The law firm PLMJ has been named Iberian Law Firm of the Year 2012 by the prestigious British publication, The Lawyer, an award that confirms PLMJ’s leading position among law firms operating in Portugal and Spain. The Iberian Law Firm of the Year 2012 award was given at The Lawyer European Awards 2012 ceremony held at the Hotel Hermitage in Monaco. PLMJ was represented by the partner who coordinates the firm’s finance and capital markets practice, Jorge Brito Pereira. The PLMJ partner emphasised that “it is the first time a Portuguese firm has achieved this distinction and this has great significance because it honours not only PLMJ, but all Portuguese lawyers. Above all, it honours those who work in the area of business law which, as these awards have shown, is practiced in Portugal with high levels of quality and sophistication”. The PLMJ board explained that “This award is dedicated to the whole of PLMJ International Legal Network which works on three three continents, including Portugal, Angola, Mozambique and China and the rest of our partners spread across the globe. It is also dedicated to all the clients who support us and place their unconditional trust in us. To be considered the best Iberian law firm by the prestigious publication The Lawyer is a reason for great pride, above all, because it is the result of and a reflection of the effort and dedication of all involved. This award has been given at the end of a year of enormous challenges which has also been a year of great international recognition that encourages us to continue along the path we have been following”. In an exceptional year, in which PLMJ has stood out on the international stage with such prestigious awards as Portuguese Law Firm of the Year, given by Chambers and Partners, as well as the distinction for innovation in the Financial Times ranking in which PLMJ feature in the 28th position among the 50 most innovative firms in Europe and 6th in the ranking for continental Europe, the award for Iberian Law Firm of the Year 2012. The Lawyers’ award for Iberian Law Firm of the Year 2012 is a source of even greater prideis a source of even greater pride. Seen as a celebration of excellence and professionalism in the practice of business law, The Lawyer European Awards, which are given annually, are an important moment for European lawyers. The winners are selected by a judging panel from the European legal world including managing partners at private practice firms and in-house counsel at multinational companies who seek to reward quality rather than quantity. Being named as Iberian Law Firm of the Year 2012 strengthens PLMJ’s leading position among the most renowned law firms in Europe and follows on from last year’s ceremony at which The Lawyer named PLMJ founding partner Luís Sáragga Leal as European Managing Partner of the Year 2011. Yet another important international recognition in a year of great challenges Alongside recognition from the Portuguese and international markets, 2012 has been a very active year for PLMJ’s lawyers. This level activity has resulted from the firm’s involvement in every one of the privatisations taking place in Portugal, but it is also the fruit of increased involvement in domestic and international arbitrations, foreign investment projects, restructuring and insolvencies and a number of M&A transactions. The year has also been marked by continued internationalisation. 2012 has also seen a consolidation of the partnerships established through PLMJ International Legal Network, which is maintaining and strengthening its presence in countries that are targets for Portuguese investors, so that we can be where or clients need us to be. These partnerships have brought new challenges in new markets, particularly in the areas of energy (oil & gas), corporate and M&A, and projects and infrastructures, and these challenges have made it possible for us to develop our talent and know how. These results are also a vote of confidence in the 200 lawyers and 100 support staff who work at PLMJ.