With an in-depth knowledge of the various areas of European Union Law, Competition Law and issues related to the European Convention on Human Rights and the protection of Fundamental Rights, Cruz Vilaça has continually contributed to further the development of European Union Law and Competition Law.
Managing Partner
José Luís da Cruz Vilaça has a thorough knowledge of the various areas of European Union Law, Competition Law and issues related to the European Convention on Human Rights and the protection of Fundamental Rights.
Cruz Vilaça was one of the first Portuguese jurists and scholars to study these subjects when preparing his doctorate degree at the University of Paris I, between 1975 and 1978.
As Secretary of State for European Integration, in 1981/82, he led the accession negotiations to the European Communities (ECs), and, for the past 35 years, his entire professional and academic career has been under the aegis of European Integration, European Law, and Competition Law.
Following Portugal's accession to the EC in January 1986, Cruz Vilaça served as Advocate General and later, between 2012 and 2018, as Judge at the Court of Justice of the European Union, where he was elected President of Chamber in 2015. From 1989 to 1995, he presided, first by unanimous decision of the governments of the Member States, and then by election of his peers, to the newly established Court of First Instance of the European Communities.
Cruz Vilaça left his latest post after six years, in order to devote himself to practicing law, an activity he has been dedicated to in his areas of expertise for nearly 18 years.
As a lawyer and jurisconsult, he has provided legal advice to citizens, associations and companies, including the largest ones on a European and global scale, in complex business operations and transactions in various sectors of the economy, and has represented them in cases before the European Commission, the Court of Justice and the General Court of the European Union, the European Court of Human Rights, the Portuguese Competition Authority, and the Portuguese courts.
As an arbitrator or expert witness, Cruz Vilaça has participated in important arbitration proceedings, both at national and international level. Has chaired arbitration and conciliation committees at the EIB-European Investment Bank, and has carried out various institutional cooperation missions in Latin American countries and in the Andean Community, at the request of the European Commission, whose Disciplinary Board he chaired for 4 years.
As a researcher, a professor, an author of numerous publications and conferences, as well as through the various institutions, associations and study groups to which he belongs or has managed, Cruz Vilaça has continually contributed to foster knowledge and the development of European Union Law and Competition Law, as well as the strengthening of judicial protection of individual rights, and the consolidation of the European Union as a legal order characterized by the strict observance of the rule of law.
As part of his public service activities, in addition to the positions he has held in the European Union, in international cooperation, in regional development and in the political sphere, in 2002/03 Cruz Vilaça was responsible for preparing the reform of Competition Law in Portugal, including reviewing the draft competition law and the creation of the Competition Authority. As President of the International Federation of European Law (FIDE), in May 2018 he led the team that organized the XXVIII FIDE Congress, in Estoril.
Member of the Portuguese Bar Association since 1969, having been recognized as a specialist in European and Competition Law.
President of the International Federation of European Law (FIDE) (2016-2018).
President of the Portuguese Association of European Law (APDE) (2006-2018).
President of the Portuguese Association of Energy Law (2019).
Member of the Board of Directors of the Portuguese Institute for Strategic and International Studies (IEEI) for about 25 years.
Founding member of the Círculo dos Advogados Portugueses de Direito da Concorrência (Association of Portuguese Competition Lawyers).
Partner - Head of the European and Competition Law Practice Department at the law firm PLMJ (1996-2012).
Judge of the Court of Justice of the European Union (2012-2018).
President of the Court of First Instance of the European Communities (1989-1995).
Advocate General at the Court of Justice of the European Communities (1986-1988).
Professor at the University of Coimbra, the Portuguese Catholic University, and the Nova University of Lisbon.
Member of the General Council of the Nova University of Lisbon (2012-2016), and of the Board of Trustees of the Nova University Foundation (since 2017).
Professor and Director of the Institute of European Studies of the Lusíada University of Lisbon (1986-2000).
Member of the Working Group on the Future of the European Communities Judicial System - “Due Group” (2000).
Chairman of the Competition Law Review Committee (2002-03).
Chairman of the Disciplinary Board of the European Commission (2003-2007).
Consultant to the Central Region Coordination Commission (CCRC) (1977-80, 1983-86), to the European Commission (1995-98), and to the European Investment Bank (EIB)(2004-2008).
Institutional cooperation missions in South America (European Commission), in Guinea-Bissau (Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation), in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Tunisia and Egypt (Portuguese Institute for Strategic and International Studies (IEEI) and European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS)).
Member of the Portuguese Parliament (1980 and 1983-1986).
State Secretary for European Integration (1981-1982).
State Secretary for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (1981).
State Secretary for Home Affairs (1980).
Compulsory military service in the Portuguese Navy - Head of the Justice Department (1969-1972).
Grã-Cruz da Ordem do Infante D. Henrique; Gran-Croce dell'Ordine di Merito della Republica Italiana; Grand-Croix de l'Ordre Grand-Ducal de la Couronne de Chêne; Officier de la Legion d'Honneur.
Fellow, St. Antony’s College, Oxford (1984-1985), and Fordham School of Law, NY (2002-2004).
Doctor of International Economics, University of Paris I - Panthéon Sorbonne (1978).
Master in Economic Political Science, University of Coimbra (1968).
Degree in Law, School of Law of the University of Coimbra (1966).
Portuguese (mother tongue), French (bilingual), Spanish (fluent), English (fluent), Italian (reasonable), German (basic knowledge).
Selected publications since 2000:
José Luís da Cruz Vilaça regularly intervenes in courses and conferences in different countries.