M&Z plc Media and Games Invest SE Qawra Palace plc QLZH Holding plc Raketech Group plc Together Gaming Solutions plc

Work highlights

Advised on the legal strategy for APS Bank plc’s bid to acquire HSBC UK’s shares in HSBC Malta Bank plc.

Provided Maltese law opinions to ISDA in relation to international master agreements, ensuring compliance with jurisdictional requirements and regulatory standards.

Advised QLZH Group as issuer counsel on the launch of its €12 million Bond Programme, including the successful first tranche issuance of €6.8 million 5.5% Bonds maturing in 2035.