Legal 500 2022

"Sérvulo & Associados, which is well known for its strong regulatory capabilities, has been increasing its presence in innovative transactions in the sector, notably in refinancing and venture capital deals."

"In addition to providing regular assistance to leading domestic and international credit and financial institutions, the firm is also instructed by insurance companies, payment service providers and public banks in Portugal in relation to restructuring matters, corporate governance, real estate and acquisition finance."

"Furthermore, the team is well positioned to advise on ESG-related issues, and offers a multidisciplinary fintech service, providing integrated legal support to companies operating in this ecosystem, at both start-up and more advanced phases."

"Full availability and quick response times; interdisciplinary technical skills, which translate into the ability to respond to requests of different natures in the same process; professionalism and versatility of lawyers, including in the negotiation process with counterparties; ability to present solutions to the challenges posed."

"The Banking and Finance team of Sérvulo is multidisciplinary and includes a fair number of associates and partners capable of providing legal support in all stages of the transaction. The allocation of resources across the different stages (with more intervention by more senior lawyers in the structuring and negotiations phases, and bigger presence of more junior lawyers at documentation phase, closing and processing of conditions precedent) has been appropriately and efficiently managed."

"Manuel Magalhães and Sofia Thibaut Trocado are very knowledgeable and experienced and business oriented. Their approach is prudent and based on in-depth legal analysis, but they are also pragmatic and manage to propose well-founded tailor-made solutions to problems arising in the context of the transaction. They are excellent communicators, which stands out during the negotiations of financing agreements."

"I am working closely with Inês Palma Ramalho, who is in my opinion a rising star in the FinTech industry. She is knowledgable, practical, proactive, innovative and business oriented."

"Sérvulo & Associados strives for professionalism, efficiency and excellent technical knowledge, making working with this law firm an asset."

"Sérvulo’s Banking / Finance team has provided an exceptional service. It has had an enormous capacity to respond to many topics, some very specific to the sector and the company, always with great quality in the responses."

"I would clearly recommend Francisco Boavida Salavessa at the partner level for his quality, knowledge, ability to analyse and build creative/intelligent solutions. He stands out for his enormous availability and empathy with the client, creating a partnership relationship."

"Sérvulo & Associados' capital markets group, which comes under the banner of its finance and governance practice, brings together practitioners with expertise across private equity, investment funds, fintech, capital markets transactions and financial services regulation."

"The team, which is highly regarded for its regulatory and governance knowledge, is well positioned to assist with cross-border mandates involving Portuguese-speaking African jurisdictions, proven by the recent launch of its international network of law firms SÉRVULO LATITUDE." 

"The characteristic that most distinguishes the law firm is its ability to establish a true partnership with the client and provide an ever-present support."

"Excellent highly qualified and dedicated professionals."

"Paulo Câmara – easy dialogue and close relationship with the Client. Professional with lots of sharing writings. Person always available regardless of the means used, telephone for example."

"Paulo Câmara – Specialist in the financial market, namely in capital markets, banking and insurance. Very dedicated and knowledgeable, a leader in consultancy and advice." 

"The team is highly valued in the market, with a good quality/price balance. The team I work with is very available, very well qualified and very quick to respond. A team that is always up to date with the latest legislative changes and that gives well-founded and well-analysed answers."

"Paulo Câmara – a partner with a lot of experience and knowledge of the market and the law."

"Paulo Câmara is an excellent professional, extremely knowledgeable about the capital market and matters of corporate governance, who combines an extremely human posture close to the client with a professional aspect of excellence."

"Their competence, focus and transparency throughout the entire process is beyond reproach. Whenever we start a new project, we are provided with the necessary tools to manage expectations until the end without surprises."

"The ‘multidisciplinary team' at Sérvulo & Associados provides legal support to private and public sector clients across the full spectrum of M&A and corporate and commercial matters."

"Besides assisting international groups in their inbound investments and commercial contracts in Portugal, the team is also well positioned to handle cross-border restructurings and M&A deals, particularly in the healthcare, energy and infrastructure sectors."

