A lawyer first: José Luís Arnaut
The managing partner at CMS Portugal reflects on his years ahead of the law firm, the evolution of intellectual property, and the impact of AI
by glória paiva
I arrived early at the historic building at 50 Rua Castilho, in Lisbon, headquarters of CMS Portugal, and it was just as well. The interview with José Luís Arnaut started immediately: an unforeseen commitment would shorten our time. The mobile phone on the table reflected the intensity of his schedule — “if they call me, I’ll have to run”, he warned.
Arnaut, former Portuguese minister and chairman of parliamentary committees, is chairman of ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal, a board member of companies such as REN and Goldman Sachs, and has led CMS Portugal for a decade and a half. His continued tenure at the law firm for another three years was confirmed at the latest partners’ meeting on 30 January, with the election of a renewed executive board, maintaining himself, Francisco Xavier de Almeida and Susana Afonso, and welcoming Margarida Vila Franca and Nuno Alves Mansilha.
An intellectual property lawyer, he began his career in 1989 at Pena, Machete & Associados, the precursor of today’s CMS Portugal. After 12 years in public service, he returned to the firm in 2006, overseeing growth from 24 to 158 professionals and the consolidation of a multidisciplinary structure. Despite his numerous roles and commitments, Arnaut considers law his vocation. “Of all the positions I have held, I have always seen them as temporary. Law is what I am”, he told Iberian Lawyer.
What are the key lessons from your experience so far?
In every role I have held, there has been one constant: I am a lawyer. In other roles — as a minister and member of the Parliament — I was there temporarily, but I am, and have always been, a lawyer. When I left public life, I realised that it’s not proper to combine both. I clearly chose the legal profession.
Do you still find time to practice law, or do other duties take over?
As with doctors, lawyers cannot lose their touch. If we stop working on cases, we lose accuracy, knowle – dge, and even enjoyment. Today, I am less directly involved in intellectual property and more in corpo – rate, M&A, and client advisory work, in addition to my roles as managing partner and member of the CMS executive committee.
How have these other roles informed your daily practice?
My experience in government and years on Goldman Sachs’ advisory board have given me a broad perspective on the business and institutional world. As chairman of ANA,…
