Linklaters‘ ‘incomparable’ team draws considerable praise for its ‘excellent technical knowledge’ in complex debt and equity transactions, acting both for domestic and international clients. The firm is sought out by some of the world’s leading companies, thanks to its expertise in providing assistance on derivatives and structured finance mandates, as well as issues pertaining to public takeovers, private and public offers of securities, and regulatory filings. Co-head António Soares holds an excellent market reputation for his proficiency in equity and debt deals, financial regulatory issues and privatisations. Vera Ferreira de Lima, who oversees the firm’s financial regulation group, handles the gamut of capital markets transactions, having participated in the structuring of various public and private securities offerings. Associate Válter Gouveia is highlighted for his ‘creativity and pragmatism in searching for the best solutions for the client’.
Capital markets in Portugal
Linklaters
Responsables de la pratique:
António Soares; Vera Ferreira de Lima
Autres avocats clés:
Válter Gouveia; Rodrigo Moreira
Les références
‘The team stands out for its exhaustive and highly detailed knowledge, both theoretical and practical, as well as its unsurpassed availability.’
‘I would particularly recommend the partners and associates who interacted with us most closely, namely Rodrigo Moreira.’
‘The Linklaters capital markets team has incomparable experience in certain matters which is unique in the national market. I highlight Vera Ferreira Lima and Válter Gouveia, as key members of the team, demonstrating above average technical competence and soft skills.’
Principaux clients
Caixa Central – Caixa Central de Crédito Agrícola Mútuo, C.R.L.
Floene Energias
Novo Banco
Luz Saúde (Fosun Group)
Sierra
Morgan Stanley Infrastructure
Union Investment
REN – Redes Energéticas Nacionais
Promontoria MA CC 1×1 Socimi
Vision-Box
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and GIC
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Floene Energias on its overall refinancing through a backstop facility of €600m in September 2022, intended to refinance its €600m notes maturing on 19 September 2023, part of its then existing EMTN programme; an LME exercise aimed at those outstanding notes, including the tender for their purchase, and the associated financing through a €300m note facility in February 2022; and its €1bn EMTN programme update and €420m notes listed on Euronext Dublin issue in July 2023.
- Advising Caixa Central de Crédito Agrícola Mútuo (Grupo Crédito Agrícola) on its recent issue of €200m 8.375% Fixed/Floating Rate Callable Senior Preferred MREL-eligible Notes linked to social sustainability, as well as on the subsequent €50m tap issue.
- Advised on the corporate reorganisation of the top companies of the Semapa Group, one of Portugal’s largest industrial groups, which involved the acquisition by the three heirs of the late Mr. Pedro Queiroz Pereira of indirect exclusive control of Semapa and The Navigator Company, both listed on Euronext Lisbon.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados
Well-regarded for its ability to marry a ‘deep understanding of the dynamics of the financial market’ with a ‘multidisciplinary approach’, the capital markets team at Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados is the trusted adviser to Portuguese listed companies, investment banks and issuers. The team consistently handles complex and innovative capital market transactions, boasting an impressive track record in dealing with debt, hybrid instruments and other securities. The practice is jointly led by Tomás Vaz Pinto and Eduardo Paulino: Pinto is noted for his expertise in M&A matters, and specialises in privatisation cases, while ECM and DCM expert Paulino is lauded for his ‘proactivity and innovation in approaching the questions asked by clients’. Also part of the core capital markets team, Ricardo Andrade Amaro heads up the firm's M&A practice and is recommended for his experience in IPOs. Maria Soares Do Lago is a name to note for debt and hybrid issuances, securitisations and derivatives.
Responsables de la pratique:
Tomás Vaz Pinto; Eduardo Paulino
Autres avocats clés:
Ricardo Andrade Amaro; Maria Soares do Lago; Marisa Larguinho; Isabel Carneiro Khalen; Pedro Capitão Barbosa; Maria Cortes Martins
Les références
‘The high quality of the service provided combined with permanent availability, accessibility and the high personal qualities of the team members make Morais Leitão stand out in the sector.’
‘Eduardo Paulino and Maria Cortes Martins are professionals with high knowledge, behaviour and ethics well above average.’
‘Morais Leitão excels in the field of capital markets.’
