A variety of clients – including financiers, concessionaires, funds, and companies – turn to Uría Menéndez for assistance with the structuring and financing of greenfield projects; M&A involving regulated assets, refinancing transactions, PPPs, and dispute resolution are also part of the firm’s service offering in this space. Co-head Bernardo Diniz de Ayala excels in guiding grantors, sponsors, and lenders in project finance deals, which is also a key area of expertise for fellow co-leader Antonio Villacampa. Other noteworthy individuals include João Louro e Costa, who oversees cross-border transactions within the transport and energy sectors, and Gonçalo Andrade Sousa, who offers expertise in project development, PPPs, and M&A in regulated sectors. Former head of the practice Pedro Ferreira Malaquias is no longer at the firm.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘It is a team with high technical and sector knowledge.’

  • ‘Bernardo Ayala is an excellent lawyer who is always present in all topics. Gonçalo Andrade Sousa is very dedicated and knowledgeable of the subject and the sector.’

  • ‘Uría Menéndez has unparalleled knowledge in the market. This firm includes several members with excellent technical capacity, in-depth knowledge of the sector, speed, attention to detail, and sophisticated services.’

  • ‘João Louro e Costa coordinates a highly qualified projects team, capable of providing answers to complex questions in very competitive times and with a level of detail and depth that exceeds, in many cases, our expectations.’

Key clients

  • P2X-EUROPE GmbH & CO. KG
  • Iberdrola Renewables Portugal, S.A.
  • Euroscut Açores (Cintra-Ferrovial Group)
  • AEDL – Autoestradas do Douro Litoral, S.A. and the Portuguese State
  • KGAL Portuguese PV
  • Floene Energia, S.A.
  • Banco Santander Totta, S.A.
  • BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Ltd.
  • Axpo Iberia, S.L.
  • Bright Sunday AB
  • AGS - Administração e Gestão de Sistemas de Salubridade, S.A.
  • Sunshining, S.A.

Work highlights

  • Advising Euroscut Açores (Cintra-Ferrovial Group) on the financial rebalance procedure of the Açores motorway concession.
  • Assisting P2X Europe with all aspects of developing and implementing an innovative, commercial scale, “power-to-liquid” eFuels industrial project.
  • Advising KGAL on the development of an 82 MW solar photovoltaic plant, including the negotiation of the EPC and O&M contracts.

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.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Bernardo Diniz de Ayala, Antonio Villacampa

Other key lawyers

Antonio Villacampa, João Louro e Costa, Gonçalo Andrade Sousa