At VdA, the employment practice acts for an impressive client roster, featuring leading companies from the banking, technology, life sciences, and energy sectors across Portuguese-speaking countries. At the helm of the team is Manuel Cavaleiro Brandão, a veteran labour practitioner based in Porto with a wealth of experience in national and international arbitration. In Lisbon, Américo Oliveira Fragoso provides comprehensive advice to a diverse client base on all aspects of labour and social security law, including litigation. The ‘exceptional’ Benedita Gonçalves, who sits in the Porto office, focuses on corporate restructuring, lay-offs, labour negotiation, and employment law training. Both Fragoso and Gonçalves were promoted to the partnership in 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'The services provided by the firm are of excellent quality, characterised by a high technical level, outstanding writing style, promptness in handling requests, rigorous adherence to mandated obligations, and exceptional availability and kindness in client interactions.'
'Tiago Piló stands out for his exceptional leadership skills, professionalism, and constant availability, making it easy to reach him for support.'
'VdA's team possesses broad knowledge across various business sectors, enabling it to cater to the diverse needs of their clients.'
'Pedro Ferreira de Sousa provides high-quality legal advice, notable for his availability, clear communication, and technical expertise.'
'Américo Oliveira Fragoso is distinguished by his deep understanding of technical aspects and market operations, along with his constant availability, empathy, and communication skills.'
'They are always available, extremely supportive, and credible, providing a sense of security whenever VdA's support is involved.'
'Benedita Gonçalves is exceptional, combining extensive knowledge with a friendly and humorous demeanour.'
Key clients
- Menzies Aviation
- Nomad Foods
- TAAG – Angolan National Airline Company
- Airbus
- Timwetech
- Maravilha Farms (Reiter Affiliated Companies Group)
- Multi Portugal Group
- El Corte Inglés
- Azule Energy (BP & ENI JV for Oil&Gas)
- Petrowork
- Petroleum Industry Contractors Association (Angola)
- Mund Europe
- Eptarefrigeration Portugal
- XPO Logistics
- Greenvolt Group
- Unitel
- Kaizen Group
- Indra Group
- Montalva Group
- Portugália Group
- SBM Production Contractors Inc., S.A. - Sucursal em Portugal (Group SBM Offshore)
- AGPL – Empresa de Trabalho Portuário Douro e Leixões
- SuperBock Group
- MSD
- VALMET, Lda.
- Sport Lisboa e Benfica, SAD
- Grupo Trofa Saúde
- Uber
- TechnipFMC
- Novartis
- Brisa
- Unitel
- Towers Watson
- Timor-Leste National Petroleum and Minerals Authority (ANPM)
- Körber Supply Chain PT, S.A.
- Aker Solutions
- Escala Vila Franca – Sociedade Gestora do Estabelecimento, S.A. (José de Mello Group)
- Roche Farmacêutica
- Vifor Pharma
- INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
- Vanguard Properties
- Springjet (Hi Fly Group)
- Total Energies
Work highlights
- Advised Menzies on the negotiations with Groundforce Unions to amend the existing company agreement and change labour conditions.
- Assisted the SuperBock Group in a job reorganisation operation involving 102 positions.
- Assisting TAAG in all matters of a labour and human resources nature, including the preparation of TAAG’s privatisation.
Lawyers
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.
Manuel Cavaleiro Brandão