Praised for its ‘cutting edge legal knowledge combined with a commercial approach’, the team at Abreu Advogados operates across a myriad of sectors and industries, including real estate, energy, aviation, infrastructure and insurance, covering a wide range of regulatory and transactional work. The team is well-versed in NPL restructuring and disposals, and structured lending, as well as real estate and acquisition finance. The practice is guided by a talented trio: José Maria Corrêa De Sampaio, who has a proven track record leading complex transactions and financing operations across Portugal, Angola, and Mozambique; Rodrigo Formigal, who is praised as an ’excellent negotiator with in depth legal knowledge’; and Diogo Pereira Duarte, who stands out for his expertise in fintech and investment banking law. Focusing on the legal aspects related to retail and investment banking activity, Pedro Ferreira Malaquias is recommended for his focus on both banking and insurance law. The 'extremely responsive' André Modesto Pinheiro is a key figure in the team, assisting on a host of transactions.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'André Modesto Pinheiro should be praised for his profound knowledge of Portuguese civil law as applied to banking and financing specifics allowing the provision of knowledgeable advice in the structuring of very specific security packages.’
‘Abreu offers an excellent service. The promptness, efficiency and competence of its lawyers allow it to stand out from the rest. In addition, they benefit from a vast network of international partners, which allows them to assist in the contracting of transactions regulated by other legal systems with additional security.'
‘Rodrigo Formigal is a lawyer who demonstrates an exceptional level of knowledge and professionalism. He masters several areas of practice (including corporate and banking law), and speaks several languages, which allows him to negotiate at the highest level with international clients, is expeditious and shows permanent availability, even if often in unforeseen situations and/or urgent.'
‘Rodrigo Formigal is dynamic, proactive, responsive, highly available and, above all, paying close attention to the quality of service provided to the customer.'
‘Very experienced and efficient team, deep market knowledge in finance.'
‘André Modesto Pinheiro is extremely responsive, identifies problems proactively and provides solutions, very deal-oriented, works together with the client to achieve goals’
‘The team has cutting-edge legal knowledge combined with a commercial approach - that is what most clients treasure.'
‘Rodrigo Formigal stands out as an excellent negotiator with in-depth legal knowledge, in complex transactions you want to have him on your side.’
Key clients
- Banco de Negócios Internacional
- Banco de Investimento Global (BiG)
- Big Mozambique
- Bitvavo
- BNP Paribas
- CA Indosuez Wealth
- Caixa – Banco de Investimento
- Caixa Geral de Depósitos
- Dura Automotive
- Efacec
Work highlights
- Advised INCM throughout the development and implementation of NFT – Moeda Portuguesa.
- Advised Unbabel on the capital injection of $21m from Iberis Capital, GED Ventures Portugal, Notion Capital, Scale Venture Partners, CGD Caixa Capital and Point72 Ventures.
- Advised Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD) on the sale of its controlling stake in Banco Comercial Atlântico (BCA), Cape Verde's largest bank.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
José Maria Corrêa de Sampaio; Rodrigo Formigal; Diogo Pereira Duarte
Other key lawyers
Pedro Ferreira Malaquias, André Modesto Pinheiro, Isabel Pinheiro Torres