"Department head Sofia Carreiro has notable strength in joint ventures and commercial contracts. The practice was reinforced by the arrival of Pedro Silveira Borges."  

"Flexible approach and constructive collaboration."

"Technically the team is very good."

"Multidisciplinary team, professional people, and client-oriented attention."

"A well-known law firm in Portugal, serious, professional, organised, well-prepared, reliable, always available and ready to help. We would not exchange Sérvulo for any other firm."

"Sérvulo & Associados is equipped to advise a range of clients on data protection and privacy issues, ranging from GDPR compliance to privacy policies, impact assessments, data share agreements and notifications of breaches."

"The firm is a popular choice for banking, payment services and insurance clients operating in Portugal, and is also skilled at handling matters involving the retail, automobile and pharmaceutical sectors." 

"The team includes João Carmona Dias and Inês de Sá. What sets them apart is clearly their technical quality and their ability to communicate clearly and closely and their availability."

"Sérvulo has a great team of lawyers specialised in various areas which are necessary to support the daily activities of a company. Sérvulo has supported our company in an efficient, proactive and pragmatic way, providing great support for a very reasonable fee."

"João Carmona Dias has supported our company in various areas, and his assistance has always been great not only because of his expertise but also because he genuinely cares about the client, he is extremely polite and attentive."

"Sérvulo clearly stands out for the attention it pays to every detail of the issues under analysis. They always go beyond the obvious, respond with total diligence and in the required time, have total availability for their clients and are true partners. The quality of service is impeccable."

"I would recommend Ana Rita Paínho. She is decisive and solution oriented. She provides us with quick responses when required, and has deep knowledge of data protection issues."

"In the particular process of Privacy and Personal Data Protection, João Carmona Dias is clearly highlighted. Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the topics covered, analyses the issues from all possible angles. He provides clear, direct advice and conveys tremendous confidence."

"Singled out for its ‘unmatched experience and total availability', Sérvulo & Associados fields a team of ‘excellent lawyers' who are adept at handling high-profile litigation and arbitration cases, encompassing corporate crime, regulatory compliance, administrative proceedings and civil and commercial disputes."

"Financial litigation is at the core of the practice; the team is seen with great regularity acting for major banks in large-scale matters, including insolvency cases and cross-border mandates." 

"João Saúde focuses on dispute resolution in the banking, construction and sports sectors." 

"I have been very impressed with its ability to blend, in connection with an important litigation matter, an aggressive/creative approach with a lot of practicality, paving the way for an unusual application of enforcement law. João Saúde has extraordinary experience and nothing phases him; Alexandra Valpaços is detail-oriented and on top of the matter. They have proven responsive, deliberate, assertive, and, as noted, creative. Top notch!"

"In the provision of services, the technical capacity and level of experience stand out."

"I highlight the work undertaken by António Teles, Alexandra Valpaços, and Mafalda Ferreira Santos."

"Unmatched experience, total availability, excellent lawyers, full awareness of problems and presentation of solution strategies."

"The team is highly qualified and available for the various topics that are presented to them, from the preparation to the follow-up in judgment."

"Sérvulo has supported us in several large-scale litigation actions. Always shows great knowledge of the business area, great technical skills and availability."

"The quality of service provided by the company is unparalleled. There are departments dedicated to specific subjects, which makes the firm more versatile in terms of responsiveness."

"All partners and associates deserve distinction for their dedication and attention to the client."

"Sérvulo & Associados' employment law department offers a multidisciplinary team of highly regarded professionals."

"Advising clients on both collective and individual matters, the team, headed by Rita Canas da Silva, has a broad range of experience across all areas of employment and social security law."

"The past few years have seen steady expansion of the team, building the overall breadth of expertise."

"Recent instructions include lay-off procedures, collective dismissals, and privacy issues arising as a consequence of teleworking."

"Excellent level of professionals who link academic area with professional practice."

"This law firm stands out for its technical excellence combined with a unique proximity and ability to communicate with the client. Constant availability is also distinctive."

"Human, good listeners, flexible, knowledgeable, insightful and confident."

"Rita Canas da Silva is technically knowledgeable about the topics presented, meets the requested deadlines, and leads the department so that this is transmitted by the others."

