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Raquel Freitas
Senior Counsel

Raquel Freitas

Joined PLMJ in 2019.
Senior counsel in the Public Law practice.

 

About Raquel

Raquel is a senior counsel in the Public Law practice and has more than 30 years' experience.

She focuses on administrative law, particularly environmental law and public procurement, and advises Portuguese and international clients across a range of sectors, including pulp and paper, packaging, healthcare, chemicals and contract catering. She also has extensive experience advising on environmental matters relating to the energy sector.

Raquel has completed postgraduate courses in European studies at the Institut des Hautes Études Européennes, Université Robert Schuman (Strasbourg), in The New Public Contracts Code at Católica Porto School of Law, and in public regulation and competition at the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra. She has also completed a number of other specialist courses.

Since 2011, Raquel has been a lecturer at the Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences of the University of Porto, teaching on undergraduate and master's programmes in public procurement. She also teaches a seminar entitled Introduction to Environmental Law at Católica Porto School of Law.

Before joining PLMJ, she was a lawyer in the Public Law practice at Cuatrecasas.

Contacts

Office: Porto
(+351) 226 074 700*
raquel.freitas@plmj.pt

*National landlines call

Languages:
English

Academic Background

  • Law degree from Católica Porto School of Law, 1993.
  • Admitted to the Portuguese Bar Association, 19972023-1997
  • Postgraduate course in European Studies at the Institut des Hautes Études Européenne - Université Robert Schuman, Strasbourg, 1994
  • Postgraduate course on The New Public Procurement Code at Católica Porto School of Law, 2009
  • Specialisation course in public procurement and the evaluation of proposals in tender processes at the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra (CEDIPRE), 2009
  • Postgraduate course in public regulation and competition at the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra (CEDIPRE), 2010
  • Specialisation course on the municipal business sector at the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra (CEDIPRE), 2010
  • Short course on concessions and public-private partnerships at Católica Porto School of Law, 2011
  • Specialisation course in environmental law, spatial planning and urban development at the Centre for Spatial Planning and Urban Development Law, 2016

Professional Background

  • Managing associate at PLMJ since 2019
  • Senior associate at Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira (Porto), until 2019
  • Lecturer for Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira at Católica Porto School of Law on Introduction to Environmental Law as part of the Public Law programme, since 2017
  • Lecturer for Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira at Católica Porto School of Law on Public Procurement and Protective Measures in Administrative Litigation, between 2008 and 2016
  • Lecturer at the Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences of the University of Porto on undergraduate and master's programmes in public procurement, since 2011
  • Legal adviser at Civibral – Sistemas de Construção, S.A., 2005

The Legal 500

2026 - Raquel Freitas, Leading Associates | Public Law
2026 - Raquel Freitas, Leading Associates | Oporto Market
2025 - Raquel Freitas, Leading Associates | Oporto Market
2025 - Raquel Freitas, Leading Associates | Public Law
2024 - Raquel Freitas, Rising Stars | Oporto Market
2023 - Raquel Freitas | Public Law
2023 - Raquel Freitas, Rising stars | Oporto Market
2022 - Raquel Freitas | Planning Law
2022 - Raquel Freitas | Public Law
2022 - Raquel Freitas | Oporto Market
2021 - Raquel Freitas | Projects and Project Finance

Chambers Europe

2026 - Raquel Freitas, Band 4 | Public & Administrative Law

"She stands out for her quality of service, extensive knowledge, high availability, proactive solution seeking and complete client trust."

2026 - Raquel Freitas, Público - Band 3 | Porto

"Raquel Freitas distinguishes herself through a combination of in-depth legal knowledge, solid practical experience, technical rigour, analytical skills and a strategic approach."

2025 - Raquel Freitas, Public Law - Band 3 | Porto
2025 - Raquel Freitas | Public & Administrative Law
2024 - Raquel Freitas | Public & Administrative Law
2024 - Raquel Freitas, Public Law – Band 3 | Porto
2023 - Raquel Freitas, Public Law - Associates to Watch | Porto
2022 - Raquel Freitas, Public law - Associates to Watch | Porto
2021 - Raquel Freitas, Public Law - Associate to Watch | Porto

Other Awards

2026 - Raquel Freitas, Environment Lawyer of the Year | Women in Business Law
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