Abreu expands team as revenue hits €51M milestone

Abreu Advogados has welcomed Maria João Melícias as co-coordinator of the Competition, Regulation and European Union Practice Area. She brings with her over 20 years of diverse experience in the field, both in the public and private sectors, as a former executive board member of the Portuguese Competition Authority, référendaire at the Court of Justice of the European Union, and as a lawyer for more than a decade. Maria João Melícias coordinated the preparatory work for the most significant legislative reforms in the field of competition law in Portugal over the past decade.

The law firm also announces the promotion to partner of Ana Grosso Alves, from the Litigation & Arbitration team, Eduardo Peixoto Gomes, from Corporate, Commercial and M&A, and João Bravo da Costa, from the Angola Desk. According to the firm, expanding the team has been one of it’s main priorities in core business development areas, specially in the face of geopolitical shifts and a new European paradigm. Also the recent integrations and promotions reflect the firm’s growth: in 2024, Abreu surpassed €50 million turnover for the first time, reaching €51.2 million in revenue.

“The consolidated result continues the upward trend of recent years, thanks to our strong commitment to talent attraction, development of key business areas, and our pursuit of excellence in meeting client challenges. This result reflects investment in innovation, technology, and process improvement, as well as a focus on internationalization”, states Inês Sequeira Mendes, managing partner.

Inês Sequeira Mendes also comments Melícias’ appointment: “Maria João’s arrival ensures we are increasingly equipped to support businesses in dealing with challenges relating to Competition, EU regulation and international trade. With a solid track record and deep expertise in her field, she strengthens the technical excellence and leadership spirit that distinguish the firm, as well as our commitment to quality and innovation”.

Maria João Melícias adds: “In the current climate of unpredictability, a genuine corporate culture of competition, as a driver of innovation, resilience and sustainable competitiveness, is essential for preparing companies to face future challenges. Companies that proactively incorporate this vision into their strategy will be the most successful, gaining competitive advantages not only through superior innovation, but also by earning the trust of the market and other stakeholders, contributing to their sustainable growth”.

Results and milestones

In the last five years, Abreu Advogados has recorded 53% growth. The firm’s internationalization strategy has also yielded strong results, with international markets accounting for 45% of global revenue. According to the firm, key markets include Spain, the US, and the UK, alongside its Lusophone network in Angola, Mozambique, and Timor-Leste. Talent acquisition and retention has also grown, with a team of 371 professionals, including 237 lawyers and 46 partners.

In 2024, Abreu invested in the development and integration of cutting-edge technological tools, particularly AI. It became the first law firm in Portugal to implement Microsoft Copilot – Microsoft’s AI tool – firm-wide. According to the firm, following the partnership with Microsoft, an innovative AI portal called A: Conhecimento was created. This tool, based on the Copilot engine, was designed to improve operational efficiency and ensure faster, easier access to business-critical information and resources. Additionally, the firm expanded its regional cooperation strategy by signing a partnership protocol with Manuel Rebanda & Associados, a law firm based in Coimbra. “This agreement supports knowledge and experience exchange between both organizations”, states the firm.

The new partners

Ana Grosso Alves joined Abreu Advogados in 2022 and focuses on advising large economic groups on civil, commercial and corporate litigation. She has a particular emphasis on white-collar crime and stands out in drafting and implementing compliance programs with preventive measures. Her work is primarily in the banking, industrial, energy, and securities sectors, and she also has experience in image rights litigation involving athletes.

At Abreu since 2006, Eduardo Peixoto Gomes focuses on private equity transactions, commercial and real estate contracts, corporate restructuring, recovery and insolvency, including special revitalization processes. He frequently advises on M&A deals, corporate restructuring, board-level advisory and shareholder disputes in public companies.

João Bravo da Costa joined Abreu in 2021, working in Corporate, Commercial & M&A and Finance across multiple jurisdictions, with a strong focus on Angola. He has significant experience in large international transactions in Africa and the UAE, advising multinational clients on restructuring, M&A, international trade, foreign exchange, and contracts in finance, mining, oil & gas, infrastructure and distribution.

On the picture, from left to right: Maria João Melícias, Eduardo Peixoto Gomes, Ana Grosso Alves, João Bravo da Costa.