The ‘outstanding’ team at VdA Vieira de Almeida is ‘dynamic and innovative when handling complex transactions’.
Lauded for going ‘above and beyond’ and providing ‘clear guidance’, the team at VdA covers the full spectrum of banking and finance matters. Regularly involved in high-level lending deals and complex regulatory challenges, the team stands out for its expertise in assisting banks with NPL transactions and deleveraging strategies. At the helm sits Pedro Cassiano Santos , who specialises in all manner of debt and regulatory issues. Hugo Moredo Santos‘s practice covers the issuance of securities and structured finance products, including securitisation and covered bonds, while Benedita Aires is a key port of call for a range of Portuguese banks seeking guidance on their restructuring processes. A litany of national and international financial players turn to Tiago Correia Moreira for his expertise in all matters related with NPL transactions.
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'The banking and finance team at VdA is exceptionally well-rounded and highly professional. It stands out for its experience across a wide range of matters and for the personal and professional skills of its various team members. The team demonstrates absolute availability in client interactions, always providing prompt and comprehensive responses to all queries.'
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The ‘very experienced, available and proactive team’ at VdA is highly regarded for its role in significant capital market transactions, spanning both domestic and international placements of debt and equity. The team offers a holistic approach to capital markets matters, leveraging the firm’s banking and finance capabilities to deliver tailored solutions to a wide-ranging client base that includes including leading financial institutions and corporations from a range of industries. Practice head Pedro Cassiano Santos is regularly involved in transactions across debt, equity, and hybrid instruments. Elsewhere in the team, Hugo Moredo Santos is noted for his involvement in national and international markets transactions, including public offerings and private placements of equity, while José Pedro Fazenda Martins is recommended for his expertise in regulatory matters. Orlando Vogler Guiné is a key port of call for players in the debt/structured debt and securitisation market, specialising in derivatives and securities issues.
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‘A team with enormous technical knowledge in several areas, very experienced and always available to collaborate in all phases of the processes allocated to them.'
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Highly regarded for its ‘exceptional availability and the extensive expertise’, VdA‘s corporate and M&A team remains active across the telecoms, energy, healthcare, infrastructure, technology, and aviation sectors. The team handles a broad spectrum of transactions, offering comprehensive support to a diverse portfolio of domestic and international corporates. Practice head Cláudia da Cruz Almeida is frequently engaged by clients in energy, infrastructure, aviation, and tourism, with experience spanning M&A, private equity, and reorganisations. Paulo Trindade Costa focuses on restructurings, private equity investments, and M&A, while Jorge Bleck remains a sought-after figure for distressed M&A and restructurings, praised for his ‘sophisticated transactional solutions.’ Sofia Bobone frequently advises clients on M&A matters, and dual-qualified Maria Cunha Matos is known for her cross-border expertise with international corporations and private equity firms.
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‘We were highly satisfied with this law firm, particularly impressed by their exceptional availability and the extensive expertise they brought to our matters. The team's strengths lie in their responsiveness and the broad range of relevant professionals they mobilise for each case, ensuring comprehensive and effective support.'
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Praised for its ‘high level of expertise’ and ‘pro-client approach’, the privacy and data protection team at VdA, which is seamlessly integrated within the firm’s broader information, communication, and technology group, is able to assist on the full gamut of matters. Counting leading players in retail, healthcare, energy, insurance, transport, banking, and gambling among its key clients, the team excels in both domestic and cross-border mandates. Practice head Magda Cocco is a key port of call for companies and public entities across a range of sectors seeking assistance on digital economy legal issues. Inês Antas De Barros is noted for her focus on data economy, data protection, privacy and information security, while Maria De Lurdes Gonçalves stands out for her work on both domestic and international mandates, focusing on privacy and data protection, data economy, cybersecurity and electronic communication-related work.
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‘The VdA law firm stands out, firstly, for the high level of expertise of the team, which is reflected in interactions with the client and in the solutions and action plans presented. All approaches suggested by the VdA team are tailored to the company's specific needs and improve the work efficiency of the client's internal team.'
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VdA retains a prominent position in the Portuguese disputes market, widely recognised as a ‘benchmark in the sector’, advising a prolific roster of clients on a range of matters from civil and commercial litigation and arbitration to shareholder, M&A, distribution and construction disputes. Practice co-head Frederico Gonçalves Pereira, who is praised for his ’strong experience’, specialises in restructuring and insolvency matters. Fellow co-head Carla Gonçalves Borges is noted for her focus on national and international civil and commercial litigation and arbitration. Mariana França Gouveia remains active in major cross-border disputes involving lusophone jurisdictions, while Miguel Pinto Cardoso focuses on international and domestic arbitration involving both commercial and investor-state disputes. Joana Neves shines in civil and commercial litigation, as well as arbitration proceedings, involving the telecoms, energy, tech, infrastructure, insurance and financial services sectors.
