Although there is still a gender gap in Portugal’s legal sector, in terms of achieving equality between men and women at law firms the country remains ahead of neighboring jurisdictions such as Spain. At least according to anecdotal evidence, Portugal has a higher number of female partners at law firms than Spain does, definitely something to celebrate if not an excuse for the industry to rest on its laurels.

Some gender barriers have even started to fall in traditionally male-dominated sectors such as M&A, private equity, venture capital or asset acquisition. Market data shows that four of the top 10 dealmakers in the country are women. In fact, the number one position is held by one of the members of our list, Cláudia da Cruz Almeida of VdA.

Leaders League has identified several female lawyers who are at the forefront of the Portuguese private equity market.

Mariana Norton dos Reis, Cuatrecasas - Ranked Leading in: Best Law Firms for Private Equity

Partner of the Cuatrecasas’ Lisbon office, she focuses her practice, both in Portuguese and Spanish law, on cross border M&A, joint ventures, private equity transactions and restructurings.

Bárbara Godinho Correia, PLMJ - Ranked Excellent in: Best Law Firms for Private Equity

Partner of PLMJ’s Lisbon office. She is a member of the firm’s corporate practice and has more than 20 years’ experience in corporate M&A and private equity.

Alexandra Valente, SRS Advogados - Ranked Leading in: Best Law Firms for Private Equity

Partner of SRS’s finance department at the Lisbon office. She regularly advises Portuguese and international financial institutions and private equity funds on numerous complex transactions, involving, inter alia, distressed debt, distressed equity, and financial restructurings.

Cláudia da Cruz Almeida, VdA - Ranked Leading in: Best Law Firms for Private Equity

Partner of VdA’s M&A department in Lisbon. Cláudia has been involved in several transactions mainly focused on acquisition finance, corporate finance and acquisitions and sales of companies.

Click on the link below to access the full ranking:

https://www.leadersleague.com/en/rankings/private-equity-ranking-2022-law-firm-portugal