CHAMBERS EUROPE

This large firm has a 12-strong specialised maritime and transportation working group with an office in Madeira. The outfit advises on wet and dry shipping, ship finance and other matters connected to shipping infrastructure and waterways. Part of the firm’s added value is its size and the resources it can pool from its other disciplines, such as environment law and tax.

This medium-sized, full-service outfit has a solid tax practice focusing on national and international tax planning and litigation. Recent work highlights include handling real estate investment tax structuring for the Regional Government of Madeira and the Municipality of Porto.

The insolvency and corporate restructuring group at this firm sits within the corporate and commercial law department, and handles matters involving corporate insolvency, recovery and corporate restructuring connected to insolvency proceedings.

This large full-service firm has been consolidating its real estate department, drawing upon the support of its Porto office, where a number of projects are carried out, and also the input of its planning practice. Clients appreciate the “interdisciplinary nature of the group - it can always provide someone with the required knowledge and has very collaborative lawyers.” The group has been advising the state urban regeneration entity Porto Vivo on expropriations, real estate agreements and all public law issues connected to the redevelopment of downtown Porto. It also assisted Portuguese real estate promoter Adicais with the sale of an office building to electricity company EDP - Energias de Portugal. Rui Peixoto Duarte is the head of the real estate practice.

This projects group belongs to the public and environmental law practice area of the firm, and the team acts on all kinds of projects for public bodies or concessionaires. Recent mandates include assisting Iberdrola Generación with the licensing, construction and operation of four hydropower plants for the production of 1,200 MW. Clients declare themselves satisfied with the lawyers’“flexibility and ability to adapt to our needs.” Manuel de Andrade Neves and José Eduardo Martins are the contact partners.

This fast-growing firm has offices in Lisbon, Porto and Madeira, and according to sources, provides an excellent service. Recently, the private equity practice assisted venture capital company I-Zone with the design and structure of its investments in the IT and media sectors. Clients point to the consistently high standard of the team's work, and affirm that the lawyers are “rigorous and offer concrete answers to problems.”

The IP department at this large firm has a solid position in the market. It advises clients on a range of IP matters, including data protection, and offers expertise in competition, EU law and other regulatory sectors. Noteworthy mandates include providing counsel to WPP on advertising issues and trade mark registration, and assisting the Portuguese cement manufacturer Secil with its contracts with Portuguese universities, involving research funding in return for guaranteed first access to knowledge. Clients value the well-structured group for providing “clear, accurate information."

This energy practice is part of the firm's public law and environmental law department, and also assists energy clients with commercial and transactional work. The team is commended for its sector-specific knowledge and experience of innovative matters.

This large, long-established practice provides wide-ranging employment advice, with strength on both the advisory and contentious sides, and often supports the corporate department on due diligence and transactions. It recently saw an increase in its contentious workload, and also has an immigration desk. The team has been advising regular client Hidden Hearing Portugal on all employment-related matters, and also assisted companies in the WPP group with redundancies, collective dismissals and other labour issues. Clients are loyal to the team because it “guarantees solid, high-quality advice, and looks out for our interests whilst at the same time making sure an agreement is reached.”

With over a decade of experience, this firm has a consolidated dispute resolution practice that covers litigation, corporate crime and arbitration. Recent work has covered arbitration for one of Portugal’s largest shipbuilders, Estaleiros Navais de Viana do Castelo.

This firm houses a highly regarded corporate/M&A team, recently enlarged following its merger with Madeira-based SMS Law Firm; more than 45 lawyers now make up the team. Highlights include representing JJW International and MBI on the acquisition of Méridien Hotels & Leisure Resorts in Portugal, and advising Crédit Foncier de France on the acquisition of 100% of the Portuguese bank Banco Primus, and subsequent sale of 15% of the bank.

This practice is growing in strength and was recently boosted by the hire of a lawyer from the Portuguese Competition Authority. The team advised St. Jude Medical, following its acquisition of Radi Medical Systems, on competition and EU law matters pertaining to business and distribution agreements in Portugal. Clients praise the team for its ability to "keep to deadlines and overcome the critical phases successfully.”

This Portuguese firm houses a well-regarded capital markets team comprising ten partners and ten associates. The team's client roster includes such names as Banco Espírito Santo, Banif and Banco Efisa. One recent highlight was assisting the BES Group – comprising Banco Espírito Santo, Banco Espírito Santo de Investimento and ESAF – with derivative transactions.

The banking and finance department of this firm has ten partners and ten associates, and represents the interests of prestigious clients such as Banco Espírito Santo, Banif-Banco Internacional do Funchal and Banco Efisa. Recent highlights include providing legal assistance to Banif - Banco de Investimento in several matters related to its asset management and corporate finance activities, investment funds and real estate funds.

Young partner Ana-Sofia Batista is identified as one of the lead lawyers on private equity transactions.

Armando Martins Ferreira handles mandates with commendable dedication and attention.

Commentators recognise high-profile practice head Carmo Sousa Machado for her years of experience, particular strength in litigation, understanding of clients' business issues and ability to advise within that framework.

Duarte de Athayde is mostly focused on tax matters in Madeira, and contributes know-how from his corporate, finance and competition activities to the team.

Guilherme Santos Silva is recognised as a well-known name in the market and the group’s first contact.

Of counsel João Veiga Gomes is still viewed as a lawyer of reference in the market, providing counsel to clients such as the Portuguese Association of Publicity Agencies. He is especially praised for his role in the industrial IP sector, and for his theoretical acumen.

Clients extol José Eduardo Martins’“great sharpness and sagacity.” He also handles corporate, M&A and real estate matters.

José Maria Corrêa de Sampaio is commended for his technical quality and expert advice.

Department head Leonor Chastre is noted for her “persuasive and dedicated work” in trade marks and anti-counterfeiting. She recently represented Polti in a counterfeiting case involving the alleged wrongful use of the client’s patented material by other manufacturers.

Maria Dulce Soares is praised for her “clear client focus.”

Miguel Castro Pereira heads the litigation department and is a recognised specialist in both finance and tax law.

Department head Miguel Castro Pereira is recommended for his “proactive attitude and knowledge of the Portuguese financial market.” He co-ordinated the assistance provided to Banif.

Head of practice Miguel Castro Pereira is recognised for his experience and knowledge in capital markets.

Miguel Mendes Pereira recently joined the firm from the Portuguese Competition Authority and previously worked at the EC. He “has perfect knowledge of competition issues and is combative, always supporting his case with good arguments.”

Miguel Teixeira de Abreu underpins the firm’s success in the tax field. He has impressive experience in international tax matters.

Miguel Teixeira de Abreu is praised for his "professionalism and availability,” with one client claiming that it is “a privilege to work with him."

Miguel Teixeira de Abreu is commended for his technical quality and expert advice.

Rita Maltez is commended for her technical quality and expert advice.

Sofia Santos Machado is praised for being “an outstanding professional who can provide sound technical advice in layman's terms.”