Gabriela Mendonça Santos

Hugo is a Partner of VCA since 2010, coordinating and running the Litigation and Labour Departments. Hugo has large experience in matters of international, civil, commercial, criminal and administrative litigation, mass litigation especially on issues related to consumption, arbitration, credits recovery, bankruptcy, labour law and labour disputes. Hugo also accompanies various collective labour contracts and the respective negotiation processes. Practice Areas Labour Dispute Resolution (Civi...

Pedro is the founding partner and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the firm. He has been a distinguished Lisbon corporate lawyer for more than 25 years now and has led the firm’s outstanding growth since its formation in 2001. Pedro’s knowledge of the Portuguese corporate and commercial system is among the deepest in the market. He is currently President of the Portuguese Task Force on Green Economy at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and has held a host of oth...

José M. Raimundo is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. José M., who practices law in Lisbon, Portugal, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which José M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nelson Raposo Bernardo is the managing partner and head of the firm’s Banking and Projects practices, along with strong expertise in Corporate and M&A; Capital markets; Project finance; Private equity; Energy; Corporate restructuring and Corporate finance and Arbitration. Nelson has more than 25 years of international experience in high-profile and complex operations and has been involved in multiple transactions in Portugal and abroad. Some of his recent transactions include advisi...

João Valadas Coriel co-founded Valadas Coriel & Associados (VCA) in 2001. Currently managing partner, he coordinates across all VCA departments. His expertise and decisiveness are sought to break deadlocks, close deals and generally to get things to the next level. He comes across as a solution minded savvy lawyer. He has worked on many transactions and is a trusted adviser to many private clients, family offices, foundations, and corporations. João excels in leading teams a...

Dearbháile Banahan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Dearbháile, who practices law in Vilamoura, Portugal, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dearbháile is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Miguel Miranda is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Civil Rights Law, Competition / Antitrust Law, Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice, Corporate Law, Litigation and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Miguel, who practices law in Porto, Portugal, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Miguel is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Coelho is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative Law and Public Law. David, who practices law in Lisbon, Portugal, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ana Algarvio de Sousa is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Ana Algarvio de, who practices law in Lisbon, Portugal, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ana Algarvio de is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Paula Favita Velez is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Arbitration and Mediation and Litigation. Paula Favita, who practices law in Porto, Portugal, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Paula Favita is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.