Lauded for its ‘good business acumen’ and ‘client-oriented’ approach, the energy and climate change team at CMS acts for a diverse roster of domestic and international clients. The practice is noted for its expertise in regulatory matters, M&A, the implementation of energy projects and litigation against public bodies. Mónica Carneiro Pacheco heads the practice and is recommended for her regulatory expertise in energy, renewables and infrastructure projects, regularly acting on market-shaping deals. She leads the team alongside Manuel Cassiano Neves, who boasts specialist knowledge of environmental compliance and licensing of activities and infrastructure projects, and Bernardo Cunha Ferreira, who is recommended for his experience in M&A transactions involving energy assets. Associate Duarte Lacerda focuses on public law, specifically public procurement and administrative litigation within the energy segment.

The ‘excellent’ team at Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados is well placed to assist clients with a wide range of mandates, including project development, investments, acquisitions, and privatisations. Praised for its ‘practical and realistic’ approach, the team is a key port of call for sponsors, developers, lenders, and contractors engaged in a myriad of energy projects. The practice is steered by Tomás Vaz Pinto, who is an expert in privatisations. Managing partner Nuno Galvão Teles brings over two decades of expertise in transactions within the energy sector, while Ricardo Andrade Amaro is proficient in corporate, commercial, securities and energy law. Catarina Brito Ferreira is highly sought after by some of Portugal’s largest corporations for her proficiency in M&A, IPOs, and renewable energy ventures.

Well-regarded for its ‘in-depth knowledge’ and ‘strategic vision’, the energy and natural resoruces team at VdA boasts a strong track record in joint ventures, project finance, M&A, bond issuances and refinancings. The group’s expertise extends to advising on concession issues, bidding procedures, and a broad spectrum of regulatory matters. Counting oil and energy companies and financial institutions, among its key client roster, the team earns further praise for its cross-border expertise. Manuel Protásio specialises in project, acquisition, and other structured financings particularly in the energy, mining and water sectors. Practice head Ana Luís de Sousa focuses on the development and implementation of projects within the energy sector, while João Afonso Fialho, who heads up the firm’s oil and gas team, is noted for his cross-border capabilities. Vanda Cascão is particularly active in the financing, structuring and implementation of projects in the energy sector. Assunção Cristas, who has held several positions in public office, joined in 2022 to head the firm's ESG Integrated Services Platform.

Abreu Advogados draws considerable praise from clients, who turn to the team for its ‘strong commercial understanding’ and ‘practical approach’ on the full spectrum of energy and natural resources matters. Esteemed as trusted advisers to major companies, investors and financial institutions, the ‘exceptional’ team is singled out for its cross-border capabilities. José Eduardo Martins, co-head of the public and environmental practice, regularly assists large industrial and commercial companies in all matters regarding their public law needs, from licensing to public procurement and litigation. Energy and natural resources co-head Manuel de Andrade Neves has a wealth of experience in the environment, water and energy sectors, while Manuel Santos Vítor is frequently engaged by clients in the renewables, oil and gas, and natural resources sectors. Recently promoted partner Tiago Corrêa do Amaral handles all stages related to the implementation of energy projects, from wind farms to hydroelectric plants. Bruno Azevedo Rodrigues is a name to note for project development and finance matters in the energy and natural resources sector.

Rated for its ‘deep knowledge’, Cuatrecasas is skilled in M&A, joint ventures, reorganisations and project financing in the energy sector. The practice is jointly led by Lourenço Vilhena De Freitas, noted for his expertise in public procurement, public private partnerships (PPPs), and concessions, and Francisco Santos Costa, who is recommended for his extensive experience in transactional matters involving the energy and infrastructure sectors. Marisa Mirador brings almost 20 years’ experience to the practice, specialising in energy regulatory issues, as well as urban planning, construction and environmental law.

DLA Piper ABBC fields a ‘dedicated’ energy team, noted for its ability to handle financing deals, joint ventures, M&A and regulatory matters for a diverse roster of clients. Leveraging its extensive global network, the team is well positioned to advise clients on complex cross-border matters. The department is spearheaded by Nuno Azevedo Neves who focuses on regulatory and transactional matters. As a tax expert, Inês Teixeira currently oversees all pending lawsuits pertaining to property taxes for wind farms, representing three out of the four largest renewable energy producers in Portugal.

Linklaters stands out as a strong choice for a diverse range of clients, including equity investors, lenders, and corporates, who turn to the team for its wide-ranging capabilities in M&A, portfolio acquisitions, project finance and financing deals in the energy and infrastructure sectors. A litany of lenders, sponsors and governmental entities regularly retain practice head Francisco Ferraz De Carvalho for his expertise in the renewable energy, power and oil and gas sectors. Leading the public and administrative law and regulatory group is Maria de Athayde Tavares, who advises clients on regulatory, environmental and public law issues. Project finance is a key area of expertise for Teresa Novo Faria.

