Linklaters‘ competition group stands out for its ‘depth and solid technical-legal knowledge’, possessing capabilities across the full scope of transactional, regulatory and contentious antitrust matters. The firm is highly sought after by some of the world’s largest companies for merger control filings, enjoying recent success handling Phase II investigations. Additionally, the team excels in handling some of Portugal’s most challenging cartel and abuse of dominance cases. João Pateira Ferreira took over as department head in September 2023 and is noted for his expertise across the full gamut of antitrust matters. Carlos Pinto Correia is a key port of call for corporates in merger control matters, including multi-jurisdictional transactions.

The ‘very experienced and efficient team’ at Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados is variously praised for its ability to provide an ‘excellent’ service to its diverse client roster of multinational corporations, domestic players, financial institutions and public entities. With a particular strength in managing complex multijurisdictional matters, the practice is jointly led by two competition law specialists: Joaquim Vieira Peres, recommended for his experience in merger control procedures across the retail, real estate, insurance and telecoms sectors; and Luís do Nascimento Ferreira, who advises domestic and international clients on the full gamut of antitrust matters, including merger control, restrictive practices and State aid. Pedro de Gouveia e Melo is noted for his expertise in complex judicial appeals against infringement decisions of the Portuguese Competition Authority (PCA). Inês Gouveia, who is based in Porto, guides a host of clients in their interactions with competition authorities at the domestic and EU-level. Head of the German desk Philipp Melcher possesses a wealth of experience in ‘litigation in the Court of Justice of the European Union‘ and is ‘very knowledgeable‘ of State aid matters. Gonçalo Machado Borges has left the firm.

PLMJ fields a ‘great’ competition law team, praised by clients for its ‘quality of partners’ and ‘attention to detail’. The practice handles a wide range of prominent competition and antitrust matters, such as merger control, State Aid, and investigations, in Portugal across various industries, from banking to infrastructure. Counting a mix of major Portuguese and international companies among its key client roster, the practice is adeptly positioned to assist on both contentious and non-contentious matters. Steering the practice is Ricardo Oliveira, who is noted for his focus on cartel cases, competition litigation, merger control and abuse of dominance. Rita Aleixo Gregório advises on the full gamut of antitrust matters, specifically across the aviation, banking, energy and health sectors. Martim Valente, described by one client as a ‘fantastic technical lawyer’, focuses on all aspects of anti-cartel and abuse of dominance cases, merger control and the implementation of compliance programmes. These are also key areas of activity for Alexandra Dias Henriques.

SRS Legal draws considerable praise from a number of major corporations, who turn to the team for its ‘high level of knowledge’ and ‘total availability’ on the full gamut of contentious and non-contentious competition matters, including merger control, private enforcement and State Aid. Regularly sought out by companies operating in regulated sectors, the practice showcases strong capabilities in big-ticket antitrust mandates with multijurisdictional implications. The department is spearheaded by Gonçalo Anastácio, who regularly handles matters before the European Commission, national courts and the PCA, and is lauded for his ‘unparalleled knowledge and expertise.’ Sara Estima Martins is equipped to advise on the full scope of competition mandates, including cartels, merger control, vertical agreements, and abuse of dominance cases. Recently promoted partner Nuno Calaim Lourenço boasts a solid track record in cartel investigations, while Duarte Pirra is noted for his expertise in the full spectrum of antitrust matters.

The ‘robust’ competition team at VdA consistently attracts instructions from major domestic companies and leading international players for its expertise in all manner of merger clearance mandates, investigations, state aid and litigation mandates, earning praise for its ‘diversity of specialists in different areas of competition’. Steering the practice is Ricardo Bordalo Junqueiro , who possesses a strong reputation in the market for his ‘knowledge, ability to define strategy and outstanding presence in court’. Nuno Ruiz shines in high-profile antitrust investigations and cartel cases at both the domestic and EU level. Managing associate Cláudia Coutinho Da Costa is recommended for her ability to act for a variety of clients, from banking to infrastructure players, in merger control proceedings, domestically and internationally.

Fielding an ‘excellent’ competition team, praised for its ‘dedicated, innovative and timely’ response, CMS offers advice across the full scope of competition law matters, including merger control, cartels, abuses of dominant position, vertical and horizontal agreements. The team regularly acts for an impressive roster of Portuguese and international clients operating in the energy, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, TMT and consumer goods sectors. Practice head Luís Miguel Romão caters to clients across a range of sectors on merger control, abuse of dominance, cartels, and litigation matters. Associate Ana Cantanhede Gonçalves offers key support in cartel cases, vertical restraints and mergers.

Noted for its ability to marry ‘excellent technical knowledge’ with a ‘client-oriented’ and ‘practical’ approach, Cuatrecasas is consistently engaged by a diverse roster of clients across the retail, TMT and distribution sectors in both contentious and non-contentious competition matters. The team is led by Pedro Marques Bom is equipped to assist with the gamut of antitrust mandates, including merger control, litigation, compliance and State Aid. Miguel Pena Machete excels in merger control and contentious competition mandates, and is regularly sought out by companies from regulated sectors. Another name to note for dawn raids and investigations, Luís Bordalo e Sá stands out at associate level.

The ‘extremely pragmatic’ team at DLA Piper ABBC attracts mandates from clients who turn to the team for its wide-ranging capabilities across various competition matters, from merger control and abuse of dominance, to compliance and antitrust counselling. The team is routinely engaged by blue-chip corporates active in a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, TMT and energy, and private equity clients in complex multijurisdictional merger control matters. The ‘renowned’ Miguel Mendes Pereira heads up the practice and is recommended for his wealth of experience in cartel proceedings, concentrations and State Aid matters. Associate Carla Marcelino regularly provides assistance to national and international companies across a range of industries in merger control reviews and antitrust investigations.

