PLMJ is a Portuguese law firm established in 1967. The firm has over 270 lawyers and offices in Lisbon, Porto, The Azores, Coimbra, Guimarães, Madeira and Faro.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm has a particularly strong practice in banking, M&A, capital markets and restructuring and insolvency in all of which the firm is in the top tier for Portugal. However, the firm is also very active in debt and equity capital markets and project development and finance work.

Key clients

Key clients of the firm include CPPIB Credit Investments, Davidson Kempner European Partners, Cross Ocean Partners, Barclays Bank, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Apple Pay, JP Morgan, European Investment Bank, DK Partners, Deutsche Bank AG, Lloyds Bank, Citibank, Bank of America Europe, Galp Energia, Davidson Kempner Capital Management, ENGIE, RWE AG, Eco Wave Power, Ascendi Group, Cabo Verde State and Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Portugal.

Research period review: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

During the research period the firm was active in banking, debt capital markets, M&A, project development, project finance and restructuring and insolvency.

In banking the firm has worked on a variety of loan and financing transactions for borrowers and lenders connected with banking, investment management, energy and financial services.

The capital markets team was active in debt and equity. On the debt side the team advised a mix of banks and issuers on bond issue and securitisation deals. The firm’s equity capital markets engagements included IPOs, bond and note issuances for issuers connected with banking and financial services.

In M&A the firm worked on acquisitions for buyers and sellers connected with investment management, industrials and manufacturing, energy and construction sectors.

In project development the firm worked on licensing and negotiation work for clients connected with renewables, energy financial services and oil and gas.

In project finance the firm worked on financing projects for clients related to transport, energy, banking, investment, real estate and infrastructure sectors.

In restructuring and insolvency, the firm worked on insolvency proceedings and financial restructurings for clients connected to investment funds, sports, healthcare, technology and telecommunications and financial services.

During the research period restructuring partner Joaquim Shearman de Macedo and projects partner João Marques Mendes joined the firm from CMS Rui Pena & Arnaut. However, restructuring partner Filipa Cotta left the firm for VdA.

Deal highlights: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

321Crédito €250 million securitisation of credit portfolio

Attestor Capital/Trinity Investments and Pimco/Blackrock €2 billion insolvency

BNP Paribas and CaixaBank €178 million IPO

Davidson Kempner Partners €1 billion financing

START €3.5 billion energy project development