Awards and Rankings | Rankings
Chambers Europe
"Rightly acknowledged at the top of the Portuguese market; with well-rounded advice, which is sophisticated without need of clarification."
What the Team is Known For
A leading law firm with an expansive bench and an impressive reputation, VdA has a solid client roster that includes major domestic and international banks and other financial institutions. The team advises on the full scope of transactional and regulatory matters, with outstanding expertise in debt restructurings and securitisation mandates. The firm handles applications to the Portuguese financial services regulator for the authorisation of new securitisation and venture capital companies. It also offers strong cross-border capabilities involving lusophone Africa.
Strengths
Work Highlights
VdA advised Kruso Kapita on the acquisition of a pawn business from Banco Invest.
Notable practitioners
- Paula Gomes Freire - Eminent Practitioner
- Pedro Cassiano Santos - Senior Statespeople
- Francisco Sá Carneiro - Senior Statespeople
- Benedita Aires - Band 3
- Hugo Moredo Santos - Band 4
- Tiago Correia Moreira - Band 4
What the Team is Known For
A leading law firm with an expansive bench and an impressive reputation, VdA has a solid client roster that includes major domestic and international banks and other financial institutions. The team advises on the full scope of transactional and regulatory matters, with outstanding expertise in debt restructurings and securitisation mandates. The firm handles applications to the Portuguese financial services regulator for the authorisation of new securitisation and venture capital companies. It also offers strong cross-border capabilities involving lusophone Africa.
Notable practitioners
- Orlando Vogler Guiné - Band 3
What the Team is Known For
VdA offers a highly regarded capital markets practice praised for its first-rate expertise in DCM. The team regularly assists international investment banks with their role as managers and underwriters of Portuguese bond issuances, including retail and green bonds. The lawyers also have extensive experience acting on the underwriter side of capital increases carried out by major Portuguese energy or construction companies. The law firm advises on securitisations, acting for an impressive list of originator banks, issuers and investors.
Strengths
"VdA offers rigour, proactivity and creativity in the face of unusual, complex or unforeseen situations. "
"VdA offers exceptional support during and after closing a deal."
"VdA is distinguished by its efficiency, availability and problem-solving ability."
"VdA demonstrates a remarkable ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters, combining deep technical expertise with a strategic and multidisciplinary approach. "
Work Highlights
VdA assisted a banking syndicate of joint lead managers with Fidelidade's issuance of EUR500 million perpetual subordinated fixed-rate resettable temporary write-down restricted Tier 1 notes.
Notable practitioners
- Paula Gomes Freire - Eminent Practitioner
- Pedro Cassiano Santos - Senior Statespeople
- Hugo Moredo Santos - Band 1
- José Pedro Fazenda Martins - Band 3
- Orlando Vogler Guiné - Band 3
What the Team is Known For
VdA possess a team with notable strength in contentious competition law matters, representing clients in investigations into no-poach agreements, cartels and abuses of dominance. The law firm further acts for clients on challenges to authority decisions, as well as stand-alone and follow-on damages actions. It also assists with merger control filings and state aid mandates.
Strengths
"VdA is consistent and business friendly. VidA gives us good solutions and is very clear on what will work and what won't work."
"VdA values the constant study and updating of new developments in competition law, as well as monitoring the main competition law proceedings in Portugal."
"VdA combines technical excellence with client proximity."
"VdA provides extensive and capable resources in the area of competition law."
Work Highlights
VdA assisted Brisa with the competition law aspects of its acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Via Verde.
Notable practitioners
- Nuno Ruiz - Band 1
- Ricardo Bordalo Junqueiro - Band 1
- Cláudia Coutinho da Costa - Star Associate
What the Team is Known For
VdA is a well-reputed outfit tackling complex and high-profile M&A transactions, as well as corporate governance and restructuring operations in the energy, telecommunications and manufacturing industries. The team leverages expertise in tax, capital markets and labour to offer comprehensive assistance to clients. Its clients often include financial groups, multinational entities and asset management companies. The law firm also boasts extensive international capabilities, particularly in lusophone Africa.
Strengths
"What truly distinguishes the team at VdA is a rare combination of flexibility, responsiveness and deep technical expertise. It is exceptionally efficient and always available."
"VdA offers deep sector knowledge sector, a practical approach and the ability to navigate negotiations with an autonomous team that takes initiative to provide additional value."
