Partner Francisco Cunha Ferreira leaves Uría Menéndez

Francisco Cunha Ferreira, a partner at Uría Menéndez in Portugal, is leaving the firm after 19 years.

Ferreira, whose professional practice focuses on real estate law, corporate law, acquisition financing, and restructuring operations, joined the Lisbon office of Uría Menéndez in 2005 and became a partner in 2017. He led the São Paulo office in 2017 and 2018. Between April and July 2009, he worked at Uría Menéndez’s Madrid office. From September 2013 to March 2014, he practiced as an International Associate at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in New York.

In a LinkedIn message, Ferreira reflected on his decision, quoting a well-known passage from the Book of Ecclesiastes: “As the Book of Ecclesiastes wisely teaches us, there is a time for everything in life: a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to embrace and a time to let go.” Ferreira continued: “Throughout these almost two decades, I have embraced the ‘time of being part of Uría.’ I am grateful and proud of the exceptional years I have spent at this firm, evolving from a trainee lawyer to a partner. It has been a privilege to work alongside outstanding lawyers, and serving this institution and its clients has been an honour.”

While acknowledging the difficulty of the decision, Ferreira expressed confidence and excitement for the future: “I believe this is the right moment for a change in my professional career. This ‘new time’ is still being considered and planned, and I will approach it with enthusiasm and confidence.”

“It has been a privilege to have Francisco on our team and, although we regret his departure, we deeply respect his decision. We are very grateful for his dedication and the excellent professional and personal qualities he has always shown. Uría Menéndez will always be his home and we wish him all the best for the future”, commented Uría Menéndez to Iberian Lawyer.