Chambers Europe 2025
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.
Strengths:
"The team offer fast and concrete responses, responding to customer needs."
"The team are very responsive, with sufficient and adequate expertise. The lawyers are solution-driven."
"They have technical competence and a pragmatic approach to complex regulatory issues. The team have a deep knowledge of the regulator's expectations."
"Sérvulo & Associados has a large and specialised team capable of responding to the most complex issues."
"Manuel Magalhães also earns praise for his broader finance practice, which includes advice on the negotiation of new corporate loans. His expertise also covers regulatory banking mandates."
"Paulo Câmara is an excellent and very experienced lawyer who reconciles a deep academic background with a practical approach to complex regulatory matters."
"Francisco Barona is a professional with high technical capacity and a vision of the business framework of the topics covered."
"Francisco Barona is responsive and provides creative solutions to achieve the purpose of the transaction, negotiating with a positive outcome."
Manuel Magalhães
“Manuel Magalhães has notable experience in financing matters arising within the context of insolvencies of Portuguese credit institutions.”
Paulo Câmara
“Paulo Câmara leads financial services regulatory matters both for major Portuguese banks and for new entrants to the market.”
Francisco Barona
“Francisco Barona demonstrates solid knowledge of corporate finance matters and debt restructurings.”
"Manuel Magalhães also earns praise for his broader finance practice, which includes advice on the negotiation of new corporate loans. His expertise also covers regulatory banking mandates."
Paulo Câmara
“Paulo Câmara leads financial services regulatory matters both for major Portuguese banks and for new entrants to the market.”
Manuel Magalhães
“Manuel Magalhães has notable experience in financing matters arising within the context of insolvencies of Portuguese credit institutions.”
Chambers Review:
In addition to its strong reputation for financial services regulatory work, Sérvulo & Associados has experience on the issuer side of debt issuances and capital increases. The firm acts for banks, fund managers and public bodies.
Strengths:
"The team is very responsive to the demands of clients."
"Its team has a very solid knowledge, with great practical sense in solving complex issues."
"The firm's team is composed of professionals with different levels of experience and skills, who complement each other in the provision of the service."
"The team is knowledgeable and customer-focused."
" Paulo Câmara is very available and I appreciate the seriousness of his work and opinions."
"Paulo Câmara has a lot of experience, is very knowledgeable and able to see the whole of the issue."
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados is particularly active in state aid matters. The firm also assists clients with behavioural matters, including appeals against competition authority decisions. It additionally advises clients, including interested third parties, on merger control mandates.
Strengths:
"The firm really wants to give alternatives for the client to decide between."
"The team has in-depth knowledge of legislation and the ability to understand the objectives and customer needs, obtaining the best solutions for the customer."
"The firm offers technical legal expertise, quality and responsiveness."
"Miguel Gorjão-Henriques is a lawyer with great expertise and practical sense."
"We appreciate Alberto's close attention and his ability to explain the most complex topics."
"Alberto Saavedra excels in teamwork."
"Miguel Gorjão-Henriques is able to strategise how we should communicate with the authorities."
Miguel Gorjão-Henriques
“Miguel Gorjão-Henriques frequently represents clients in appeals against fines imposed following behavioural investigations. He has further experience in state aid and European law mandates. He also assists third parties in objections to proposed mergers.”
Alberto Saavedra
“Alberto Saavedra is particularly noted for his ability to assist clients with state aid mandates.”
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados is well placed to assist clients with business incorporations and corporate restructurings. The team also handles a variety of corporate transactions, including mergers and share acquisitions. Its client list comprises domestic and international players from the energy, aviation and real estate sectors.
Strengths:
"The team at Sérvulo is technically very good, flexible and always available."
"Sérvulo & Associados offers clients a 360-degree view of issues."
"The law firm distinguishes itself in the Portuguese legal landscape by its technical expertise, embodied by a remarkable team of lawyers with an extraordinary work capacity and dedication to clients."
"Sérvulo's team has deep knowledge in international transactions. They offer availability and excellent personal relationships with clients, as well as being business and solution-oriented."
