Inside the Deloitte Legal Telles project
Managing partner Francisco Espregueira Mendes details the strategic alignment, shared values, motivations and goals of the new firm set to launch in 2026
by glória paiva
The idea of joining Deloitte Legal and Telles arose almost informally, during a lunch on the future of law. At that meeting, António Lagartixo, CEO of Deloitte, shared with Francisco Espregueira Mendes, managing partner of Telles, and Miguel Torres, chairman, Deloitte’s vision for its legal market. Until then, Telles had followed a “stand-alone” approach, but the discussion changed that perspective. “We were surprised by Deloitte’s openness and commitment to developing a disruptive project in the national legal landscape”, Espregueira Mendes says.
From that conversation, the seed of Deloitte Legal Telles was planted, scheduled to launch in 2026 under Espregueira Mendes’ leadership. Alongside him will be Mónica Moreira, current head of Deloitte Legal, as vice-president, and Carlos Lucena, founding partner of Telles, who will support the new management.
The trio is working with the 43 partners of both firms on the project’s strategy and execution plan, completing regulatory procedures and defining aspects such as location and formal legal structure, whether a merger, formation of a new entity, or another solution. “More than the form, what matters is that this is a strategic integration project, aimed at creating a leading law firm without precedent in our jurisdiction”, states the managing partner.
The goal is to combine strengths, starting from a structure of around 240 lawyers, a network of over 5,000 clients, and significant investments in technology and artificial intelligence, offering the full range of global services alongside Deloitte’s consulting areas. In an interview with Iberian Lawyer, Espregueira Mendes discussed his leadership priorities and the strategic vision for Deloitte Legal Telles.
What are the motivations behind the alliance between Telles and Deloitte Legal?
Telles has almost 90 years of history, always guided by excellence, rigour, independence, and client proximity. We are financially solid, with highly qualified lawyers and a significant client portfolio, while keeping a “challenger” spirit. Deloitte Legal shares the same values, having originated from CTSU and been led with commitment by Mónica Moreira, whose involvement in the new project is total since the begining. We are strongly aligned strategically, as we share the same values and long-term vision, as well as a desire to do things differently and better. We are always focused on our clients, who are our main asset and the reason we exist. This move is a natural evolution. A response to the times, yes, but done our way (Deloitte, Deloitte Legal and Telles), with our identity, and with the ambition to be at the forefront of innovation and sophistication in national and international legal markets.
What does this integration bring as a differentiator?
This integration represents a unique move in the national legal landscape. For the first time,
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