Paula Gomes Freire
Paula Gomes Freire joined VdA in 1996. She is VdA’s Managing Partner, in which capacity she chairs the Executive Committee and is member of the Board of Directors.
Partner of the Banking & Finance practice, Paula has led several transactions, both in Portugal and abroad, mainly focused on the issue and placement of debt instruments, namely Euro Medium Term Notes, commercial paper, preferential shares and hybrids.
She also works in securitisation and other types of asset-backed transactions.
In recent years, Paula has also participated in the recapitalisation of the Portuguese banking sector and on the inaugural application of a resolution measure under the Banking Recovery and Resolution Directive”.
Author of a number of publications and specialised articles in the remit of her legal practice, Paula also published the book "Sustainable success, the future of technology, leadership and culture", through which she shares her insights on the main challenges of the future with an impact on the sustainability of organisations, a reflection carried out with the contribution of a panel of prestigious academics and renowned specialists from various sectors.
Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers - Banking & Finance Law - 2023
InspiraLaw Women, Iberian Lawyer - 2022
In 2011, Paula won the Iberian Lawyer award “40 Under Forty”, which distinguished the top young lawyers in the Iberian Peninsula.
Law Degree, University of Lisbon, Faculty of Law.
Post-graduate studies in English Commercial Law, College of Law, London University.
Before joining the firm she worked as an associate at McKenna&Co, in London and at Azevedo Neves, Benjamim Mendes, Pereira de Miranda&Associados, in Lisbon.
Author or co-author of various books and articles namely:
- "Securitization in Portugal", Asset Finance International - Março 2000
- Portuguese Securitisation Market: Diversification of Asset Classes and Legal Context
- "Portugal ready to embrace new asset classes", IFLR - The 2005 Guide to Structured Finance
- The Portuguese securitisation market", Global Securitisation Review, 2003/2004 Euromoney publication
- "2003 a landmark year for Portuguese Securitisation", The 2004 Guide to Structured Finance (International Finance Law Review)
- "Public Sector Securitisation in Europe", Global Trade and Finance Series - Securitisation of Derivatives and Alternative Asset classes Yearbook 2005
- "Sovereign Securitisation in Europe", International Banking and Finance Law Series, Innovation in Securitisation Yearbook 2006
- "Covered Bonds in Portugal - a feasible regime, at last", The 2006 Global Securitisation Guide - 2006
- "New Treatment for Exposure", The 2008 Global Securitisation Guide - 2008
- "The current trends and the ECB tools in the Portuguese market", Global Banking and Financial Policy Review - 2009/2010
- "The fears of a sovereign debt crisis in the euro zone and the role of structured finance", Global Banking and Financial Policy Review - 2010
- Covered Bonds - resilience in times of uncertainty, Euromoney Handbook - Maio 2011
- "Times of Crisis: Increased Regulation and New Market Opportunities", Global Banking and Financial Policy Review - 2011/2012
- "The fears of a sovereign debt crisis in the euro zone and the role of Structured Finance", Global Banking and Financial Policy Review - 2010/2011
- Global Banking & Finance Policy Review - Portugal, Euromoney yearbooks - 2010/2011
- The International Comparative Legal Guide to Securitisation 2014 (Portugal)
Admitted to the Portuguese Bar Association and the Law Society of England and Wales.
English, French, Spanish.