"Sofia Carreiro is highly experienced in the corporate sector and properly manages client response times."
"Sofia Carreiro masters all aspects of mergers, acquisitions and divestments due to her extraordinary expertise and extensive experience in this field."
"Sofia Carreiro is a responsive, creative and client-oriented lawyer."
"João Saúde is very experienced in the area of litigation and easy to reach. He is very attentive to the particularities of each case and focused on the clients."
"João Saúde always shows a very high technical capacity and offers speed of response, effectiveness and efficiency."
"João Saúde is a very creative and diligent lawyer who is also very good at explaining how each step we take fits into the bigger strategic picture."
"João Saúde is a professional with great experience, a lot of knowledge and high commercial capacity."
"Mafalda Ferreira Santos is very dedicated, works really hard and she gives us a lot of trust."
"Mafalda brings effective solutions to issues."
"Mafalda Ferreira Santos is very available and possesses in-depth knowledge of matters."
João Saúde
“João Saúde has experience representing clients from the banking sector in insolvency-related disputes. He also handles commercial litigation, with further prowess in handling commercial and investment treaty arbitrations.”
Mafalda Ferreira Santos
“Mafalda Ferreira Santos regularly advises on banking and real estate disputes, with the proven ability to assist with international matters. She has further experience in disputes regarding insolvency, distribution agreements and product liability.”
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados is an elite firm that 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. It advises major domestic clients with activity in various industry sectors, including natural resources, life sciences, real estate and sport.
Strengths:
"The team has an extraordinary ability to settle disputes. It is clear in the exposition and explanation of the subject, available for meetings and responds to questions raised."
"The team offers a good balance between its theoretical knowledge and the practical effectiveness in resolving issues, conducting negotiations and litigation processes."
"Sérvulo's team maintains a proximity to the customer and brings its assertiveness and specialisation to matters."
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados is prominent in the employment sphere. The firm regularly assists with the employment aspects of transactions and restructuring and compliance procedures, offering further advice on collective bargaining agreements, the employment aspects of public service contracts and employment-related litigation.
Strengths:
"Sérvulo & Associados has a very well-prepared team, which is well-organised by partners highly recognised in the market for their quality. The team conveys a lot of confidence in the advice provided."
"The firm has excellent professionals who stand out for their knowledge, empathy and ability to convey information in a simplified manner. They always manage to respond to challenges."
"The team is very knowledgeable but transmits this knowledge in an accessible and pragmatic way."
"Rita Canas da Silva is an excellent lawyer with whom it is a pleasure to work. She makes difficult and complex matters much simpler to solve."
"Rita Canas da Silva is an extremely competent lawyer. Her undisputed legal skills are complemented by her soft skills."
"Rita understands the context and challenges and tries to present different solutions to the company, considering the different levels of risk."
"Margarida is always available to give her expertise and find the best solutions for our company."
"Margarida Costa Gomes is an excellent partner – a highly trustworthy professional who is very knowledge in the area in which she provides advice."
Rita Canas da Silva
“Rita Canas da Silva is well placed to assist with employment litigation, restructuring, redundancy procedures, collective bargaining agreements and the implementation of working conditions.”
Margarida Costa Gomes
“Margarida has experience working with national and international companies in employment-related matters. She handles restructurings, the transfer of undertakings and remote work support while also being well placed to handle employment disputes.”
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados houses a strong team able to provide advice for public and private clients in a diverse range of energy matters, including assistance with hydropower and solar energy projects. The lawyers are also well versed in regulatory law matters. The team further advises clients on project developments and finance.
Strenghts:
"Sérvulo & Associados is innovative and its approach to concrete problems allows for the proposal of robust and innovative solutions."
"Its team is creative and has deep technical knowledge."
"Mark Kirkby is a good lawyer who is very experienced and available."
"He has a lot of knowledge and great technical qualities. He always meets deadlines."
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados has a notable practice housing a respected 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 EU regulatory matters, as well as on legislation around the use of biological materials and human embryos. The team is experienced in trade mark registrations and opposition proceedings.
