ABBC is a full-service law firm which was established in 1982. The firm consists of a team of 56 fee earners and is located in one of Lisbon's most iconic buildings. ABBC's lawyers have both a thorough knowledge of and relevant experience in the sectors that its clients operate as well as a deep understanding of the corresponding legal and regulatory frameworks therein. This enables them to provide practical and accurate advice, delivering time efficient and innovative solutions that meet their clients' needs.
In 2011, ABBC became the DLA Focus Firm for the Portuguese market which has enabled the firm to provide integrated international legal advice for clients.
MAIN AREAS OF PRACTICE:
Corporate & M&A
The Corporate Team is frequently involved in major transactions and restructuring operations across multiple jurisdictions. The practice includes restructuring, commercial transactions, M&A, private equity, insolvency and cross-border transactions.
Dispute Resolution
The firm has a wide-ranging dispute resolution practice including administrative, civil, commercial and labour litigation. In recent years, name partner João Nuno Azevedo Neves has been involved in several major arbitrations.
Employment
The team, headed by name partner Benjamin Mendes, has extensive experience in all labour areas including litigation, employment advice, collective agreements, collective dismissals, pension funds, restructuring and downsizing proceedings. The team also assists other areas of practice in all the employment related aspects of corporate and finance transactions, M&A, share and asset transfers, spin-offs and divestment.
Energy & Natural Resources
The Energy and Natural Resources Team has a thorough knowledge of the energy sector as a result of the continuous work with many of its stakeholders in transactions, licensing and procurement and financing. The team provides legal advice in structuring, negotiation and execution of transactions, incorporation of consortia and SPV, including private equity and venture capital funds, financing projects, procurement and licensing procedures, construction of infrastructures, supply of equipment, operation and management agreements, cross-border transactions and dispute resolution.
EU & Competition
The team has acted on a number of major transactions in a wide range of sectors. The team is often required to assist other areas of practice such as Finance and Projects, IP and Aviation.
Finance & Projects
The team combines wide-ranging expertise and multidisciplinary skills and is regularly enrolled in high profile and highly complex projects, assisting the clients in all matters concerning corporate finance, private equity, financial instruments, capital markets and project finance. The firm's services include, inter alia, acquisition finance, company's funding and third party's finance, structured finance, derivatives and futures, and securitisation.
Intellectual Property & IT
The team advises on all aspects of IP/IT and provides legal assistance to several clients in their advertising and marketing campaigns.
Public Law (including public procurement and environmental law)
The team often advises on public tenders and environment law. Advice ranges from public law matters to public procurement. Clients include municipalities, public companies and leading multinational companies.
Real Estate & Construction
The team regularly advises a wide range of stakeholders including proprietors, developers, investors and financial institutions as well as landlords and tenants. Partner Luís Filipe Carvalho co-ordinates the team and has also been involved in the preparation of legislation related with the sector.
Shipping & Transport
The firm has carved a niche in this sector and is now generally regarded as Portugal's leading firm in aviation. ABBC advises several airlines, IATA, airline associations, handling agents and the handling operators' association. The team is coordinated by partner António Moura Portugal, who has been described as "the lawyer with the best insight into the aviation industry in the market."
Tax
The Tax Department comprises six lawyers, led by partners Nuno Azevedo Neves and António Moura Portugal. Its work includes major litigation, advice on corporate M&A and real estate transactions, pension schemes, stand-alone tax advice, international tax planning and the setting up of tax vehicles in low-tax jurisdictions.
ABBC advises both local and foreign clients, including privates, public authorities and national associations on their business activities primarily in the aviation, automotive, banking and finance, construction, energy and natural resources, food and beverage industries, hotels and leisure, IT, real estate, and telecommunications, among others. The firm has been enrolled in several of the most significant transactions and litigation procedures in Portugal, acting for public authorities and privates including overseas investors and companies.