João Taborda da Gama

João Taborda da Gama advises corporations and governments on public law, taxation, and regulatory strategy, focusing on matters where legal frameworks meet political decision-making and market realities. He works across highly regulated sectors — from life sciences and mobility to technology, cities, and controlled substances — where success often depends on understanding not just the rules, but the institutions and agendas behind them.

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Appointed as arbitrator in more than 90 tax and administrative cases, João is trusted to resolve disputes that demand both technical precision and an awareness of how outcomes will resonate beyond the courtroom. He is known for anticipating the ripple effects of regulatory decisions and aligning legal strategies to serve both immediate and long-term objectives.

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His public service includes roles as Secretary of State for Local Government in 2015, political advisor to the President of Portugal from 2011 to 2013, and member of the High Council of the Administrative and Tax Courts, elected by Parliament, from 2017 to 2021. He also chaired a legislative commission to propose reforms strengthening taxpayers’ rights. In 2025, the Government appointed him National Coordinator of the European Strategy to Combat Antisemitism and Promote Jewish Life in Portugal.

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Alongside his practice, João directs the Taxation postgraduate program at the Catholic University, serves on the Practice Council of NYU’s International Tax Program, and publishes widely on public law, tax, and dispute resolution — often exploring the link between legal method, policy design, and practical enforcement.

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Beyond the firm, he sits on the Business Ethics Committee of the Portuguese Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry (APIFARMA) and is a senior advisor to the Albright Stonebridge Group. João holds a JD (2000) and a master's in Public Law (2004) from the University of Lisbon.

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