VdA reinforces its presence in Porto
A team of 13 lawyers, including 4 partners, have joined Vieira de Almeida’s office in Porto from PLMJ
The new team at VdA’s Porto office, that have joined the firm from PLMJ, will strengthen the Corporate, Employment and Tax practices. They will be led by partners Manuel Cavaleiro Brandão (pictured top left), Miguel C. Reis (pictured top right), Maria da Conceição Cabaços (pictured bottom left) and João Velez de Lima (pictured bottom right).
A spokesperson from VdA said: “This investment in the Porto market reflects VdA’s recognition of the rapid evolution in and growing sophistication of local demand, as the result of increased foreign investment in several sectors, particularly founded on innovation and entrepreneurship, factors which characterise the portfolio of clients and projects advised by VdA. The firm will continue attentive to new opportunities to reinforce its capacity in Porto. This integration is fully aligned with VdA’s culture and values, serving to consolidate its strategy of sustained growth, focused on ensuring the quality of the services provided, and reinforcing the firm’s position in Porto’s prime market.”
A spokesperson from PLMJ said: “PLMJ and partner Manuel Cavaleiro Brandão, who is 75 years old, had already lined up their departure by the end of this year, which in fact took place long after the retirement age provided for in PLMJ’s bylaws for salaried partners.”
They added: “At a time when the main challenge for large law firms is to create the conditions for a generational transition based on talent and on the creation of opportunities for career development, the departure of partners at the end of their careers is essential for the passage of testimony and recognition of the contribution of teams that are effectively on the ground. It is something that the large international offices have realised for a long time and started this process of renovation and space creation. In Portugal, this path continues to take a long time in the sector, but PLMJ began this essential reflection confidently and determinedly. A 50-year history is made with gratitude to the founders, the generations that have followed them and the commitment to what will follow, allowing them to have a career full of professional fulfilment like those who preceded them. Movements out of line with this trend, end up being somewhat contradictory, for those who already work in organisations and for their peers in the market.”
