PLMJ promotes four new partners
PLMJ has internally appointed four new partners spanning its banking & finance and capital markets, public law, EU & competition, and dispute resolution practices: André Abrantes, Carla F. Machado, Martim Valente, and Petra Carreira.
The new partners
André Abrantes joins the partnership in the Banking & Finance and Capital Markets practices, bringing over ten years of experience in corporate finance, banking regulation, capital markets, bank resolution, debt restructuring, and fintech. He advises credit institutions, international financial companies, and fintech firms on regulatory matters, M&A transactions in the financial sector, and cross-border financings. He also has experience advising investors and crypto-asset service providers, and is active as a speaker at conferences and training sessions on fintech and banking regulation.
Carla F. Machado becomes a partner in the public law practice, with 15 years of experience focused on administrative law, administrative procedure, and public procurement. She advises both public and private entities on public procurement projects, urban planning, and administrative modernisation, and has relevant experience in governmental roles. She also teaches at the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra and participates regularly in training sessions, colloquia, and publications in the field of public law.
Martim Valente is promoted to partner in the EU & Competition practice, with more than 15 years of experience in competition law matters, including anti-cartel and abuse of dominance proceedings, merger control, and compliance programmes. He advises clients across sectors including TMT, financial services, retail, consumer goods, and pharmaceuticals on regulatory and antitrust enforcement issues. He also has experience in class action defence and investigation proceedings before competition authorities, including Phase 2 proceedings, as well as in complex matters before the Portuguese Competition Authority and the Competition Court.
Petra Carreira becomes a partner in the Dispute Resolution practice, with over 12 years of experience in commercial and corporate litigation, banking and finance disputes, and private enforcement of competition law. She advises domestic and international clients across various sectors, including in collective and class actions and complex litigation. She also has international and academic experience, having worked at other firms and taught courses in economic and business law.
Managing partner commentary
Managing partner Bruno Ferreira noted that the promotion of new partners reflects consistent contribution to the firm’s growth, highlighting that the value of the firm’s project lies in how each lawyer thinks, decides, and acts — with critical thinking, autonomy, strategic vision, and a solid ethical foundation. He described André Abrantes, Carla F. Machado, Martim Valente, and Petra Carreira as clear examples of those qualities.