"Technical capacity, availability and rigor/detail in the assessment of matters."

"This law firm is essentially distinguished by working with great transparency and always taking care of the interests of its clients."

"Drawing on its strong know-how in the field of public and regulatory law, Sérvulo & Associados is well versed in an array of matters pertaining to the energy sector."

"The team stands out for its wide-ranging expertise in the area of electric mobility, self-consumption of renewable energy and ESG-related matters, and is increasingly involved in transactional mandates."

"The structuring and development of renewable energy projects is an area of expertise for Ana Luísa Guimarães, who is well regarded for her ‘extraordinary knowledge and fantastic negotiating abilities'." 

"The team has a good knowledge of the regulatory environment for electric mobility in Portugal."

"Ana Luísa Guimarães demonstrates an enormous willingness to incorporate topics with some urgency in her agenda, complying with timings and deadlines. She also demonstrates the ability to deal with topics with a range and novelty such as those resulting from the field of Electric Mobility, and which requires in-depth knowledge of the energy market, but also of its connection with transport and new technologies."

"Exceptional knowledge of regulatory and legal issues relating to the energy sector, promoting tailor-made and pro-business legal guidance, which makes Sérvulo an important partner for strategic decision-making in defining our product and service offerings."

"Ana Luísa Guimarães stands out for her technical knowledge, accuracy and promptness."

"Sérvulo & Associados' broad and versatile competition law practice has a strong reputation for handling complex state aid matters, cartel investigations and cases before the European Commission."

"Clients from an array of industries - including energy, telecoms, transport, retail, healthcare and financial services - also turn to the team for advice on merger clearance, antitrust compliance programmes and private enforcement issues."

"Miguel Gorjão-Henriques, who heads the department, assists private and public sector clients in the entire spectrum of EU and competition mandates; he is particularly noted for his experience in life sciences-related matters and restrictive practices. He receives key support from Alberto Saavedra, who has a strong background in merger control and state aid at the national and EU level."

"Technical acumen and practical approach."

"Miguel Gorjão-Henriques and Alberto Saavedra make up a great team. Fully available and client-oriented."

"The Sérvulo team has significant strength in legal analysis. Partners and senior associates are able to draft clear and compelling legal documents for the courts. They also have a collaborative working style, working closely with the client to get the right data, analyse the issues in detail, and then present the legal arguments to the Board of the company and the Judge. Sérvulo punches much above its size in the competition law arena in Portugal, being trusted by very large companies."

"Miguel has a trusted relationship with senior executives at some of Portugal’s largest companies." 

"Alberto Saavedra drafts legal arguments in a forensic and high impact way. Alberto has been the lead author of significant statements filed in court proceedings and has masterfully handled the production of these complex documents, including working with the company and external economists."

"Sérvulo & Associados' corporate crime and regulatory compliance group represents high-profile clients in some of Portugal’s largest cases."

"The team often represents individuals, companies and institutions in financial and corruption-related cases, handling a range of criminal and administrative litigation."

"José Lobo Moutinho has a well-established practice focusing on media, life sciences and competition-related corporate crime and regulatory matters."

"The law firm is very attentive to the details of the process and intervenes as soon as it detects an opportunity to intervene." 

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

"José Lobo Moutinho, as well as Cláudia Amorim, revealed to be holders of great critical sense and experience, as well as objectivity and relevance in the analysis and approach to the issues that have arisen throughout the process. Also noteworthy is the professionalism and attention in the relationship with the client."

"Bringing together a multidisciplinary team with expertise across financing, governance and dispute resolution, Sérvulo & Associados has a strong track record in complex and high-profile liquidation cases in Portugal and Europe."

"The team has recently experienced an uptick in instructions related to restructuring and insolvency proceedings as well as transactions involving distressed assets." 

"Mafalda Ferreira Santos' areas of expertise include in- and out-of-court restructuring and insolvency issues."

"Professionalism of members and proximity to the client."

"Manuel Magalhães is recommended."

"Technical capacity, namely in the legal combination of the different rules that govern a liquidation process, in the legal assessment of 'new' matters, in which there are no previous decisions in the Portuguese courts. Rigour in the assessment of all the subjects."

