DLA Piper Portugal adds two of counsel for Africa
DLA Piper has expanded its Portugal team with the addition of three lawyers from RSA – Sociedade de Advogados. Pedro Gonçalves Paes and Ricardo Néry join as of counsel, while Lina Esteves joins as associate — a move aimed at deepening the firm’s capabilities in Infrastructure, Energy and Litigation, with a strategic emphasis on the African continent, states the law firm.
Pedro Gonçalves Paes brings over 25 years of professional experience, with a practice focused on cross-border transactions and projects in infrastructure, transport and natural resources, particularly in Angola, Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau. Ricardo Néry, with more than 20 years of experience, has advised on complex export-credit finance operations and the financing of major infrastructure projects, primarily in the Angolan and Mozambican markets. Lina Esteves, who joins the Litigation team, has over 15 years of experience in civil litigation, banking, insolvency and debt recovery.
Strategic focus on Africa
The appointments reflect DLA Piper’s broader strategy of expanding its footprint across the African continent, where the firm operates in 20 countries. The Portugal office serves as a key hub for coordinating international transactions involving Portuguese-speaking African markets, particularly Angola and Mozambique. All three lawyers transfer from RSA – Sociedade de Advogados
Managing Partner Nuno Azevedo Neves noted that “the new hires share the firm’s vision, culture and growth strategy, and that their experience in international Infrastructure and Energy projects strengthens the firm’s track record in sectors considered strategic both in Portugal and in the international transactions it coordinates”.
