EY Law in Portugal: “Sky is the limit”
João Ricardo Nóbrega is the managing partner of the new firm opening its doors in Lisbon, ready to conquer a high-level market
by glória paiva
With an initial team of 23 lawyers, EY Law officially opened its doors in the iconic Allo building in Lisbon last November. Present in 150 countries as EY and in 90 jurisdictions as EY Law, the firm considered the decision to invest in the Iberian country both natural and strategic, as the legal market there is undergoing significant expansion. Among the largest law firms in markets such as Italy and Spain, EY Law now aims to explore a space with great potential for excellence-driven services. João Ricardo Nóbrega, managing partner and head of the real estate and OIC areas, left RSA, where he worked for 20 years, to lead this important transition. According to him, EY Law comes to Portugal supported by its vast global network, yet operating with a logic of independence and aiming to stand out with tier-1 quality services.
What motivated you to take on this challenge at a consultancy firm?
In recent years, I worked extensively with various Big Four firms, particularly with EY. For the services we didn’t provide, such as tax and financial advisory, we referred our clients to EY, and they also reached out to us. Then this challenge came along, and I decided to accept it— not only because of the organization itself, which had the best references in terms of culture and proximity, but also for the challenge of creating something new.
What factors influenced the decision to launch EY Law in Portugal?
On the international stage, legal services are among the service lines with the most growth potential. While some service lines aim for 5% or 10% growth, legal has a much greater margin. It was a natural decision, especially because there is significant untapped potential to explore.
What is the profile of the clients you are looking for?
The typical client profile we seek falls into two main categories: the first is those already accompanied, for instance, conducting an international-based operation in Portugal. The second includes companies seeking tier-1 service, accustomed to added value. I feel there is a gap in society—a need for the legal advisors to also serve as a source of solutions in a more integrated manner to support various aspects of business.
