Partner

Litigation & Arbitration

Rita Cruz

Know More

Info

With a well-established career in Civil and Corporate Litigation, Arbitration, Restructuring, and Insurance, Rita brings nearly three decades of practical experience combined with strong academic grounding.

She is recognised for her strategic approach and refusal to adopt standardised solutions, having represented national and international clients in highly complex disputes, always maintaining a practical perspective on legal advisory work.

Throughout her career, Rita has led demanding proceedings across a wide range of civil litigation matters—from contractual and extra-contractual liability to corporate and commercial disputes—as well as national and international arbitrations. She frequently coordinates multidisciplinary teams and defines procedural strategies.

Rita also has extensive experience in collective actions in competition and consumer law, handling legally complex cases where technical precision, institutional sensitivity, and reputational risk management are key. Her work in these contexts reflects a broad understanding of the challenges faced by companies and organisations, along with the ability to adapt to different forums and regulatory environments.

Academic Training

— Master’s Degree in Business Law, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisbon (2003)

— Law Degree, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisbon (1994)

Career Path

Rita has been a Partner at CCA since 1997 and is one of its founding partners.

She is also a Lecturer at the Faculty of Law of Universidade Católica Portuguesa – Lisbon School, where she has taught since 1996, contributing to undergraduate, master's, and postgraduate programmes. Rita has also served on the Faculty’s Board.

Over the course of her career, she was Legal Adviser to the Secretary of State of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (1994–1995) and a Member of the Lisbon District Council of the Portuguese Bar Association (2008–2010).

Rita currently serves as a Member of the Supervisory Board of the Concórdia Arbitration Centre, where she is also listed as an arbitrator, and is a Board Member of the Litigation Lawyers Circle.

Associations

— Member of the Litigation Lawyers’ Circle (Círculo de Advogados de Contencioso)
— Member of the International Bar Association (IBA)
— Member of the Portuguese Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados)

Acknowledgements

Chambers and Partners Europe - Portugal

Rita Cruz, Band 4, Dispute Resolution, 2025

Leaders League

Highly Recommended, Civil and Commercial Litigation, 2025

Best Lawyers

Beyond Law

Whenever she can she goes to work by bike and doesn't obviate her paddling time.

rc@cca.law

Linkedin
vCard