Who we are
Born from our own collective experiences as American expats, Areia Global is dedicated to clarifying the complex regulatory landscape that shapes life abroad.
We take a focused, collaborative approach to U.S. tax and estate planning, working alongside local counterparts to address the unique challenges of cross-border living. Our guidance is tailored to the specific intersections of U.S. and Portuguese regulations, ensuring our clients receive precise, jurisdiction-specific advice.
With a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by internationally mobile Americans, we aim to bridge the gap between U.S. tax rules and the realities of living abroad. From pre-emigration tax planning to long-term estate structuring, our firm provides clear, U.S.-centric advice, while coordinating closely with local advisors to create comprehensive, compliant strategies.
Team
We have a versatile team that adapts according to the nature and complexity of the matter. Our fee structure is flexible, aligned with the value and scope of each engagement.
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Managing PartnerSasha Young da Silva is a U.S. attorney with a practice focused exclusively on tax and estate planning for American private clients living in Portugal. Born in New Orleans and raised between Aruba and Atlanta, Sasha’s global perspective is shaped by a lifetime of international living, including time in Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Mexico City, Bogota, Cartagena, Puerto la Cruz, Alexandria, and now Lisbon.
She began her legal career at White & Case and McGuireWoods, where she advised on complex project and asset finance transactions, including aircraft leasing, energy sector financing, and major infrastructure projects. She later transitioned to an in-house role at Amazon Prime Video, supporting production and licensing transactions across Latin America and advising on international tax, currency, and regulatory matters.
Sasha’s diverse background gives her a unique understanding of the challenges facing globally mobile families. She offers bespoke U.S. tax and estate planning solutions that account for the cross-border realities of American expats, with an emphasis on clarity, compliance, and long-term family security.
She holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science from California State University, Northridge. She is licensed to practice law in Florida and Washington. She speaks English, Papiamento, Spanish, and Portuguese and takes her coffee cheio com açúcar.
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Director of OperationsAlexandra serves as Director of Operations, bringing together engineering precision and an entrepreneurial background to build strong operational foundations and implement processes that drive strategic growth. She holds a degree in Industrial Engineering and is certified in both Six Sigma Green and Black Belt methodologies. She has built a dynamic career spanning the medical device industry and entrepreneurship, advancing into senior quality engineering roles while also founding and operating a full-scale commercial and retail bakery. This combination of experiences strengthened her expertise in operations, leadership and collaboration, regulatory compliance, customer experience, and reinforced her ability to manage complex systems in both corporate and consumer-facing environments. In the summer of 2024, she relocated to Lisbon, Portugal with her husband and three children.
As a self-proclaimed foodie, her favorite thing about Lisbon is the variety of different cultures you can experience all through food. One thing she wishes she had known prior to moving to Lisbon is that a humid summer in the States is vastly different than a humid winter in Portugal!
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Executive AssistantKate is an Executive Assistant at Areia Global, where she plays a critical role in supporting cross-functional legal operations and administration. She manages office operations, contract coordination, and collaboration between legal teams and external partners, ensuring seamless communication and operational efficiency across the organization.
With a degree in Early Childhood Education, Kate brings a unique perspective to her work. Her educational background has honed her organizational skills and ability to navigate complex, dynamic environments, fostering strong interpersonal relationships both within the organization and with external partners.
Originally from Seattle, Washington, Kate has called Portugal home for over seven years. This international experience has enriched her global outlook and multicultural fluency, further deepened by raising a young dual-national daughter in Lisbon. This personal journey has strengthened her sense of balance, adaptability, and resilience, both personally and professionally.
Living in Lisbon, Kate finds inspiration in the city’s unique blend of historic charm, creative energy, and vibrant local culture. She especially appreciates Portugal’s family-centered ethos, where children are warmly welcomed in every setting, from quiet cafés to bustling plazas, reflecting the country’s deep commitment to community, presence, and simple joys.
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Trainee AssociateNate is a Trainee Associate at Areia Global, providing legal research and drafting on the firm's tax and estate planning matters.
Nate is currently earning his Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Business. He received his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from New York University School of Law in 2015 has spent the large part of his career working across the spectrum of international law issues, from human rights to consumer protection to tax. He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Florida and gains professional fulfillment from helping his clients reach their personal and professional goals.
Here in Lisbon Nate's favorite thing to do is to take walks with his wife and enjoy the city's esplanadas e café.
Nate is licensed to practice in New York.