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‘VdA's litigation team is rightly recognised as a benchmark in the sector, offering a high-quality service, supported by in-depth knowledge of the procedural dynamics, functioning and trends of the courts, combined with technical/legal knowledge of the topics under review.'
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Standing out for the ‘technical ability and dynamism of its lawyers’, VdA is widely recognised for its expertise in handling employment matters, from guiding clients through collective redundancy procedures to advising on the labour impacts of corporate transactions. The team is jointly led by Américo Oliveira Fragoso and Tiago Piló. Fragoso provides day-to-day advice in all areas of labour and social security law, while Piló focuses on corporate labour. Porto-based Manuel Cavaleiro Brandão, described as a ’true expert in his field’, is well-versed in national and international arbitration, while Benedita Gonçalves stands out for her focus on labour and social security law.
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‘The quality of the service provided by this company is excellent; excellent for the quality of the service provided, excellent for the complete availability to respond to all requests, excellent for the rigour imposed in its work, excellent for the results obtained.'
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Boasting lawyers ‘specialised in different and complex topics’ across the energy and natural resources sectors, VdA provides particular expertise concerning renewable and conventional energy projects. Ana Luís de Sousa focuses her practice on M&A and financing matters, possessing demonstrable expertise in assisting power investors and operators across the wind, solar, and hydrogen segments. Vanda Cascão is highly sought-after among Portuguese and international clients for her expertise in the development, implementation, and financing of energy transition projects. Providing further depth in the team, executive partner Manuel Protásio specialises in project finance and transactional mandates in the energy and water infrastructure spaces, while oil and gas practice head João Afonso Fialho brings longstanding experience concerning African energy assets.
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‘VdA has the ability to provide legal opinions that help understand complex situations and manage risk effectively.’
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Standing out for its ability to ‘provide high-quality services’, the competition group at VdA possesses the skills and knowledge necessary to handle a wide range of prominent competition and regulatory matters across various industries. Renowned for its active involvement in the banking and telecoms sectors, the firm is highly sought after by multinational companies for advice on merger clearance mandates, investigations, State Aid and litigation matters. The team is led by Ricardo Bordalo Junqueiro , who is well versed in the full gamut of antitrust matters. Nuno Ruiz stands out for his work on major antitrust investigations and cartel cases at the domestic and EU levels, while Cláudia Coutinho Da Costa earns praise for her ’high technical competence.’
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‘I believe that VDA provides a service with excellent quality in the matters in question. I highlight a high quality consultancy that maintains great proximity to the client. They have great knowledge of the sector of activity in which I operate.'
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Noted for its ‘availability, technical knowledge and close client management’, the team at VdA handles the full gamut of regulatory and criminal investigations for its diverse roster of clients. Operating across a myriad of sectors, including but not limited to, sports, financial services, telecoms, energy and media, the team handles matters pertaining to regulatory investigations, money laundering and corruption cases, and search and seizure procedures. Leading the team is Sofia Ribeiro Branco, whose expertise lies in regulatory offence cases, where she applies her in-depth knowledge across various industries. Elsewhere in the team, Joana Bernardo brings extensive expertise in criminal law, excelling in both misdemeanour cases and regulatory litigation, while Inês Sotto Mayor is noted for her expertise in commercial litigation matters.
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‘The team has legal knowledge fully suited to the tasks they are responsible for, and also stands out in the care given to the relationship with the client.´
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Well-regarded for its expertise across a wide range of matters, the restructuring and insolvency team at VdA excels in financial restructuring, distressed asset negotiations, voluntary business recovery, special revitalisation processes, and insolvency proceedings. The practice is jointly steered by Frederico Gonçalves Pereira, a seasoned commercial litigator and corporate restructuring expert and Paulo Olavo Cunha, who is frequently engaged in significant projects, transactions, and group restructuring operations. Teresa Pitôrra is a key figure for both creditors and debtors, with a strong focus on restructuring and insolvency cases in sectors like banking and telecoms, while Catarina Carvalho Cunha specialises in restructuring and insolvency matters across Portugal and Portuguese-speaking African countries, assisting clients in the telecoms, banking, and energy sectors.
