PLMJ provides expert guidance to both Portuguese and international clients in project finance and development, covering a broad range of sectors from energy to healthcare. The team is under the leadership of Inês Pinto da Costa and Maria Zagallo, with Pinto da Costa specialising in PPPs and project finance in the infrastructure space, and Zagallo showing particular strength in advising both public and private entities on infrastructure projects in the transport, healthcare, water and sanitation segments. Diogo Perestrelo, who 'has a unique level of experience and is unanimously recognised by his peers', concentrates on energy and infrastructure-related M&A and projects, while João Marques Mendes is dedicated to energy and natural resources matters, offering advice on regulatory issues, project implementation, and dispute resolution. Joana Brandão's expertise lies in energy, infrastructure, and real estate projects, and Nuno Serrão Faria has in-depth knowledge of project finance and development in the renewables sector.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘We really like the approach that PLMJ adopts in all our matters, as well as the technical-legal quality.’

  • ‘PLMJ is a law firm that truly provides full-service legal services adapted to the needs of both the client and the project. PLMJ teams combine the age of experienced lawyers with the youth of younger but no less capable lawyers, all of whom have technical skills that are markedly above average.’

  • 'Diogo Perestrelo has a unique level of experience and is unanimously recognised by his peers. He is a lawyer who knows all the phases of the project and who is able to adapt, without much effort, to the specific needs, whether of the client or the project, that have to be satisfied.'

  • 'Maria Zagallo is a lawyer who, despite being young, has an enviable CV and a clearly differentiating experience, especially when compared to other lawyers of her generation. A relentless negotiator, she always demonstrates mastery of matters, often anticipating and resolving problems, however unexpected they may seem.’

  • ‘They have good expertise in the energy sector. The firm understands the needs of the client and fully adapts to them.’

Key clients

  • Altri Group
  • Ardian
  • Ascendi Group
  • BCI – Banco Comercial e de Investimentos, S.A.
  • Cape Verde State
  • AEDL – Autoestradas do Douro Litoral, S.A.
  • Aer Rianta International CPT
  • Eco Wave Power
  • Enerparc
  • Engie
  • Galp
  • TAP – Transportes Aéreos Portugueses, SGPS, S.A.
  • Verdelago

Work highlights

  • Advised Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP and Pioneer Point Partners as sponsors on the START Campus of the Sines 4.0 Project.
  • Acted as transaction counsel for Incus Capital Advisors in the structuring and implementation of capital markets transactions to finance the development and construction of a group of solar power production units representing 150MW PV.
  • Assisted ReGa Energy with the structuring and implementation of an innovative project intended to produce renewable gases (green hydrogen, green oxygen and biomethane) from electrolysis with a renewable energy source.

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.

Inês Pinto da Costa, Maria Zagallo

Other key lawyers

João Marques Mendes, Diogo Perestrelo, Joana Brandão, Nuno Serrão Faria