Well-regarded for its ability to provide an ‘exceptional quality of service’, the criminal, regulatory offences and compliance team at Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados regularly acts in high-profile cases of bribery, corruption, money laundering, tax crimes and insider trading. Recognised as ‘one of the most reputable Portuguese firms’, its expertise extends seamlessly to navigating complex cross-border matters. The practice is jointly steered by Rui Patrício and Tiago Félix da Costa; Patrício is noted for his focus on corporate and white-collar crime and regulatory offences litigation, while the ‘meticulous and detailed’ Costa is recommended for his experience advising on matters in the TMT, banking and distribution sectors. João Matos Viana is a key port of call for criminal and regulatory offences litigation involving banking, securities and insurance law. Associate Tiago Geraldo focuses on criminal litigation, regulatory offences litigation and compliance. Partner João de Lima Cluny has left the practice.

Counting financial institutions, corporates and directors among its key client roster, the team at Sérvulo & Associados, praised for its ‘great legal knowledge’, is well versed in the full scope of corporate crime and regulatory compliance matters. The practice group is distinguished by its expertise in criminal and administrative litigation, successfully handling some of the most high-profile cases in the country. The team is jointly led by a capable trio: José Lobo Moutinho, lauded for his ‘impeccable professional qualities’; Teresa Serra, who is noted for her expertise in civil and commercial litigation, as well as in corporate crime and regulatory compliance; and Cláudia Amorim, who has advised on some of the most high-stakes corporate crime and large regulatory offences cases in Portugal. Consultant Ana Brito Camacho specialises in corporate crime and regulatory compliance issues.

VdA draws considerable praise from clients, who turn to the team for its ‘depth of analysis’ and ‘vast knowledge’ on the full gamut of regulatory and criminal investigations. The practice assists clients from the sports, financial services, telecoms, energy and media sectors on matters pertaining to regulatory investigations, money laundering and corruption cases, and search and seizure procedures. The team is spearheaded by Sofia Ribeiro Branco who is noted for her focus on regulatory offences cases across a wide range of sectors. Branco is supported by managing associate Joana Bernardo, who boasts considerable experience in criminal cases and misdemeanour and regulatory litigation.

The ‘excellent’ criminal, sanctions and compliance team at Abreu Advogados is well versed in a range of matters, serving as a trusted adviser to companies, individuals and government bodies in money laundering, cybercrime corruption, and tax fraud cases. The team is jointly led by Francisco Patrício, Pedro Barosa and Ana Rita Duarte de Campos. Patrício also leads the dispute resolution practice at the firm and is noted for his expertise on insolvency and corporate restructuring, while Barosa is a key port of call for clients seeking assistance in economic and financial crimes. Campos regularly represents defendants in some of the most complex cases in the country. The team was bolstered by a number of recent hires: Ana Grosso Alves, a criminal, compliance and litigation specialist, joined from Gómez-Acebo & Pombo in December 2022, while Paulo de Sá e Cunha, who enjoys a strong reputation in the market, arrived in April 2023 from Cuatrecasas.

Fielding a strong team that is highly regarded for its ability to cover the full scope of fraud and white-collar criminal matters, PLMJ is rated by clients for its ‘legal acumen‘ and ‘unparalleled dedication.’ Counting former politicians, bank directors, financial institutions and companies among its key roster of clients, the practice stands out for its focus on administrative litigation before regulatory bodies. It also boasts extensive experience in handling corruption investigations, anti-money laundering compliance programmes, tax fraud and financial crimes. At the helm sits Paulo Farinha Alves, who regularly acts for clients in corporate crime cases, including embezzlement and labour crime matters. Managing associate Dirce Rente is no longer at the firm.

Rogério Alves & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados, SP, RL, a boutique firm devoted to criminal law affairs, is a strong choice for a diverse range of clients, who turn to the team for its wide-ranging capabilities in white-collar crime and criminal litigation matters. Noted for its ‘excellent command of subjects’, the team is regularly engaged in high-profile criminal cases involving bank directors, shareholders, financial institutions and companies. The practice is led by Rogério Alves, who has been described by one client as ‘one of the best, if not the best, lawyer in Portugal for crisis management involving criminal law’. Criminal law specialist Bárbara Marinho Pinto covers civil and criminal law litigation, while André Matos Faria is often involved in major criminal procedures involving bank insolvencies.

Under the leadership of Alexandra Mota Gomes, the criminal, misdemeanour and compliance team at Antas da Cunha Ecija handles a steady stream of tax fraud, corruption, cybercrime and money laundering cases. The team is regularly engaged by multinational and domestic players in the financial services, pharmaceuticals, construction and energy sectors. Gomes is assisted by senior associate Beatriz Eusébio da Costa who provides legal advice and compliance training to Portuguese and multinational companies.

With a diverse roster of clients on its books, comprising financial institutions, foreign individuals and medium-sized companies, CCA Law Firm boasts vast experience in criminal cases. The team is well versed in proceedings involving money laundering, tax fraud, corruption and cybercrime. The practice is jointly steered by Henrique Salinas and Marta Duarte. Salinas is praised for his ‘technical competence’, while Duarte is noted for her focus on dispute resolution, particularly civil and criminal litigation matters.

Well-regarded for its ‘high technical competence’ and ‘good knowledge’, the white-collar crime and corporate governance team at Cuatrecasas is a key port of call for financial institutions, sports clubs, former politicians and corporates seeking counsel on bribery investigations, tax fraud and money laundering. Spearheading the team is Maria Raquel Moreira, who joined the team in January 2023 following the incorporation of SLCM, and is noted for her focus on civil and commercial litigation. Miguel Pereira Coutinho has a wealth of experience in compliance, criminal and misdemeanor litigation, with a special focus on the financial sector. Former practice head Paulo de Sá e Cunha is no longer at the firm.