Pedro Pessanha

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...

Miguel Durham Agrellos is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Tax Law. Miguel practices law in Porto, Portugal Best Lawyers has recognized Miguel Durham Agrellos since 2018. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Miguel Durham Agrellos is held by other lawyers.

António started his career at the European Commission (DG Development) in Brussels in 1997 and in 1999 he joined Arthur Andersen (Deloitte after the merger in 2002) as a tax adviser of its Lisbon office Tax Department. He also developed his professional skills as a tax lawyer in two of the most important law firms of the Iberian Peninsula, Cuatrecasas (2005-2006) and Garrigues (2006-2011). In November 2011 he joined Baker Tilly as a Tax Partner and Oporto office Lead Partner. Ant&oacut...

Very experienced lawyer in Energy, Public & Business Law with domestic and international experience with Portuguese speaking countries and international companies (Algeria, Angola, Brazil, France, Germany, Spain). With over 15 years’ experience João is highly praised by clients and peers for having a client-oriented approach and being capable of answering questions from various areas of law applicable to the company’s activity. João combines a strong legal backgr...

Rita Montalvão is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Corporate Law. Rita practices law in Lisbon, Portugal Best Lawyers has recognized Rita Montalvão since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Rita Montalvão is held by other lawyers.

Vasco Carvalho Marques is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Tax Law. Vasco Carvalho practices law in Lisbon, Portugal Best Lawyers has recognized Vasco Carvalho Marques since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Vasco Carvalho Marques is held by other lawyers.

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...

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...

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...

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...