PLMJ
Highlighted for its ability to provide a ‘high quality service’, the ‘experienced and specialised’ capital markets team at PLMJ is well versed in the full spectrum of transactional and corporate governance matters. Counting Portuguese banks, international financial institutions and listed companies among its key roster of clients, the practice enjoys a strong market reputation for its work on IPOs, rights issues and takeovers, debt issues and securitisations. With an impressive track record in complex ECM and DCM transactions on the primary and secondary markets, practice head André Figueiredo regularly acts on big-ticket capital markets deals. Bruno Ferreira is skilled at assisting companies and financial institutions with large-cap deals and complex regulatory matters, while the ‘technically impeccable’ Raquel Azevedo focuses on corporate governance issues concerning listed companies. Gonçalo dos Reis Martins is another key name to note, recommended for his involvement in the an array of capital markets transactions at the national and cross-border levels.
Responsables de la pratique:
André Figueiredo
Autres avocats clés:
Gonçalo dos Reis Martins; Bruno Ferreira; Raquel Azevedo; João Dias Lopes; Luis Miguel Vasconcelos
Les références
‘Raquel Azevedo is recommended for her solution driven and extremely collaborative approach.’
‘PLMJ offers a high quality service, with an experienced and specialised team, and is always ahead of the market in terms of innovation.’
‘The team is made up of lawyers with extensive experience in various areas of law, who are always ready to go the extra mile to meet the needs of their clients.’
Principaux clients
JP Morgan Securities
European Investment Bank
DK Partners
Deutsche Bank AG
Lloyds Bank
KKR
Pioneer Point Partners
US Bank
Gulbenkian Foundation
Greenvolt
Citibank
Galp
REN
Altri
Impresa
IGCP
FCE Bank
NORDEX SE
ING Bank
Haitong Bank
Principaux dossiers
- Acting as legal counsel to REN in its capacity as issuer and keep well provider under the €5bn Euro Medium Term Note Programme.
- Advised DBRS on the credit rating of a facilities agreement entered into between Finerge Europe Holding, S.À.R.L, National Westminster Bank PLC and a group of other financial institutions, in the context of the debt restructuring of Finerge Group.
- Advising ING Bank on the subscription of €150m unsecured floating rate notes issued by Galp Energia.
VdA
The team at VdA, noted for its ‘cordiality, competence and availability’, enjoys an excellent market reputation for its involvement in consequential capital market transactions, including the national and international placement of both debt and equity. Covering the entire scope of capital markets matters, the practice effectively taps into the firm’s banking and finance expertise to provide comprehensive guidance to a diverse client base, composed of financial institutions and corporations across various sectors. At the helm sits Pedro Cassiano Santos, who is actively engaged in the structuring of several transactions involving debt, equity and hybrid instruments; he also boasts in-depth knowledge of securitisations and structured finance. With a strong track record in both domestic and cross-border deals, Hugo Moredo Santos advises on public offerings and private placements of equity, debt and hybrid securities, covered bonds and asset-backed transactions. Clients across financial and non-financial sectors seek Orlando Vogler Guiné's expertise in a variety of capital markets mandates, including derivatives and securities issues.
Responsables de la pratique:
Pedro Cassiano Santos
Autres avocats clés:
Hugo Moredo Santos; José Pedro Fazenda Martins; Benedita Aires; Orlando Vogler Guiné; Carlos Filipe Couto
Les références
‘VdA stands out to us for its availability to the client, its excellent communication, high level of specialisation, its proactivity, and decisive and effective approach to matters.’
‘Carlos Couto stands out as great expert in this field. He is efficient and very dedicated.’
‘The team stands out for its cordiality, competence and availability.’
Principaux clients
GreenVolt – Energias Renováveis, S.A.
Mota-Engil SGPS, S.A.
CTT, S.A.; Banco CTT, S.A.
Banco Santander Totta, S.A.
Gamma – Sociedade de Titularização de Créditos, S.A.
Unión Créditos Inmobiliarios, S.A., Establecimiento Financiero de Crédito
Sata Air Açores – Sociedade de Transportes Aéreos, S.A.
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A., Banco Invest, S.A., Bankinter, S.A. and Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft
Arrow Global Limited; Whitestar Asset Solutions, S.A.; Hefesto STC, S.A.
Banco BPI, S.A., Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A., Banco Comercial Português, S.A., Caixa Geral de Depósitos, S.A. (and Caixa Banco de Investimento, S.A., as na affiliate of CGD) and Banco de Sabadell, S.A. – Sucursal em Portugal
Fortitude Capital
Principaux dossiers
- Acted as legal counsel to GreenVolt in the issuance of 17,792,576 new ordinary, book-entry and nominative shares.
