Chambers Europe 2022
Chambers Europe is the reference among international directories that produce rankings of law firms, for the quality of its research and the breadth of the geographies it analyses, including several practice areas in each jurisdiction.
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados is a highly respected practice noted for its outstanding regulatory advice. The firm often provides assistance to prominent financial institutions and investment funds and is well placed to assist with transactional or operational issues. It has experience in the establishment and authorisation of payment services entities.
"Interviewees outline the team's 'profound knowledge of our matters and rapid capacity to understand the client'."
"Other sources highlight the lawyers' 'attention to detail and technical knowledge'."
Manuel Magalhães
“Manuel Magalhães has notable experience in financing matters arising within the context of insolvencies of Portuguese credit institutions. 'He is a reliable and savvy lawyer', says one source.”
Paulo Câmara
“Paulo Câmara leads financial services regulatory matters both for major Portuguese banks and new entrants to the market. Clients note that 'he is very well prepared and has a good understanding of the new tendencies and trends in the financial sector'.”
Francisco Barona
“Francisco Barona demonstrates solid knowledge of corporate finance matters and debt restructuring operations. Clients enthuse: 'He is knowledgeable about the sector, diligent, experienced and a good negotiator'.”
Chambers Review:
In addition to its strong reputation for financial services regulatory work, Sérvulo & Associados has experience on the issuer side of high-value debt issuances or capital increases. The firm acts for banks, fund managers and public bodies.
"'Sérvulo & Associados is a solid and structured law firm, with great expertise and lawyers with a strong background', says one client."
"Interviewees highlight the lawyers' 'diligence, knowledge and level of service'."
Paulo Câmara
“Paulo Câmara receives praise for his 'deep knowledge of the market'. He has a superb financial services regulatory practice and has additional experience in public M&A transactions and capital increases.”
Verónica Fernández
“Highlight matters for Verónica Fernández include her advice on the issuance of notes by Portuguese regional governments. She is a key member of the team's mixed finance transactional and regulatory practice.”
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados is a recognised practice with significant activity in cross-border and domestic competition issues for private and public clients. The law firm advises on contentious proceedings, including cartel investigations, state aid matters and disputes around EU regulations. The team also provides support on merger clearance matters and assists with compliance programmes. Its client portfolio includes players from the retail, financial and pharmaceutical sectors.
"'The team gives the client close attention and is able to process huge amounts of information and complexity', says one commentator."
Miguel Gorjão-Henriques
“Miguel Gorjão-Henriques is praised by clients for his 'extensive experience and expertise of competition law', and also for his 'commercial and strategic acumen and real commitment to delivering the best advice to the client'.”
Alberto Saavedra
“Sources praise Alberto Saavedra for his 'attention to detail and commercial acumen'. His practice ranges from assisting with state aid and merger control matters to handling antitrust investigations and disputes concerning EU regulations.”
Chambers Review:
The firm offers comprehensive service in litigation and arbitration. It has acted for the insolvency estates of several Portuguese banks on cases brought by creditors. It assists banks, funds and public bodies with high-value debt recovery actions. The firm has experience in the defence of civil liability claims, including within the context of environmental disasters or medical malpractice. Criminal law is a further strength for the team, focusing on financial and corruption-related offences. It advises major domestic clients with activity in various industry sectors, including natural resources, life sciences, real estate and sport.
"Clients say that the lawyers are 'very responsive', highlighting their 'experience and great knowledge'."
"'They study the dossiers in detail and have excellent technical knowledge', says another source."
João Saúde
“João Saúde represents clients from the banking sector in insolvency-related disputes. He also handles commercial and investment treaty arbitration, while market commentators highlight his specific understanding of sports law arbitration.”
Mafalda Ferreira Santos
“Mafalda Ferreira Santos regularly advises on banking and real estate disputes, with the proven ability to assist with international matters. Clients describe her as 'exceptional' and highlight her technical ability.”
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados is a public law-focused boutique with prominent activity in the employment sphere. The law firm regularly assists with the employment aspects of transactions, restructurings and compliance procedures, offering further advice on collective bargaining agreements, the employment aspects of public service contracts, redundancy processes and employment-related litigation.
"One enthusiastic client comments that 'the team is very diversified and all of its members are very used to working on international matters, which makes it natural for them to adapt to all complex and sophisticated matters'."
"Another interviewee commends the team: 'The lawyers are open and they try to understand the business specifics'."
Mark Kirkby
“Mark Kirkby frequently advises public and private entities on the structuring and development of large-scale projects. He is regularly mandated to advise on renewable energy projects.”