Fielding a strong team that is highly regarded for its ability to cover M&A, project development, regulatory and dispute resolution matters, PLMJ is singled out by clients for its ‘in-depth and consolidated knowledge’. The team is jointly steered by Inês Pinto da Costa, recommended for her strong track record in infrastructure financing and construction contracts relating to energy projects, and João Marques Mendes, who maintains a broad practice acting for both Portuguese and international clients in regulatory matters, projects, transactions and litigation.

Standing out for its ‘deep knowledge’ and ‘clarity in its explanation’, the energy team at SRS Legal manages a varied workload where regulatory issues and licensing issues feature alongside litigation and competition law matters. The practice, which covers the renewables, oil and gas and hydrogen segments, is spearheaded by Gonçalo Anastácio, whose vast experience in the energy sector spans two decades. Maria Paula Milheirão advises on M&A deals, private equity and corporate matters in this space, which are also a key areas of activity for Paulo Bandeira. Nuno Calaim Lourenço, who was promoted to the partnership in November 2023, 'has a deep understanding of the complex regulatory framework' of the Portuguese energy sector.

Boasting a ‘very good reputation in the market’, the energy and natural resources practice at TELLES frequently acts for a variety of industry stakeholders in M&A, licensing issues, regulatory and public law matters. Renewable hydrogen is a recent area of focus for the team, which draws on its expertise in finance, environmental law, and climate change to assist with the financing and development of energy projects. The ‘very competent’ Ivone Rocha heads up the practice; the well-rounded department leader is skilled in the development of energy production projects, regulatory and permitting issues, energy efficiency, and mining. Focused on the electricity and natural gas segments, Luísa Vilas Boas is a key name for matters related to collective self-consumption and renewable energy.

Described as ‘undoubtedly one of the most technically competent and prepared law firms in the Portuguese market’, Uría Menéndez is home to an energy and natural resources practice, which is a key port of call for domestic and international corporates, as well as financial institutions, on matters pertaining to M&A, project finance and litigation. The team, which showcases extensive experience in the renewables and gas distribution segments, is led by a capable duo: Bernardo Diniz de Ayala, who specialises in public law and projects; and João Louro e Costa, who is praised for his ‘very deep knowledge of the energy sector‘. Gonçalo Andrade e Sousa handles a mix of public procurement, M&A involving regulated assets, project development and finance.

Well-regarded for its ‘exceptional technical knowledge’ and ‘very client-oriented’ approach, Deloitte Legal is a key port of call for sponsors, lenders, contractors and public entities, who turn to the team on matters concerning project finance, M&A and concessions. Practice head Rita Ferreira dos Santos provides legal advice on project finance, development and M&A transactions, particularly in the renewable energy sector.

‘Very professional, on time and sharp’, the energy and natural resources team at Eversheds Sutherland boasts an active presence across the renewables and gas distribution sectors. The practice is well positioned to advise clients on project development, portfolio acquisitions, litigation, and regulatory matters. João Couceiro coordinates the Mozambique Desk and stands out for his expertise in M&A transactions in Portugal and abroad. He leads the team alongside João Robles, an active figure in the oil and gas segment, who oversees the Angola Desk.

Lauded for its ability to provide a ‘complete and accurate service’, the energy team at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo possesses wide-ranging experience in the renewable energy sector, covering wind, solar and hydro power. The team is spearheaded by Luísa Carrilho da Graça, who frequently advises national and international clients on project finance, development matters and M&A involving regulated assets. Ana Luísa Guimarães joined from Sérvulo & Associados in February 2024.

Fielding a solid team recommended for its ‘pragmatism’, Miranda & Associados regularly assists large multinationals in the energy and natural resources sectors, standing out for its expertise in the oil and gas sector. Especially rated for its strong capabilities in Portuguese-speaking African jurisdictions, the practice is jointly steered by managing partner Diogo Xavier Da Cunha and Nuno Antunes, the latter of whom stands out for his comprehensive knowledge of the hydrocarbons industry, advising many of the firm’s prominent clients. Noted for his focus on regulatory issues pertaining to the electricity and natural gas sectors, João Rosado Correia is also skilled in public procurement, administrative proceedings and litigation.

The ‘cohesive’ energy and natural resources team at Raposo Bernardo fields solid capabilities in assisting clients with a broad range of matters in the wind and solar energy, oil and gas, and biogas sectors. The ‘authentic, determined and assertive’ Nelson Raposo Bernardo is regularly involved in  M&A, project finance and development in the energy space. He co-heads the practice with Júlio Martins Júnior, who is skilled in handling financing contracts for large energy projects.

Singled out for its ‘in-depth knowledge of the energy sector’, the team at Sérvulo & Associados advises major national players in the renewables sector, including private and public entities. The group, which is well positioned to handle cross-border mandates, undertakes a variety of work in this space, including public tenders, energy contracts, regulatory matters, M&A transactions and administrative proceedings. The practice boasts an esteemed team of highly regarded partners, who collectively spearhead the team’s efforts: Mark Kirkby specialises in public procurement, while Sofia Carreiro and Pedro Silveira Borges have a wealth of experience in corporate and commercial matters. Former practice co-head Ana Luísa Guimarães is no longer at the firm.