Fielding a ‘solid team with strong knowledge and experience’, CMS draws on the firm’s extensive global network to guide clients through complex cross-border M&A, private equity deals, privatisations, restructurings, and strategic alliances. Serving a diverse roster of clients – including multinationals, private equity firms, venture capital funds, government agencies, and local businesses – the team’s sector expertise spans aviation, healthcare, energy, manufacturing, and distribution. The practice is helmed by a trio of experts: founding partner João Caldeira, who is known for his strength in private equity, M&A, corporate restructuring, joint ventures, capital markets, and corporate finance; Francisco Xavier de Almeida , noted for his focus on special situations, restructuring, and transactions involving distressed assets and NPLs; and Fernando Cruz Trinca, who advises credit financial institutions and pharmaceutical companies. Tiago Valente de Oliveira supports both domestic and international clients with M&A, corporate, and commercial matters. David Apolónia also plays a pivotal role.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘I consider CMS, especially the team we work with, to be the most complete in the M&A and private equity transactions market. They have great availability, ability to adapt to the client and very solid knowledge in this area.'
‘João Caldeira: I highlight availability, solid knowledge and ability to adapt to needs.'
‘What makes it unique: pragmatism in negotiations, not interfering or compromising deals, perfectly aligning the negotiation strategy with the client. Differentiating elements: speed, customer service.'
‘Tiago Valente Oliveira: great ability to build bridges, resolving complex negotiations with great creativity, humility, patience, without neglecting the client's interests. Very confident and pragmatic. André Guimarães: very confident, with great work capacity and technical ability. 100% available to ensure the closing of a transaction.'
‘Solid team with strong knowledge and experience in the sector.'
‘Tiago Valente is an excellent lawyer in the M&A area.'
‘The quality of the service, the capabilities of the team, the procedural speed and customer support until the end of the process.'
‘Focus on solving problems, customer-oriented attitude.'
Key clients
- Helexia
- Labelys Group
- Repsol
- Richemont Group International
- Sonepar Portugal, S.A.
- Imperalum – Sociedade Comercial de Revestimentos e Impermeabilizações, S.A.
- Palminvest
- Uniserve
- Enging
- Energyco II, S.A.
Work highlights
- Advised Repsol Portuguesa, Lda. on the purchase of 72.83% of the share capital of the company Muvext, S.A.
- Advised Richemont Group International on the purchase of 90% of the share capital of the company Meteoro – Sociedade Técnica Metalúrgica, S.A.
- Advised Stada Portugal on the introduction to the Portuguese market of a relevant generic pharmaceutical drug with a significant market share.
Lawyers
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
João Caldeira; Francisco Xavier de Almeida; Fernando Cruz Trinca
Other key lawyers
Margarida Vila Franca; Tiago Valente de Oliveira; David Apolónia; André Guimarães; David Apolónia