This year, Pérez-Llorca plans to launch its inaugural Middle Eastern branch in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant step in its global growth strategy. The office, situated within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), will be headed by Gonçalo Capela Godinho, a partner who previously chaired the firm’s Lisbon, Portugal office.
According to a statement from the firm, Godinho will spearhead the office’s setup and manage the cultivation of institutional and commercial ties within the region. He will be accompanied by two associates, who will relocate to Abu Dhabi with him.
In its statement, Pérez-Llorca noted it will be the first Ibero-American law firm with a physical location in Abu Dhabi, aiming to establish this office as a regional hub to support investors, particularly sovereign wealth funds. The firm clarified it does not plan to engage in local legal practice.
The Abu Dhabi office will focus on assisting Gulf-based investors in international projects, collaborating with Pérez-Llorca’s teams in Colombia, Mexico, Portugal, and Spain, as well as the Lusophone Africa practice based in Lisbon.
Godinho remarked, “By opening an office in Abu Dhabi, we can be closer to investors who have been playing an increasingly important role in transactions in the Iberian Peninsula, Latin America, and Portuguese-speaking Africa. This is consistent with our strategy of orderly growth and our focus on advising on complex cross-border transactions, combining client proximity with direct legal enforcement in the relevant jurisdictions.”
Pérez-Llorca initiated its international expansion in 2015 with offices in London and New York, followed by Brussels and Singapore. This expansion continued with a Mexican office in 2024 and a Colombian branch in 2025. The firm reported revenues of €165 million for 2024, a 33% increase.
In 2024, international operations contributed 20% to the firm’s total revenue. From 2015 to 2024, Pérez-Llorca’s sales grew fivefold, increasing by €133 million. Iván Delgado, the firm’s international executive partner, commented, “The firm is very proud of everything it is building internationally. It is advancing faster than expected in its strategy, and that drives it to continue growing its international presence so that it can continue to support its clients in their transactions, litigation, and regulatory matters.”