José Miguel Oliveira
José Miguel Oliveira joined VdA in 2015. He is a Partner of the Oil & Gas practice group and responsible for the shipping practice.
José leverages on his 10+ years’ international experience in African jurisdictions, including Angola and Mozambique, where he has been actively involved in projects and operations across the oil and gas industry’s (upstream, midstream and downstream) value chains and advised different players in the sector in connection with regulatory issues, contractual matters (EPCC, EPC, EPCI, joint ventures, consortia, agency, management agreements, agency contracts), corporate & commercial, restructurings, mergers & acquisitions, FDI (Foreign Direct Investment), foreign exchange and shipping & maritime matters. In which concerns to the shipping industry, he has acted for the full spectrum of those involved in the industry, including shipowners and charterers, cargo interests, P&I Clubs, banks, shipyards, port operators, brokers and agents. In addition, he is regularly involved in several transactions in those countries, providing daily advice to leading companies in the energy, infrastructure, distribution, retail and transport (shipping and ports) sectors.
Law degree, University of Coimbra Faculty of Law.
Post-graduation in Companies Law, University of Coimbra Faculty of Law.
Post-graduation in Employment Law, University of Coimbra Faculty of Law.
LL.M in Commercial and Financial Law, King's College London Faculty of Law.
José Miguel Olivieira joined PRIME Advogados, the exclusive member of VdA Legal Partners in Angola, as a Partner.
He was Of Counsel at ASP Advogados.
Before joining the firm he worked for six years at Miranda Correia Amendoeira.
In 2008 he was seconded to the Corporate and Commercial Law Department at Eversheds International LLP's London office.
From 2002 to 2008 he worked at Barrocas Sarmento Neves.
José Miguel has authored several works and articles on shipping in Angola, Portugal and Mozambique in specialty publications, including:
- "Shipping 2025 - Angola", published by Legal 500, Country Comparative Guides series;
- "Shipping 2025 - Mozambique", published by Legal 500, Country Comparative Guides series;
- "Shipping 2024 - Angola", published by Chambers Global Practice Guides;
- "Shipping 2024 - Mozambique", published by Chambers Global Practice Guides;
- "Shipping & International Trade Law”, published by Thomson Reuters;
- “The International Comparative Legal Guide to Shipping”, published by Global Legal Group;
- “Getting the Deal Trough”, published by Lexology.
Admitted to the Portuguese Bar Association.
Admitted to the Angolan Bar Association.
Admitted to the Timor-Leste Bar Association (Conselho de Gestão e Disciplina)
English, French.
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Chambers Europe
Transportation: Shipping - Band 3
Band 3 -
Chambers Global
Portugal: Corporate/M&A - Band 1
International Firms: Angola General Business Law | Expertise Based Abroad - Band 1
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Legal 500
Portugal | Transport - Tier 2
Next Generation PartnerAngola | Foreign Firms - Tier 1
Next Generation PartnerMozambique | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Practice Head
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Chambers Europe
Transportation: Shipping - Band 3
Band 3"José Miguel's advice was correct, clear and reliable; I relied on it a lot." -
Chambers Global
Portugal: Corporate/M&A (Foreign Expertise) -
Foreign Expert"José Miguel Oliveira is proficient in advising on corporate matters in the energy sector, especially on oil and gas-related mandates. He is additionally dual-qualified in Angola and Portugal. His expertise also includes corporate restructurings and reorganisations."Angola: General Business Law: International Firms - Band 2
Portugal expertise based abroad -
IFLR 1000
M&A 2024 - Tier 1
Highly Regarded"José brings clients deep expertise in corporate & commercial matters and applies over 10 years of international experience in African jurisdictions, notably in Angola and Mozambique, to offer tailored advice in such diverse areas as M&A, FDI (Foreign Direct Investment), forex, and shipping & maritime." -
Legal 500
Portugal | Transport - Tier 2
Next Generation Partner"José Miguel Oliveira is an asset to the maritime transport sector as an expert in merchant marine legislation."Angola | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Next Generation PartnerMozambique | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Practice HeadPortugal | Energy and Natural Resources - Tier 1
Key Lawyer
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Chambers Europe
Transportation: Shipping - Band 3
Band 3"José Miguel Oliveira is very good at finding solutions to issues presented by his clients." -
Chambers Global
Portugal: Corporate/M&A - Band 1
Foreign Expert for AngolaAngola: General Business Law: International Firms - Band 2
Expertise based abroad in Portugal -
IFLR 1000
M&A 2023 - Tier 1
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Legal 500
Portugal | Energy and Natural Resources - Tier 1
Key lawyerPortugal | Projects and Project Finance - Tier 1
Key lawyerPortugal | Transport - Tier 2
Next Generation PartnersMozambique | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Practice headAngola | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Next Generation Partner"José Miguel Oliveira is a high-profile practitioner in the market, Angolan qualified and has an in-depth knowledge of the local markets."
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Chambers Europe
Transportation: Shipping - Band 3
Band 3 -
Chambers Global
Angola: General Business Law: International Firms - Band 2
Up and Coming"He is a good lawyer with a good commercial sense."Portugal: Corporate/M&A - Band 1
Foreign expert for Angola -
IFLR 1000
M&A 2022 - Tier 1
Highly RegardedM&A (31st Edition) - Tier 1
Highly Regarded -
Legal 500
Portugal | Energy and Natural Resources - Tier 1
Recommended"We work a lot with José Miguel Oliveira. He has an unusual technical quality, assertiveness, responsiveness and reasoning. To this, he adds a strong sense of humour, a very practical approach and a business-focused outlook."Portugal | Projects and Project Finance - Tier 1
RecommendedPortugal | Transport - Tier 2
Rising starMozambique | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Recommended
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Chambers Europe
Transportation: Shipping -
Up and Coming -
Chambers Global
Portugal: Corporate/M&A - Band 1
Foreign Expert for Angola | Spotlight TableAngola: General Business Law: International Firms - Band 2
Up and Coming"It's hard to find a better set of lawyers that know Angola like they do." -
IFLR 1000
Mergers and acquisitions - Tier 1
Highly Regarded -
Legal 500
Mozambique | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Recommended LawyerAngola | Foreign firms - Tier 1
Recommended LawyerPortugal | Transport - Tier 2
Rising Stars / Recommended LawyerPortugal | Energy and Natural Resources - Tier 1
Recommended Lawyers
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Chambers Europe
Transportation: Shipping - Recognised practitioner
Associate to watch -
Chambers Global
Angola: General Business Law Department - Band 2
Associates to watch"He is available, assertive and gives me the answers almost immediately. He totally delivers."Portugal: Corporate/M&A - Band 1
Foreign Expertise | Angola -
IFLR 1000
M&A - Tier 1
Highly Regarded -
Legal 500
Portugal | Transport - Tier 2
Rising Stars / Recommended Lawyers