Portugal 2024
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
Senior counsel | Tabaqueira (Philip Morris International)
Hall of fame
Legal, compliance and public affairs director and company secretary | The Navigator Company
Head of legal and compliance and secretary to the board of directors | Banco Primus
Head of legal Iberia and Global co-head of McKinsey legal sustainability | McKinsey & Company
Country legal counsel and compliance head | Citibank Portugal
Hall of fame
Group general counsel, chief compliance officer and company secretary | Fidelidade
Hall of fame
Head of legal, compliance (DPO and AML) and corporate affairs | Pignus - Crédito Económico Popular
General counsel and company secretary | TAP Air Portugal
Legal counsel | Tabaqueira (Philip Morris International)
Rising stars
Head of legal and company secretary | REN - Redes Energéticas Nacionais
Head of legal and compliance | Corticeira Amorim
Hall of fame
Company secretary, director of governance and compliance | Semapa – Sociedade de Investimento e Gestão
Head of legal | Sociedade Central de Cervejas e Bebidas and Novadis
Senior legal counsel | Securitas - Security Services Ibero America
Head of legal, compliance and company secretary | Altri
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural GC Powerlist: Portugal, we are thrilled to introduce the 2024 edition, spotlighting the nation’s most successful and accomplished in-house lawyers. This publication celebrates the exceptional achievements and innovative approaches of the selected individuals as they navigate the complexities of the Portuguese legal landscape.Â
This year, we are proud to present the second-ever GC Powerlist edition to feature a Hall of Fame category. This prestigious section honours the most distinguished corporate lawyers who have made a lasting impact over the past two decades. Inclusion in the Hall of Fame is a testament to a lawyer’s outstanding track record, extensive experience, and significant influence on Portugal’s legal field. This new section celebrates their enduring contributions and aims to inspire the next generation of in-house lawyers.Â
Within these pages, you will find in-depth profiles and exclusive interviews with the most influential and highly regarded general counsel from a diverse range of industries. These individuals have consistently demonstrated their ability to shape legal strategies, mitigate risks, and provide invaluable strategic guidance to their organisations. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to the legal community, showcasing the profound impact that in-house lawyers can have on shaping business strategies and driving remarkable success.Â
Split between individuals, Hall of Fame and Rising Stars categories, this publication covers many relevant topics and challenges unique to the in-house legal field. We invite you to explore the GC Powerlist: Portugal 2024 and discover the extraordinary stories of these exceptional professionals. Through their experiences and insights, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the in-house legal landscape in Portugal and highlight the invaluable contributions of the country’s top corporate lawyers.Â
On behalf of The Legal 500, I extend our deepest gratitude to all the in-house lawyers featured in this publication for their valuable contributions and for sharing their journeys with us. It is my pleasure to present to you this distinguished collection, showcasing Portugal’s future generation of brilliant general counsel and the current most exceptional, diligent, and celebrated in-house lawyers.Â
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Francisco Castro | Senior research analyst | GC Powerlist seriesÂ
As we reflect on the past year, we are reminded of the myriad challenges that have tested our resilience and adaptability. The global landscape has been marked by unprecedented uncertainties, from economic fluctuations to regulatory changes and unforeseen crises. Yet, amidst these trials, I have witnessed remarkable fortitude and ingenuity within the internal legal teams of our companies.
It is truly inspiring to see how you, the leaders of these teams, have navigated through these turbulent times with such grace and determination. Your ability to foresee risks, manage complexities, and provide sound legal guidance has been instrumental in steering your organisations toward stability and growth. The legal landscape is continually evolving, and your proactive approach in adapting to these changes is commendable. You have tackled intricate legal issues, navigated regulatory mazes, and strategized for the future, ensuring that our companies remain robust in an ever-changing world.
I must take a moment to express our heartfelt admiration for the internal legal teams you lead. Your dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment have not gone unnoticed. It is your hard work behind the scenes that fortifies your companies, safeguarding their interests and enabling their ambitions.
The growth of these internal legal teams, under your exemplary leadership, has also been a source of growth and deep learning for us. As we engage with such dynamic and forward-thinking professionals, we too are driven to innovate, improve, and elevate our own practices. Your leadership not only influences your companies but also sets a benchmark for the wider legal community.
In conclusion, I want to extend PLMJ’s deepest thanks for sharing your valuable time with us. It has been a pleasure and an honour to share in your journey, to witness your resilience, and to grow together. As we look ahead, let us continue to build on this foundation of trust and collaboration, facing the future with confidence and optimism.
Thank you, and here’s to another year of shared success and mutual growth.
Legal 500’s GC Summit Netherlands brought together leading in-house counsel and legal experts at The Renaissance in Amsterdam for a half-day of focused discussions and networking. The programme provided practical insights into how legal teams are adapting their roles amid growing geopolitical, technological, and regulatory pressures.
The event opened with a presentation by Mariken van Loopik, partner at Linklaters, who examined how geopolitical developments are reshaping expectations of legal advisers. The session highlighted the increasing need for both in-house and external counsel to adopt a more strategic approach, integrating compliance, risk management, and commercial awareness into their work.
The next session turned to the growing use of artificial intelligence in legal practice. Moderated by Allan Cohen, senior research editor at Legal 500, the panel featured Anastasia Scrève of LEGALFLY, Mateusz Wrzesinski of Barilla, and Gitte Groenewold-Wong of Prosus. The discussion focused on practical steps for using AI tools responsibly, with speakers addressing issues such as data protection, accountability, and day-to-day governance. Panellists shared approaches that help legal teams use technology effectively without compromising professional standards.
After a networking break, the summit moved to sustainability and reporting obligations in the session on legal pitfalls and climate reporting in 2025. Moderated by Daniella Strik, partner at Linklaters, the panel brought together Marco Frikkee of KPMG, Suzanne Debrichy of PostNL, and Anne-Lize van Dusseldorp of Aalberts N.V. The speakers discussed the legal risks associated with forward-looking climate statements, the challenges of preparing 2025 annual reports, and the practical decisions general counsel must navigate as climate-related disclosures expand.
The programme continued with a session on the evolving role of the general counsel, considering how senior in-house lawyers balance legal risk with wider organisational priorities. Speakers shared examples of how GCs contribute to business strategy, embed legal thinking into operational decisions, and support their organisations in fast-moving environments.
The summit concluded with a discussion on regulatory developments in the financial sector. Moderated by Allan Cohen, the session featured insights from Fleur de Roos of Fourthline and Mischa Menheere of Investancia Group. Panellists considered shifting supervisory expectations, cross-border complications, and emerging areas of regulatory focus, offering practical guidance for legal teams working in financial and corporate contexts.
We extend our sincere thanks to our headline sponsor, Linklaters, and to LEGALFLY for their support. We look forward to welcoming attendees again at the next edition of the GC Summit Netherlands.
