LEGAL500

FCB&A was ranked in Legal 500 and recommended in several areas of law, as were our lawyers who are individually acknowledged.

See nominations Legal500 year: 2010 2009

FIRM RECOGNITIONS

Corporate and M&A (Tier 3)

FCB&A – F Castelo Branco & Associados has accrued a broad roster of domestic and international clients, including private equity houses Magnum, ECS Capital and IFC. Ongoing mandates for Hewlett-Packard, including in relation to its integration with EDS, have been a staple of work for the four-partner team. Pedro Guimarães recently advised Repower Systems on its establishment in Portugal and its implementation of wind parks, while practice head Gonçalo da Cunha is able to ‘give the kind of pragmatic advice that makes deals happen – he more than lives up to his strong reputation’

Dispute Resolution (Tier 3)

‘An outstanding group of lawyers’, FCB&A – F Castelo Branco & Associados’ dispute resolution team is led by Miguel Castelo Branco, and benefits from ‘a structure that provides responsive, personal support to all the client’s needs’. Active across a broad range of disputes, the team has recently represented BCP and BES in debt recovery proceedings. Construction has also been a key area of focus for the team, and it recently advised one of the largest construction supervision companies in securing an injunction against one of the main transport systems in Lisbon. Rui Tabarra Castro has an excellent pedigree representing clients involved in high-profile trials.

Employment (Tier 3)

The majority of FCB&A – F Castelo Branco & Associados’ employment mandates are divided between merger-related issues, and complex litigation and dismissal proceedings. Pedro Guimarães is recommended for contentious and non-contentious matters, and recently advised RBS on the integration of the ABN Amro workforce. Senior associate Alexandra Almeida Mota is a rising star with ‘a genuine aptitude for advising clients on issues at the juncture of business and employment law’. In 2009, Mota advised on a cross-border merger between Group Prisa and Media Capital, including issues arising from the ensuing restructuring and collective dismissal proceedings.

Intellectual Property (Tier 3)

In addition to ongoing work with international clients such as Hewlett-Packard and Logica, FCB&A – F Castelo Branco & Associados has managed to expand its IP practice in Angola and is attracting more high-profile roles. Recent highlights include advising longstanding client Nike on its €3.5m sponsorship of the National Football Association, work which also includes trade mark, patent and copyright issues. Group head Nuno Cadima Oliveira is the sole partner in the team and is ‘a well-respected and frequently called-upon lawyer’.

Oporto: Leading commercial firms (Tier 4)

FCB&A – F Castelo Branco & Associados advises several high-profile clients out of its Oporto offices, including BES, Banif and Casais. With a strong leaning towards corporate and M&A work, the team advised a private Irish investment group on the €110m acquisition of several buildings in Oporto. Vitor Marques da Cruz heads the group.

Public Law (Tier 5)

The pairing of Paula Teixeira da Cruz’s reputation as ‘an experienced and respected public law professional’ with Miguel Lorena Brito’s ‘direct and proactive qualities’ has been key to FCB&A – F Castelo Branco & Associados’ public law practice. Frequently engaged on high-profile administrative and public tender related roles, the ten-strong group acts for public institute ACCS on public tenders in the health sector. Lorena Brito also advised Lentjes on an arbitration concerning a claim made for compensation from the public contracting party.

Real Estate (Tier 4)

Miguel Castelo Branco and Vitor Marques da Cruz comprise the core of FCB&A – F Castelo Branco & Associados’ real estate group, which has significant transactional, dispute and construction capabilities. The team recently acted for Repower on the purchase of property for a rotor blade factory, as well as handling the construction works contract. Elsewhere, Siccal, one of the largest real estate and construction companies in Angola, remains a key client.

Tax (Tier 2)

FCB&A – F Castelo Branco & Associados is particularly experienced in tax litigation, notably through practice head Vítor Félix. ‘Fearless and creative’, the group represents Hewlett-Packard, Logica Portugal, UCB Pharma and VPC Portugal on contentious matters, and can ‘easily handle domestic and international cases’. Leveraging off its extensive corporate client base, the firm regularly provides the concomitant tax advice relating to significant transactions such as Magnum Capital’s acquisition of Enersis. Diogo Bernardo Monteiro is also recommended.