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Mariana Norton
Partner - Co-Head of Corporate (M&A) Portugal - Cuatrecasas
Professional Background
Mariana Norton is a highly skilled attorney with a profound expertise in both Portuguese and Spanish law, specializing in cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A) as well as private equity transactions. Throughout her illustrious career, Mariana has built a solid reputation for her ability to navigate complex legal landscapes, particularly when it comes to cross-border transactions involving privately owned companies and assets. Her practice prominently focuses on representing private equity investors during their investment and divestment phases, ensuring that her clients achieve optimal results through careful legal guidance and strategic insights.
Mariana's legal prowess includes a wealth of experience in numerous industry sectors, having successfully completed significant transactions in infrastructure, energy, retail, healthcare, and financial services in both Spain and Portugal. Her extensive background in these sectors has honed her ability to provide nuanced legal advice tailored to the unique challenges posed by each industry. Her dedication to her clients and ability to lead negotiations has earned her recognition as a go-to legal expert in the field, where she consistently advocates for strategic investors navigating the complexities of international acquisitions and sales.
Education and Achievements
Mariana's educational journey showcases her commitment to excellence in law. She holds an LL.M in Advanced Corporate Law & Securities from Columbia University School of Law, where she developed a comprehensive understanding of corporate regulations and the complexities of securities law. Prior to this, she earned her Bachelor of Laws from Faculdade de Direito da Universidade de Lisboa, laying a robust foundation for her future legal career.
In addition to her formal education, Mariana has participated in the Programa Promociona: Programa Ejecutivo de Mujeres en la Alta Dirección, an executive education program at ESADE Business & Law School focused on empowering women in leadership roles within legal and corporate environments. This experience not only bolstered her leadership skills but also enhanced her commitment to promoting gender equity in the legal profession.
Mariana's outstanding contributions to the field have not gone unnoticed. She has been regularly recognized by esteemed legal directories such as Chambers Europe, Chambers Global, Legal 500, IFLR1000, Leaders League, and Best Lawyers, highlighting her expertise in Corporate M&A, Private Equity, Governance & Compliance, and Energy law. In 2013, she was honored with the prestigious '40 under 40' award by Iberian Lawyer, celebrating her as one of the top 40 lawyers under the age of 40 on the Iberian Peninsula—a commendation that reflects her rising prominence in the legal community. Moreover, in 2015, she was distinguished by Expansión as one of the most active M&A lawyers in Spain, as measured by the sheer volume of deals she has navigated. Further acknowledgment of her remarkable career was evident when she was included in the Iberian Lawyer's InspiraLAw list of the top 50 women in the legal sector for both 2017 and 2018.
Professional Memberships and Engagements
Mariana is profoundly engaged in the legal community and believes in the importance of supporting and empowering women within the law. She serves as the Membership Officer of the IBA Women Lawyers' Committee at the International Bar Association, where she is involved in initiatives that advocate for greater representation and recognition of women in the legal profession. This role not only allows her to influence positive change but also connects her with other legal professionals dedicated to similar causes.
Before her current successes, Mariana held various positions, including Partner/Socio at Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira and Associate Lawyer at Gonçalves Pereira, Castelo Branco & Associados - Sociedade de Advogados. Her extensive experience at these prestigious firms has shaped her into a respected leader in her field, providing insight and mentorship to junior lawyers and reinforcing her commitment to excellence in legal service delivery.
Achievements
- Recognized in various esteemed legal directories (Chambers Europe, Chambers Global, Legal 500, IFLR1000, Leaders League, Best Lawyers) for her expertise in Corporate M&A, Private Equity, Governance & Compliance, and Energy.
- Awarded the '40 under 40' accolade by Iberian Lawyer (2013) for being one of the top young lawyers in the Iberian Peninsula.
- Noted by Expansión as one of the most active M&A lawyers in Spain (2015).
- Included in Iberian Lawyer's InspiraLAw list of top 50 women in the legal sector (2017, 2018).