"Excellent knowledge of the subject matter."

"Sérvulo & Associados is highly regarded for its presence in the life sciences sector, most notably in patent litigation."

"Additionally, the department is equipped to act for companies from the fashion and food and beverage sectors in relation to trade mark and copyright contentious matters."

"Department head Ana Rita Paínho handles a steady flow of matters involving trade marks, patents, franchising and distribution agreements, but particularly stands out for her track record in disputes concerning pharmaceutical patents."

"‘A remarkable IP lawyer with extensive experience in litigation’, Mariana Costa Pinto excels in patents and European trade marks."

"Highly specialised team demonstrating an unusual capacity for analysis even in the most complex cases. Advice is carried out in a very precise and timely manner."

"Mariana Costa Pinto, whose performance was fundamental to the success obtained in the process in question, deserves to be highlighted. Her initiative and availability, the help provided throughout the process was a distinguishing factor."

"Mariana Costa Pinto and Ana Rita Paínho are tireless and very competent. Explanations are clear and answers concise."

"Ana Rita Paínho and Mariana Costa Pinto are two great specialists that provide solid and reliable advice in a timely manner and in a very cost efficient way. They both have deep knowledge of the industry and of the patent legal issues."

"The people with whom I have been in contact in this firm are extremely affable, polite and show great willingness and knowledge to resolve the issues presented."

"I would like to highlight Mariana Costa Pinto, for being extremely interested and committed to finding a solution to the issues raised."

"What stands out the most is the availability and speed of response to the questions asked."

"Acting for major real estate investors, companies, banks and funds, the planning team at Sérvulo & Associados advises on a large share of planning and licensing matters related to development in the Portuguese market."

"Zoning and planning expert Eduardo Gonçalves Rodrigues leads the team and also works alongside the firm’s wider real estate practice, particularly on residential and touristic developments, where his experience as an architect is valuable to clients."

"In addition to the technical quality of the work team, I emphasize the commitment to the client, without disregarding the concern with the defense of the public interest."

"Eduardo Gonçalves Rodrigues: Helpful and always ready to present new perspectives and examples for a given challenge."

"Eduardo Gonçalves Rodrigues is excellent. Superb knowledge and incisive mind."

"Public law powerhouse Sérvulo & Associados advises clients in the private and public sphere operating in a range of sectors, including water and waste, energy, transport, healthcare and defence."

"Public procurement procedures are naturally an area of strength, but the team is also proficient in the development of mandates and international projects through the recent establishment of its African desk and Sérvulo Latitude, the multilateral network of partnerships that the firm coordinates in Portuguese-speaking countries."

"Mark Kirkby, whose areas of expertise include public procurement, administrative litigation and PPPs, leads the team with Ana Luísa Guimarães, who focuses on concessions, projects and regulated sectors, notably water, waste management, energy and transport. Francisca Mendes da Costa, whose advice ‘certainly facilitates investment in this area and enhances the firm’s success', is another key contact."

"What makes Sérvulo & Associados unique is its mastery of matters in the area of public law, based on a strong academic component, rigour and absolute mastery of the subjects. The work provided is of excellent quality."

"Ana Luísa Guimarães has an attentive, rigorous and flexible approach, always seeking to understand the client’s perspective, but not losing sight of the demands of the legislative framework." 

"The technical team we work with, namely in the area of transport and mobility (in particular Ana Luísa Guimarães) are very helpful, encourage the exchange of ideas and knowledge, are available to discuss matters related to the area and provide a close service."

"The following stand out: The quality and technical capacity of the team that has advised us; availability demonstrated; clarity of legal opinions. We also emphasise the clarity and transparency of the billing model used."

"Sérvulo & Associados has grown and developed a lot in the Projects area, with results that are very visible and praised in the market, and with the very committed involvement of a group of lawyers."

"In terms of innovations, I would highlight the effective and pragmatic form of legal advice in the context of the presentation of proposals in international tenders, namely for the signing of concession contracts linked to large projects."

"In the area of public procurement, I highlight the competence and availability of Ana Luísa Guimarães and her team."

