Paula Gomes Freire is interviewed by ECO in an article that brings together the opinions of the CEO's of several companies on the themes that they expect to influence their sectors in 2025.

In the legal sector, the VdA Managing Partner identifies different opportunities and challenges for the current year. Paula Gomes Freire argues that the sector might be able to contradict recent M&A trends, with the conclusion of long-awaited major transactions. Additionally, she argues that the sector must be able to follow the dynamics of the energy and digital transition, accelerated by the emergence of Generative Artificial Intelligence, which will require the transformation of existing business models.

Defence, physical and cyber security and risk management are highlighted as areas that will require specialised legal support.

Paula Gomes Freire also predicts that opportunities in the legal sector will be driven by the imperatives of the 2030 Agenda and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) metrics, covering environmental, agro, business, human rights, and governance issues. The diversity of these themes requires the sector to adapt to new configurations, following the trend towards multidisciplinary that has already been seen in other jurisdictions and continuing the path that began in 2024.

• The full article can be found here.