Strengths:
"The team has clear and strategic thinking, balancing technical expertise with business needs."
"Sérvulo & Associados has an excellent ability to rapidly understand complex cases and the needs of the client."
"The firm has a team that is very experienced and competent in IP litigation and that responds fast."
"Ana Rita is a senior person, with a good experience in IP. She is assertive and see the client's perspective, giving alternatives to the situations."
"Ana Rita Paínho has a great awareness of the issues in the life sciences sector and the proactivity and ability to propose solutions and to explain them very effectively to clients and colleagues."
"Ana Rita Paínho has additional experience in life sciences matters such as clinical trial agreements, and further assists clients with regulatory matters."
"Mariana Costa Pinto has an excellent legal background, is up-to-date with the latest developments and has the ability to relate to colleagues."
"Mariana is very responsive and picks up queries very quickly."
Ana Rita Paínho
“Ana Rita Paínho is highly active in patent infringement and invalidity proceedings, often representing clients from the pharmaceutical industry.”
Mariana Costa Pinto
“Mariana Costa Pinto is well placed to advise on generic medicine mandates, including patent infringement and marketing issues.”
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados has a notable practice housing a respected 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 EU regulatory matters, as well as on legislation around the use of biological materials and human embryos. The team is experienced in trade mark registrations and opposition proceedings.
Strengths:
"The team has clear and strategic thinking, balancing technical expertise with business needs."
"Sérvulo & Associados has an excellent ability to rapidly understand complex cases and the needs of the client."
"The firm has a team that is very experienced and competent in IP litigation and that responds fast."
"Ana Rita is a senior person, with a good experience in IP. She is assertive and see the client's perspective, giving alternatives to the situations."
"Ana Rita Paínho has a great awareness of the issues in the life sciences sector and the proactivity and ability to propose solutions and to explain them very effectively to clients and colleagues."
"Ana Rita Paínho has additional experience in life sciences matters such as clinical trial agreements, and further assists clients with regulatory matters."
"Mariana Costa Pinto has an excellent legal background, is up-to-date with the latest developments and has the ability to relate to colleagues."
"Mariana Costa Pinto has an excellent legal background, is up-to-date with the latest developments and has the ability to relate to colleagues."
"Mariana is very responsive and picks up queries very quickly."
Ana Rita Paínho
“Ana Rita Paínho is highly active in patent infringement and invalidity proceedings, often representing clients from the pharmaceutical industry.”
Mariana Costa Pinto
“Mariana Costa Pinto is well placed to advise on generic medicine mandates, including patent infringement and marketing issues.”
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados is distinguished for its broad expertise in planning. Its team assists clients in the public and private sectors with matters related to the planning aspects of real estate and energy projects.
Strengths:
"Sérvulo & Associados has experience, knowledge and the ability to deliver. The team analyses the various possible angles of the problem and knows how to propose various solutions for its resolution."
"Sérvulo & Associados' team is dedicated and committed."
"Eduardo Gonçalves Rodrigue is an excellent professional. He is very competent, with a deep knowledge in the field of urban planning, and is able to establish empathy with the client."
"Eduardo is able to guide us through very complex matters without losing his view on our commercial interests."
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 public infrastructure, construction and healthcare issues. The team is well placed to advise on concessions and PPPs, as well as projects in lusophone Africa.
Strengths:
"I appreciate the Sérvulo & Associados' quality, rigour and legal certainty."
"The law firm's strengths are its availability and competence."
"There is a high degree of commitment within Sérvulo & Associados' team."
"Sérvulo & Associados has an experienced and multidisciplinary team."
"Mark Kirkby works in a team, showing great leadership and response skills to all requests and challenges within the project."
"Mark provides a very good level of service which is adequate to the reality of the matter."
"Mark Kirkby produces good quality work."
"Francisca Mendes da Costa is an excellent professional. She is very attentive and efficient."
"Francisca Mendes da Costa has always shown a high sense of responsibility for the matters she undertakes."
