Department profile
PLMJ

Public Law

Europe Guide 2026 : Portugal


PLMJ

Rankings

About

Provided by PLMJ

PLMJ acts for public and private bodies in all areas of public law. However, we have a particular focus on public procurement and public contracts, regulatory, administrative and constitutional litigation, the environment and construction.

The public law team has been involved in the most important infrastructure-related transactions in Portugal and in Portuguese-speaking countries, and we have solid experience in arbitration and legal opinions.

We assist our clients in structuring and negotiating transactions and throughout the life of their contracts. Our team's support also extends to disputes, whether in administrative proceedings, constitutional litigation or national and international arbitration. In cases where we do not represent the parties directly, we are called upon to provide legal opinions or to act as arbitrators. This demand reflects the strong academic background of our team.

PLMJ plays a major role in the most important concession and privatisation transactions, as well as in the most significant public works and public-private partnership awards. 

Our team has worked on international infrastructure projects, particularly in Angola, Mozambique, Senegal, Cape Verde, Guinea and São Tomé and Príncipe. In these projects, we have acted for Portuguese and international companies in different types of procurement and in a wide range of sectors such as transport, energy, water and sanitation.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Public Law - Portugal

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

PLMJ is able to provide comprehensive advice through its substantial team. It has a notable practice in concession agreements, public tenders, licensing matters and public procurement procedures. The law firm is active in the education, healthcare, construction and energy sectors, in addition to advising on road and airport infrastructure projects. It is also active in litigation before administrative and constitutional courts, as well as in domestic arbitrations. PLMJ is adept at cross-border mandates involving other European and lusophone jurisdictions.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • PLMJ advised Nova University Lisbon on the public law aspects of its new School of Law building, including concession agreements.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • We value the team's experience, specialised knowledge and sophistication across the proposed strategies and solutions. The team provides excellent levels of service and exemplary responsiveness.

    Public Law respondentEurope
  • PLMJ presents a strong, well-led multidisciplinary team capable of supporting all legal aspects involved in the matter. The lawyers possess extensive experience and a broad knowledge.

    Public Law respondentEurope
  • We highly value the team's teamwork skills, efficiency, empathy and availability. The lawyers handle complex matters with dedication.

    Public Law respondentEurope
  • PLMJ's team is highly specialised in the many facets of public law, bringing together brilliant lawyers in each sector.

    Public Law respondentEurope

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Diogo Duarte Campos
    Band 1Diogo Duarte Campos

    Diogo Duarte Campos

    Diogo Duarte Campos assists clients with an array of complex arbitration and litigation, as well as handling public procurement procedures, licensing matters and offering regulatory reform advisory services. Clients from the transport, real estate and agriculture sectors turn to him for support with concessions.

    • Diogo stands out for his strategic vision and ability to frame legal issues within a broader perspective. He demonstrates strong technical expertise, quick thinking and a result-oriented approach.

      Public Law respondentEurope
    • Diogo's competence, dedication and high sense of responsibility make him an excellent lawyer. The clarity, efficiency and confidence with which he handles each matter inspire complete trust.

      Public Law respondentEurope
    • Diogo Duarte Campos displays a broad and multidisciplinary knowledge. He has a practical focus on solving problems presented by the client and offers direct and accessible responses.

      Public Law respondentEurope
    • Working with Diogo Duarte Campos is an excellent experience. He demonstrates technical rigor, strategic vision and a unique ability to find reliable solutions to complex issues.

      Public Law respondentEurope
  • Band 2Tiago Duarte
    Band 2Tiago Duarte

    Tiago Duarte

    Tiago Duarte often represents clients in public law litigation, as well as assisting with public tenders and negotiations of licensing contracts with public entities. He has also acted on the legislative drafting of projects in lusophone Africa.

    • Tiago Duarte maintains a highly relevant presence in the Portuguese public law market. He brings a unique experience that combines advocacy with academia and arbitration at the highest level.

      Public Law respondentEurope
    • Tiago Duarte has a good mix of deep academic knowledge and practical experience. He is always very responsive, writing clearly and communicating well.

      Public Law respondentEurope
    • Tiago Duarte is very knowledgeable, proactive and creative. He knows the law and offers interesting solutions that are very solid.

      Public Law respondentEurope
  • Band 4Maria Zagallo
    Band 4Maria Zagallo

    Maria Zagallo

    Maria Zagallo is a respected partner who assists clients with a range of public law mandates, including concession agreements and PPP matters. She further advises on administrative disputes.

    • Maria Zagallo is an extremely well prepared lawyer who puts herself in the client's position and seeks innovative solutions.

      Public Law respondentEurope
    • Maria possesses unique expertise and experience in public contracts. Everyone wants to know her opinion as she is knowledgeable, practical, and thoughtful.

      Public Law respondentEurope
    • Maria Zagallo is a lawyer with a strong track record and extensive experience.

      Public Law respondentEurope
    • Her past industry experience offers her a slightly different perspective on commercial issues and how they may impact the client.

      Public Law respondentEurope
  • Band 4Raquel Freitas
    Band 4Raquel Freitas

    Raquel Freitas

    Senior counsel Raquel Freitas acts for institutional investors and international corporate clients on project transactions, environmental matters and regulatory issues.

    • Raquel Freitas is an excellent professional who demonstrates great knowledge in the area of ​​public law, particularly in environmental matters.

      Public Law respondentEurope
    • She stands out for her quality of service, extensive knowledge, high availability, proactive solution seeking and complete client trust.

      Public Law respondentEurope
  • Associates to watchCarla Ferreira Machado
    Associates to watchCarla Ferreira Machado

    Carla Ferreira Machado

    Carla Ferreira Machado regularly assists with large domestic and international public law disputes. She provides further support on concessions, public tenders and public procurement procedures.

    • Carla Ferreira Machado impresses with high autonomy, seniority and quality levels.

      Public Law respondentEurope
    • Carla stands out for her extraordinary technical clarity and communication skills. She translates complex matters into practical, objective and applicable guidance within the business context.

      Public Law respondentEurope
    • Carla Ferreira Machado is a sophisticated and experienced practitioner. She is super focused on the client at all times.

      Public Law respondentEurope
    • Carla's extraordinary work capacity and exemplary level of rigour has been fundamental to our peace of mind.

      Public Law respondentEurope

Ranked Individuals at PLMJ (5)

Portugal

Members

Provided by PLMJ

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership