Profile

DIOGO XAVIER DA CUNHA (born in 1971) is a managing partner with Lisbon-based Portuguese law firm MIRANDA, CORREIA, AMENDOEIRA & ASSOCIADOS, with a network of associated offices in Luanda and Cabinda (Angola), Maputo (Mozambique) and S. Tomé & Príncipe. He was born in Coimbra, Portugal, where he lived and studied until 1996. He studied law in the University of Coimbra, Portugal, and the University of the Basque Country, San Sebastian, Spain, having graduated in Coimbra in 1994. His practice as a trainee lawyer took place in Coimbra during 1995 and 1996, having been admitted to the Portuguese Bar in early 1997. In 1996 he obtained a post-graduation in European Studies by the University of Coimbra.

Also in 1996, he moved to London and joined the English law firm Swycher & Co., a firm specialized in UK/Portugal cross-border transactions, where he stayed until mid-1999. In 1998, he qualified as an English Solicitor. He then returned to Portugal to join Miranda, Correia, Amendoeira & Associados, having become a partner in 2002. Currently he provides legal advice to a number of international companies doing business in Portugal, Angola, Mozambique and other Portuguese speaking African countries. Recently, he has been involved in a wide range of corporate transactions and has been advising oil, mining, energy and other international and Portuguese companies in respect of various legal issues, such as company acquisitions, international commercial arbitration, oil & gas agreements, energy law, contract and company law and, in general, foreign investment operations.

He has contributed to several publications/events, including the International Energy Law and Taxation Review, the Association Internacional des Jeunes Avocats (AIJA) and the Portuguese weekly economic newspaper Seman rio Econ¢mico. His law firm is a member of multiple international organisations, including the American Bar Association (1983), the International Bar Association (1986) and the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (1995). - (updated June 2003)