Energy & Natural Resources: Portugal

THE FIRM The energy and natural resources practice at this domestic firm focuses mostly on renewable energy projects. The firm is well known for its commercial profile and, as such, the team of six fee earners concentrates on finance, project finance and M&A deals in the sector. Clients include Generg, Galp Power and Petróleos de Portugal, the latter of which the team advised on the negotiations for and execution of a demerger operation.

Sources say: "Outstanding client service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Market sources consider Vítor Pereira das Neves to be a specialist. He led the team advising Generg on the financing for a solar power plant in Portugal. "Exceptional" Dulce Franco is well regarded for her ample experience in the area. Gabriela Rodrigues Martins is much appreciated for her expertise in corporate and M&A transactions.

THE FIRM This mid-market firm climbs the rankings, having had a fantastic year in the energy sector. Highlights include advising EDP - Energias de Portugal on the structure and implementation of the tender for Venda Nova hydropower station. The team is part of the firm's finance and projects department and acts for national and international corporations, including foreign banks and financial institutions involved in energy projects in Portugal and abroad.

Sources say: "The team is tireless, responsive and available at all times."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Bruno Azevedo Rodrigues has a long history in the field. Market sources admire "his solid knowledge in energy and his ability to deal with complex matters."

THE FIRM This team has expanded its focus on natural resources and environmental matters, increasing its presence on the renewable side especially. The group is part of the firm's public law practice, and specialises in regulatory advice. The largest client in this area is energy giant Iberdrola, which turns to the team for ongoing advice and assistance with large, complex mandates. Other high-profile clients include TGE Gas Engineering, which the firm is assisting with a public tender for the expansion of an LNG terminal in Sines.

Sources say: "A knowledgeable and competent team with great response capacity and availability."

KEY INDIVIDUALS José Eduardo Martins co-heads the department and is representing Fundo Português de Carbono in the negotiation of carbon emission trading between the Portuguese state and the Republic of Latvia, Hungary and the Czech Republic. Manuel de Andrade Neves is esteemed by clients, who highlight his commercial acumen, technical skills and attentive service.

THE FIRM This long-established full-service firm maintains a substantial energy practice covering a broad range of areas, including electricity, oil and gas, water and renewables. It acts for a well-balanced mix of national and international energy and oil companies, as well as governments, sponsors and investors. Recent highlights include advising Sonatrach on its installation in Portugal, and on all regulatory aspects of gas distribution in the country.

KEY INDIVIDUALS The group is led by João Nuno Barrocas.

THE FIRM The energy department at this medium-sized Portuguese firm is especially strong in international work and notably active in Angola, with a dedicated desk in Lisbon co-ordinating several mandates in that country. For example, the firm is assisting Angola's national oil company, Sonangol, with creating a legal framework for the implementation of the Lobito oil refinery. The team also handles domestic matters, and is advising Enersistems Energia on a project finance contract for renewable energies.

KEY INDIVIDUALS João Caiado Guerreiro is the main point of contact.

THE FIRM On 1 January 2012, the firm formerly known as Rui Pena, Arnaut & Associados officially joined the CMS international network and became CMS Rui Pena & Arnaut. The highly skilled energy group is undoubtedly a market leader, and advises on the most complex and innovative projects in the country. It is currently advising EDP - Gestão da Produção de Energia on the implementation of the Baixo Sabor, Foz Tua and Fridão hydroelectric plants, which includes matters ranging from contracts to land expropriation and complex public tenders. Other key clients include the Ministry of Economics & Innovation, REN Group and the Ventinveste consortium.

Sources say: "In addition to ample recognised experience in the energy sector, the lawyers are constantly available and the team maintains the high level of quality on both senior and junior levels."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Rui Pena founded the firm and is one of the most respected figures in the Portuguese legal market. He is lauded for his "in-depth analysis of the law" and his "strong negotiation capacity." Mónica Carneiro Pacheco is the main partner for energy work and is admired by sources for "her enormous capacity to analyse several angles of the same matter."