Sérvulo & Associados is home to a competition practice that is singled out for its ‘exceptional quality service’ and ‘unparalleled technical knowledge.’  The team is well positioned to advise clients from the TMT, energy, retail, healthcare and financial services sectors on the entire spectrum of antitrust matters, from high-profile investigations to State Aid issues, and litigation. At the helm of the practice, Miguel Gorjão-Henriques is noted for his wide-ranging experience in providing assistance to clients on a host of antitrust mandates, regularly acting in high-profile investigative proceedings. Alberto Saavedra, who is 'rapidly growing his profile in Portugal' and at the European level, has vast experience in assisting companies and public entities in the areas of merger control, State Aid and restrictive practices.

Singled out for its  ‘very good technical knowledge’, the team at Uría Menéndez excels in a broad range of antitrust matters, making it a preferred choice for both leading domestic and international clients who operate across a myriad of regulated sectors, most notably energy, financial services, and healthcare. The team is spearheaded by the ‘very competent’ and ‘efficient’ Tânia Luísa Faria, who has extensive experience in coordinating antitrust and merger control proceedings. Faria is supported by associate Margot Lopes Martins, who focuses on merger control issues, restrictive practices and abuse of dominant position matters.

Commended for its ‘technical knowledge’ and ‘dedicated and attentive’ approach, Abreu Advogados is a popular destination for clients across the sports, consumer goods, energy and healthcare sectors seeking advice and representation in merger control, abuse of dominance position proceedings, cartel cases and EU law matters. The practice is jointly steered by a capable duo: Armando Martins Ferreira, a key contact for digital economy, retail and distribution clients, is noted for his expertise in the full gamut of competition matters; and Inês Sequeira Mendes, a relationship partner for some of the firm's most prominent healthcare, life sciences and pharmaceuticals clients. Companies operating in the TMT sector routinely turn to Ricardo Henriques for advice on merger control and antitrust proceedings.

Under the leadership of José Luís da Cruz Vilaça, Cruz Vilaça Advogados - recommended for its ‘very personalised and direct service‘ - is exclusively dedicated to EU and competition matters. The firm is a key port of call for clients from the digital, energy, environment, pharmaceuticals, transport, infrastructure and financial services sectors seeking representation before the competition authorities at the domestic and EU level. Vilaça, a former judge at the the Court of Justice of the European Union, brings together extensive experience in State Aid, cartel cases and fundamental rights. Rita Leandro Vasconcelos left the firm in January 2024.

Garrigues Portugal houses an ‘elite group’ of competition law specialists, praised for their ‘strong technical background’. The practice possesses a strong track record of representing domestic and international clients from the worlds of automotive, technology, consumer and banking in complex cartel cases and merger control proceedings. Practice head Luís Pinto Monteiro - 'known for his unwavering ethics, commitment to justice and in-depth knowledge of the law' - is active in cartel mattes, antitrust litigation, national and international merger control, and in the implementation of antitrust compliance programmes. Associate Sofia Vilas Boas regularly advises clients on concentration proceedings before the European Commission and the PCA, while Miguel Cortes Martins is especially noted for his experience in hub-and-spoke arrangements.

The team at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is routinely engaged by an impressive roster of clients on the full scope of competition law matters. The practice is reputed for its experience in handling complex cross-border deals involving multiple merger filings, as well as cartel investigations and litigation. Practice head Mário Marques Mendes, described by one client as a ‘unique asset and a professional of excellence with top-level results’, handles the entire spectrum of antitrust mandates, including private damages actions, leniency cases and compliance. Pedro Vilarinho Pires oversees the firm’s TMT practice and adeptly supports Mendes in a range of competition matters. Joaquim Caimoto Duarte, who joined from TELLES in December 2022 as of counsel, brings over two decades of experience in merger control proceedings and cartel cases before the PCA and the European Commission.

With ‘high technical knowledge, experience and strong practical sense’, the team at TELLES boasts an impressive track record in merger control filings before the PCA and the European Commission. Counting domestic and international companies among its clients, the practice is proficient in horizontal and vertical agreements, abuse of dominant position cases, and cartels. Following the departure of Joaquim Caimoto Duarte in December 2022, the practice is now jointly steered by Leyre Prieto and Margarida Rosado da Fonseca: Prieto is well versed in compliance issues and merger controls, while Fonseca, who joined in May 2023 from CS’Associados, is regularly involved in high-profile transactional matters and interactions with the competition authorities.

PRA-Raposo, Sá Miranda & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados RL is routinely engaged by a litany of domestic companies in merger filings, competition litigation and day-to-day regulatory and compliance matters. Housing ‘specialised professionals’, the practice also excels in cross-border transactional matters. The team is spearheaded by Miguel Miranda, who is well versed in the full gamut of competition mandates, regularly advising companies in the Porto region. Associate Efigénia Marabuto Tavares adeptly supports Miranda in a host of competition mandates.

The team at Raposo Bernardo is praised for its ability to provide an ‘extraordinary’ service to a range of clients active in a multitude of sectors, including banking, insurance, and pharmaceuticals, among others. The ‘deeply knowledgeable’ Mafalda Contumélias Batista leads the EU and competition team, as well as the TMT practice at the firm, and is noted for her ability to act in the full array of antitrust mandates.