Cuatrecasas boasts a ‘deep knowledge’ of the aviation industry, complemented by its proficiency in corporate, commercial, competition, and regulatory affairs across the rail, motor, and maritime segments. Leading the aviation division, Luís Soares De Sousa excels in the establishment and licensing of charter air transport companies, cross-border leasing matters, aviation finance, and M&A transactions. Lourenço Vilhena De Freitas steers the road, rail, regulatory, and public law practices, offering expertise in concessions, privatisations, and related dispute resolution. Additionally, banking and finance partner Maria João Ricou takes the lead on project finance work.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Luís Soares de Sousa is outstanding and the team knows a lot, great responses and quick feedback.’

  • ‘They have deep knowledge of the industry and are market leaders. Great connections with the aviation authority.’

Key clients

  • White Airways
  • The Milestone Aviation Group (GE Capital Aviation Services)
  • Apollo Aviation Management Limited
  • Rolls-Royce & Partners Finance Limited
  • Transdev
  • CP – Comboios de Portugal
  • MSC – Mediterranean Shipping Company
  • Metropolitano de Lisboa
  • Metro do Porto
  • Aercap Ireland Limited
  • Textron Financial Corporation
  • Westpac Banking Corporation
  • Willis Lease Finance Corporation
  • L3HARRIS Technologies
  • Flight Training Europe, S.L.,
  • Heybridge Property Developments Limited
  • EMEF - Empresa de Manutenção de Equipamento Ferroviário
  • Iridium Concessiones de Infraestructuras, S.A
  • CINTRA Concessiones de Infraestructuras, S.A
  • Auto-Estradas do Atlântico
  • Fergrupo (Comsa Group)
  • Cross Ocean Partners
  • Deutsche Bank
  • JP Morgan
  • Euroscut Açores
  • Beacon Rail Finance
  • Westpac Banking Corporation

Work highlights

  • Advised Etihad Aviation Group on the incorporation of its Portuguese branch.
  • Advised Rhenus Beteiligungen International GmbH on the acquisition of 49.9% stake in Grupo Totalmédia, an Iberian logistics and sales group, for €98m.
  • Advised Group Transdev on international public tenders and the implementation of awarded passenger transport service contracts.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Luís Soares de Sousa, Lourenço Vilhena de Freitas, Maria João Ricou