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Chambers Europe
Capital Markets - Band 1
Eminent Practioner -
Chambers Global
Portugal: Banking & Finance - Band 1
Eminent Practitioner"Paula Gomes Freire is a strong leader and commercial lawyer"Portugal: Capital Markets - Band 1
Eminent Practitioner"Paula is best known for her advice on securitisation transactions. She routinely advises originator banks on the STS-compliant securitisation of auto loan portfolios." -
IFLR 1000
IFLR1000 Women Leaders 2024
IFLR1000 Women Leader"In recent years, Paula has participated in the recapitalisation of the Portuguese banking sector and on the inaugural application of a resolution measure under the Banking Recovery and Resolution Directive”."Capital Markets: Structured finance and securitisation 2024 - Tier 1
Highly Regarded"Paula has led several transactions, both in Portugal and abroad, mainly focused on the issue and placement of debt instruments, namely Euro Medium Term Notes, commercial paper, preferential shares and hybrids."Capital Markets: Equity 2024 - Tier 1
Highly RegardedCapital Markets: Debt 2024 - Tier 1
Highly Regarded
-
Chambers Europe
Capital Markets - Band 1
Eminent PractitionerBanking and Finance - Band 1
Eminent Practitioner"Paula Gomes Freire is a strong leader and commercial lawyer." -
Chambers Global
Portugal: Capital Markets - Band 1
Eminent PractitionerPortugal: Banking & Finance - Band 1
-
IFLR 1000
Capital Markets: Equity 2023 - Tier 1
Capital Markets: Debt 2023 - Tier 1
IFLR1000 Women Leaders 2023
Capital Markets: Structured finance and securitisation 2023
-
International Tax Review
World Tax | Transactional Tax 2023 - Tier 1
WT - Highly RegardedWorld Tax | General Corporate Tax 2023 - Tier 1
WT - Highly Regarded -
Legal 500
Portugal | Banking and Finance - Tier 1
Key lawyer
-
Chambers Europe
Banking and Finance - Band 1
Band 3"Solid knowledge of the market."Capital Markets - Band 1
Band 3 -
Chambers Global
Portugal: Banking & Finance - Band 1
Band 3Portugal: Capital Markets - Band 1
Band 3 -
IFLR 1000
Capital Markets: Structured finance and securitisation (31st Edition)
Highly regardedCapital Markets Debt (31st Edition) - Tier 1
Highly RegardedCapital Markets Equity (31st Edition) - Tier 1
Highly regardedIFLR1000 Women Leaders 2022 | 5th edition
IFLR1000 Women LeaderCapital Markets Debt 2022 - Tier 1
Highly regardedCapital Markets: Structured finance and securitisation 2022
Highly regardedCapital Markets Equity 2022 - Tier 1
Highly Regarded -
International Tax Review
World Tax | Transactional Tax 2022 - Tier 1
WT - Highly RegardedWorld Tax | General Corporate Tax 2022 - Tier 1
WT - Highly Regarded -
Legal 500
Portugal | Banking and Finance - Tier 1
Recommended
-
Chambers Europe
Capital Markets - Band 1
Band 3"In-depth experience"Banking and Finance - Band 1
Band 3"Solid knowledge of the market." -
Chambers Global
Portugal: Banking & Finance - Band 1
Band 3"Solid knowledge of the market."Portugal: Capital Markets - Band 1
Band 3"In-depth experience." -
IFLR 1000
Capital Markets Equity - Tier 1
Highly Regarded / IFLR 1000 Women LeadersCapital Markets: Structured finance and securitisation
Highly Regarded / IFLR 1000 Women LeadersCapital Markets Debt - Tier 1
Highly Regarded / IFLR 1000 Women LeadersIFLR1000 Women Leaders
Capital markets: Debt / Capital Markets: Equity / Capital markets: Structured finance and securitisation -
Legal 500
Portugal | Banking & Finance - Tier 1
Recommended Lawyers
-
Chambers Europe
Capital Markets - Band 1
Band 3Banking and Finance - Band 1
Band 3"Very experienced lawyer with a deep knowledge of the area." -
Chambers Global
Portugal: Banking & Finance - Band 1
Band 3"Very experienced lawyer with a deep knowledge of the area."Portugal: Capital Markets - Band 1
Band 3 -
IFLR 1000
Capital Markets Debt - Tier 1
Highly Regarded | IFLR 1000 Women LeadersCapital Markets: Structured finance and securitisation
Highly Regarded | IFLR 1000 Women LeadersCapital Markets Equity - Tier 1
Highly Regarded | IFLR 1000 Women Leaders -
Legal 500
Portugal | Capital Markets - Tier 1
Recommended LawyerPortugal | Banking & Finance - Tier 1
Recommended Lawyer