News
27 January 2026
Melo Alves kicks off the New Year with strategic team expansion
Melo Alves begins the new year continuing its growth trajectory by strengthening its team with four new Lawyers. This expansion aligns with the firm’s strategy to further internationalise its operations and reinforce its core practice areas.
Joana Costa Oliveira, joining from Coelho Ribeiro & Associados, joins as an associate in the areas of criminal and administrative litigation, compliance and internal investigations, while also contributing to the Banking and Finance area. Inês Azevedo Camilo, previously with Caiado Guerreiro, strengthens as an associate in the dispute resolution area. Rita Reigadas, joining from Andersen, joins Asian Desk as a trainee lawyer.
Filipa Fonseca Santos takes on the coordination and development of the Banking and Finance practice area
With extensive experience in the financial sector, Filipa Fonseca Santos reinforces the firm's strategic focus in this area. She joins Melo Alves as Of Counsel, taking responsibility for the development and leadership of the Banking & Finance practice area in Portugal and Angola.
Filipa Fonseca Santos is qualified to practice law in Portugal and Angola. She has nearly 30 years of experience. She combines deep technical expertise with a practical and strategic approach. Throughout her career, she has worked in leading law firms with a strong presence in Lusophone Africa, including Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde, where she had the opportunity to develop a solid practice in both domestic and international projects, some of which were landmark and pioneering.
Her experience includes advising issuers, offerors, and financial intermediaries on debt issuance and privatization transactions via the capital market, as well as advising financial institutions on Angolan sovereign financing of public investment projects and on domestic and international financing, with collateral governed by Portuguese or Angolan law. She also provides ongoing legal assistance on banking and finance regulatory matters, including the insurance sector.