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 António Payan Martins
Partner

Lawyer

António Payan Martins

Languages
  • Portuguese
  • English
  • Spanish
  • French
Social media

António Payan Martins heads the Banking & Finance practice of CMS in Portugal and is one of the most regarded specialists in distressed assets and special situations in Portugal.

With over 25 years of experience, he focuses mainly in banking and finance law, in particular in corporate & acquisition finance, equity capital markets, project and infrastructure finance, real estate finance and structured products.

He is one of the Portugal leading experts in special situations, restructurings, turnarounds, and transactions involving distressed assets and non-performing loans, including corporate and financial restructuring, distressed M&A, NPLs and portfolio transactions .

He has also extensive experience advising on complex transactions involving Portuguese-speaking countries, in particular project and infrastructure finance and planning and structuring of foreign investments.

António has been individually ranked for Banking & Finance, by Chambers Global and Chambers Europe, for the past 16 years and he is recommended for Banking & Finance, Insolvency and Restructuring, Projects and Project Finance, and Capital Markets by Legal 500, 2024. Moreover, he is recognised for Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Capital Markets Law, Structured Finance Law, Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Corporate Governance and Compliance, Financial Institutions and Mergers and Acquisitions Law by Best Lawyers for the past years. He is also recognized as Highly Regarded for Banking and Project Finance by IFLR 1000, 2023. In addition, he is ranked Highly Recommended for Banking & Finance and Excellent for Restructuring & Insolvency by Leaders League, 2025.

Joined CMS Portugal in 2007.

Awards & Recognitions
01
  • Quote
    He is an excellent lawyer who offers confidence to clients through his knowledge and overview of the issues.
    Chambers Global (2025)
  • Quote
    António Payan Martins is a key partner handling varied banking and finance mandates. He has experience in handling restructurings and NPL acquisitions.
    Chambers Global (2024)
  • Quote
    António Payan Martins has a lot experience and knowledge of complex finance deals, which is often hard to find outside of the main financial centres. António Payan Martins is great. Best finance lawyer in Portugal! Very complete team, with broad competences. They work very closely and are able to promote decisions and understandings very quickly.
    Legal 500 (2023)
  • Quote
    António Payan Martins can always find a creative and intelligent solution for a problem and has a lot of knowledge of what is going on in the market.
    Chambers Global (2023)
  • Quote
    António Payan Martins is a key partner handling varied banking and finance topics at CMS. He has experience in real estate financing matters, restructurings and NPL acquisitions.
    Chambers Global (2022)
  • Quote
    António Payan Martins is the head of department at the firm and key contact for clients.
    Chambers Europe (2022)

Relevant experience

  • Visiting Professor at Faculdade de Direito, Universidade Católica Portuguesa: Banking Law, Economic Law and Competition Law, 2003-present
  • Assistant Professor at Faculdade de Direito, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 1995 - 2003

Memberships & Roles

  • Member of the Portuguese Bar Association since 1997

Lectures list

  • Visiting Professor at Faculdade de Direito, Universidade Católica Portuguesa: Banking Law, Economic Law and Competition Law, 2003-present
  • Assistant Professor at Faculdade de Direito, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 1995 - 2003

 

Education

  • Law degree, Faculdade de Direito, Universidade Católica Portuguesa
  • Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Business Law, Faculdade de Direito, Universidade Católica Portuguesa