Uría Menéndez turns 25 years in Portugal
From a three-lawyer start in 2001 to 106 lawyers in 2026, the firm’s Portuguese office enters a new phase under co-managing partners Marta Pontes and Antonio Villacampa, with corporate work accounting for 50% of turnover in 2025
by glória paiva
Uría Menéndez established its presence in Portugal 25 years ago, expanding its activity beyond its core markets of Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao. Over time, the firm has developed its Portuguese operations within an Iberian framework, increasing both headcount and local capabilities. From the initial team of three lawyers, the offices now comprise 106 lawyers and 40 support staff, jointly led by Antonio Villacampa and Marta Pontes, who since January has replaced Bernardo Diniz de Ayala (here the news), becoming the first woman to serve as co-managing partner at Uría in the country. Speaking to Iberian Lawyer, the two managing partners reflect on the firm’s development and its outlook for the Portuguese market.
As the Lisbon office expanded, its internal leadership structure also evolved. Marta Pontes, a tax partner, has known Uría Menéndez inside out: she started her career at the firm 22 years ago and became a partner in 2014, and has witnessed the firm’s evolution since its early years in Portugal. According to her, the Portuguese market has gained increasing significance, driven by the internationalisation of companies and Portugal’s growing role as an investment hub. “We have always considered Portugal a strategic market, and over time, that bet has proven to be correct”, says Marta Pontes.
Villacampa points to the firm’s integrated operating model as a defining feature of its presence in Portugal. He cites examples of the integrated working system between Portuguese and international teams, including a unified partners’ remuneration scheme, conflict management, and the sharing of best practices across all practice areas. “We have been fortunate to carry out major transactions in Portugal and have never been perceived merely as a Spanish office, but rather as an international one”, he observes.
Over a quarter of a century, the client profile has evolved in Portugal: “Clients have become more sophisticated and international, operating to the same high standards as those in major global markets”, says Marta Pontes.
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