"Francisca s pragmatic and caring for the customer. She is focused on fixing the problems."
"Francisca Mendes da Costa demonstrates a great capacity to work in projects of great scope and complexity, inspiring enormous confidence in the counterparty."
Mark Kirkby
“Mark Kirkby regularly advises on tender processes, project developments and concession agreements. He also provides advice to public sector entities on regulatory issues.”
Francisca Mendes da Costa
“Francisca Mendes da Costa is a well-regarded practitioner with experience advising clients on a range of projects work, including concessions, PPPs, and regulatory matters.”
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados is distinguished by its longstanding 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 a range of sectors, including telecommunications, retail, energy, transport, and food and beverages. The law firm also offers environment law expertise.
Strengths:
"Sérvulo & Associados' lawyers have experience and knowledge. They provide a strategic overview from the customer's perspective, as well as a willingness and ability to propose innovative solutions."
"Sérvulo & Associados provides customer focus, professionalism, rigour and commitment to the client."
"Sérvulo & Associados offer total availability and dedication to their clients, with very quick replies and the highest level of specialised legal knowledge."
"José Manuel Sérvulo Correia has the highest capacity to set up a legal strategy to tackle a situation."
"Rui Medeiros is a lawyer who makes any client feel safe. He is always available to his clients and offers very direct and clear advice."
"Rui Medeiros is a very experienced lawyer with a solid knowledge of public law. He is very up to date, focused and committed to finding solutions from the client's perspective."
"Rui Medeiros has great availability and promptness of response. He is capable of translating highly complex and sophisticated legal issues into business language."
"Pedro Fernández Sánchez offers very deep knowledge of public contracts and tenders."
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 public-private partnerships, as well as complex administrative matters.”
João Amaral e Almeida
“João Amaral e Almeida regularly assists clients from the transport and infrastructure sectors with domestic and international public tenders.”
Mark Kirkby
“Mark Kirkby has considerable experience assisting domestic and international clients from both the public and private sectors with public procurements, arbitral disputes and the amendment of concession agreements.”
Pedro Fernández Sánchez
“Pedro Fernández Sánchez frequently represents clients before the administrative court, in addition to assisting with the regulatory aspects of public procurements, including international tender procedures.”
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados has a renowned insolvency department providing ligation and liquidation advice to clients. It offers a strong bench of noted practitioners who advise both creditors and indebted financial institutions as well as companies from the transportation and construction sectors. The team also assists with special revitalisation proceedings, credit claims and restructuring plans.
Strengths:
"Sérvulo & Associados has a team with the capacity to solve the most complex problems."
"It has a competent team with in-depth knowledge on different topics."
"Manuel Magalhães combines in-depth knowledge of the subjects with an unusual availability for the client."
"Mafalda Ferreira Santos is very dedicated, works really hard and she gives us a lot of trust."
"Mafalda brings effective solutions to issues."
"Maria José Lourenço is competent and available."
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 and litigation proceedings, as well as revitalisation proceedings and credit claims.”
Maria José Lourenço
“Maria José Lourenço specialises in pre-insolvency and insolvency matters. She further assists clients with recovery proceedings.”
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados has an established group that frequently advises clients on tax planning and tax litigation. It further offers experience assisting companies with tax structuring and potential tax liabilities. The team is adept in submitting ruling requests before the Portuguese tax authorities.
Strengths:
"Sérvulo & Associados have the ability to dive into the nuances of the client's business and understand their challenges, goals and core values."
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados is an independent domestic group offering expertise in contractual negotiations as well as software-related issues. The law firm acts for clients from a range of industries such as life sciences technology and telecommunications. The practice offers additional strength in data protection issues and GDPR compliance.
Strengths:
"Its team is fully aligned with us and is a true partner."
"Sérvulo & Associados' team is available and knowledgeable."
"Ana Rita Paínho always brings an analytical view to matters."
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados maintains a strong reputation in the white-collar crime space, assisting clients with the handling of fraud, corruption and abuse of power allegations. The practice further encompasses investigations into money laundering and embezzlement.