The ‘robust’ competition team at VdA consistently attracts instructions from major domestic companies and leading international players for its expertise in all manner of merger clearance mandates, investigations, state aid and litigation mandates, earning praise for its ’diversity of specialists in different areas of competition’. Steering the practice is Ricardo Bordalo Junqueiro , who possesses a strong reputation in the market for his ‘knowledge, ability to define strategy and outstanding presence in court’. Nuno Ruiz shines in high-profile antitrust investigations and cartel cases at both the domestic and EU level. Managing associate Cláudia Coutinho Da Costa is recommended for her ability to act for a variety of clients, from banking to infrastructure players, in merger control proceedings, domestically and internationally.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team is accessible and responsive.'
‘Cláudia Coutinho da Costa and Bruno de Zêzere Barradas were helpful, responsive and solution-oriented. There was a great deal of camaraderie, which was welcomed.'
‘The Vda competition team conveys great confidence from the beginning. Throughout the entire process I always felt a unique team spirit and collaboration, which allowed strong security even in times of stress.’
‘I would like to recommend Ricardo Bordalo Junqueiro for his knowledge, ability to define strategy and outstanding presence in court.’
‘The VdA team has provided us with support on a subject of great complexity and relevance, which stands out for its commitment and the depth and quality of the analysis provided.’
‘I believe that VDA provides a service of excellent quality. I highlight their great proximity to the client. They have great knowledge of the sector of activity in which I operate and we have maintained a partnership of around 10 years.'
‘The best competition law department in the market, with Nuno Ruiz and Ricardo Bordalo Junqueiro clearly being the most successful names in the sector.'
‘It is a robust team that combines experience with a diversity of specialists in different areas of competition, particularly regulatory litigation. The enormous experience of its main partners guarantees not only theoretical knowledge of regulation, but also practical knowledge of the countless cases previously handled.’
Key clients
- Vodafone Portugal – Comunicações Pessoais, S.A.
- MEO – Serviços de Comunicação e Multimédia
- Lusíadas Group
- José de Mello Group
- Zurich Insurance PLC – Sucursal Portugal
- Kinto Portugal
- Dia Portugal Supermercados, SA
- Active Brands
- Portuguese State (Parpública)
- Menzies Aviation
- Banco Comercial Português
- Caixa Central de Crédito Agrícola Mútuo Bank
- SATA Airlines (Governo Regional dos Açores)
- Somafel – Engenharia e Obras Ferroviárias, S.A.
- Sport Lisboa e Benfica (SLB)
- Samsung
- Grupo 2045
- OLX–OLX Portugal, S.A.
Work highlights
- Represented Zurich in an antitrust investigation by the Portuguese Competition Authority (PCA).
- Assisting Sport Lisboa e Benfica – Futebol, SAD in the first no-poach investigation carried out by the Portuguese Competition Authority.
- Assisting Vodafone Portugal in the context of the acquisition of sole control over Cabonitel, S.A., whose main asset is Nowo Communications, S.A. (Nowo).
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Ricardo Bordalo Junqueiro