
Standing out for the ‘technical ability and dynamism of its lawyers’, VdA is widely recognised for its expertise in handling employment matters, from guiding clients through collective redundancy procedures to advising on the labour impacts of corporate transactions. The team is jointly led by Américo Oliveira Fragoso and Tiago Piló. Fragoso provides day-to-day advice in all areas of labour and social security law, while Piló focuses on corporate labour. Porto-based Manuel Cavaleiro Brandão, described as a ’true expert in his field’, is well-versed in national and international arbitration, while Benedita Gonçalves stands out for her focus on labour and social security law.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The quality of the service provided by this company is excellent; excellent for the quality of the service provided, excellent for the complete availability to respond to all requests, excellent for the rigour imposed in its work, excellent for the results obtained.'
'The team is professional, dedicated and friendly.'
‘They are attentive and proactive regarding work changes and inform customers in a timely manner.'
‘Benedita Gonçalves has availability and knowledge well above average.’
‘VdA stands out for the technical ability and dynamism of its lawyers.'
‘Américo Oliveira Fragoso is an exemplary lawyer, with in-depth knowledge of the market and the law, above-average availability and extreme clarity in the way he communicates with clients.'
'The internal collaboration across offices is seamless, and the client experience remains consistently excellent throughout. The team presents a well-balanced blend of senior professionals, who bring a depth of experience and expertise, alongside younger, maturing professionals who contribute fresh perspectives and innovative approaches.'
‘Manuel Cavaleiro de Brandão is a highly accomplished lawyer who honours his profession and is a true expert in his field. His seniority and wealth of experience provide a sense of security and invaluable guidance, paired with the energy to tackle even the most complex legal challenges.'
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
- 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
- Novartis
- BMS
- Lilly
- Jaba Recordati
- GSK
- Astrazeneca
- LifeScan
- Novo Nordisk
- Roche
- Boiron
- Lifthium Energy
- Rovensa
- Fremantlemedia
- Leasys Mobility
- Sky Television
- Mitsubishi Fuso Trucks Europe
- Subsea7
- Clarke & Modet
- Altice
- BNP Paribas
- Arval
- Epam Systems
- Cloudflare
- VALMET, Lda.
- Sport Lisboa e Benfica, SAD
- Grupo Trofa Saúde
- Uber
- TechnipFMC
- Novartis
- Brisa
- Towers Watson
- Timor-Leste National Petroleum and Minerals Authority (ANPM)
- Körber Supply Chain PT, S.A. (the Portuguese business subsidiary of the Germany Körber)
- Aker Solutions
- INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
- Vanguard Properties
- Springjet (Hi Fly Group)
- Total Energies
- HBK – Fibersensing
- Triangle’s Cycling Equipments S.A
- Luís Simões
- Atepeli
- Engie Portugal
- Mia Borsa
- Fischer Connector
- SATCOM Europe
- Adecco Group
- Greenvolt Internacional
- Kruso Kapital
Work highlights
- Advised Menzies on the negotiation and signature of the new collective bargaining agreement of Groundforce.
- Advised Lifthium Energy on the establishment of a new lithium refinery business in Portugal.
- Advised JOP on the acquisition of a stake in Auto-Sueco II Automóveis, S.A., a company in the NORS, S.A.
Lawyers

Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Américo Oliveira Fragoso, Tiago Piló