THE FIRM This Iberian firm's energy and natural resources team in Lisbon is increasingly strong. The firm has an extensive international network, with offices in many of the main business centres around the globe, enabling the energy team to handle complex cross-border transactions. Highlights include advising Grupo EIP Electricidade Industrial Portuguesa on its international expansion. In the domestic market, the group is assisting Grupo Enersis and Fotowatio with the public tender for reception points for the production of photovoltaic energy.

Sources say: "The lawyers are smart, knowledgeable and very well prepared in terms of legislation, both national and international."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Managing partner Diogo Perestrelo is a well-admired corporate/M&A lawyer who is also involved in high-profile energy cases. José Diogo Horta Osório is another key player in the team, and works closely with Grupo EIP.

THE FIRM Garrigues has an excellent reputation for energy work in Spain, and also excels in Lisbon, where a team of nine fee earners advises high-profile clients from both the public and private sectors. The firm is also able to provide specialised support on environment and natural resources matters. It is currently advising REN Armazenagem on future public tenders for the construction of four new caverns for underground storage of natural gas in Carriço.

Sources say: "The team is united, well articulated and well led. Experience, knowledge and an excellent background in the sector are also key advantages."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Top-tier lawyer and department head João Paulo Rosado Correia is praised for his "strong and confident personality and in-depth technical and administrative knowledge."

THE FIRM This Spanish firm has been in Lisbon since 2010 and maintains a strong level of service. The skilful energy team is highly experienced in the fields of renewable energy and mining, and acts for a wide range of clients, such as energy-related companies and banks financing projects in the area. Highlights include advising Nautilus Minerals on the development of a future project for polymetallic seafloor sulphide deposit exploitation and mining in the country.

Sources say: "The team clearly has knowledge of the market, is commercially oriented, gives practical advice instead of theoretical answers, and above all offers very good value for money."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Partner Jorge Santiago Neves has a wealth of experience in the sector and leads the team advising mineral company Nautilus Mineral. Susana Morgado is well regarded for her corporate advice to energy companies. Teresa Baptista is lauded for "her striking ability to handle government issues."

Since publication, Teresa Baptista has left this practice.

THE FIRM As a large global firm, Linklaters has an undisputed international presence, making it a one-stop shop for cross-border transactions. Its energy department is made up of skilled lawyers from the corporate and finance teams, and acts for both national and international corporations and financial institutions. Recent highlights include advising BP on the sale of its ground fuel business in the Azores to Bensaude Group, including a stake in the Nordela Terminal.

Sources say: "The firm knows how to deliver a high-profile transaction. The team is quick, knowledgeable and proficient."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Partner Pedro Siza Vieira is a well-known name for project finance and brings his expertise to energy-related deals. Marta Almeida Afonso is described as "technically consistent and solution-oriented."

THE FIRM This firm remains at the top end of the market for energy work in the international sphere. It has traditionally been a market leader for handling matters involving Angola, Mozambique and Cape Verde, especially in the oil and gas arenas. The team also handles mining mandates, and is expanding its coverage through recent alliances in Brazil and Gabon. It provides a full service in the energy area, including providing finance, regulatory and corporate assistance to companies operating in Europe and Africa.

Sources say: "Strong international expertise in oil and gas – it has no rivals on this front."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Rui Amendoeira manages the firm and is well recognised for his expertise in the oil industry. Agostinho Pereira de Miranda has a wealth of experience in providing tax advice to international companies, and has also represented several parties in mediation and arbitration proceedings in Portugal, Brazil and various African countries. Diogo Xavier da Cunha is the partner responsible for Mozambique matters and provides specialised commercial advice, particularly as regards company acquisitions, oil and gas agreements and foreign investment operations. Multi-talented partner Rita Correia supports clients in various practice areas and is an active legal writer and lecturer.

THE FIRM MLGTS represents the biggest names in the energy market, and sources agree that it belongs in the top tier. The team of ten fee earners is involved in transactional and regulatory work in both traditional and innovative areas, such as wave and wind energy. The natural resources/environment group is part of the firm's public law department and supports the energy team. Recent highlights include advising Spanish group Abertis Infraestructuras on environmental impact studies and licensing procedures for the construction of a logistics platform. Other key clients include major Portuguese companies EDP - Energias de Portugal and REN, which the team is advising on their internationalisation processes.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Nuno Galvão Teles is a well-established corporate lawyer with ample experience in the sector. Rui de Oliveira Neves is greatly admired by peers and clients, who praise "his solid legal knowledge and hands-on attitude." Finance specialist Luís Branco supports the energy team on large transactions in the energy area.

