Department profile
VdA

Banking & Finance

Global Guide 2026 : Portugal

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VdA

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About

Provided by VdA

Vieira de Almeida has a long-established and formidable reputation with both the Portuguese and the foreign banking community; we provide services tailored to our clients’ commercial needs including placement of our own lawyers on secondments at financial institutions. We act not only for banks and banking syndicates but also on behalf of large corporations.

Providing legal advice to all types of credit transactions, both domestic and international, VdA has been at the forefront of some of the most innovative transactions in the market, particularly active in the establishment, marketing and operation of all kinds of collective investment schemes - mutual, real estate and venture capital funds in the implementation of private equity structures and transactions involving the sale of portfolios of non-performing loans, financing structures - including commercial loans for the acquisition of aircrafts, retail banking, financial services.

Our team have extensive expertise in fully advising on security law and regulatory related matters.

For a comprehensive list of the services we provide both internationally and in the Portugal, visit the VdA website for more details: http://vda.pt/en

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Banking & Finance - Portugal

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

A leading law firm with an expansive bench and an impressive reputation, VdA has a solid client roster that includes major domestic and international banks and other financial institutions. The team advises on the full scope of transactional and regulatory matters, with outstanding expertise in debt restructurings and securitisation mandates. The firm handles applications to the Portuguese financial services regulator for the authorisation of new securitisation and venture capital companies. It also offers strong cross-border capabilities involving lusophone Africa.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • VdA advised Kruso Kapita on the acquisition of a pawn business from Banco Invest.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • VdA's team stands out for its expertise in complex transactions and excellent negotiation skills.

    Banking & Finance respondentGlobal

  • VdA's team demonstrates a collaborative and solution-oriented commitment, with deep sector knowledge and excellent communication and negotiation skills.

    Banking & Finance respondentGlobal

  • VdA has top know-how and a fantastic relationship with the finance regulatory bodies in Portugal.

    Banking & Finance respondentGlobal

  • VdA offers a tremendous capacity to handle complex issues, with a willingness to incorporate suggestions and changes.

    Banking & Finance respondentGlobal

  • VdA stands out for its expertise in transactional and regulatory matters, its capacity for legal innovation and its ability to offer customised solutions to its clients.

    Banking & Finance respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Francisco Sá Carneiro
    Francisco Sá Carneiro

    Francisco Sá Carneiro

    Francisco Sá Carneiro holds significant experience handling refinancings and financial restructurings.

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  • Pedro Cassiano Santos
    Pedro Cassiano Santos

    Pedro Cassiano Santos

    Pedro Cassiano Santos leads VdA's banking practice and handles the full range of banking and finance matters. He is frequently seen advising prominent domestic and international clients on financial restructurings.

    • Pedro Cassiano Santos's expertise and competence are self-evident. He understands his client's business and has deep commercial awareness.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
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  • Paula Gomes Freire
    Paula Gomes Freire

    Paula Gomes Freire

    Paula Gomes Freire is the managing partner at VdA. She is best recognised for her expert handling of securitisation matters.
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  • Benedita Aires
    Benedita Aires

    Benedita Aires

    Benedita Aires is skilled in advising lenders on real estate financing and refinancing mandates. She has further experience in handling debt refinancings.

    • Benedita Aires has in-depth market knowledge and extensive experience in complex negotiations, consistently ensuring excellent service and finding effective solutions.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
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  • Hugo Moredo Santos
    Hugo Moredo Santos

    Hugo Moredo Santos

    Hugo Moredo Santos assists prominent domestic banks with a variety of financing matters including refinancing, acquisition finance and securitisation matters.

    • Hugo Moredo Santos offers enormous focus on finding the best response for his client.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
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  • Tiago Correia Moreira
    Tiago Correia Moreira

    Tiago Correia Moreira

    Tiago Correia Moreira advises originator banks, issuers and investors on all transactional and regulatory matters arising in relation to securitisations.

    • Tiago Correia Moreira is a very good lawyer and adviser.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
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Ranked Individuals at VdA (6)

Portugal

Members

Provided by VdA

VdA has rankings in the following guides

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