- Advising Greenvolt – Energias Renováveis, S.A. and coordinating parties involved in the public subscription offering and admission to trading on Euronext Lisbon of the bond issue denominated “Obrigações Verdes Greenvolt 2022-2027”.
- Assisted Mota-Engil SGPS, S.A. as transaction counsel, coordinating all parties involved in the public subscription offering launched by Mota-Engil representative of the bond issue denominated “Obrigações Ligadas a Sustentabilidade Mota-Engil 2022-2027”.
Cuatrecasas
Variously praised as ‘experienced, pragmatic and knowledgable’, the capital markets team at Cuatrecasas is well positioned to advise clients on a range of matters, including debt and equity transactions, derivatives, structured finance and securitisations. Counting issuers, banks, institutional shareholders, securitisation vehicles, funds and investors among its roster of clients, the practice excels in cross-border mandates – made possible by seamless collaboration with the firm’s other offices across Europe. The team is jointly led by Paulo Costa Martins and Manuel Requicha Ferreira. Martins, lauded for his ‘rigour and extensive experience’, regularly advises banks and investment firms on public offers, private placements, takeovers, and fund formation, while Ferreira is recommended for his ability to handle structured finance and securitisations. Margarida Leal De Oliveira is a strong performer in DCM deals.
Responsables de la pratique:
Paulo Costa Martins; Manuel Requicha Ferreira
Autres avocats clés:
Margarida Leal De Oliveira; Francisco Soares Machado
Les références
‘The team is experienced, pragmatic and knowledgable.’
‘I recommend the work of Paulo Costa Martins, for his rigour and extensive experience in setting up venture capital funds.’
‘Great expertise and efficiency.’
Principaux clients
Shevel Family Office
Azora European Hotel & Lodging, F.C.R.
Bison Bank
BigCity Holdco LLP
Invesco
Servdebt
Highgate
Grupo Pestana
Keypordorm
Portuguese Public Debt Agency
Isorela
Goldman Sachs Bank
BNP Paribas
Groupement Les Mosquetaires
Lighhthouse Capital
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Cooperatieve Rabobank
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Shevel family office on the launch of a luxury care home resort in Portugal through the incorporation and listing of a Portuguese REIT.
- Advising BNP Paribas and Banco Santander as the joint arrangers in relation to the securitisation of a portfolio of residential mortgage loans originated by Unión de Créditos Inmobiliarios in Portugal and the issue and admission to trading on Euronext Lisbon of €295.5m residential mortgage-backed loans.
- Advising Bison Bank, S.A., as sole coordinator and bookrunner of the mandatory takeover bid launched by Jogo Bonito Group, s.à.r.l. over the shares of Boavista Futebol Clube, Futebol SAD, S.A.
Uría Menéndez
Uría Menéndez‘s capital market practice is routinely instructed by listed companies, financial institutions and international investors in the Ibero-American market in a host of transactional mandates. The practice is highly regarded for its strong regulatory capabilities and relationships with regulators, most notably the Portuguese Securities Markets Commission (CMVM). Steering the practice is Carlos Costa Andrade, who covers a range of capital markets transactions from takeovers and IPOs, to structured bonds and other complex securities. A litany of public listed companies turn to Miguel Stokes for his experience in privatisations, structured finance, debt and equity offerings.
Responsables de la pratique:
Carlos Costa Andrade
Autres avocats clés:
Miguel Stokes; Duarte Martins
Principaux clients
Citigroup
Morgan Stanley
J.P. Morgan
Goldman Sachs
BNP Paribas
KKR
Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft
Société Générale
Rivercrown
JB Capital Markets
Azul Linhas Aéreas, S.A.
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Citigroup Global Markets Europe AG, Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE, J.P. Morgan SE and Morgan Stanley Europe SE, as managers, on the capital increase of EDP – Renováveis, S.A. through an issue of 50,968,400 new shares and admission of the same to trading on Euronext Lisbon, in a total deal value of approximately €1bn.
- Advising BNP PARIBAS, Citigroup Global Markets Europe AG and Morgan Stanley Europe SE, as managers, on the capital increase of EDP – Energias de Portugal, S.A. through an issue of 218,340,612 new shares and admission of the same to trading on Euronext Lisbon, in a total deal value of approximately €1bn.
- Advising Groupe Bruxelles Lambert on its acquisition of a majority stake in Affidea for approximately €1bn.
Garrigues Portugal
Garrigues Portugal is home to a capable capital markets group that possesses wide-ranging capabilities to advise on big-ticket capital markets transactions and regulatory matters for clients spanning the telecoms, postal services, media and technology sectors. Under leadership of Marta Graça Rodrigues, the team regularly acts for some of the largest listed companies in Portugal. With over two decades' experience in the market, Rodrigues brings together expertise in M&A, corporate governance and securities law. Former co-head Diogo Leónidas Rocha left the firm in November 2023.
Responsables de la pratique:
Marta Graça Rodrigues
Les références
‘They pay attention to client needs and search for solutions; excellent technical knowledge. They have great business and economic understanding. Marta Graça Rodrigues is recommended.’
Sérvulo & Associados
Well versed in a wide range of capital markets mandates, the ‘very professional, accessible, friendly and diligent’ team at Sérvulo & Associados is increasingly engaged in high-end transactional mandates, especially equity deals. The practice boasts a strong financial services regulatory offering, standing out for its expertise in fintech-related matters. Noted for his 'high technical knowledge', Paulo Câmara is singled out for his proficiency in regulatory matters. He jointly heads up the team with Manuel Magalhães, who boasts wide-ranging experience in banking, insurance, real estate, restructuring and insolvency work. Verónica Fernández is a reference for investment fund managers and financial intermediaries seeking assistance with the structuring of securities issuing programmes and placing of debt instruments.
Responsables de la pratique:
Paulo Câmara; Manuel Magalhães
Autres avocats clés:
Verónica Fernández; Francisco Barona; Francisco Boavida Salavessa; Patrícia Costa Gomes; José Guilherme Gomes
Les références
‘The team provides high quality advice. Paulo Câmara is attentive and diligent in providing required assistance.’
‘We highlight Paulo Câmara’s availability, communication skills and willingness to transmit knowledge.’
‘High proximity to the client, always combined with treatment of high technical quality and pragmatism.’
Principaux clients
Flexdeal Simfe
Banco de Cabo Verde / AGMVM
Crest Capital Partners
Fidelidade – Sociedade Gestora de Organismos de Investimento Imobiliário
EDP – Energias de Portugal
Senseidata
Eaglestone Capital Partners
HCapital Partners
Plural Markets SCR
Abanca
Principaux dossiers
- Advising EDP on regulatory duties, strategic board meetings, ESG and corporate governance.
- Assisting HCapital Partners with the preparation of a vendor’s due diligence procedure for the potential sale of the client’s participation in Solzaima, a producer of pellet heating stoves, and in the negotiation of such sale to Nibe Industrier AB.
- Advising the Cape Verde capital markets regulator on the revision of the Securities Code, including preparation of draft law, support to the public consultation and advice to the regulator (AGMVM).
SRS Legal
Retained by a multitude of international financial institutions, banks and issuers, the team at SRS Legal is well placed to advise on securitisation transactions, bond issuances and fund-related matters. The team is led by Alexandra Valente, a key port of call for Portuguese and international financial institutions and private equity funds. A name to note for derivatives products, Gustavo Ordonhas Oliveira has over two decades' experience advising clients on domestic and cross-border matters, including structured finance deals and financial services regulatory issues. João Santos Carvalho is also recommended for his expertise in capital markets transactions and regulatory matters.
Responsables de la pratique:
Alexandra Valente
Autres avocats clés:
Gustavo Ordonhas Oliveira; João Santos Carvalho
Principaux clients
Oxy Capital
EDP
Sagres STC, SA
Rabobank plc
Sagres STC, SA
Carregosa, SGOIC
EDP
M&G
Barclays
Power Parity
M7
Hewlett Packard UK
Bicredit
Abreu Advogados
Investment banks, real estate investment funds, venture capitalists, credit management clients and regulatory bodies frequently turn to Abreu Advogados for its ‘strong finance skills’. The practice adeptly assists clients with securitisation transactions, debt issuances, fund-related matters, OTC derivatives and regulatory issues. The 'responsive' Rodrigo Formigal and Diogo Pereira Duarte, the latter of whom is noted for his financial services regulatory expertise, jointly lead the practice. André Modesto Pinheiro offers support in capital increases and public tender offers.
