Event information

Date: Tue 9 Apr 2024 Time: 1.00pm-7.00pm Venue: EPIC SANA Lisboa Hotel, Av. Eng. Duarte Pacheco, 15, 1070-100, Lisboa

After last year’s resounding success, The Legal 500 is delighted return to Lisbon to host the GC Summit Portugal 2024, on April 9th. An exclusive event tailored for the country’s esteemed in-house community, aiming to facilitate networking, knowledge sharing, and learning from a panel of distinguished speakers.

The conference will cover a broad spectrum of the top trendiest topics in the country, including the evolution of the role of the General Counsel, the influential developments shaping the ever-growing ESG agenda, among others. Between comprehensive panel discussions and the opportunity to meet and engage with fellow in-house counsel, the GC Summit Portugal promises to be a practical, forward-looking event bringing together some of the country’s top legal minds.

The schedule of panel sessions promises to offer valuable insights and discussions brought to you in association with our event partners CMS, Morais Leitão, and Abreu Advogados.

In addition to hearing from our event partners, this event will also incorporate the unique in-house perspective on these topics, aimed at presenting attendees with a well-rounded and insightful discussion. For corporate lawyers in Portugal seeking professional development and connections with peers, this event is a must-attend. As always, the event will wrap up with refreshments, dining, and an excellent chance for attendees to expand their network within the Portuguese legal sphere.

The GC Summit Portugal 2024 extends a special invitation to the esteemed in-house counsel representing the nation’s foremost companies, along with top practitioners. Together, they will engage in discussions surrounding the evolving responsibilities of in-house leaders and the array of challenges, issues, and opportunities awaiting them in 2024 and the future.

Agenda

1.00pm – 2.00pm Registration

2.00pm – 2.15pm Opening remarks

  • Francisco Castro, senior research analyst, Legal 500

2.15pm – 3.05pm Safeguarding Intellectual Property in an Evolving Economic Landscape

In today’s society of knowledge and creativity, intellectual property is an increasingly important issue for the economies of countries and businesses.

The protection, maintenance, management and valorisation of Intellectual Property comprises a set of activities that require specific, in-depth and sometimes complex knowledge on the part of companies.

In today’s economic landscape, it has been shown that companies with a greater capacity for innovation, with the consequent production of intangible goods / assets, are the ones that best withstand the fluctuations in the economy. Valuing these assets therefore requires adequate protection, maintenance, management and valorisation.

On the other hand, in view of globalisation, innovation is less and less restricted to the company’s immediate surroundings, but has extended to the search for innovations in the external environment, such as specialists from outside the organisation, universities, laboratories and research centres, and even creative people who want to put forward their ideas on a particular problem to be solved. We need to share risks, costs, ideas and, consequently, innovations.

The big challenge for companies is therefore to ensure that their rights are protected when they act alone and that they have a share in the intangible assets created when they act in collaboration.

  • César Bessa Monteiro Jr., partner, Abreu Advogados
  • Sara Barbot, group director, legal, BA Glass
  • Pedro Gonçalves, director of legal and compliance, Unbabel
  • Rita Branquinho Lobo, head of legal affairs, Novabase

3.05pm – 3.55pm Leveraging AI for Sustainable Business
Discover the future of sustainable business at an insightful panel discussion, as our expert speakers delve into the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), exploring innovative strategies and cutting-edge technologies reshaping the corporate landscape.

Brought by CMS, this session promises invaluable insights into leveraging AI to foster sustainability, enhance efficiency, and drive growth within your organisation. From navigating regulatory challenges to optimising legal operations, this event offers a comprehensive exploration of AI’s role in shaping the sustainable business practices of tomorrow.

Join us for an engaging dialogue that promises to redefine the intersection of law, technology, and corporate sustainability. Whether you’re a legal practitioner or a corporate leader, with an appetite for technology, this panel discussion is your gateway to unlocking the full potential of AI in building a more sustainable future for businesses worldwide.

