Commercial, corporate and M&A

CMS

Fielding a ‘solid team with strong knowledge and experience’, CMS draws on the firm’s extensive global network to guide clients through complex cross-border M&A, private equity deals, privatisations, restructurings, and strategic alliances. Serving a diverse roster of clients – including multinationals, private equity firms, venture capital funds, government agencies, and local businesses – the team’s sector expertise spans aviation, healthcare, energy, manufacturing, and distribution. The practice is helmed by a trio of experts: founding partner João Caldeira, who is known for his strength in private equity, M&A, corporate restructuring, joint ventures, capital markets, and corporate finance; Francisco Xavier de Almeida , noted for his focus on special situations, restructuring, and transactions involving distressed assets and NPLs; and Fernando Cruz Trinca, who advises credit financial institutions and pharmaceutical companies. Tiago Valente de Oliveira supports both domestic and international clients with M&A, corporate, and commercial matters. David Apolónia also plays a pivotal role.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘I consider CMS, especially the team we work with, to be the most complete in the M&A and private equity transactions market. They have great availability, ability to adapt to the client and very solid knowledge in this area.'
‘João Caldeira: I highlight availability, solid knowledge and ability to adapt to needs.'
‘What makes it unique: pragmatism in negotiations, not interfering or compromising deals, perfectly aligning the negotiation strategy with the client. Differentiating elements: speed, customer service.'
‘Tiago Valente Oliveira: great ability to build bridges, resolving complex negotiations with great creativity, humility, patience, without neglecting the client's interests. Very confident and pragmatic. André Guimarães: very confident, with great work capacity and technical ability. 100% available to ensure the closing of a transaction.'
‘Solid team with strong knowledge and experience in the sector.'
‘Tiago Valente is an excellent lawyer in the M&A area.'
‘The quality of the service, the capabilities of the team, the procedural speed and customer support until the end of the process.'
‘Focus on solving problems, customer-oriented attitude.'

Key clients

Helexia
Labelys Group
Repsol
Richemont Group International
Sonepar Portugal, S.A.
Imperalum – Sociedade Comercial de Revestimentos e Impermeabilizações, S.A.
Palminvest
Uniserve
Enging
Energyco II, S.A.
Premium Dent, Unipessoal Lda.
Stada Portugal
VINCI Energies
Grupo Cardoso
Keller Williams (Portugal)
Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Portugal
Essilor

Work highlights

Advised Repsol Portuguesa, Lda. on the purchase of 72.83% of the share capital of the company Muvext, S.A.
Advised Richemont Group International on the purchase of 90% of the share capital of the company Meteoro – Sociedade Técnica Metalúrgica, S.A.
Advised Stada Portugal on the introduction to the Portuguese market of a relevant generic pharmaceutical drug with a significant market share.