Fieldfisher has hired a team of more than 50 lawyers to debut in Portugal, as the UK-founded firm continues its European buildout. 

The firm is set to open offices in Lisbon and Porto with a team of 51 lawyers and 17 business services staff who have joined from Portuguese practice André Miranda Associados (AMA). The group is led by newly appointed country managing partners André Miranda and João André Antunes. 

The launch follows Fieldfisher opening in Austria, Italy and Poland over the last two years as part of its strategy to become Europe’s leading law firm. It brings the firm’s continental European footprint to 18 offices across 10 countries, alongside bases in the UK, Ireland, China and the US. 

Robert Shooter, Fieldfisher’s managing partner, said Portugal’s openness to foreign investment and focus on innovation made it a “natural fit” for the firm. 

Fieldfisher said in a statement that Portugal offered “significant growth opportunities” in three of its key sectors, namely technology, financial institutions and energy. 

“Supported by government-backed incentives, EU recovery funding and a robust talent pool, Portugal is emerging as a hub for digital innovation, tech companies, sustainable infrastructure and green energy,” the firm said.  

“Additionally, Lisbon and Porto are gaining prominence as testbeds for fintech, health tech, cleantech and smart city solutions, while the services sector – spanning finance, telecommunications, tourism and creative industries – accounts for nearly 80% of the country’s GDP. This environment makes Portugal an increasingly attractive destination for international investment and cross-sector innovation.”

Fieldfisher Portugal will offer legal services across corporate and M&A, litigation and arbitration, real estate, public and regulatory law, tax, banking and finance and private client services. The firm also has well-established operations in Spain and said the launch would enable it to offer a cross-border service to clients operating in both markets. 

“André, João and their team bring a wealth of experience and ambition, and we look forward to supporting them in delivering exceptional service to clients across the Iberian Peninsula,” Shooter added. 

Fieldfisher also hired a large group of 25 lawyers to debut in Poland last month, having launched in Milan last year with a team recruited from its former Italian ally, and in Vienna in 2023. The firm’s Europe-focused strategy helped push its revenues up 10% to £359m in the 11 months of trading to 31 March 2024, its new year-end date. Profits per equity partner rose 4% in that time to £966k.