Portuguese law firm Abreu has acquired ACRLEX Advogados in the north of Portugal. ACRLEX is the only Portuguese member of the Interlex Group, a global association of top law firms and offices that brings together firms such as Canada's Bennett Jones, Chile's Carey, Brazil's Demarest, and Britain’s Taylor Wessing. The integration of ACRLEX into Abreu will see Pedro Pessanha join the firm as a partner in the corporate and M&A and real estate practices in the Porto office.

Inês Sequeira Mendes, managing partner of Abreu Advogados, said "it is with great satisfaction that in 2022 we continue on our path towards becoming one of the leading independent law firms in Portugal. Pedro Pessanha is a highly recognized lawyer in our legal practice who shares with us a modern and innovative vision of the legal profession. These values are reflected in the quality of his team, in his experience and history and are in line with our positioning and national and international presence. We have a strong team in Oporto, focused on clients and with an extensive knowledge of their needs and we believe that with this integration we can consolidate its position and growth path".

"This is an important day for the legal practice and for our clients. Our integration in Abreu Advogados is a natural step with great impact on the scope of the services we will now offer, integrated in a firm that shares with us the vision and mission of sustained growth and independence. I closely follow Abreu Advogados' work and there is no other firm with the same focus on the quality of services and on the issues that are or will be impacting the economy", added Pessanha.

Pessanha has been practicing law since 1983 with a focus on commercial law, M&A, foreign investment, and international contracts. Over the years he has advised several important national and foreign clients in numerous operations.

ACRLEX has some of the largest companies in the north of the country and important foreign organizations as clients, with a strong presence in the wine sector, agriculture, distribution, textiles, renewable energies, transport and logistics or real estate and construction.

Abreu is currently ranked Highly Recommended in M&A and Excellent in Real Estate by Leaders League.