Legal 500 2020

"The banking and finance team of Sérvulo & Associados is very business-minded and has a strong track record in assisting credit institutions."

"They provide consistent and helpful advice on structure and strategy."

"The team is highly professional, maintaining an excellent relationship with the client. The total availability and quality of the outputs presented is a clear strength."

"This team is highly skilled in technical terms, while simultaneously approaching legal issues in a practical and client-friendly fashion. From a client perspective it is notable the effort made by the lawyers in providing easy to understand/easy to apply legal solutions, which really is value added to any transaction."

"The team is very knowledgeable of the Portuguese market and its regulatory culture and this is where they stand out."

"What makes this practice unique is the proximity between client and law firm. Sérvulo has the capability to antici­pate questions or future problems."

"Very good team, always available to discuss any issue and to deliver on agreed timing."

"Availability and detailed knowledge of sector-related regulation; always cautious to adapt their legal analysis to the concrete needs and business of the client."

"Proactive team in identifying and communicating all the new legal developments which could affect our organisation."

"The team is responsive, and has a true understanding of the sector." 

"Sérvulo is our go-to law firm when we have to carry out multi-jurisdictional surveys and/or to settle cross-border issues that relate specifically to Portugal."

"The team’s consistency, awareness, knowledge and ability to respond in a pro-active manner are noteworthy."

"With a particular emphasis on financial litigation, Sérvulo & Associados' notable areas of practice encompass litigation in the real estate, healthcare and aeronautical sectors. Arbitration, particularly involving pharmaceutical companies, is another key area of strength for the team."

"Excellent combination of academic insight and practical expertise."

"Pragmatic and very thorough advice and support."

"The Employment team of Sérvulo & Associados provides efficient and straight to the point advice."

"Deep knowledge of the subjects and thorough preparation of the opinions."

"The team demonstrated knowledge of the complex legal issues posed. The creative ability evidenced in the development of a pioneering project in the world (which was very successful), and the permanent availability make this team stand out in the market."

"The team is concise in its responses, available and accessible, raising issues as and when required, and handling them with appropriate focus."

"Excellent handling of communication with the Competition Authority."

"The team has a strong background in assessing transactions from a market concentration perspective, and advising private and public entities on state aid procedures, notably those involving the transport, energy, retail and financial services sectors."

"The team’s ability to create solutions that address clients’ goals is noteworthy."

"The team has proved to be very competent and well articulated, with high legal and procedural knowledge and great professional experience. Their thorough preparation of the various stages of the process, with particular emphasis on court proceedings, must be highlighted."

"The university background of most of Sérvulo’s partners makes them extremely reliable, namely on fraud and white-collar crime matters."

"The team led by Professor José Moutinho is strongly committed and cohesive, standing out for its deep knowledge of criminal law."

"The team has many unique traits such as a good balance between distinguished lawyers who have an outstanding academic record and comprehensive experience of the misdemeanour system."

"Praised for its 'knowledge and availability', Sérvulo & Associados' sizeable and multi-disciplinary team handles high-profile domestic and cross-border restructuring and insolvency mandates." 

"In-depth knowledge of the issues of insolvency and the particular situation of credit institutions."

"Permanent follow-up on ongoing issues."

"Very helpful and timely advice, particularly knowledgeable in the pharma bio sector."

"Highly responsive and commercially relevant advice."

"One of the core strengths of the team is handling IP matters pertaining to the life sciences sector; it has a proven track record in acting for pharmaceutical companies in IP disputes."

"The urban planning department at Sérvulo & Associados is instructed by investors, major companies, funds and banks, and advises on planning and zoning issues and the execution of planning contracts. Licensing, technical and construction agreements are also key areas of expertise."

"The advice provided reveals high technical quality in the formulation of opinions and other requests. There is permanent availability to collaborate on requests made."

"It is a widely recognised and prestigious firm in the market, undoubtedly distinguished by team excellence as well as the personal and technical qualities of each one of its members."

"The team’s main strengths and key capabilities are its close and attentive relationship with the client and its needs, with highly specialised legal knowledge linked to academic research."

"Always available to accept being challenged with complex problems."

"Strong expertise in public contracts."

"Very strong team with huge knowledge, well organised and covers all the matters that can be addressed in terms of law."

"They are knowledgeable, creative, flexible, quick to answer, available and a delight to work with."

"Sérvulo & Associados’ public law team is certainly one of the most notable in Portugal. At the outset, it was the Sérvulo & Associados team who, at the Government’s request, drafted the previous and current Public Procurement Law."

"In addition to the legal technical performance, we highlight the permanent availability of lawyers."

"Firstly, it is an office that brings together excellent professionals in the field of law, with particular emphasis on public and administrative law. Secondly, lawyers are at the same time university professors and constantly participate in legal scientific research, making their service an excellent reference both nationally and internationally."

"A very cohesive team, comprehensive knowledge in several areas and very fast response when compared to other players."

"One of the first destinations for public law, Sérvulo & Associados has a proven track record in high-profile sector-related matters." 

"Availability, service and in-depth knowledge of town planning, real estate acquisitions and sales, leasing matters and property development."

"Every time I’m impressed at how fast and accurately they come up with solutions/answers."

"Developing corporate frameworks to suit particular real estate investment transactions is one of Sérvulo & Associados' core strengths." 

"The tax team offers multi-disciplinary and business-oriented advice, providing a pragmatic approach supported with wide and strong knowledge on the particulars and rules, case law and administrative practices applicable to the transaction."

"I believe that the main service quality distinctions are: its commitment towards the timely and successful completion of the projects; working hand-in-hand with the client rather than only for him; its capability of adopting a comprehensive 360º view; and fundamentally, a genuine openness to participate in a multi-disciplinary and cultural team-work approach, aligned to optimise the potential project outcome."

"One of the main characteristics I perceived from the beginning was the deep involvement of the team, at every level, both in first listening carefully to the project requirements before jumping into early conclusions, trying to fully understand the scope of works required."

"Very responsive and dedicated, emphasising the understanding of client’s needs and bringing creative solutions for them."

"The TMT practice is exceptionally responsive and provides high-quality advice."

"Very responsive and pragmatic firm with good quality advice."