  • Bernardo Cunha Ferreira, partner, CMS
  • Pedro Amaral Frazão, adviser to the chairman, Grupo Sousa
  • Tiago de Magalhães, senior associate, CMS Portugal
  • Sandro dos Santos Zeineddin, director of information systems, Portway

3.55pm – 4.10pm Coffee Break

4.10pm – 5.00pm Introducing ML Assessment.ai

Transform Your Legal Challenges into Opportunities! Designed specifically for forward-thinking legal departments, compliance and risk management teams, strategic development, IT/operations, and Data Protection Officers, ML Assessment.ai is ML innovative approach to navigate the complexities of the legal landscape, through AI-driven solutions.

In this panel, we will share the experience and discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by legal and corporate affairs teams in their role in the technology era, in particular in the banking and energy sectors, from automatization to extractive and generative AI driven tools.

From streamlining everyday operations (like organizing your legal workflows and documentation and enhancing client and supplier relationships), to mastering risk management through GAP analysis and targeted solutions for regulatory issues, and even smoothing out typical execution burdens in M&A activities, we will discuss how AI-driven solutions may transform your legal challenges into strategic advantages: making legal operations more agile, efficient, and prepared for the ever-evolving business world; and preparing your teams/organization to deal with and overcome the cultural, security and quality issues raised by these solutions.

  • Magda Viçoso, partner, Morais Leitão
  • Carlos Coelho, director of innovation and knowledge, Morais Leitão
  • Bruno Pina, chief legal officer, Repsol
  • Ana Moniz Macedo, director of corporate affairs, Millennium BCP

5.00pm – 5.50pm Voluntary Carbon Markets: Challenges and Opportunities within the New Legislation

Sustainable Finance has been a growing topic. Intended to avoid green washing and overcome criticism, the Voluntary Carbon Markets new legislation both at the Portuguese and the EU levels bring new opportunities to evolve the topic. The most relevant points of both regimes will be covered as well as the possibility to create financial products on the grounds of bold carbon credits. The panel discussion joins views from the offer and the demand side and will share insights on the opportunities created by the legislation and the constraints that still need to be tackled.

  • Assunção Cristas, partner, ESG integrated services platform and the environment, VdA
  • Hugo Moredo Santos, partner, banking & finance, VdA
  • Patrícia Mendes, head of legal and compliance, Volkswagen Financial Services
  • Angela Lucas, co-founder, partner & board member, LAND Fund

5.50pm – 6.20pm Fintech Market Trends

Join the panel for a dynamic discussion on the evolving fintech scene in Portugal. Our experts will take an in-depth look at the latest trends, from the acquisition of regulated entities and the creation of new ones, to the opening of branches and the establishment of joint ventures. The panel will also explore the provision of cross-border services targeting the Portuguese market, providing insights based on their extensive experience of fintech in the Portuguese market.

  • Bruno Ferreira, managing partner, PLMJ
  • André Abrantes, managing associate, PLMJ
  • Tomás Almeida Ribeiro, managing associate, PLMJ

6.20pm – 6.25pm Closing remarks

  • Francisco Castro, senior research analyst, Legal 500

6.25pm – 7.25pm Drinks and canapes

Speakers

César Bessa Monteiro Jr., partner, Abreu Advogados

César Bessa Monteiro jr, is a partner and has been with Abreu Advogados since 2017, working mainly in the areas of Corporate Law and Intellectual Property Law.

He has extensive experience in matters relating to innovation, inventions, trademarks, trade secrets, unfair competition, copyright and design, as well as in defining and implementing strategies (in a wide variety of industries) for the acquisition, maintenance, protection and defense of intellectual property rights. He is also particularly active in advising national and multinational companies on all types of cross-border commercial transactions, namely global corporate structuring and integration projects, corporate acquisition and reorganisation projects, as well as structuring and implementing venture capital operations.

He works with a wide range of national and multinational companies, including automotive, pharmaceutical, hospitality, health, entertainment, fashion, construction, chemical, financial institutions, manufacturers of various consumer goods, software and hardware manufacturers, physical and online retail companies.