Ana Luísa Guimarães
“Ana Luísa Guimarães is a frequent adviser on renewable energy matters, with considerable experience concerning both hydropower and wind farm projects. Of late her work has also had a particular focus on electric mobility issues.”
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados has a notable practice housing a first-rate life sciences team which regularly assists leading generics clients with patent infringement and invalidity disputes. The law firm also advises pharmaceutical clients on clinical trials and patient data privacy matters, as well as on legislation around the use of biological materials and human embryos. The team is experienced in trade mark registrations and domain name disputes.
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados has a notable practice housing a first-rate life sciences team which regularly assists leading generics clients with patent infringement and invalidity disputes. The law firm also advises pharmaceutical clients on clinical trials and patient data privacy matters, as well as on legislation around the use of biological materials and human embryos. The team is experienced in trade mark registrations and domain name disputes.
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados draws on its vast experience in public law to advise public entities and state-owned companies on the regulatory and contractual elements of various domestic projects. The law firm benefits from a broad industry knowledge encompassing the public infrastructure, construction and healthcare issues. The team is well placed to advise on concessions and PPPs.
"'The team I work with presents great flexibility in the methodologies presented, tailored to each client, the nature of the projects and the recommended strategy', professes an interviewee who further appreciates Sérvulo's customer-centric approach."
"Others appreciate that the lawyers are 'knowledgeable, prompt in their responses and efficient'."
Mark Kirkby
“Mark Kirkby regularly advises on tender processes, project developments and concession agreements. Clients appreciate that 'he is accessible, he demonstrates a need to understand the client and has technical knowledge'.”
Ana Luísa Guimarães
“Ana Luísa Guimarães often assists clients with the negotiation of concession agreements, as well as with regulatory matters. 'She has the ability to adapt to new industry issues and a good commercial sense', a client notes.”
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados is distinguished by its long-standing expertise in public law and is widely recognised in the market for its knowledge and experience. The team is noted for advising an impressive roster of public entities, for which it handles public procurement, PPPs, disputes and regulatory work. Its advice spans the telecommunications, health, energy, transport and defence sectors. The law firm also offers environment law expertise.
"One client remarks: 'Sérvulo & Associados has a good track record in this area, for having an impeccable reputation among Portuguese firms and for being able to provide a multidisciplinary approach'."
"Another client notes: 'The team demonstrates a superior technical knowledge'."
José Manuel Sérvulo Correia
“Founding partner José Manuel Sérvulo Correia is highly regarded by interviewees, who consider him a figure of reference in the public law sector. He is an expert in regulatory matters and arbitration proceedings.”
Rui Medeiros
“Rui Medeiros is well regarded for his experience handling regulatory proceedings in relation to PPPs, as well as complex administrative matters. 'He is very rigourous, knowledgeable and provides trustworthy advice', one client reveals.”
João Amaral e Almeida
“The 'trustworthy and reliable' João Amaral e Almeida is noted by clients for his 'high competence and solid legal knowledge'. He regularly assists with litigation proceedings concerning public tenders.”
Mark Kirkby
“Mark Kirkby has considerable experience assisting domestic and international clients from the public sector with public procurements and the amendment of concession agreements. Clients say: 'He is very well prepared technically'.”
Pedro Fernández Sánchez
“Pedro Fernández Sánchez is a solid public law adviser recognised by clients for his 'very strong skills'. He frequently represents clients before the administrative court, in addition to assisting with the regulatory aspects of public procurements.”
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados has a well-known department providing advice to clients on the litigious aspects of insolvency processes and liquidation proceedings. The law firm offers a solid bench of noted practitioners who advise both creditors and indebted financial institutions and companies from the transportation and construction sectors. The team also assists with special revitalisation proceedings, credit claims and restructuring plans.
Manuel Magalhães
“Manuel Magalhães has a broad practice that takes in large liquidation proceedings, credit claims, clawback disputes and insolvency liability litigation. He often advises banks and real estate clients.”
Mafalda Ferreira Santos
“Mafalda Ferreira Santos assists clients with contentious matters within insolvency, including pre-litigation/litigation proceedings, as well as revitalisation proceedings and credit claims. Market commentators appreciate that she is 'highly dedicated'.”
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados is an established group frequently advising clients on tax planning and tax litigation matters. It further offers experience in assisting companies with tax structuring and potential tax liabilities. The team is adept at the submission of ruling requests before the Portuguese tax authorities.
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados is an independent domestic group offering expertise in promotional campaigns and advertising matters as well as software-related issues. The law firm acts for clients from a range of industries such as life sciences technology, and food and drink. The practice offers additional strength in data protection issues and reviewing of contract terms and conditions.