Responsables de la pratique:
Rodrigo Formigal; Diogo Pereira Duarte
Autres avocats clés:
Ana Sofia Batista; André Modesto Pinheiro; Isabel Pinheiro Torres
Les références
‘Quality and availability to respond in a short period of time’
‘Strong finance skills. Good connections with football clubs to assist with football finance work.’
‘Rodrigo Formigal is a safe pair of hands and is responsive.’
Principaux clients
Afifi Group
Banco de Investimento Global (BIG)
CA Indosuez Wealth (Europe)
Celulose Beira Industrial (CELBI)
Efacec Group
impactMarket
Osborne+Co
PRIO Group
Time Out Group
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Time Out Group on the issuance of corporate bonds and provision of security on assets in Portugal to refinance the group’s debt and provide additional working capital to support the group’s further growth.
- Advising Osborne, a major Real Estate developer specialized in the office segment, in the context of the Campo Alegre building, former headquarters of the insurer Ageas in Porto.
- Assisted Banco de Investimento Global (BIG), as co-placement agent in the offer, on the public subscription offer and public exchange offers in the context of the issue by Mota-Engil, SGPS, S.A. of up to EUR 140 million notes, due in 2024.
CMS
Covering both domestic and cross-border matters, CMS showcases particular strength in debt capital markets transactions, most notably sustainable bond issuances. A diverse client roster, comprised of asset managers, financial institutions and large issuers, regularly turn to the team for advice on large-cap deals and sophisticated regulatory issues. Practice head Francisco Xavier de Almeida, who brings together expertise in M&A, banking and finance, and capital markets, is active in bond issuances, public offerings, credit securitisation and structured products.
Responsables de la pratique:
Francisco Xavier de Almeida
Autres avocats clés:
António Payan Martins; Margarida Vila Franca
Principaux clients
Davidson Kempner Partners
Aquila Capital Group
Barclays Bank Plc
Caixa – Banco de Investimento (CaixaBI)
CPPIB
Equistone Partners Europe
Goldman Sachs
Société Générale
WElink Energy
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Aquila Capital groups’ issuers in connection with the issuance of bonds registered at Interbolsa (Portuguese clearing system) in book entry form.
- Advising SWEN Capital Partners on a second investment round in Portugal, in the total amount of € 60m, subscribed by Fund SWIFT1 and Fund SWIFT 2, both managed by SWEN Capital Partners.
- Advised Gemcorp on the binding offer phase of the tender acquisition process launched by BPI bank for the sale of its 49,5% equity stake in BFA (Banco de Fomento de Angola).
Gómez-Acebo & Pombo
The ‘very responsive and thorough’ capital markets team at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is routinely instructed by issuers and banks on a range of transactional mandates. Typical engagements for the team include advising on the placement of debt and equity instruments, and filings before the CMVM. Co-head Mafalda Barreto is regularly involved in major banking and M&A deal. Of counsel Filipe Santos Barata is the name to note for complex insurance matters. Former co-head Miguel Castro Pereira is no longer at the firm.
Responsables de la pratique:
Mafalda Barreto
Autres avocats clés:
Filipe Santos Barata
Les références
‘Very responsive and thorough, with numerous resources.’
‘I reccomend Filipe Santos Barata.’
MACEDO VITORINO
Under the leadership of founding partner António de Macedo Vitorino, the ‘very helpful’ team at MACEDO VITORINO is well versed in a range of capital markets matters, including debt transactions, derivatives and securitisations. Fellow co-head André Vasques Dias is regularly engaged by domestic and international banks and companies seeking assistance with financing, capital markets, M&A and tax matters.
Responsables de la pratique:
António de Macedo Vitorino; André Vasques Dias
Les références
‘I recommend the team for its trust, knowledge, thoughtful judgment, availability, flexibility, resilience, and advice.’
‘Great attention to the detail.’
‘Very helpful and friendly.’
Principaux clients
Arjun Infrastructure Partners
Fábrica de Papel Tojal – Fapajal
Banco Montepio
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Arjun Infrastructures Partners in connection with a mezzanine financing for the refinancing of several solar parks.
- Advised Fapajal in reviewing the bond issue agreement and taking all steps for the issuance and registration of the bonds.
- Advising Banco Montepio in connection with a commercial paper programme