DLA Piper ABBC is recognised for its ‘experience and availability’ in white-collar investigations and disputes, including fraud, corruption, money laundering and corporate misconduct, drawing on its global presence for cross-border matters. Practice head Paulo Saragoça da Matta is a ’reference’ for high-profile cases across banking, tax, environmental, industrial and political crime. José Maria Formosinho Sanchez arrived from Abreu Advogados in May 2025, bringing experience representing individuals and corporations in complex criminal cases.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Trust, experience, availability. Ease of contact and approachability.’
- ‘Quality of service provided; availability to answer questions; empathy.’
- ‘The department stands out for how it understands the client's interests and promotes their defence. It has highly qualified professionals in specific areas of law, human resources to support ancillary functions, and technological functionalities suitable for interfacing with the client.'
- ‘Paulo Saragoça da Matta: a national reference, experienced, knowledgeable in law, possesses robust professional skills combined with personal empathy, analytical skills, legal and personal insight, and availability. Beatriz da Costa Monteiro: legal knowledge, availability, analytical skills, and perception that goes beyond the obvious.'
- 'A team that complements each other as a whole, enhancing individual strengths, combining high competence with marked emotional intelligence. With this team, I feel safe and confident.’
- ‘Paulo Saragoça da Matta stands out within the team due to his extraordinary legal expertise and competence in his duties, as well as the high ethical and professional standards that guide his conduct.’
- ‘Paulo Saragoça da Matta combines practical experience with a solid and profound scientific knowledge.’
- ‘I would like to highlight Paulo Saragoça da Matta, who is one of the best criminal defence lawyers in Portugal. He has extensive professional experience, handling and representing clients in cases of great social and media importance.’
Key clients
- Petrogal
- Galp Marketing
- Floene
- José Manuel Berardo, Renato Berardo, Jorge Berardo
- Nuno Lacasta
- João Martins Pereira
- Paulo Malafaia e MALAFAIA INVESTIMENTOS, Lda.
- L’Oréal
- The Bodyshop
- ASF – Autoridade de Supervisão de Seguros e Fundos de Pensões
- COBA
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Practice head
Paulo Saragoça da Matta
Other key lawyers
José Maria Formosinho Sanchez; Beatriz da Costa Monteiro