Bernardo Cunha Ferreira, partner, CMS Portugal

Bernardo Cunha Ferreira is a Partner in the Energy & Climate Change team and part of the ESG Task Force at CMS Portugal.
With over 12 years of experience, he is well-versed in public law, with a special focus on energy and environmental law, providing legal advice to several public and private entities. He advises several national and international players in the energy sector, namely regarding renewable energy (wind, solar photovoltaic, and hydro) and cogeneration matters.
Bernardo has been involved in the most significant projects in the Portuguese market advising on the completion and monitoring of transactions, in particular due diligence in the field of energy (solar and wind projects), regulatory, industrial licensing, and environment, as well as the monitoring of contracts, litigation, administrative proceedings, and various issues in these areas.
Bernardo is an acknowledged lawyer by Chambers and Partner, Legal 500, and Iberian Lawyer.

Magda Viçoso, partner, Morais Leitão

Magda Viçoso, Partner of the firm’s corporate and M&A teams and member of the firm’s board of directors with responsibilities in innovation and IT matters.

Her practice focuses on M&A, corporate, private equity, investment funds, capital markets and banking law. Throughout her career she has regularly advised on both transactional and current corporate and regulatory assistance, listed companies and groups of substantial dimension – particularly in the banking, energy, cement, telecommunications, postal services and logistic sectors.

From 2015 to 2018, she was responsible for an in-house legal team of a Portuguese listed company focused on corporate matters and businesses development, being involved in transformation and strategic organic initiatives and in inorganic M&A acquisitions and joint ventures.

Carlos Coelho, director of innovation and knowledge, Morais Leitão

Carlos leads an innovation team that actively engages in addressing and solving legal issues through innovative approaches. Since joining Morais Leitão in 2014, he has concentrated on introducing new methodologies into legal tasks and processes with the support of technology, such as legal tech tools, to enhance efficiency and leverage internal knowledge. He advocates for the use of artificial intelligence, document automation, low-code/no-code platforms, and robotic process automation (RPA) as means to revolutionize the legal industry.

Assunção Cristas, partner, ESG integrated services platform and the environment, VdA

Assunção joined VdA in 2022 as Partner to head the firm’s ESG Integrated Services Platform and the Environment practice area, which encompasses ocean and agriculture related matters.

She is associate professor at Nova School of Law, coordinator of the Master’s degree in Law and Economics of the Sea — Ocean Governance (ranked 1st place globally by Eduniversal), lecturing on Ocean Policies, and director of NOVA OCEAN, a knowledge centre established in 2021 dedicated to ocean research. At the undergraduate level she lectures several courses, namely Law and Sustainability. Her areas of research interest are focused on sustainability and legislative architecture and development. At the NOVA University level, she has been leading the launching of the Ocean Studies degree, an innovative and interdisciplinary three years cycle starting in 2024 and coordinates the Ocean Challenges Eutopia Community.

From September 2009 to January 2020, Assunção held several political positions: she was Minister of Agriculture, the Sea, Environment and Land Use Planning (2011-2013) and Minister of Agriculture and the Sea (2013-2015); Member of the Portuguese Parliament (2009-2011 and 2015-2020); President of the political party CDS-PP (2016-2020) and previously Vice-President (2009-2016); and Councilwoman of the Lisbon City Council (2017-2021).

Hugo Moredo Santos, partner, banking & finance, VdA

Hugo Moredo Santos joined VdA in 2001. Partner of the Banking & Finance practice area, Hugo provides legal advice in the context of takeovers and public offerings, as well as in respect of the issuance of securities and structured finance products, including securitisation and covered bonds, advising issuers, offerors, financial intermediaries or investors.

He also provides ongoing advice on regulatory matters in the areas of banking law and capital markets.

