Get to know Andreia de Deus Rijo, Principal Associate at Antas da Cunha ECIJA, in our “Next Generation Voices’ feature where we spotlight and get to know a young lawyer from the network.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Above all, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I also make a point of setting aside time for myself, particularly through exercise, whether that means going to the gym, doing Pilates, cycling or playing a few games of tennis, which takes me back to my school days. I believe that taking time away from the office is essential to keeping both the body active and the mind clear. It helps me maintain the energy, focus and positive outlook I need to manage a demanding workload, navigate its pressures and continue growing my practice.

What do you find most challenging about being a lawyer?

One of the greatest challenges is balancing multiple projects and client matters while also keeping up with administrative responsibilities and business development. As you progress in your career, you need to be increasingly deliberate about balancing technical excellence with the commercial side of the profession.

With a diverse client portfolio, making the most of your time while keeping your technical knowledge up to date is not always easy. In tax law, in particular, this is an ongoing challenge, as legislation and the regulatory landscape are constantly evolving.

I’m fortunate to work at a well-established and highly regarded law firm that gives us the structure and resources to manage these demands as effectively as possible. Hard work is an inherent part of the profession, particularly when you are committed to excellence and to delivering the best possible service to your clients. As my career progresses and I continue to grow my practice, learning to strike the right balance has become an increasingly important part of my daily life.

What tips or guidance would you give to new lawyers starting out?

Perseverance and a strong work ethic are, in my experience, two of the most important drivers of professional growth. It is equally important to have a sense of direction: to understand what kind of lawyer you want to become, which areas you want to specialize in and where you see yourself in the years ahead. Having clear goals for your own career progression, and working consistently towards the next step, is a great source of motivation.

Starting out in the legal profession can feel overwhelming, and the demands are considerable. Make the most of the teams you work with, the mentors you meet along the way and the opportunities your firm provides. Take the initiative whenever you can, too. Having a sense of ownership over your work and the projects you contribute to is essential to staying motivated and continuing to develop.

The early years can be demanding, but as you gain experience, build relationships with clients and develop your own portfolio, the work begins to take on a different meaning. You start to see the impact of your contribution and develop a stronger sense of purpose.

For me, enjoying what I do and remaining enthusiastic about what lies ahead have always been important goals. I’ve been fortunate to meet the right people along the way and to work at firms whose values and ambitions I identified with, where I felt motivated to contribute to building projects as though they were partly my own.

My advice would be not to lose that enthusiasm when things get difficult or the workload becomes intense. Embrace challenging projects that push you beyond your comfort zone and help you grow. At the same time, remember that billable hours are not the only measure of success. Take a broader view of your professional development and make room for your personal life, too. A healthy work-life balance is possible, and it is essential to sustaining a fulfilling career in the long term.

What does being part of an international network such as Interact Law mean to you?

For me, being part of Interact Law means having a trusted network of colleagues across different jurisdictions whom I can turn to whenever an international matter arises. Just a call or an email away, I know I can obtain initial guidance and recommend a colleague to my clients with the confidence that their interests will be looked after with the same care and commitment we provide ourselves.

The close relationships within the network make it easier to coordinate international matters and connect clients with the right professionals, often very quickly. As a tax lawyer whose practice focuses largely on international matters, I find it particularly valuable to know the people I am referring my clients to, to have worked with them and to trust both their expertise and their approach to client service. 

Ultimately, it is about more than having contacts in different countries. It is about building relationships that allow us to deliver a seamless, high-quality service to clients, wherever their needs may take them. 

What skills matter most for lawyers working with international clients?

Working with international clients requires more than technical knowledge of your own jurisdiction. It means being able to explain local rules clearly to clients from very different legal and cultural backgrounds, adapting your communication style, and coordinating advice across jurisdictions and time zones.

Availability, responsiveness and the ability to deliver clear, technically sound advice are essential. Clients increasingly value timely answers and expect their projects to keep moving forward, even when several jurisdictions or teams are involved. Being responsive while maintaining the quality of our advice is key to building lasting relationships and delivering real value. 

A collaborative mindset is equally important. Working effectively as a team, understanding the bigger picture and treating a client’s project with the same sense of ownership and commitment that we would bring to our own work can make a real difference. 

Technical excellence remains non-negotiable, of course. However, international clients often need advice that goes beyond a single area of law or jurisdiction. Having trusted colleagues across different practice areas and countries allows us to take a more comprehensive approach and provide the coordinated, practical advice that clients increasingly expect.