How Antas da Cunha ECIJA enhances whistleblowing practices with Whistlelink
Antas da Cunha ECIJA is an international full-service law firm that, since 2025, has positioned itself as the first Full AI Firm in Portugal, integrating Artificial Intelligence across all aspects of its activity in a transversal, strategic, and sustainable manner. With a decade of experience, it has consolidated its position as a benchmark in Portuguese legal practice, standing out for its ongoing innovation strategy.
Bringing together more than 180 professionals across the country, and with offices in Lisbon, Porto, and Braga, Antas da Cunha ECIJA is distinguished by its multidisciplinary teams and a practice focused on delivering tailored legal solutions in close collaboration with its clients. The firm’s consistent growth is reflected in the diversification of its practice areas and the international profile it has achieved.
In a context of multidimensional growth, the firm benefits from the global expansion of its group, ECIJA, now the largest Ibero-American law firm, with over 1,000 professionals in 35 offices across 18 jurisdictions. The recent strategic alliance with the Anglo-German firm Taylor Wessing has further amplified its international presence, integrating it into a network of around 3,000 professionals in more than 30 countries.
The trajectory of Antas da Cunha ECIJA continues to be defined by its commitment to proximity, excellence, and the future.
The challenge: Supporting internal integrity and external legal advisory
Law firms face specific challenges when implementing and advising on whistleblowing systems:
Regulatory compliance for law firms and clients – Antas da Cunha ECIJA needed a system compliant with Portugal’s implementation of the EU Whistleblower Protection Directive and GDPR, both for its own operations and those of its clients.
Confidentiality and professional ethics – Managing whistleblower reports while preserving legal privilege, professional secrecy, and data security presented complex legal and ethical considerations.
Client diversity and sector-specific needs – Clients across sectors require tailored whistleblowing solutions that meet both general legal standards and industry-specific compliance expectations.
Building trust internally and externally – Ensuring that both staff and client employees feel confident using the system, reassured by its confidentiality, security, and protection from retaliation or legal ambiguity.
Easier client adoption and integrated support services – By offering the platform alongside the firm’s advisory services, clients benefit from a fully integrated solution that fits seamlessly into their existing legal and compliance frameworks. This simplifies the adoption process, streamlines implementation and ongoing use, and ensures both legal and operational needs are met efficiently. It also supports clients in fostering a strong culture of compliance.
- Enhanced adaptability and future-proofing – The platform’s flexibility ensures it can evolve alongside the needs of both the firm and its clients. It offers a long-term solution capable of adapting to regulatory changes and organisational growth, making it a reliable, future-proof tool for maintaining ongoing compliance.
The Whistlelink solution: Secure and confidential reporting for legal practice and client services
Antas da Cunha ECIJA selected Whistlelink for its dual value: a secure, anonymous reporting platform for internal use, and a scalable, legally robust system to recommend and implement for clients. Features included:
✔️ GDPR-compliant, ISO-certified platform – Ensures data security and confidentiality for both firm and client use.
✔️ Voice messaging and anonymous options – Encourages reporting through flexible, accessible channels.
✔️ Customisable reporting site for clients – Allows tailoring to each client's branding, sector, and internal processes.
✔️ Secure case management – Enables structured follow-up with audit trails and role-based access, supporting both legal defensibility and compliance.
✔️ Multilingual and cross-jurisdictional features – Suitable for clients operating across multiple countries.
Implementation and results: Ensuring compliance and ethical integrity
Antas da Cunha ECIJA partnered with Whistlelink to integrate the platform both internally and as a client-facing solution. The result is a solution embedded in the firm’s compliance, advisory, and technology frameworks.
Key benefits include:
Stronger internal governance – The firm now offers its team a secure, confidential system aligned with Portugal’s whistleblowing law.
Enhanced client support – Clients benefit from an integrated legal and technical approach to whistleblowing, reducing risk and boosting compliance.
- Advisory excellence – Lawyers are equipped to advise on implementation, policy design, and legal compliance using a platform they trust and understand firsthand.
- Streamlined reporting and monitoring – The platform allows for seamless tracking of reports, ensuring timely resolution and comprehensive audit trails. This is essential for legal compliance and organisational transparency, while also delivering a more reliable and accountable whistleblowing process for both the firm and its clients.
- Improved risk management – With centralised data on whistleblowing activities, both the firm and its clients can proactively identify patterns, manage legal risks more effectively, and strenghten overall corporate governance practices.
Increased market credibility – By aligning with best-in-class compliance technology, the firm strengthens its reputation in digital law and corporate ethics.
"Whistlelink aligns with our standards for security, usability, and compliance - delivering robust and intuitive functionality, not just for us, but for our clients. It’s a trusted platform we confidently recommend and use."
— Alexandra Mota Gomes, Partner of the Criminal, Misdemeanor and Compliance practice area, Antas da Cunha ECIJA
Key takeaways: The lawyer-client perspective
Antas da Cunha ECIJA’s approach shows how law firms can leverage whistleblowing platforms both internally and in client advisory services:
✔️ Use what you recommend – First-hand experience builds credibility and insights.
✔️ Tailor for each sector – A flexible system ensures clients across industries can comply effectively.
✔️ Protect privilege and privacy – Legal frameworks must guide every step of whistleblower management.
✔️ Empower through simplicity – Accessible tools lead to better engagement, reporting, and compliance.
Do you want to learn more about Whistlelink?
Whistlelink provides secure whistleblowing solutions designed for modern organisations and legal professionals. With features like anonymous reporting, multilingual support, voice messaging, and GDPR-compliant case handling, Whistlelink is the trusted choice for law firms and their clients.