Francisco Castro, senior research analyst, Legal 500

Francisco joined the Legal 500’s GC Powerlist series in August 2022. As part of its in-house legal research team, Francisco’s work focuses on researching, editing and interviewing some of the most prominent and exceptional in-house counsel of some of the largest companies in the world. He has also played a part in chairing Legal 500 summits all around world, and is a regular host for The Legal 500’s webinar series, which provides market-leading expertise on a distinctive digital platform.

Additionally, Francisco has extensive research experience in other fields, such as Public Policy, Higher Education and International Law. Other scientific areas of interest include International Relations, Geopolitics and International Humanitarian Law. Francisco is fluent in English, Portuguese and Spanish.

Ana Moniz Macedo, director of corporate affairs, Millennium BCP

Degree in law and a master’s in business legal sciences from Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Ana Moniz has been the Corporate Secretary of BCP and the Coordinating Director responsible for the corporate legal monitoring of the BCP Group in Portugal since December 2022. In this context, she provides legal and technical advice to the corporate bodies of administration and supervision on matters of corporate governance and regulation, organizes the general meetings, interacts with regulators and qualified shareholders, and ensures Fit & Proper processes, among other functions.

With 15 years of experience in the banking and financial sector, she previously worked in the Legal Department of Novobanco, was a Senior Manager in the area of Financial Services, Risk & Regulation at PwC Portugal, and an Associate Lawyer in the Banking and Financial department of the law firm Vieira de Almeida & Associados.

Bruno Pina, chief legal officer, Repsol

Bruno has been with Repsol since 2006 and presently serves as the General Counsel in Portugal, a position he has held since January 2021. In this capacity, he offers comprehensive support to all facets of Repsol’s operations and corporate functions in Portugal.

Prior to assuming his current role, Bruno served as the lead attorney overseeing Legal Services at Repsol in Mexico. He played a pivotal role in this capacity from the initiation of Repsol’s international expansion project in Mexico in 2018 until the conclusion of his tenure in 2020.

Drawing from his diverse background, Bruno has also contributed his legal expertise in various esteemed firms. He served as a lawyer at PricewaterhouseCoopers within the Corporate and M&A Practice Area and later at Linklaters LLP within the Mainstream Corporate Finance Practice Area.

Sara Barbot, group director, legal, BA Glass

Executive with over 18 years of experience working across multiple industries, including construction and real estate, renewables, transports and electric mobility. Sara Barbot has worked in companies such as Efacec, Kora Angola and Martifer. Blending in-house legal career with law firm practice, Sara worked in private practice at leading law firms. Passionate about international transactional law and M&A, she is currently BA Glass’ Group Legal Director.

Rita Branquinho Lobo, head of legal affairs, Novabase

With over 25 years of experience, the last decade and a half in the IT industry negotiating Software Licensing, Outsourcing (ITO and BPO), Maintenance, Consulting Services and e-commerce related matters, with a strong component in Intellectual Property Rights. Since 2017, Rita Branquinho Lobo has been the head of the legal team of the large Portuguese IT solutions provider Novabase. Prior to her in-house legal career, Rita worked in private practice at major law firms.

Pedro Gonçalves, director of legal and compliance, Unbabel

Executive with over 30 years of experience working across multiple industries, including pharmaceuticals and language operations. Pedro Gonçalves has a vast educational background and extensive global experience leading and managing corporate legal initiatives while overseeing the compliance and risk management operations. He has worked in companies such as GSK and Pfizer, as well as international law firms in Portugal. He is currently the Director of Legal and Compliance at Unbabel.

