With ‘an impressive range of skills’, CMS’ diverse expertise spans the energy, infrastructure, mining, transportation, and healthcare sectors. The firm’s Angola practice is housed within its Lusophone Africa team, and is spearheaded by Alberto Galhardo Simões, Nuno Alves Mansilha, and Tiago Machado Graça. Galhardo Simões is well-regarded for his infrastructures, project finance, and M&A expertise, while Alves Mansilha is knowledgeable of cross-border undertakings. Machado Graça primarily counsels on international tax, corporate restructuring, and financing strategies.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Tiago Machado Graça is the best lawyer I have worked with in any country. He negotiated an excellent deal for us and was an absolute pleasure to work with. He was efficient, dedicated, friendly, very smart strategically and was quick to respond or be available whenever needed.’
‘The Luanda (Angola) office of CMS works together with the Lisbon (Portugal) Office of CMS to ensure the robustness of the legal advice provided on Angolan issues.'
‘Maria Figueiredo is a tax expert and a well-rounded lawyer, Tiago Machado Graça has good knowledge of Angolan Law, and Alberto Galhardo Simõe has good legal thought leadership.’
‘They are a very committed, assertive team who are always available and responsible. They stand out from other lawyers in the market.’
‘Effective and efficient support around the world, quick turnaround time, and very competitive pricing - these are only few of the things which make big companies choose CMS as their outside counsel.’
‘Prompt responsiveness, outstanding support, and an exceptional talent for grasping complex tasks. I would like to especially thank Joana Brito Paulo for her support in one of our more complex jurisdictions.’
‘The CMS team has an impressive range of skills. They always value the risks associated, with discretion and transparency, and this is very important for those who have to make the final decision.’
‘I highlight their ability to explain the legal context of the matter, their proximity to the client without distant attitudes, and the quality of the proposed strategies. This leads to a real sense of confidence in the decisions taken.’
Key clients
- Bosch
- BAI (Banco Angolano de Investimentos)
- Engevia:
- Geoangol Geologia e Sondagens, Lda
- Vantage Drilling
- Carmon Angola
- Unicargas SU, LDA
- United Nations – UNCTAD
- SPIE Oil & Gas Services
- Endiama E.P.
- Orey Group
- Secil
- Noble Drilling
- Entreprise Philippe Lassarat
- Bumi Armada
- Sun Africa LLC
- Azule Energy (JV between BP Oil & Gas and ENI)
Work highlights
- Advising Sun Africa on a Rural Electrification Project (“REP”) for the development, construction, and financing of renewable energy, grid infrastructure, agriculture and water purification projects, all to be implemented on a D&EPC basis in 7 provinces in Angola.
- Advising Azule Energy on the Angolan law aspects following the merger of bp and ENI respective Angolan oil & gas businesses.
- Advised Secil Group on the privatization process launched by the Angolan Government.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Alberto Galhardo Simõe, Nuno Alves Mansilha, Tiago Machado Graça