"VdA's lawyers are very pragmatic, responsive, smart and always find a solution even when negotiations are hard."
VdA has an incredibly strong M&A practice that has an unparalleled grasp of the commercial aspects of M&A. The team is exceptional at highlighting key risk areas.
"VdA stands out for being fast, effective and consistently clear in communication. The team takes the time to explain the reasoning behind the recommendations which helps us make informed decisions."
Work Highlights
VdA advised First Sentier Investors on the purchase of the entire share capital of Noae Investments and its subsidiary Auto-Estradas do Douro Litoral.
Notable practitioners
- João Vieira de Almeida - Senior Statespeople
- Jorge Bleck - Senior Statespeople
- Francisco Sá Carneiro - Senior Statespeople
- Cláudia da Cruz Almeida - Band 1
- Paulo Trindade Costa - Band 5
- Sofia Bobone - Up and Coming
- Cristina Melo Miranda - Associate to Watch
What the Team is Known For
VdA has a sizeable and multidisciplinary practice with the capacity to handle varied commercial disputes, including international arbitration. The team advises on debt recovery proceedings, corporate disputes and claims arising from the termination of distribution agreements. It has further experience in the enforcement of arbitral awards in Portugal. The lawyers provide support across Portuguese-speaking jurisdictions including Angola, Mozambique and São Tomé & Príncipe, assisting with diverse matters ranging from environmental claims to investor-state arbitration.
Strengths
"It is a team composed of highly qualified professionals with solid knowledge in various areas of law, which allows them to offer comprehensive, rigorous support adapted to the most varied situations."
"VdA is a top firm with first-class lawyers. It has a solid team who handle solid work with deep knowledge of the business and the legal environment."
"VdA has a high degree of technical competence and experience, demonstrating total aptitude to deal with complex and highly sophisticated legal matters."
"VdA offers strong technical and analytical skills, thorough preparation of cases and excellent performance in court."
"VdA offers strong experience, technical knowledge and a good customer relationship. The service is of excellent technical quality and they permanently search for the best solutions for customers."
Work Highlights
VdA represented Arrow Group in disputes arising from a transaction involving one of its subsidiaries, a Saudi businessman and other entities within the JJW Group in Portugal. The total value in dispute is approximately EUR100 million.
Notable practitioners
- Miguel Pinto Cardoso - Senior Statespeople
- Frederico Gonçalves Pereira - Band 1
- Carla Gonçalves Borges - Band 3
- Mariana França Gouveia - Most in Demand Arbitrator - Band 3
What the Team is Known For
VdA handles a wide range of employment matters, assisting clients with collective redundancy procedures and the labour ramifications of corporate transactions. Further strengths of the firm include restructuring, collective bargaining agreements, contract terminations and lay-offs. It also represents companies in contentious cases relating to disciplinary proceedings. VdA is notably active in the energy sector.
Strengths
"VdA is always equipped with the highest responsiveness and readiness and always attentive to the needs of our business in order to deliver the best service."
"VdA has in-depth technical knowledge and flexibility."
"VdA's approach is pragmatic, solution-oriented and demonstrates a solid understanding of the applicable legal framework, mitigating risks."
"VdA is distinguished for its combination of technical rigour, speed of response and practical solutions that effectively support the client's business. "
"VdA offers excellent responsiveness, both in quality and speed."
Work Highlights
VdA advised SGL Carbon on the design and implementation of a restructuring plan for its Portuguese plant, which included collective dismissals.
Notable practitioners
- Manuel Cavaleiro Brandão - Senior Statespeople
"Manuel Cavaleiro Brandão is highly regarded for his longstanding activity in the employment area. He has considerable experience in handling collective bargaining agreements, employment disputes and employment restructurings."
- Américo Oliveira Fragoso - Band 4
"Américo Oliveira Fragoso is distinguished by his excellent responsiveness and practical guidance, combining solid legal knowledge with an understanding of business contexts, which facilitates informed decision-making."
- Benedita Gonçalves - Band 4
"Benedita Gonçalves has clear and objective communication, with the ability to analyse complex cases and propose solutions, identifying respective risks. She is empathetic, understands our needs and manages stressful situations well. She is an excellent negotiator and mediator of conflicts."
