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)