Bringing together expertise in project finance, regulatory issues, PPP and dispute resolution, VdA offers a comprehensive service offering to clients operating in the shipping, aviation, rail and road sectors. At the helm of the practice, Paulo de Barros Baptista focuses on infrastructure and mobility matters, playing a key role in transactions involving the road segment. Specialised in public law, Catarina Pinto Correia is noted for her expertise in procurement, PPPs and concessions in the transport sector. José Miguel Oliveira leverages deep maritime industry expertise, particularly in African markets, to assist shipowners, brokers, and operators with various wet and dry shipping matters.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘VdA stands out for its footprint in many of the Portuguese-speaking jurisdictions in Africa. VdA was instrumental in ensuring our Angola JV setup was in compliance with local law.’

  • ‘The people we work with are excellent professionals and deeply knowledgeable oft all matters related to maritime transport.’

  • ‘The team has experience in maritime transport and in-depth knowledge of national and international legislation that applies to this sector.’

  • ‘José Miguel Oliveira is an asset to the maritime transport sector as an expert in merchant marine legislation.’

Key clients

  • ANA - Aeroportos de Portugal, SA
  • Brisa Auto-Estradas de Portugal, S.A.
  • Brisal – Auto-Estradas do Litoral, S.A.
  • Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A.
  • Ferrovial Agroman, S.A. and ACA – Alberto Couto Alves S.A.
  • Monjasa DMCC
  • SATA Air Açores, S.A. and Azores Regional Government
  • Scotturb – Transportes Urbanos. Lda.
  • Shelf Drilling Holdings, Ltd.
  • TSL – Tejo Shipping Lines, Lda
  • STCP - Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos do Porto, S.A.

Work highlights

  • Advised Brisal – Auto-Estradas do Litoral, S.A and Brisa – Auto-Estradas de Portugal, S.A. on the refinancing and restructuring of the debt of Brisal.
  • Assisted the Portuguese Government in the preparation of a new legal and regulatory framework implementing and promoting Technological Free Zones (“ZLTs” – Zonas Livres Tecnológicas) in Portugal.
  • Assisted Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A. in a competitive procedure for the supply of 117 trains, provision of associated maintenance services, and design and construction of a maintenance workshop.

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.

Paulo Barros Baptista

Other key lawyers

Catarina Pinto Correia, José Miguel Oliveira, Pedro Simões Coelho