The team at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is routinely engaged by an impressive roster of clients on the full scope of competition law matters. The practice is reputed for its experience in handling complex cross-border deals involving multiple merger filings, as well as cartel investigations and litigation. Practice head Mário Marques Mendes, described by one client as a ‘unique asset and a professional of excellence with top-level results’, handles the entire spectrum of antitrust mandates, including private damages actions, leniency cases and compliance. Pedro Vilarinho Pires oversees the firm’s TMT practice and adeptly supports Mendes in a range of competition matters. Joaquim Caimoto Duarte, who joined from TELLES in December 2022 as of counsel, brings over two decades of experience in merger control proceedings and cartel cases before the PCA and the European Commission.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘This team includes professionals with very high technical skills, well connected with the main stakeholders in the area and focused on achieving high quality results.’
‘The technical quality and work of Mário Marques Mendes, the senior managing partner in this area, should be highlighted. He is undoubtedly a unique asset and a professional of excellence with top-level results.’
'The team is very responsive and reliable. It is a very good ally when it comes to jointly defending a case.'
'We mainly work with Joaquim Caimoto Duarte who, besides being an excellent practitioner, is a very nice person to work with. He makes room for his team and is very respectful of his peers. Joaquim always make sure that any deadline is feasible and discusses the strategy with the client.'
Key clients
- Procter & Gamble
- IVECO
- Algeco
- Henkel
- Grupo Prisa
- Grupo Nabeiro – Delta Cafés
- Premium Green Mail
- AMC Natural Drinks
- Anticimex
- Dense Air
Work highlights
- Advising Procter & Gamble for competition matters in Portugal for more than 10 years, including the representation before the Portuguese Competition Authority in investigations and ongoing complex procedures.
- Advising and representing IVECO in the biggest private damages litigation in Portugal ever, involving numerous novel legal issues.
- Advice and representation of Algeco in a complex defence strategy in a damages action brought against the companies condemned by the Competition Authority.
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.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Mário Marques Mendes