João Pateira Ferreira

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...

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.

Rita Montalvão is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Rita, 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 Rita is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ricardo Rodrigues Lopes has a vast experience in the labour area giving day-to-day advice on all matters pertaining to labour issues as well as related litigation before the labour courts to many companies, including many multinational companies. Ricardo Rodrigues Lopes has developed expertise in those areas that are increasingly important to clients, such as employee benefits, flexibility of employment contracts, organisation of work time, wage structure, pensions and other models of retirem...

Marta Valadas Coriel is a top attorney recognised by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Privacy and Data Security Law. Marta Valadas, who practices law in Lisbon, Portugal, has been recognised since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Marta Valadas is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. Joined VCA in 2012, managed the Credit Recovery Department and is now a Partner, with a relevant ...

Rita Tigeleiro Afonso is a top attorney recognised by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Rita Tigeleiro, who practices law in Lisbon, Portugal, has been recognised since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rita Tigeleiro is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. Rita is a Partner in the Corporate and Real Estate Departments of VCA since January 2017. Rita has significa...

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...

Andreia Damásio is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Andreia, who practices law in Lisbon, Portugal, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Andreia is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Luiz Augusto Teixeira de Freitas is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Tax Law. Luiz Augusto, who practices law in Lisbon, Portugal, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Luiz Augusto is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.