Citywealth Leaders List, 60 seconds interview – Rogério Fernandes Ferreira, RFF Lawyers
This week’s 60 seconds Citywealth Leaders List interview features Rogério Fernandes Ferreira. He is the Founder and Managing Partner of RFF Lawyers, a tax law specialist certified by the Portuguese Bar Association, the Brazilian Bar Association, and the Barreau de Paris. Former State Secretary for Fiscal Affairs, invited professor of Tax Litigation, International Taxation and Private Wealth Law at Universidade de Lisboa and Universidade Católica Portuguesa, President of the Portuguese branches of the International Fiscal Association and the Instituto Latinoamericano de Derecho Tributario and Arbitrator of the administrative and tax arbitration centre.
Tell Citywealth readers a bit about your role.
As founder and managing partner of RFF Lawyers, I lead a multidisciplinary team focused on international and corporate tax advisory, tax litigation, corporate and M&A transactions, investment structuring, immigration, wealth planning, and private client services. My role combines leadership, client relationship management, and the development of innovative legal solutions for both national and international companies, high-net-worth individuals, families, and investors.
What does a typical day look like for you?
My day usually starts with reviewing ongoing client matters and discussing priorities with our partners and senior teams. From there, I move between advising international clients, participating in tax and investment structuring discussions, supporting business development initiatives, mentoring our lawyers, and representing clients before tax and arbitral courts.
Tell us about some recent, interesting client instructions/requests you have received.
One particularly memorable matter involved assisting a couple who were got married online (by Teams) while living in two different countries. We participated remotely in the process to help them complete the necessary legal steps so they could relocate together to Portugal. At the other end of the spectrum, we were recently asked to act as international tax experts in a multi-billion-euro international arbitration involving different jurisdictions.
What challenges do your clients face and how are you helping your clients to overcome them?
Many of our clients are navigating geopolitical uncertainty, changing tax frameworks, and increasing regulatory complexity while seeking stability for their families, businesses, and investments. Our role is to simplify that complexity, provide clear and practical advice, and create tailored solutions that protect wealth, ensure compliance, and support our clients’ long-term objectives.
What is your proudest professional achievement?
Founding and building RFF Lawyers into a recognized practice across the Portuguese-speaking world and establishing it as Portugal’s first and largest tax and business law boutique is undoubtedly my proudest professional achievement. What makes me most proud is not simply the firm’s growth, but the trust that our team has earned from clients, colleagues, and peers. Creating a culture based on integrity, hard work, and genuine client commitment remains one of my greatest professional satisfactions.
What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?
A leader must combine integrity, resilience, accountability, and empathy. The best leaders lead by example and strive to put themselves in other people’s shoes. They inspire confidence through their actions and earn trust through consistency.
Who do you most admire and why?
I admire Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. They demonstrated extraordinary courage, resilience, and conviction. Their ability to inspire people, overcome adversity, and create positive change in History – continues to be a source of inspiration to all of us.
Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?
My most recent leisure trip was to Vienna, a city that perfectly combines history, culture, and elegance. I particularly enjoyed its musical heritage and relaxed atmosphere. For work, I just travelled to Madrid to speak about Portugal as a gateway to Europe at an International Tax Planning conference.
If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?
I would probably be dedicating more time to sports and social activities, and, most importantly, to my family. Spending quality time with my wife, my children, my mother, and my sisters matters the most to me. Whatever profession I might have chosen, I believe it would still involve helping people, building relationships, and contributing to my community.
How do you relax after a long day?
I relax when I know that the day’s priorities have been completed and everything is organized for the day ahead. That allows me to focus on what truly matters outside the office and to enjoy quality time with my family and friends.
Key Takeaways
- Rogério Fernandes Ferreira is the Founder and Managing Partner at RFF Lawyers, with expertise in tax, social security, and insurance law.
- He leads a multidisciplinary team, focusing on international tax advisory, investment structuring, and client relationship management.
- Recent notable cases include assisting an international couple with their marriage and acting as tax experts in a high-profile arbitration.
- Ferreira emphasises integrity, resilience, and empathy as key attributes for effective leadership.
- He balances his professional life with family time and enjoys travelling for both work and leisure.
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