João Afonso Fialho
João Afonso Fialho joined VdA in 2015. Partner and Head of Practice Oil&Gas, João has been involved in the last 20 years in all sort of oil&gas projects and transactions in various jurisdictions, such as Timor-Leste, Angola, Portugal, Mozambique, Republic of Congo, DRC, Guinea Bissau and São Tomé and Príncipe. He is mainly focused on the energy (oil&gas upstream/downstream and power projects) and mining industries.
Frequent speaker in international oil&gas upstream and downstream events, he has a detailed and comprehensive understanding of all typical projects and transactions of the industry, from production sharing agreements, participating agreements, JOAs, operating agreements, field unitisation agreements, the full range of service contracts, FPSO contracts, pipeline transportation agreements, storage, gathering and interconnection agreements, engineering, construction and procurement agreements, to distribution and sale and purchase agreements. In particular as concerns the oil&gas sector, he has been involved in the abovementioned jurisdictions on behalf of both operators and a wide-range of drilling and oilfield service companies.
Law Degree, Lisbon University Law School.
Attended the curricular program of the Master degree in International Commercial Law by the Lisbon University Law School.
Prior to joining VdA, he spent his legal career at "Tomáz Rocha Law Office" (1993-1997) and "Miranda Correia Amendoeira & Associados" (1997-2015) where he assisted may oil companies in the downstream business and was one of the members of the oil & gas upstream and downstream practice, respectively.
He served as board member in various terms between 2007 and 2015.
Author or co-author of several articles on legal issues and trends impacting in the area of Energy, Mining and Private Investment, namely, amongst others, Petroleum Africa, Minerals & Mining, The Mining Law Review (three editions), AIPN publications, Getting the Deal Through Mining (2011 to 2014).
Admitted to the Portuguese Bar Association.
Association of International Petroleum Negotiators.
Admitted to the Timor-Leste Bar Association (Conselho de Gestão e Disciplina).
Board Member of World Initiative of Mining Lawyers (2014-2018).
Chairman of Portuguese Law Firms Association (2014-2019).
English, French, Spanish.
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Chambers Europe
Energy & Natural Resources (International) - Band 2
Spotlight -
Chambers Global
Portugal: Projects - Band 1
International Firms: Angola General Business Law | Expertise Based Abroad - Band 1
International Firms: Timor-Leste General Business Law | Expertise Based Abroad - Band 2
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Legal 500
Angola | Foreign Firms - Tier 1
Leading PartnerPortugal | Energy and Natural Resources - Tier 1
Practice Head
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Chambers Europe
Energy & Natural Resources (International) - Band 2
Spotlight"João Afonso Fialho possesses a strong strategic focus and is a good negotiator. He is very knowledgeable in the Angolan jurisdiction." -
Chambers Global
Portugal: Projects (Foreign Expertise) -
Foreign Expert"João Afonso Fialho has extensive experience in handling projects with cross-border elements, often involving Angola. He regularly advises clients in the energy as well as oil and gas sectors."Angola: General Business Law: International Firms - Band 2
Portugal expertise based abroad -
IFLR 1000
M&A 2024 - Tier 1
Highly Regarded"João has been involved in the last 20 years in all sort of oil&gas projects and transactions in various jurisdictions, such as Timor-Leste, Angola, Portugal, Mozambique, Republic of Congo, DRC, Guinea Bissau and São Tomé and Príncipe. He is mainly focused on the energy (oil&gas upstream/downstream and power projects) and mining industries." -
Legal 500
Portugal | Projects and Project Finance - Tier 1
Key LawyerAngola | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Leading Individual"João Afonso Fialho is excellent and is more than a legal advisor due to his experience in commercial matters."Portugal | Energy and Natural Resources - Tier 1
Practice Head
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Chambers Europe
Energy & Natural Resources (International) - Band 2
Spotlight Table"João Afonso Fialho is a very strong and reliable person with significant knowledge and experience; He is an expert in his field and a strong negotiator." -
Chambers Global
Angola: General Business Law: International Firms - Band 2
Expertise based abroad in PortugalEquatorial Guinea: General Business Law - Band 1
Notable PractitionerGuinea-Bissau: General Business Law: International Firms - Spotlight
Notable PractitionerPortugal: Projects - Band 1
Foreign Expert for Angola -
IFLR 1000
M&A 2023 - Tier 1
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International Tax Review
World Tax | Indirect Tax 2023 - Tier 1
WT - Highly Regarded -
Legal 500
Portugal | Projects and Project Finance - Tier 1
Key lawyerMozambique | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Leading IndividualsAngola | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Practice headPortugal | Energy and Natural Resources - Tier 1
Practice head
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Chambers Europe
Energy & Natural Resources (International) - Band 2
Spotlight Table -
Chambers Global
Angola: General Business Law: International Firms - Band 2
Band 1"I enjoy working with him - he is knowledgeable in Angolan law and responsive."Portugal: Projects - Band 1
Foreign Expert for Angola -
IFLR 1000
M&A 2022 - Tier 1
Highly RegardedM&A (31st Edition) - Tier 1
Highly Regarded -
International Tax Review
World Tax | Indirect Tax 2022 - Tier 1
WT - Highly Regarded -
Legal 500
Portugal | Projects and Project Finance - Tier 1
RecommendedMozambique | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Leading IndividualAngola | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Recommended"Joao is very responsive."
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Chambers Europe
Energy & Natural Resources (International) - Band 2
Spotlight Table -
Chambers Global
Angola: General Business Law: International Firms - Band 2
Band 1"It's hard to find a better set of lawyers that know Angola like they do."Portugal: Projects - Band 1
Foreign Expert for Angola (Spotlight Table) -
IFLR 1000
Mergers and acquisitions - Tier 1
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Legal 500
Portugal | Energy and Natural Resources - Tier 1
Recommended LawyersMozambique | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Recommended LawyerAngola | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Recommended LawyerPortugal | Projects and Project Finance - Tier 1
Recommended Lawyers
-
Chambers Europe
Energy & Natural Resources (International) - Band 2
Spotlight Table -
Chambers Global
Angola: General Business Law Department - Band 2
Band 1"Vast, detailed knowledge of Angolan legislation as well as its standing under international laws." "Expertise in the complexities of mining legislation."Portugal: Projects - Band 1
Foreign Expertise | Angola -
IFLR 1000
M&A - Tier 1
Highly Regarded -
Legal 500
Angola | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Recommended LawyerPortugal | Energy and Natural Resources - Tier 1
Recommended Lawyers"Extremely competent."Portugal | Public law - Tier 1
"Raul da Mota Cerveira and João Afonso Fialho have impeccable manners and build a true partnership with clients."