Carlos Couto, Joana Bernardo, João Soares Franco and Lisa Ventura Lopes join VdA’s College of Partners.

These appointments reflect our strategy to strengthen the firm’s expertise in key areas such as Banking & Finance, Investigations & White Collar, Public Law and Real Estate & Planning. They also support the development of new capabilities in sectors of economic activity that deliver added value to clients.

Carlos Couto has developed his practice primarily in the securities, banking and insurance sectors. He provides ongoing advice to asset management companies on regulatory and legal matters, as well as on the acquisition and disposal of assets and shareholdings. In recent years, he has been particularly involved in the insurance industry, advising on regulatory, contractual and insurance mediation matters. He also advises common representatives of bondholders and trustees on regulatory and contractual issues.

Joana Bernardo has extensive experience in criminal and administrative litigation, with a particular focus on economic and financial crime across various regulated sectors. She advises clients on business risk management and compliance, including corruption prevention, anti-money laundering and whistleblower protection. She also provides advice on international sanctions, internal investigations and proceedings before the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.

João Soares Franco practises in administrative law, with a particular focus on public procurement, litigation and arbitration, administrative concessions and regulatory law. From a public corporate law perspective, he advises public entities and private companies in Portugal and abroad in sectors such as construction, transport and infrastructure, energy, telecommunications and health.

Lisa Ventura Lopes practises in real estate and urban planning, assisting domestic and international developers with residential, commercial and tourism projects, from acquisition through to sale or operation. She has been involved in some of the most significant real estate transactions carried out in Portugal in recent years.