What the Team is Known For
VdA has a well-established practice with strong international capabilities and noted oil and gas expertise. The firm has further experience handling renewable energy projects, with a particular focus on solar, biomass and wind. It offers a comprehensive service, with strengths in regulatory work, M&A and corporate structuring mandates as well as project finance. Key clients include energy providers, government entities and major banks in Lusophone Africa, particularly in Angola and Mozambique.
Strengths
"VdA offers in-depth understanding of the industry and strong knowledge of the relevant legislative framework."
"Definitely one of the strong sides of the firm is that its situational and commercial awareness are impeccable."
Work Highlights
VdA advised CEPSA on the negotiation of the sale of its subsidiary GASIB to Abastible.
Notable practitioners
- Vanda Cascão - Band 1
- Ana Luís de Sousa - Band 2
What the Team is Known For
VdA has a well-established practice with strong international capabilities and noted oil and gas expertise. The firm has further experience handling renewable energy projects, with a particular focus on solar, biomass and wind. It offers a comprehensive service, with strengths in regulatory work, M&A and corporate structuring mandates as well as project finance. Key clients include energy providers, government entities and major banks in Lusophone Africa, particularly in Angola and Mozambique.
Strengths
"VdA offers in-depth understanding of the industry and strong knowledge of the relevant legislative framework."
"Definitely one of the strong sides of the firm is that its situational and commercial awareness are impeccable."
Work Highlights
VdA advised CEPSA on the negotiation of the sale of its subsidiary GASIB to Abastible.
Notable practitioners
- João Afonso Fialho - Spotlight
- Vanda Cascão - Spotlight
What the Team is Known For
VdA houses a top-tier insurance department spanning work in sale and purchase agreements, transactions, disputes and regulatory and compliance advice. The law firm has further capabilities in bancassurance and assurfinance products. With offices in Lisbon, Porto and a suite of African offices including Mozambique and Angola, the group has consolidated experience in cross-border mandates extending to both European and African jurisdictions.
Strengths
"VdA's advice is extremely useful and to the point."
"VdA provides comprehensive and clear advice."
Work Highlights
VdA assisted RiskPoint on regulatory, employment and compliance matters relating to the structuring of its Portuguese business.
Notable practitioners
- Helena Vaz Pinto - Band 1
What the Team is Known For
VdA has a market-leading IP practice group with notable experience in patent infringement proceedings, including disputes around supplementary protection certificates and the marketing of generic products. The team also advises on trade mark and patent enforcement proceedings and the negotiation of settlement agreements. The law firm's experience includes work with key players in the pharmaceutical and telecommunications sectors, as well as in the technology industry.
Strengths
"VdA offers accumulated knowledge and the team is strongly prepared and dedicated in guaranteeing the expected results for its clients."
"VdA is highly knowledgeable of the law and the Portuguese system overall. It stands out in its ability to be proactive in suggesting solutions and it is highly responsive to questions asked."
"VdA is distinguished for its long-term experience and market knowledge."
"VdA is always available, offering quick responses and an attentive, high-quality service. "
Work Highlights
VdA assisted AstraZeneca with the protection of patent rights concerning two of its products in Portugal.
Notable practitioners
- António de Magalhães Cardoso - Senior Statespeople
- Marta Alves Vieira - Band 2
What the Team is Known For
VdA has a market-leading life sciences practice group with notable experience advising on regulatory matters including market authorisations, pricing issues and promotional activities. The team also represents clients in litigation proceedings involving medicine supply disputes and medical liability claims. Additionally, VdA advises on contractual and public procurement matters as well as regulatory data protection and data exclusivity issues. The team's clientele include major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
Strengths
"VdA stands out for its strong healthcare regulatory experience coupled with public and civil litigation experience. "
"We choose the law firm for its deep knowledge of pharmaceutical legislation and deep understanding of business needs. "
Notable practitioners
- Francisca Paulouro - Band 1
- Pedro Fontes - Associates to Watch
What the Team is Known For
VdA houses solid teams that are able to assist clients with a diverse range of matters. The firm boasts a highly experienced tax team with considerable experience in tax structuring matters. Its employment law team has the capacity to handle collective changes to working conditions, collective redundancies and litigation relating to individual dismissals. The firm's corporate lawyers have experience in significant restructuring processes, while individuals focusing on public law matters advise on disputes over construction contracts.
Strengths
"VdA provides an extremely high level of service, high responsiveness and is always available. The security and comfort of working with such a law firm is priceless."
