Global annual report
outbound investment has reduced significantly .
Nuno Pena , founding partner at CMS Rui Pena & Arnaut , says that the levels of interaction within the CMS network have increased . “ The interaction is reaching a new level ,” he adds . “ We have developed joint teams – we ’ re very active in the aviation sector in Western Europe on a Portuguese-oriented project .” Pena says that the collapse of Banco Espírito Santo means that a lot of Portuguese lawyers are experienced in bank resolution matters and that this expertise is “ sought by colleagues in other jurisdictions ”.
Though Africa is still a significant source of work for Portuguese firms , Pena says it can be sometimes difficult to “ take money out due to the current transfer restrictions in some countries ”. In addition , there is also a lot of outward investment from Brazil and this represents
What is your firm ´ s business model for meeting the international requirements of clients ?
“ We are an independent firm with offices in Spain and Portugal . In other jurisdictions we work with local firms that we know and trust . We are able to , and do , manage multijurisdictional projects for clients . We are a member of Club de Abogados and Interlaw , among others .” Fernando de las Cuevas , partner , Gómez-Acebo & Pombo Abogados
“ Our alliances with European law firms are combined with our ‘ best friend ’ collaboration relationships with law firms that are highly specialised in narrow areas , such as shipping , mining or healthcare ( mainly local boutiques ).” Antonio García , partner , Lener
“ Our law firm has established a long term partnership with McDermott , Will & Emery , an important law firm with a strong trade practice and a presence in many different countries . Together we have created a Cuban desk in order to provide American , Spanish and European clients with legal advice on Cuba-related matters .” Ignacio Aparicio Ramos , partner , Olleros Abogados
“ We are a boutique firm with a single office in Madrid . As such , opening offices in foreign jurisdictions is not on our radar . Instead , we have always valued strong relationships with international firms . Working on a formalised ‘ best friends ’ basis – which smacks of exclusivity – is something we have always tended to avoid , preferring to maintain full freedom to find the best fit for our clients ’ particular needs , just as we expect our ‘ good friends ’ to do with theirs . For this reason we have always avoided joining international networks .” Clifford Hendel , partner , Araoz & Rueda
“ Our strategy does not currently include plans to open offices in foreign jurisdictions . We try to identify , in each major jurisdiction our clients are interested in , two or three firms that fit our profile and requirements . We try to develop a strong relationship with those firms that allows us to offer our clients a level of service and commitment equal to that which we offer in Spain .” Diego Lozano , partner , Ramón y Cajal Abogados
“ AVM not only has presence in different jurisdictions , with local offices in Angola and Mozambique , but it is also a member of some keys networks such as World Services Group and GGI . With respect to partnerships , AVM has strong relationships with several international law firms , based in either London , South Africa or Spain .” José Alves do Carmo , partner , AVM Advogados
“ Opening offices in foreign jurisdictions in not a realistic approach for us , considering our dimension . We invest a lot in the strengthening of solid networks and ‘ best friends ’ relations with reputed local firms that provide the excellent service levels our clients are used to , as well as having the ability to work on international projects in accordance with the best practices . This means , for example , having an active role in the management of the networks and participating in several practice groups at an international level .” Pedro Pinto , partner , Pbbr
“ We maintain a network of international and institutional relationships with local lawyers in other jurisdictions , namely in Brazil ( São Paulo and Belo Horizonte ), Angola ( Luanda ), Mozambique ( Maputo ), the Cape Verde Islands ( Praia ), Macao , East Timor ( Dili ), S . Tomé and Principe ( São Tomé ) and in China ( Pequim , Xangai , Shengdu and Shenzhen ).” Rogério M . Fernandes Ferreira , founding partner , RFF & Associados
“ We have opened offices in foreign jurisdictions including Algeria and Dubai , while also operating a ‘ best friends ’ network in other countries and dedicated ‘ desks ’ within the firm with a focus on the Caspian region , Middle East , China and Latin America . As we have been present in Cuba for 20 years , the Cuban government granted us an official collaboration with a Cuban law firm that allows us to provide expert advice to clients on matters of Cuban law .” José María Viñals Camallonga , partner , Lupicinio International Law Firm
“ We are co-founder of Marcalliance , an international network for global law and tax practices . We have also been creating over the years a chain of ‘ best friends ’ relationships , which allow us to provide clients with legal assistance on a worldwide basis . Furthermore , we have created foreign desks ( Chinese , Latin-American , French and German ) specifically prepared to provide services in relation to those jurisdictions .” Carlos Lucena , managing partner , Telles de Abreu Advogados
“ We believe that it is vitally important to offer customers authenticity . In this regard , our corporate social responsibility initiatives are designed to make a real impact on society . Moreover , as it has been stated , our employees , consumers and other stakeholders expect our firm to be fully and authentically committed to making a better society – for example , transparency in our mission and commitment towards social issues are key . As is the idea that our people – consumers , employees and the community where we operate must always be at the centre of our business .” Miguel Linares Polaino , founding partner , Linares Abogados
34 • IBERIAN LAWYER • July / August 2016 www . iberianlawyer . com