Fielding a ‘prestigious team with clear client orientation’, the banking and finance practice at Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associadosstands out as a strong choice for clients who seek advice on a range of matters, including high-value structured lending, securitisations, project finance, and fintech-related issues. Praised for the ’mastery of the topics covered’, the practice counts prestigious Portuguese and foreign banks among its roster of clients. At the helm sits Filipe Lowndes Marques, who has extensive experience in the financing of infrastructure and energy projects. Cláudia Castanheira Dos Santos excels in structured finance, real estate and project finance, while the ‘very knowledge’ João Honorato is recommended for his strong credentials in bond and commercial paper issues, project finance and derivatives. Also part of the core team, Luís Branco is a reference in the domestic banking and finance market. Elmano Sousa Costa is praised for his ’exhaustive knowledge of Portuguese legislation’.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'They summarised the aspects that we should perfectly consider as most important and clarified all the legal doubts that our lawyers raised.'

  • 'The team is always available; I particularly recommend Luis Branco and Elmano Sousa Costa.'

  • 'The quality of the service provided is exceptional. The team's main capabilities include availability, pragmatism, speed in responses, mastery of the topics covered and the support given in the negotiations of complex documents such as ISDAs.'

  • 'I would recommend Maria Soares do Lago and Elmano Sousa Costa.'

  • 'Always concerned with understanding the client and their particularities in order to achieve the best outcome.'

  • 'João Honorato - very knowledgeable of the business and client. He can defend his clients like no one else. Maria Soares do Lago - great knowledge of the banking sector and ability to reach consensus.'

  • 'Prestigious team with clear client orientation. With technological and innovative equipment to facilitate the process of closing transactions.'

  • 'Elmano Sousa Costa is an expert in his area, with a great vocation to serve the client where he makes available all his exhaustive knowledge of Portuguese legislation and aspects that concern us in the negotiations of our contracts. He has great capacity to find suitable solutions, work under pressure and meet deadlines.'

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Luís Branco
Luís Branco
Hall of fameMorais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Filipe Lowndes Marques

Other key lawyers

Luís Branco, Pedro Gorjão Henriques, Cláudia Santos Cruz, Cláudia Castanheira dos Santos, Maria Soares do Lago, João Honorato, Elmano Sousa Costa