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Fielding a team lauded for its ‘technical competence, availability and knowledge of the sector’, VdA reinforces its position as a leading Portuguese firm, handling a comprehensive range of IP matters. From patent, trade mark, design, and copyright issues to complex litigation and arbitration, the practice covers both contentious and non-contentious aspects of intellectual property law with depth and expertise. Steering the practice is Marta Alves Vieira, who is noted for her focus on matters involving pharmaceutical patents and supplementary protection certificates. António de Magalhães Cardoso concentrates his practice on pharmaceutical patent enforcement and dispute resolution.
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‘Technical competence, availability and knowledge of the sector.'
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VdA stands ‘out for its personalised approach and commitment to excellence’, assisting clients with municipal planning, licensing and the negotiation of complex contracts. Jointly led by Raul Mota Cerveira and Miguel Marques dos Santos, the team acts for a varied client base that features multinational tech conglomerates, public entities, investment funds and real estate developers. Cerveira is an administrative law specialist, who is experienced in planning matters across Portugal and Lusophone African jurisdictions, most notably São Tomé e Príncipe. Santos, who was promoted to department co-head in January 2024, focuses on real estate matters. Pedro Ferreirinha excels in the development of prime real estate projects.
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'Its professionals know how to understand the specific needs of the client and deliver tailored solutions that balance technical rigour and pragmatism.'
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Variously praised for its ‘vast technical-legal knowledge’ and ’cohesive, client-focused approach’, VdA fields a skilled Porto-based team adept at handling a diverse range of legal matters, including corporate and M&A, tax, employment, public law, dispute resolution, white-collar crime, TMT, data privacy, and real estate. Active across sectors such as manufacturing, energy, automotive, telecoms, and technology, the team is further commended for its cross-border expertise. João Velez de Lima, who heads the tax practice, specialises in judicial and administrative tax litigation and international taxation issues. Labour and employment expert Manuel Cavaleiro Brandão stands out for his expertise in contentious matters, while Miguel Reis has extensive knowledge of domestic and international tax law. Isabel Gião de Andrade advises clients on corporate governance and M&A transactions, and Benedita Gonçalves focuses on labour and social security law.
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‘What makes this firm unique is the vast technical-legal knowledge, rigour in resolving issues, strategy and planning, critical sense, excellent oral and written communication, availability and diplomacy in relationships.'
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A popular choice for lenders, sponsors and operators, VdA is a point of reference for the development and financing of significant infrastructure projects in Portugal and African Portuguese-speaking countries. Manuel Protásio, a project finance specialist, leads a team of ‘high-quality professionals who combine excellent technical skills with a broad business vision’. Vanda Cascão works predominantly on the development side, with a particular focus on energy, water and infrastructure projects both in Portugal and abroad. Teresa Empis Falcão leverages her government experience to advise on PPPs and privatisation procedures. Paulo de Barros Baptista stands out for his longstanding experience in project development and knowledge of the transport sector, while Ana Luís de Sousa focuses on the implementation of energy projects.
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'The team that advises us contributes as part of our management team, not just as external consultants. They help to think about everything.'
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A go-to choice for support on complex public law matters involving the energy, financial, infrastructure and telecoms sectors, VdA uses its ‘multidisciplinary skills and know-how’ to advise domestic and international clients. Co-head Paulo Pinheiro is lauded for his broad skillset and proficiency in matters concerning public procurement, public contracting and regulatory issues. Fellow co-head Rodrigo Esteves de Oliveira excels in administrative litigation. Ana Marta Castro is noted for her ’extraordinary ability to permanently support the client’ with public law matters, predominantly focusing on regulation and concessions. André Gaspar Martins works with entities based in Portugal and Lusophone Africa on public procurement, concessions and administrative disputes.
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'The quality of the service provided is excellent from a technical and legal perspective, which gives the company confidence and security as a client.'
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The real estate arm of VdA excels in M&A work as well as the implementation of long-term property development projects. Led by Miguel Marques dos Santos, the ‘commercially minded and technical team’ is equipped to handle the full spectrum of real estate matters across the corporate, tourism and residential sectors. Santos brings extensive experience in guiding clients through the entire lifecycle of real estate projects, from acquisition to licensing and development. Pedro Ferreirinha shines in project development, real estate finance, asset and portfolio deals, and matters related to real estate investment funds. Pedro Pereira Coutinho, praised for being 'always inviting, clear and instructive in his approach', is recognised for his work in the hospitality and leisure sectors, while the 'highly qualified and professional' Pedro Corrêa d’Oliveira, a key figure in the Porto office, is noted for experience in the setting up of condominium structures.
