VdA is highly regarded for its advice to corporate clients on financial restructuring, distressed asset negotiations, voluntary business rescue processes, special revitalisations, and insolvency proceedings. Frederico Gonçalves Pereira, who founded the firm’s litigation and arbitration department, and is a seasoned commercial litigation and corporate restructuring practitioner, oversees the department. Teresa Pitôrra, a key contact for both creditors and debtors, focuses on restructuring and insolvency proceedings in an array of sectors, notably banking and telecoms. Managing associate Catarina Carvalho Cunha has advised clients from the telecoms, banking, and energy spaces in restructuring ad insolvency matters in Portugal and Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa. Former practice co-head Filipa Cotta is no longer at the firm.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Focused on creating value for client. More than a lawyer, a business adviser.'

Key clients

  • Rio Forte Investments, S.A.
  • Banif Finance Ltd.
  • Caixa Gestão de Ativos, S.A. (“CGA”) and Insolvent Estate of Fundo de Investimento Imobiliário Fechado Promovest
  • Valeo Systèmes de Contrôle Moteur; Banco Português de Fomento
  • Atena Equity Partners / Maló Clinic S.A. and its subsidiaries
  • Banco de Portugal
  • Menzies Aviation
  • Millennium BCP
  • Urialdo Bettencourt Lda

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.
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.

Frederico Gonçalves Pereira

Other key lawyers

Teresa Pitôrra, Catarina Carvalho Cunha, Catarina Frutuoso dos Santos