Leading Lisbon-based law firm Miranda & Associados (Miranda) has announced the election of Nuno Antunes as a partner – the first internal partner promotion since 2014.

Nuno joined Miranda in 2006 and has a practice focus on international maritime and oil and gas issues. He opened Miranda’s office in Díli, in newly independent East Timor in 2007, and launched the firm’s London office – making Miranda the first major Portuguese law firm to establish a UK presence.

Since summer 2015 he has been Co-head of the firm’s Energy and Natural Resources practice. He also heads the ‘Blue Economy’ practice, focused on business advice to clients active in the maritime and coastal economies.

Prior to joining Miranda, Nuno had both a successful naval and government advisory career. He was Legal Coordinator of the Portuguese Task Group for the Extension of the Continental Shelf (2005-06) and a member of various Portuguese delegations on maritime issues, including as a member of Portugal’s Strategic Commission for the Oceans (2003-2004).

In addition, he acted as Legal Adviser to the East Timor Government on maritime and petroleum issues in a United Nations funded initiative advising on the bilateral negotiation of maritime boundary limits with Australia (2004-2005) – critical for ensuring access to rich offshore oil and gas deposits.

Before qualifying as a lawyer Nuno served as an officer in the Portuguese Navy. He gained a first degree in Military Navy Sciences and has an MA in International Boundaries from the University of Durham (1998). He completed his PhD at Durham with a thesis on Maritime Boundary Delimitation.

Commenting on the promotion, Diogo Xavier da Cunha, Miranda’s Managing Partner, says: “Nuno is one of our brightest talents and who has rightly gained recognition within the firm and well beyond for his expertise in international maritime and oil and gas issues. During his ten years with the firm he has led a number of our key strategic initiatives, including launching our East Timor and UK offices, and spent considerable energy further developing his own expertise and that of many others within the firm. His approach embodies the cohesive philosophy of Miranda. As an example of dedication and professionalism, we unanimously believe that Nuno’s elevation to the partnership will be a great asset to the firm and our clients”.

Nuno’s promotion brings the number of partners at Miranda to 16.