Corporate/M&A

Cuatrecasas is a strong practice group handling a broad spectrum of domestic and cross-border corporate matters for clients including private equity houses, domestic groups and multinational corporations. Its notable areas of expertise include acquisitions, shareholding deals and joint ventures. The law firm's industry expertise extends to media, banking, pharmaceuticals and renewable energy. The lawyers additionally assist clients with expansions into the Portuguese market. Cuatrecasas is well placed to assists clients with international mandates in Latin America, China and Mozambique. Following the firm's integration with Serra Lopes, Cortes Martins & Associados in January 2023, the team’s capacity has expanded and gained additional expertise.

This sizeable Latin American desk advises clients on a wide range of M&A, corporate and project finance transactions. The firm has an office in São Paulo and strong institutional relationships across other Latin American jurisdictions. Lisbon-based João Mattamouros Resende and Mariana Norton dos Reis are the key contacts for this outfit.

The firm boasts a dedicated team of Portuguese, Chinese and Spanish qualified lawyers who collaborate across offices in Shanghai, Beijing and Iberia to assist with transactions in China. Vasco Bivar de Azevedo is a key contact in Lisbon for Chinese investors.

Cuatrecasas also offers clients support in M&A transactions and private equity investments involving lusophone African countries, with particular activity in Mozambique-related mandates. Lisbon-based Luís Soares de Sousa is a key contact for Mozambican clients.

"The lawyers are very responsive, with an excellent understanding of their clients' desires."

"The team has experienced lawyers with strong technical capacity."

"The team provides solid advice which benefits the good outcome of the negotiations."

"The practice has a good knowledge of the matters and proximity to the client."

"Cuatrecasas is always quick to understand and implement complex transaction structures, providing the necessary legal advice."

Cuatrecasas assisted Grupo Catalana Occidente with the acquisition of Servilusa, valued at EUR387.5 million.

Luís Miguel Cortes Martins is highly experienced in re-privatisation and bidding processes. He joined Cuatrecasas following the integration of Serra Lopes, Cortes Martins & Associados into Cuatrecasas in January 2023. "He can combine his commercial awareness with a profound knowledge of the matters and negotiations." "He is a very experienced lawyer and an excellent negotiator."

Francisco Santos Costa is active in M&A transactions across a variety of sectors, including energy and healthcare.

Mariana Norton dos Reis is skilled at handling shares and assets acquisitions and sales, with further activity advising on joint ventures. "She is a very good lawyer who is experienced in complex negotiations, with remarkable knowledge and commercial vision." "I would say that she is a machine. She has a good understanding of the complexities of the matters and is able to respond rapidly and swiftly to queries." "She is very effective and very strong commercially."

Rafael Lucas Pires is adept at handling share deals and acquisitions. He assists both international and domestic investors. Rafael Lucas Pires joined Cuatrecasas following the integration of Serra Lopes, Cortes Martins & Associados into Cuatrecasas in January 2023.

João Mattamouros Resende is dual-qualified in Brazil and Portugal. He often assists with domestic as well as multi-jurisdictional transactions, including share acquisitions and capital investments. "He is always available to help. He is client-oriented, an excellent communicator, with a high ability to negotiate." "He is a very well-educated partner with a high focus on supporting his clients." "João Mattamouros Resende has excellent technical skills and is very experienced in M&A transactions in a variety of sectors." "He is always quick to understand the issue at hand and provides us with creative solutions to complex issues."

Alexandra Martins is well placed to assist with corporate transactions, including acquisitions. Alexandra Martins joined Cuatrecasas following the integration of Serra Lopes, Cortes Martins & Associados into Cuatrecasas in January 2023. "She is very competent, solid and autonomous." "She has a deep technical knowledge with extensive M&A experience, special attention to detail and is always available."

Samantha Cyrne is experienced in handling foreign investments in Mozambique, particularly those involving M&A.