FT Innovative Lawyers Awards: recognition for Iberian firms

Portuguese and Spanish law firms were recognised at the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards Europe, which celebrate the very best in innovation among European law firms and in-house legal teams. In the individuals category, José Rodríguez Coching, from KPMG Abogados, was recognised as Innovative legal intrapreneur. Garrigues was named most innovative law firm in Europe (outside the UK), while Abreu Advogados won in responsible business and Ecija in digital strategy, as unveiled during the ceremony held in London on Thursday evening

Abreu Advogados was the only exclusively Portuguese firm to win an award this year, securing 5th place in the FT Law Firm Index. This represents a remarkable climb of 24 places compared to 2024. The firm achieved top marks in the Innovation and People categories. Led by managing partner Inês Sequeira Mendes, Abreu also won the award for “Innovative Lawyers in Responsible Business” for its work on a solar power plant project in Guinea-Bissau.

“It is a true honour and a profound responsibility to receive these distinctions, which reflect Abreu Advogados’ vision and strategy, but above all, the outstanding work of our teams, who over the past 32 years have driven the transformation of the legal sector through investments in technology, sustainability, and innovation. Our goal has always been to create impactful solutions in highly complex projects, serving both our clients and society,” said Sequeira Mendes.

Abreu Advogados acted pro bono for TESE, a Portuguese NGO working across energy, water, waste management, employment, and capacity building. The project, financed by the European Union and the World Bank, aimed to develop solar power generation and expand access to electricity in Guinea-Bissau, specifically on Bolama Island in the Bijagós archipelago, which previously had no access to the grid. Abreu was the lead legal advisor, with partners Manuel Santos Vitor (co-head of corporate, commercial and M&A and of the Guinea-Bissau Desk) and Bruno Azevedo Rodrigues (co-head of the projects & structured finance team) leading the work, supported by the firm’s Pro Bono Committee.

Digital strategy

Ecija (Portugal and Spain) was also recognised by the FT awards, winning in the “Digital Strategy” category. “The award highlights the firm’s investment in digital transformation and its ambition to become the first “Full AI Firm” in Europe, embedding artificial intelligence throughout both its internal operations and client services”, states Ecija.

According to Fernando Antas da Cunha, managing partner of Antas da Cunha Ecija in Portugal, “this distinction confirms that we are on the right path and is a well-deserved recognition of the work carried out by a multidisciplinary Iberian team that is transforming the way law is perceived and practised.” With this award, ECIJA has secured 13th place in the FT European ranking.

On the picture, from left to right, Fernando Antas da Cunha, Alejandro Touriño (managing partner of Ecija and head of the technology law, intellectual property and innovation pratice area), and Nuno da Silva Vieira (partner and head of the TMT – Digital Ecoonomy practice area in Braga, Portugal).