João Serras de Sousa

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.

Rosana Maria de Freitas Rodrigues is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Transportation Law. Rosana Maria, 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 Rosana Maria is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

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...

Luís Castilho has over 15 years of hands-on experience in the field and has worked in Top Tier 1 firms and Big4 consultancy firms for almost 10 years, with a more recent passage by the Government. In January 2025 Luís launched his own law firm, called CASTILHO. CASTILHO is more than just a law firm. It’s a Partner in Tax, Family, and Corporate Law that aims to deliver straightforward advice, with zero jargon and a refreshingly approachable style. Luís started out as...

Sónia Martins Reis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Sónia, 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 Sónia is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Marta Fonseca Ferreira is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Marta Fonseca, 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 Marta Fonseca is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Academic & Professional Training: Graduated by the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra in 2004. Further Education: Attendance of specialization course in “Economia Empresariale” (Accountancy and Tax Specific Systems) in Università Degli Studi di Milano, in 2004; Specific graduation in “Tax and Administrative Law” (2004); “Competence System and Market Regulation” (2005); “Insolvency and Companies Recovery” (2005); and “Ta...