The ‘very professional’ team at CMS leverages the firm’s expansive global network to advise on complex cross-border M&A transactions and is actively involved in a range of private equity deals, privatisations, reorganisations and strategic alliances. Counting multinationals, private equity firms, venture capital funds, government agencies and domestic companies among its client roster, the team’s broad sectorial expertise covers aviation, healthcare, energy, manufacturing and distribution. Founding partner João Caldeira boasts an impressive track record in private equity transactions, M&A, corporate restructuring, joint ventures, capital markets, and corporate finance. He leads the team alongside Francisco Xavier de Almeida, praised for his ’hands-on approach’, and Fernando Cruz Trinca who regularly provides assistance to credit financial institutions and pharmaceutical companies. Tiago Valente de Oliveira acts for domestic and international clients in matters concerning M&A, corporate and commercial law. Senior associate David Apolónia is also a key figure in the team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The lawyers who provide us with services, especially João Caldeira and Tiago Valente de Oliveira, demonstrate great availability, adaptability to the client's needs and excellent technical preparation, which creates a lot of security in the service provided.'
- ‘João Caldeira and Tiago Valente de Oliveira both have availability, technical knowledge, negotiation capacity, adaptability to our needs, in-depth knowledge of the client.'
- ‘The legal support provided by CMS is distinguished by its specific knowledge of applicable legislation, the reality and activities of its clients, as well as its ability to seek the framework and solutions that best safeguard its clients' interests. It is also worth highlighting the availability and attention of all the lawyers involved in the matters, the partners.’
- ‘I highlight Francisco Xavier de Almeida and André Guimarães stand out for their technical knowledge, availability and work capacity and for proposing practical solutions that safeguard the concerns and activities carried out by clients.’
- ‘Francisco Xavier de Almeida is experienced and provides a hands-on approach and coordination.'
- ‘Very professional; sharp; reactive; good understanding of the business.'
- ‘CMS is the firm in Portugal, which, for me, has the most experience in M&A deals at the private equity level. CMS has a long track-record and know-how in this sector.'
Key clients
- Atenor S.A.
- Aprolis
- CHD
- Encavis Asset Managament AG
- Elegant Family Hotels Cascais, S.A.
- Enging – Make Solutions, S.A.
- Finangeste
- FCR C2 Medcapital
- Imperalum – Sociedade Comercial de Revestimentos e Impermeabilizações, S.A.
- Muvext, S.A.
- PTB Education II
- Savills
- SWING Biomethane SAS
- Technology & Strategy Groupe
- United Lisbon Education Hub
- Aquila Capital Group
- Crest Capital Partners
- Equistone
- ESSILOR
- Generis
- Grupo Cardoso
- Keller Williams (Portugal)
- Lightsource BP
- Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Portugal
- Qover
- SWEN Capital Partners SA
- SDCL- Sustainable Development Capital LLP
- Ventient
- Vinci Energies
- VINCI Highways
Work highlights
- Advising SWEN Capital Partners on a second investment round in Portugal, in the total amount of €60m, subscribed by Fund SWIFT1 and Fund SWIFT 2, both managed by SWEN Capital Partners.
- Advised FCR C2 MedCapital on the direct acquisition of 60% of the share capital and voting rights of the company HL – HOSPITAL DE LOULÉ, S.A..
- Advised the PTB Education II on the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of a company which explores a private school in the Cascais region.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
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.
João Caldeira, Francisco Xavier de Almeida, Fernando Cruz Trinca