"VdA is able to effectively frame risks, present practical alternatives and support strategic decisions in a clear and consistent manner, even in sensitive matters."
Notable practitioners
- Manuel Cavaleiro Brandão: Senior Statespeople (Employment)
- Miguel C. Reis: Band 1 (Tax)
- Isabel Gião de Andrade: Band 2 (Corporate)
- João Velez de Lima: Band 2 (Tax)
- Benedita Fernandes Gonçalves: Band 3 (Employment)
- João Soares Franco: Band 3 (Public Law)
What the Team is Known For
VdA's highly respected lawyers are often instructed on transactions that have a significant asset management angle. The law firm assists funds and their portfolio companies with add-on acquisitions of Portuguese infrastructure concessionaires or manufacturing companies. It acts for institutional investors on the divestment of shares. The law firm also handles venture capital deals, including direct subscriptions of funding rounds and secondary investments into foreign funds.
Strengths
"The law firm has a full range of expertise in Portugal, and knows us very well as a client and our investment procedures and schemes."
"VdA is very good and commercial."
Notable practitioners
- Jorge Bleck - Senior Statespeople
- Helena Vaz Pinto - Band 4
What the Team is Known For
VdA's first-class department is active in the energy and infrastructure sectors. The law firm is experienced in the corporate and financial aspects of various road concessions, renewables, waste and water projects. It also boasts further expertise in the healthcare sector. The team benefits from a strong domestic-side practice as well as strengths in international work owing to an extensive network of offices across lusophone Africa, including in Mozambique. The lawyers advise an impressive roster of clients including major financial institutions as well as Portuguese construction companies.
Strengths
"VdA offers excellent service to clients with a good response rate."
"VdA has a strong team, especially in terms of their knowledge. The team are really available."
Work Highlights
VdA assisted LusoLav and LusoLav III with their participation in two public tenders for the high-speed rail project between Porto and Lisbon.
Notable practitioners
- Manuel Protásio - Eminent Practitioner
- Teresa Empis Falcão - Band 2
- Paulo de Barros Baptista - Band 3
- Ana Luís de Sousa - Band 4
What the Team is Known For
VdA has a stellar reputation in the public law market with deep bench of recognised individuals who are active on matters concerning Portugal and other lusophone jurisdictions. The team advises on concessions, tenders and public procurement, as well as privatisation processes. It possesses a solid presence in the banking, telecommunications, infrastructure, aviation and healthcare sectors. The firm regularly handles public law arbitration and also represents clients in litigation. Its clients include key public organisations and companies, as well as domestic and multinational private entities.
Strengths
"The team is highly accessible and provides clear and practical advice within the deadlines required. Its commitment to responsive service give us great confidence and peace of mind."
"VdA's public law team is composed of highly experienced and qualified lawyers and is very strong in all areas of public law. The firm is undoubtedly one of the best in the area of public law in Portugal."
"The team stands out for its unique technical expertise and its ability to anticipate market trends and risks."
"We highly value VdA's technical and multidisciplinary expertise, direct partner involvement, cooperative client relationship and speed of response."
"The department distinguishes itself through multidisciplinary technical excellence, consolidated experience in regulated sectors and the strategic ability to align procedural representation with tailored legal solutions. Its culture of partnership reinforce the trust of the services provided."
Work Highlights
VdA assisted the Azores Regional Government with arbitration proceedings arising from respective construction and concession matters concerning an infrastructure project.
Notable practitioners
- Paulo Pinheiro - Band 1
- Rodrigo Esteves de Oliveira - Band 1
- Ana Marta Castro - Band 4
What the Team is Known For
A well-reputed domestic outfit, VdA holds extensive experience in large real estate acquisitions and sale and purchase agreements. The law firm often advises on mandates involving hotel, residential and office buildings, and is regularly instructed by international developers or funds.
Strengths
"The firm stands out for its availability, high level of legal knowledge and business focus. It has excellent negotiation skills."
"VdA combines meticulous attention to detail with a holistic understanding of transactions, which adds real value."
"VdA is distinguished for its team size, the high quality and technical expertise of each of its lawyers and its focus on the successful completion of transactions."
"VdA has a deep understanding of its clients, with a pragmatic approach to issues and the pursuit of the best solutions for specific cases."
"VdA provides an excellent service. The entire team is helpful, producing quality documents."