THE FIRM The energy and natural resources group at this esteemed Portuguese firm is extremely active in the international market, particularly in lusophone Africa, where it maintains close links with highly respected local firms. In addition to providing legal advice, the firm coordinates the work of local legal advisers and UK partners. The team is involved in a new project in Guinea-Bissau, assisting GB Minerals with the concession of phosphate mining in the north of the country. The bulk of its workload is international but the team also receives numerous domestic instructions, such as advising Elecgas on a combined-cycle gas turbine power plant in Abrantes in central Portugal.

Sources say: "Great team performance and very good connections in key African countries."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Manuel Santos Vítor is esteemed for his work in project finance and is lauded for his "great competence in the area and total availability." Ana Oliveira Rocha is described as "a fantastic lawyer who balances first-class legal assistance with commercial advice." She is also recognised for her international experience.

THE FIRM This mid-market firm has a wealth of experience in international projects, and has offices in Lisbon, Madrid, Bucharest and Warsaw. It covers all energy-related matters, focusing particularly on renewable energy projects. The team recently advised Self-Energy (Fomentivest Group) on the implementation of a new solar photovoltaic project in Poland, and is assisting Martifer Renewables with a photovoltaic solar park in West Africa. The firm also handles domestic mandates, such as providing legal support to Grupo Soares da Costa on its energy and environmental activity.

Sources say: "The support is not only legal, but commercial as well. The team is proactive and has the capacity to anticipate potential opportunities to develop further business in this sector."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Founding partner Nelson Raposo Bernardo has wide experience in a broad range of legal services. According to sources, "his main strength is the support offered for any company developing internationally."

THE FIRM This firm's high proficiency in the public law arena makes it a good option for clients seeking regulatory advice in the energy sector. The group has long been involved with the Portuguese government, and in several instances has helped with the drafting of legislation. Recent energy highlights include advising Enercon on several matters, including the installation of wind energy farms in the country.

Sources say: "This team's biggest strength is the combination of skills in public law with expertise in the energy sector, offering an integral and multidisciplinary service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice head Lino Torgal wins glowing reviews from clients for his "deep knowledge of the energy sector," understanding of economic issues, ability to provide innovative solutions, and constant availability. In addition to his legal practice, he lectures on energy law at the Portuguese Catholic University.

THE FIRM SRS Advogados is widely recognised for its energy work, with the team focusing particularly on the oil and gas sector. The sizeable group comprises two partners and 11 associates, and stands out for its wide coverage of relevant areas such as regulatory, competition and environment. Standout mandates over the past twelve months include assisting multinational oil and gas company Eni with the potential divestment of its one-third shareholding of Galp Energia. The firm also has a steady international practice, and recently advised Martifer on a major biofuel project in Mozambique.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Competition expert Gonçalo Anastácio is also responsible for the energy practice, and represents high-profile clients such as Galp and Martifer.

THE FIRM This firm provides finance-related energy advice, and is also capable of handling regulatory work, especially as regards public tenders. In addition to its local capacity, the Portuguese branch of this Spanish firm benefits from the client roster and knowledge of its Madrid office. Recent highlights include advising Neoen on a public tender related to the production of energy by photovoltaic solar power stations.

KEY INDIVIDUALS The main contact for the practice is public law specialist Bernardo Diniz de Ayala.

THE FIRM Vieira de Almeida's energy practice is divided between project finance and regulatory work. As one of the best-established Portuguese firms in the market, its work in the sector started with traditional projects, but the team is now involved in all types of renewable transactions, including wind, solar, hydro, biomass and wave energy power. It acts for a range of sponsors, lenders and national authorities, with highlights including advising Caixa - Banco de Investimento on the project financing of the onshore wind portfolio developed by ENEOP.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Energy specialist Vanda Cascão is highlighted for "her practical approach and in-depth analysis of the case." Manuel Protasio is highly rated for his projects prowess, and notably represented Ramada Holdings in the winning bid in a tender for solar power plant energy supply.