Patrícia Mendes, head of legal and compliance, Volkswagen Financial Services

Angela Lucas, co-founder, partner & board member, LAND Fund

Angela is co-founding partner, board member and executive director of the LAND Fund, a real estate sustainable investment Fund (Article 9 SFDR, “Dark green”), based on the acquisition and sustainable management of land, with the mission of contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation, promoting ecosystem and biodiversity protection and restoration. She also acts as advisor and researcher for Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics (CATÓLICA-LISBON) – Center for Responsible Business & Leadership, on the topics of Sustainability, ESG and the Sustainable Development Goals in Portuguese Companies.
Angela holds a degree in Law from University of Lisbon, and a master’s degree in administrative law (awarded Merit Scholarship) from Católica University, School of Law, Lisbon, as well as post-graduate studies in Environmental Law and Urban Planning (University of Lisbon), having also attended the Executive Program Women on Boards (VdA Academia), Executive Education in Sustainability, ESG & Sustainable Capitalism (Berkeley Law, CATÓLICA-LISBON, VdA Academia).
She is a lawyer with over 15 years of experience in Environmental Law and Climate Change, was an Associate at Vieira de Almeida & Associados, worked at the European Commission (Directorate-General for the Environment) in Brussels, and acted as Advisor and Chief of Staff substitute of the Minister for the Environment and Climate Action of the Portuguese Government (2017-2022).

Pedro Amaral Frazão, adviser to the chairman, Grupo Sousa

Pedro Amaral Frazão is currently Adviser to the Chairman of Grupo Sousa. Prior, he was Director and Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), responsible for Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility, Strategic Communication, and Safety and Security, for the same group.
He is a member of the Board of GRACE – Grupo de Reflexão e Apoio à Cidadania Empresarial, representing the Grupo Sousa. Formerly, he was a member of ERSE – Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos.
Pedro Amaral Frazão was born in Luanda, Angola, and has a degree in Naval Military Sciences – Navy, a specialization in Communications and Electronic Warfare, and a post-graduate degree in Strategic Communications Management.

Sandro dos Santos Zeineddin, director of information systems, Portway

Sandro dos Santos Zeineddin is the Information Systems Director at Portway, part VINCI Airports group. Prior, he was the key contact DPO for Portway ensuring the good processing of the company’s personal data.
He has also experience in the health sector, being the National IT Coordinator for Lusíadas Saúde.

Tiago de Magalhães, senior associate, CMS Portugal

Tiago de Magalhães is a Senior Associate in the Employment & Pensions team and a member of the ESG Task Force.
With 10 years of experience in labour and social security law, he assists a roster of domestic and international clients, in a range of sectors spanning financial services, hospitality, aviation, and consumer goods.
Tiago has extensive experience in hiring under special regimes, such as home offices, foreign employees, housekeeping employees, and directors. Moreover, he is well-versed in advising all types of companies seeking to operate in Portugal (including Social Security matters) and is also recognised for his ability to negotiate the termination of employment contracts.
He monitors and coordinates disciplinary proceedings, lawsuits arising from employment contracts, as well as individual and collective dismissals. Tiago provides training to both individuals and groups of Human Resources professionals.

Bruno Ferreira, managing partner, PLMJ

Bruno is managing partner and partner in the banking and finance and capital markets practices, and he has over 15 years’ experience in giving legal advice in these areas. He specialises in advising on complex transactions in Portugal and internationally, combining transactional and regulatory advice with advice on financial issues, including project finance operations, leveraged finance and asset based finance.

André Abrantes, managing associate, PLMJ

André is a managing associate in the Banking and Finance and Capital Markets practices. With almost 15 years’ experience, he specialises in corporate finance, banking and capital markets regulation, bank resolution, prevention of money laundering, trade finance and debt restructuring.
His has advised credit institutions, international financial companies and fintechs on banking and financial regulatory law matters. He has also acted for crypto-asset investors and service providers. Besides this, André has handled M&A transactions in the banking and financial sectors, bank resolution processes and cross-border financing transactions.

Tomás Almeida Ribeiro, managing associate, PLMJ

Tomás is a managing associate in the Corporate M&A practice. With almost 15 years’ experience, he has worked mainly on mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, venture capital regulatory issues, corporate disputes and privatisations.
His clients come from various industries and sectors, including real estate, shopping centres, tourism, agro-industries, shipbuilding and sports companies.

In association with...

Registration

GC Summit Portugal 2024

  • The city where the company is located.
  • The country where the company is located.
  • Select as many as applicable
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.