Leading Portuguese law firm Miranda & Associados (Miranda) has announced the hire of prominent Lisbon finance specialist Sofia Santos Machado to the firm’s Banking, Finance and Capital Markets practice.

Formerly a partner at Abreu Advogados, Sofia’s practice focus has been on complex financial transactions, including derivatives, and in which respect she has been involved in some of Portugal’s most significant deals.

Sofia has been ranked in the leading international directories including Chambers and Partners and Legal 500.

She holds a postgraduate degree in Capital Markets, Institutions and Financial Products and a LLM in Banking and Financial Law from King's College, University of London.

According to Diogo Xavier da Cunha, Managing Partner of Miranda, "Sofia’s arrival is positive evidence of the firm’s strategy to grow and deepen our banking and finance and capital markets capabilities, which will greatly benefit from the more than two decades’ senior experience in complex transactions that she brings. She adds new insight and strong ties with some of the leading financial institutions active in Portugal and certainly boosts the firm’s capabilities".

For Sofia Santos Machado, the decision to join the firm is largely driven by the prospect of new opportunities, "Miranda offers its clients a unique platform and is considered a reference in both the Portuguese and wider international market for cross-border transactions, particularly extending to sub-Saharan Africa and the Emerging Markets. I was flattered by the invitation to join the firm which offers the prospect of greater and more consistent involvement in international operations".

Miranda’s Banking, Finance and Capital Markets Practice is headed by partners Mafalda Oliveira Monteiro and Nuno Cabeçadas.