Legal 500 2020
The Legal 500 is an international legal directory of global reach that analyses and ranks several practice areas in each country. This prestigious directory recognises SÉRVULO in all the main practice areas in which it acts.
"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."
Manuel Magalhães
“Manuel Magalhães is a strong strategic thinker and is consistently available to clients.”
Paulo Câmara
“Paulo Câmara is one of the best lawyers in banking and finance with very useful insights and approaches in regards to the regulatory environment.”
Francisco Barona
“The team's transactional offering was strengthened by the arrival of Francisco Barona.”
Verónica Fernández
“Verónica Fernández is often involved in structured finance transactions and in matters related to the establishment of credit institutions and finance companies.”
Inês Palma Ramalho
“Inês Palma Ramalho is one of Sérvulo & Associados’ rising stars as she is able to provide very in-depth advice and comprehensive input.”
Maria João dos Santos
“Maria João Santos is very responsive and helpful.”
"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."
Paulo Câmara
“Paulo Câmara is a highly trained lawyer in corporate and capital markets matters and presents high standard capabilities, not only for the exceptional work delivered but also for its human qualities and excellent client care skills.”
Manuel Magalhães
“Manuel Magalhães' areas of expertise include banking, insurance, restructuring and insolvency.”
Verónica Fernández
“Verónica Fernández’s advice is solid and practical. The team goes the extra mile to understand clients’ underlying problems.”
Inês Palma Ramalho
“Inês Palma Ramalho is one of Sérvulo & Associados rising stars as she is able to provide very in-depth and comprehensive advice.”
"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."
Sofia Carreiro
“Sofia Carreiro’s advocacy skills are outstanding.”
Teresa Anselmo Vaz
“Teresa Anselmo Vaz is a great partner and a trusted advisor. She consistently looks to find the best solutions to achieve clients’ objectives.”
Rui Cardona Ferreira
“Apart from focusing on matters relating to corporate and commercial law, Rui Cardona Ferreira boasts cross-practice expertise in areas such as public law, regulatory matters and dispute resolution.”
"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."
António Teles
“Commercial litigation and arbitration is an area of expertise for António Teles.”
João Saúde
“João Saúde specialises in sports law and restructuring and insolvency, showcasing a proven track record in commercial litigation and arbitration.”
Mafalda Ferreira Santos
“Mafalda Ferreira Santos regularly advises Portuguese and international clients in litigation and out-of-court proceedings arising from civil and commercial disputes.”
"Excellent combination of academic insight and practical expertise."
"Pragmatic and very thorough advice and support."
"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."
Mark Kirkby
“The work was always done under the careful coordination of Mark Kirkby, who demonstrated deep legal knowledge and intelligence in finding solutions that met the client’s goals.”
Rui Medeiros
“Cross-border matters are an area of activity for Rui Medeiros, who has a wealth of experience in regulated sectors.”
"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."
José Lobo Moutinho
“José Lobo Moutinho is an excellent lawyer and personifies both practical and academic record with a very nonchalant attitude, being persuasive and knowledgable on legal aspects.”
Teresa Serra
“Teresa Serra's experience also encompasses arbitration.”
Cláudia Amorim
“Cláudia Amorim is another key practitioner; she specialises in corporate crime and regulatory compliance. Cláudia Amorim is outstanding.”
Ana de Brito Camacho
“Ana Brito Camacho deserves a special reference due to her exceptional professional skills and client dedication.”
Maria Joana Cabral
“José Moutinho, Cláudia Amorim and Maria Joana Cabral revealed to be holders of great critical sense and experience, as well as objectivity and relevance in the analysis of the issues that have arisen throughout the process.”
João Santos Marta
“João Santos Marta is a young and promising lawyer.”
"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."
Manuel Magalhães
“Manuel Magalhães is a key figure.”
Miguel Santos Almeida
“Alexandra Valpaços and Miguel Santos Almeida are noted for the quality of the work performed.”
Alexandra Valpaços
“Alexandra Valpaços and Miguel Santos Almeida are noted for the quality of the work performed.”
"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."
Ana Rita Paínho
“Ana Rita Paínho and Mariana Costa Pinto offer succinct, relevant and prompt advice.”
Teresa Anselmo Vaz
“Teresa is very knowledgeable with respect to Portuguese arbitration and litigation practices. Her strategic thinking is very impressive.”
Mariana Costa Pinto
“Ana Rita Paínho and Mariana Costa Pinto offer succinct, relevant and prompt advice.”
"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."
Mark Kirkby
“I worked closely with Mark Kirkby and valued, above other aspects, the close relationship and permanent availability with the client; the scrupulous compliance with the stipulated deadlines and the delivery of highly specialised and multifaceted services.”
Ana Luísa Guimarães
“Ana Luísa Guimarães has provided legal advice in an exceptional manner, both in terms of availability and competence, clearly achieving the intended objectives.”
"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."
José Manuel Sérvulo Correia
“Founding partner José Manuel Sérvulo Correia is predominantly active on the issue of legal opinions and arbitration.”
Rui Medeiros
“João Amaral e Almeida and Rui Medeiros are some of the best Portuguese lawyers in public law. Rui Medeiros devotes most of his practice to arbitration.”
João Amaral e Almeida
“João Amaral e Almeida and Rui Medeiros are some of the best Portuguese lawyers in public law. João Amaral e Almeida is noted for his expertise in public procurement.”
Mark Kirkby
“Mark Kirkby acts for the government and other public entities in relation to the preparation and negotiation of concessions and PPPs, with a particular emphasis on the transport, energy and defence sectors.”
Pedro Fernández Sánchez
“João Amaral e Almeida, Mark Kirkby and Pedro Fernández Sánchez demonstrate outstanding performance, technical knowledge and remarkable interpersonal skills.”
Henrique Rodrigues da Silva
“Henrique Rodrigues da Silva is an exceptional lawyer and the future of this industry in what concerns public law matters. His technical skills combined with a perfect communication with the client makes him the best to work with.”
"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."
Manuel Magalhães
“Manuel Magalhães counts real estate, tourism, banking and corporate law among his areas of expertise.”
Eduardo Gonçalves Rodrigues
“Eduardo Gonçalves Rodrigues has expertise in law and architecture and is an amazing force within the team.”
Sofia Thibaut Trocado
“Sofia Thibaut Trocado and Inês Palma Ramalho stand out for their experience in real estate finance.”
Joana Pinto Monteiro
“Joana Pinto Monteiro is technically excellent in real estate matters.”
Inês Palma Ramalho
“Inês Palma Ramalho is always available for a quick phone call, replies fast to emails and is a true problem solver. She has excellent knowledge of the law across several areas and that makes her stand out.”
"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."
Diogo Feio
“Diogo Feio is very responsive, permanently following the development of our business, and always available.”
Ana Moutinho Nascimento
“Litigation specialist.”
Teresa Pala Schwalbach
“Teresa Pala Schwalbach advises us with a very valuable balance between strong, in-depth technical and legal knowledge and a pragmatic-business orientated approach. She is very responsive.”
"The TMT practice is exceptionally responsive and provides high-quality advice."
"Very responsive and pragmatic firm with good quality advice."