VdA Vieria De Almeida & Associados - Sociedade de Advogados is a law firm established in 1976. The firm is based in Lisbon, has 48 partners and has established the VdA Legal Partners network which is active in 11 other jurisdictions.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm is a leader across the market achieving top tier status in all ranked practice areas in Portugal. The firm has also developed a specialism for working with clients connected to banking and financial services.
Key clients
Key clients of the firm include Alantra Partners, CGD, Kiloutou (Kapla Holdings Group), Morgan Stanley, Credit Agricole, Millennium BCP, Arrow Global, Deutsche Bank, AG, TrustEnergy, Banco Santander Totta, Nomura Aquinos Industry - Business and Management.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
During the research period the firm was active in banking, debt capital markets, equity capital markets, structured finance and securitisation capital markets, M&A, project development, project finance and restructuring and insolvency.
In banking the firm worked on a variety of lending and financial and debt restructuring, securitisations for clients connected with banking, financial services and real estate.
In debt capital markets the firm worked on bond and note issuances for clients connected with financial services and consumer services.
The capital markets team was active in debt and equity. On the debt side the team advised a mix of banks and issuers on bond issue and securitisation deals. The firm’s equity capital markets engagements included IPOs, acquisitions, de-listings, private and public offers for issuers connected with banking, financial services and the domestic market.
In M&A the firm worked on acquisitions for clients connected with banking and financial services, insurance, education, consumer goods and services and real estate.
In project development the firm’s work focused on concessions, negotiations and licensing work for clients connected with transport, oil and gas and financial services.
In restructuring and insolvency, the firm worked on corporate restructuring and insolvency proceedings for clients connected to banking, funds and financial services, as well as telecommunications services.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
Brisal – Auto-Estradas do Litoral €224 million financial restructuring
Finerge Group €2 billion project finance
TrustEnergy project development
Cellnex Portugal €70 million acquisition
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
Banking
"VdA's team is very knowledgeable and was extremely successful in managing all the different stakeholders involved, including 3 other law firms (national and foreign), a Lending Partner, regulator and a bank. They would carefully explain the rationale behind every change. VdA was also able to remove all blockers, ensuring a timely delivery of the project.”
Capital markets
"Timeline, anticipation on regulatory challenges, coordination with rest of the players.”
Insolvency
"Provide commercially focused and pragmatic legal advice.”
"Business Focus. Pragmatic."
M&A
"Knowledge, solid, quick answer, constructive and result oriented."
"PPP/PFI
"Speed, accuracy, professionalism."
Private equity
"The team demonstrates a strong know-how and is always quick on analysing and understanding any change on the regulatory framework (as suffered significant changes recently in Portugal/Europe). Additionally, they always provide client feedback and follow the agreed deadlines.”
"In the transaction support, they are also able to suggest solutions to problems found."
Maria Carrilho
"Maria's communication is flawless, she is able to adjust the communication to the level of knowledge of the stakeholders, to ensure it's understanding.”
She was also able to manage all stakeholders and meet every deadlines. Above all, she showed great knowledge of the industry and the legal environment in Portugal and abroad."
Benedita Aires
"Very good knowledge of ABS framework, international and portuguese, timeline and calendar management, ability to convince other parties with good arguments, flexibility and availability.”
Filipa Cotta
"Filipa is always contactable and able to provide timely and commercial advice in challenging circumstances."
"Very focused and problem solver."
Maria Leonor Piconez
"Deep legal knowledge, hard worker and proactive."
Sumila Santos
"Speed, accuracy, professionalism, knowledge."