Sought after by national and international creditors and debtors in various stages of financial distress, Cuatrecasas‘ ’multidisciplinary‘ department is well versed in the entire spectrum of restructuring and insolvency mandates. Refinancing, distressed M&A, loan-to-own strategies, and insolvency proceedings are all key areas of activity for the group, which is under the joint leadership of Manuel Requicha Ferreira and Miguel de Almada. Ferreira possesses a strong background in banking, finance, and capital markets, while Almada leads the litigation and arbitration practice with a focus on disputes involving the financial, construction, energy, and telecoms sectors. Maria Raquel Moreira and Diana Simão Lourenço, who joined in January 2023 after the firm’s merger with SLCM, bring added expertise in insolvency, debt restructuring, and recovery.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The multidisciplinary team can respond in an integrated manner with the different areas of law, in an articulated, timely and exhaustive manner, quickly and efficiently.’

  • ‘Maria Raquel Moreira and Diana Simão Lourenço show extreme professionalism in the speed of response, and proactivity.’

  • ‘The firm has good client attention, creative solutions, and quality-to-price ratio.’

  • ‘The team demonstrates flexibility and speed of response, including in complex matters.’

Key clients

  • Cross Ocean Partners
  • Bank of Portugal
  • Novo Banco
  • Banco Comercial Português (BCP)
  • Monarch Capital Partners
  • SCC – Sociedade Central de Cervejas e Bebidas
  • Explorer Investments
  • Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch
  • Davidson Kempner
  • Ardent Financial Limited
  • Bank of America

Work highlights

  • Advised Cross Ocean Partners on the restructuring of the bank debt of toll road concessionaire Douro Litoral (AEDL), worth €1 bn.
  • Advised Bank of Portugal, as resolution authority, on the Oak Finance and Banco Boavista lawsuits, worth $849m.
  • Advised Arkkan Opportunities Fund, Cowell & Lee Asia Credit Opportunities Fund, Monarch Capital Partners, VCFG and other creditors on the restructuring of the debt of CFG Investment S.A.C., worth €1.2bn.

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 Requicha Ferreira, Miguel de Almada

Other key lawyers

Maria Raquel Moreira, Diana Simão Lourenço, Frederico Bettencourt Ferreira, Margarida Leal De Oliveira, Diana Avillez Caldeira, Bertha Parente Esteves