Martínez-Echevarría’s Portugal way
The firm strengthens its Iberian platform with a new base in Carvoeiro and a coordinated Portugal–Spain model, Ignacio Cacho Tienza tells Iberian Lawyer
by glória paiva
Martínez-Echevarría, one of the Spanish law firms active in Portugal, has inaugurated its seventh office in the country, Iberian Lawyer can exclusively reveal. Already present in Porto, Lisbon–Estoril, Lagos, Albufeira, Quinta do Lago and Vilamoura, the firm opened a new office in Carvoeiro, in the Algarve, in April. The move reflects the expansion of its activity in Portugal, where it has been operating for more than two decades.
With around 40 professionals, the Portuguese operation and all local offices are coordinated by Ignacio Cacho Tienza, partner at Martínez-Echevarría since 2024 and head of the firm’s activity in Portugal. Specialised in real estate and finance, he has been advising international investors on cross-border transactions across the Iberian Peninsula. Prior to joining the firm, he worked at law firms such as Clifford Chance, DLA Piper and Watson Farley & Williams, where he focused on high-value real estate transactions, finance deals and energy and infrastructure projects. He also worked in London. His arrival at the firm coincided with an important moment for its Portuguese strategy.
“Since 2024, one of the main objectives has been to strengthen our structure and continue consolidating our position in the Portuguese market, keeping pace with the country’s economic dynamism and the growing inflow of international investment. Today, we operate as a fully integrated network across our offices, with a strong focus on delivering coordinated cross-border advice”, Ignacio Cacho Tienza told Iberian Lawyer.
The firm’s decision to invest in Portugal emerged almost naturally, he adds, as clients increasingly began to view Portugal and Spain as a single, integrated economic space. “More and more, clients are looking for legal advice grounded in a deep understanding of both markets and their regulatory, tax and business specificities,” explains Cacho. It is no coincidence that international clients account for 80–90% of the firm’s work in Portugal. In recent years, the country has demonstrated a strong capacity to attract foreign capital, particularly in sectors such as real estate, energy, technology and projects linked to innovation and internationalisation. This trend, the partner notes, reinforces the importance…