Work Highlights
VdA advised Vanguard Properties on the development of two tourism and residential projects in Comporta.
Notable practitioners
- Miguel Marques dos Santos - Band 1
- Pedro Corrêa de Oliveira - Band 3
- Pedro Ferreirinha - Band 3
- Pedro Pereira Coutinho - Band 4
- Lisa Ventura Lopes - Up and Coming
What the Team is Known For
VdA is a heavyweight full-service law firm that regularly assists clients with an array of restructuring and insolvency issues, with expertise in advising both creditors and insolvent estates. It offers particular prowess assisting clients with debt recovery and the liquidation of assets, as well as with contentious proceedings, including cases of maladministration. The law firm has notable experience in cases of a multi-jurisdictional nature, including cross-border corporate restructurings and distressed M&A processes.
Strengths
"VdA has a solid team that is deeply knowledgeable about the business and legal environment. It is a top law firm. "
"I recommend VdA for its commitment, quick responses and security it provides me during the consultancy period."
"VdA's restructuring and insolvency department offers considerable experience and the capacity to handle complex matters."
"VdA stands out for its business understanding, availability and 360-degree view of the restructuring process and its impacts on various parties."
Work Highlights
VdA advised Hefesto on the insolvency proceedings of Jodel Hygiene Products Manufacturing and its guarantors.
Notable practitioners
- Teresa Pitôrra - Band 3
What the Team is Known For
VdA has a renowned practice group advising on complex tax matters. The team's expertise includes assisting with the tax structuring of corporate, capital markets and real estate transactions. It is particularly experienced in handling the tax aspects of multi-jurisdictional project financing matters, often in the energy sector.
Strengths
"Even when dealing with more complex issues, VdA always manages to adopt a logical and sustained approach to these matters."
"VdA demonstrates excellent knowledge of our processes, industry, way of working and approach. The team is always able to tailor its solutions to our needs."
"The law firm understands the client's reality and adjusts its services to the clients' needs, which is very positive."
"The team stands out for its solid technical expertise and collaboration across different legal areas, which allows it to offer comprehensive and effective solutions and consistent service quality."
"The key strengths of the team are its know-how and ability to take risks and innovate."
Work Highlights
VdA assisted APIFARMA and other pharmaceutical clients with tax disputes against the Portuguese Tax Authority for matters regarding VAT in the pharmaceutical industry.
Notable practitioners
- Tiago Marreiros Moreira - Band 2
- Joaquim Pedro Lampreia - Band 3
- Francisco Cabral Matos - Band 3
- Conceição Gamito - Band 5
- João Velez de Lima - Band 5
- Miguel C. Reis - Band 5
What the Team is Known For
VdA is a first-rate department handling data privacy and protection issues, with recognised prowess in telecoms mandates. The law firm provides a tailored service to clients who wish to assess possible GDPR risks to their businesses, as well as compliance and awareness training around cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. The practice assists multinationals and domestic companies active in the energy, technology, public sector and gaming industries. The lawyers regularly act on cross-border matters.
Strengths
Work Highlights
VdA advised Luz Saúde on the implementation of AI regulation across its entities.
Notable practitioners
- Fernando Resina da Silva - Senior Statespeople
- Margarida Couto - Eminent Practitioner
- Magda Cocco - Band 1
- Tiago Bessa - Band 4
- Inês Antas de Barros - Band 4
What the Team is Known For
Notable practitioners
- José Miguel Oliveira - Band 3
What the Team is Known For
VdA houses a solid team of professionals who are well equipped to handle white-collar crime investigations into corrupt and fraudulent practices. The team attracts significant corporates and executives to further advise on money laundering, cybercrime, tax evasion and abuse of trust allegations. The practice frequently represents public bodies and clients from the sport, energy and construction sectors.
Strengths
"VdA's team is very assertive and provides the right level of advice. The team is also available."
"VdA offers strategic thinking, meticulous preparation and knowledge of all the legal and practical instruments available to the client."
"VdA has a highly qualified team that combines deep technical knowledge with the ability to anticipate risks and identify opportunities. "
"VdA has the ability to to understand and simplify highly technical contexts and provide the most appropriate legal solution for the client's interests."
Work Highlights
VdA represented Doyen Sports Investment in a cybercrime investigation case concerning the illegal disclosure of private contracts and information.
Notable Practitioners
- Sofia Ribeiro Branco - Band 1