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'Extremely commercially minded and technical in their problem solving.'
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Housing an ‘extremely professional, diligent and knowledgeable’ tax team, VdA stands out for its ability to advise on the entire spectrum of tax-related matters, ranging from high-stakes transactions to day-to-day compliance. Particularly active in the energy, real estate, infrastructure, life sciences, IT, and financial sectors, the group regularly supports banks, insurers, funds, and fintech companies with complex mandates. Leading the practice is Francisco Cabral Matos, who brings expertise in corporate restructuring, banking and finance, and tax litigation. Tiago Marreiros Moreira is proficient in international and local tax matters, with a distinct focus on Portuguese-speaking jurisdictions. Miguel Reis and Joaquim Pedro Lampreia are highly regarded for their tax litigation acumen, and adept at managing a comprehensive range of disputes. Other notable individuals include João Velez de Lima, a trusted adviser to international and domestic clients across the energy, industrial, real estate, and telecoms sectors, and counsel Conceição Gamito, a name to note for VAT matters.
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'This firm does not limit itself to responding to its clients' queries, but rather anticipates their needs and offers innovative and personalised solutions. This proactivity is essential in a constantly changing fiscal scenario, where agility and the ability to adapt are crucial.'
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Well-regarded for its ability to combine ‘in-depth legal knowledge with a practical understanding of the complexities of the TMT sector’, VdA showcases a strong track record in transactional, regulatory, and contentious matters across the media, entertainment, technology, cybersecurity, aerospace, and the digital economy segments. Steering the practice is Magda Cocco, who is recommended for her expertise in telecoms, media, aerospace, and data protection, earning praise for her ’strategic and focused approach'. Elsewhere in the team, Fernando Resina da Silva is lauded for his ability to ‘understand both legal nuances and technological challenges’, while Tiago Bessa focuses on regulatory issues in electronic and postal communications. Margarida Couto and principal consultant Helena Correia Mendonça stand out for their in-depth knowledge of technology-related fields, including blockchain, AI, and outsourcing.
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‘VdA stands out in the national legal market for its ability to combine in-depth legal knowledge with a practical understanding of the complexities of the TMT sector. The team is made up of excellent professionals who closely monitor constant technological changes.'
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The transport team at VdA combines expertise in finance, public law, M&A, and other key areas to provide comprehensive support across the aviation and shipping sectors, road and rail infrastructure, and urban transport systems. The group is well placed to advise on project development and financing, as well as the drafting and negotiation of concession agreements, regulatory matters, litigation, and contractual matters. Practice head Paulo de Barros Baptista acts for sponsors, construction companies, and operators in domestically and internationally significant infrastructure projects. Administrative law specialist Rodrigo Esteves de Oliveira regularly handles regulatory disputes and transactions in the transport sector, while Teresa Empis Falcão shines in project finance.
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VdA has a strong presence in the Angolan energy market and is also active across various infrastructure projects, real estate transactions and disputes. João Afonso Fialho, José Miguel Oliveira and Paulo Trindade Costa lead the ‘trustworthy and reliable’ team, with ’excellent in-depth knowledge’ of local legislation and business practices. Fialho is an oil and gas specialist with experience across multiple African jurisdictions, acting for major stakeholders in matters involving procurement, asset acquisition and contractual disputes. Oliveira works out of Luanda and boasts a wealth of knowledge in maritime law and the Angolan shipping market. Costa is an M&A specialist, active in the real estate, telecoms and banking industries.
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'It has excellent in-depth knowledge of the Angolan oil, gas and mining sectors based off decades of experience.
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The Mozambique practice at VdA is recognised for its strength in handling oil and gas, energy, banking and finance, and infrastructure matters. Operating in conjunction with local partner firm GDA Advogados, the team is sought after by international companies to assist with project development work, and is adept at advising on corporate, tax, licensing and regulatory issues. Arbitration and litigation are other core strengths for the group. José Miguel Oliveira fields expertise in the energy and transport sectors, and co-heads the practice with Teresa Empis Falcão, who focuses on infrastructure and mobility matters, as well as handling international project finance and capital markets transactions. Manuel Protásio is a name to note.
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‘In-depth knowledge of Mozambique and its bureaucratic processes.’
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