Head of Competition and European Law in Portugal

Bio

Mário is a Partner at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo law firm, responsible for the European and Competition Law practice in Portugal.

He has extensive experience in all areas of competition law, including restrictive practices, abuse of dominant position, merger control and State aid, representing Portuguese and international clients in matters brought before the European Commission and the Competition Authority, dealing with prominent cases before Portuguese courts, in particular, the Competition, Regulation and Supervision Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union. In the latter jurisdiction, he has represented not only private companies but also the Portuguese Government and the European Commission itself.

He is a lecturer and speaker in various training courses, seminars, and conferences – for example, participating as an NGA (Non-Governmental Advisor) in meetings of the International Competition Network – and is also the author and co-author of several specialized publications in EU Law and Competition Law.

Graduated in Law from the University of Lisbon, Mário Marques Mendes is a graduate in Advanced European Studies, EU Law, College of Europe, Bruges, Belgium (Ministry of Foreign Affairs Scholarship), and received an LL.M. from the University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor, USA (Fulbright Scholarship, William W. Cook Fellowship).

He was a founding associate – and President of the Board of Directors – of the Portuguese Competition Law Circle of Lawyers (CAPDC), and has also served as President of the General Assembly and President of the Advisory Council, of which he is still a member.

Throughout his career, Mário Marques Mendes has been recognized as a Leading Lawyer in his field, by the principal international directories of lawyers – Chambers and Partners, Legal 500 and Global Competition Review.

Membership of professional bodies and associations

Member of the Portuguese Bar Association (OA) since 1978
Vice-President of the Lisbon Council of the Portuguese Bar Association (1996-1999)
Founder and first Chairman of the Board of the Association of Portuguese Competition Lawyers – “CAPDC” (2009-2011)
Chairman of the Consultative Council and Chairman of the General Assembly of “CAPDC” (2011-2013)
Member of the International Bar Association (IBA)
Member of the Portuguese Association of European Law
Member of the official list of arbitrators of the Commercial Arbitration Centre of ACL (Lisbon Commercial Association / Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry)

Languages

Portuguese
English
French
Spanish

Acknowledgments

  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019

Chambers & Partners Europe 2023. Competition/European Law

"It is a pleasure to work with someone who understands very well how economic thinking operates in supporting the legal discussion."

Chambers & Partners Europe 2023. Competition/European Law

"He is a very experienced competition lawyer with a very solid reputation in the Portuguese market."

Chambers & Partners Europe 2023. Competition/European Law

"He is extremely prepared and has huge competition law know-how."

The Legal 500 2022. EU and Competition – Portugal

«Mário Marques Mendes, a reference in his area of expertise (Competition Law), transforms the dialogue on any subject into a topic accessible to the client without losing rigour and attention to detail.»

Chambers & Partners Europe 2022. Competition/European Law – Portugal

«is praised by clients for "giving calm and confidence to the matters at hand."»

Chambers & Partners Europe 2021. Competition/European Law – Portugal

The Legal 500. EU and competition

"We cannot fail to highlight the work of the Competition Law team, particularly Mário Marques Mendes and Alexandra Dias Henriques. In addition to the academic authority in the matters that this legal practice involves, they bring together the personal and professional characteristics that the matters require. Their attention to detail, permanent presence and availability, frank and open debate, the ability to understand the client should also be mentioned as strengths."

The Chambers Europe 2020. Competition/European Law – Portugal

"solid knowledge and experience."

Legal 500 2020. EU & Competition-Portugal

The Chambers Europe 2019. Competition/European Law – Portugal

The Legal 500 2019. EU and Competition

Leading lawyer