"It also has a wide network of contacts, which allows it to associate external entities, from various jurisdictions, which make it possible to make the structure more complex according to the client’s final objective."

"Excellent knowledge of public law and the legal framework applicable to the Mobility and Transport Ecosystem."

"Enjoying an ‘outstanding reputation in the area of public law', Sérvulo & Associados is the ‘go-to law firm' for the most complex and high-profile administrative law issues and groundbreaking projects in the country."

"With a strong presence in all regulated sectors, including banking, transport, healthcare, water and waste, energy, telecoms and education, the team is sought after for its unparalleled experience in public procurement, concessions, privatisations and high-stakes litigation."

"Rui Medeiros focuses on constitutional law and related contentious matters; João Amaral e Almeida advises on public procurement and public law-related disputes; and Mark Kirkby is often retained by the Portuguese government and other public entities in relation to concessions and PPPs. The core team also includes José Manuel Sérvulo Correia, who is a reference in the market, Ana Luísa Guimarães, who also co-heads the infrastructure projects team, and Duarte Rodrigues Silva, whose areas of activity include public procurement and administrative litigation."

"Sérvulo & Associados is the go-to law firm in public law matters. They provide the know-how, confidence and trustworthiness one associates with a firm carrying such a proven track record and combine it with an extremely dedicated and available team."

"Sérvulo & Associados has an outstanding reputation in the area of Public Law. The work it develops is guided by rigor, excellence and a seal of unrivaled quality. Sérvulo’s Public Law team has lawyers specialised in the most diverse sectors of activity, which gives it a huge variety and a complete and creative response to the issues raised by clients."

"Ana Luísa Guimarães was my point of contact throught my work with Sérvulo. She was outstanding as far as interpersonal communication, attentiveness to our needs and turnaround time go. There were a number of issues that were extremely time sensitive which were handled extremely well. Where issues were of intercisciplinary nature, she seamlessly coordinated feedback from different departments in Sérvulo in order to provide a holistic work product."

"Francisca Mendes da Costa monitored the public procurement process with great dexterity, professionalism and above all with an easy-to-understand language, that is, translating the legal language and translating the actions to be carried out into practical terms. Also, given her skills in the financial area, she was able to understand the economic and financial part of the project."

"Popular among real estate companies and major investment funds, the multidisciplinary real estate and construction team at Sérvulo & Associados covers a wide range of real estate, tourism and urban planning matters."

"Able to deal with all aspects of a transaction from acquisition, the transactional offering also covers funding contracts, sales and leasebacks, forward purchasing and turnkey services."

"The team also includes Sofia Thibaut Trocado, who has extensive expertise advising on real estate financing."

"Carla Parreira Leandro and Joana Pinto Monteiro are also key contacts."

"I have dealt with legal firms in many countries but have never seen as much efficiency as with Sérvulo. What is stunning is how quick and efficiently everything is done."

"Experienced Real Estate Team."

"Sérvulo & Associados has always demonstrated a spirit and collaborative attitude that in my opinion is distinctive. Additionally, the availability is always present and a complete knowledge of the problems, consistently proposing adequate solutions."

"The team at Sérvulo & Associados ‘demonstrates enormous capacity in managing tax law matters, whether in terms of tax planning or in the follow-up of processes in tax litigation'."

"The practice is coordinated by tax expert Diogo Feio – who often acts in tax arbitration – and has continued to grow its reputation, acting for domestic and foreign companies, public entities, financial institutions and private clients in an array of mandates."

"The tax advisory/intelligence team is overseen by Teresa Pala Schwalbach, whose expertise encompasses international and EU tax, M&A transactions, corporate restructuring and indirect taxation; she also heads up the Scandinavian desk."

"Ana Moutinho Nascimento coordinates the tax litigation group, which is primarily active in administrative and judicial claims, as well as tax inspections." 

"Despite having a small team, Sérvulo’s tax practice stands out for the quality of its lawyers and for its integration into a firm where public law has a unique tradition."

"The two remaining partners in the practice - Teresa Pala Schwalbach and Ana Moutinho Nascimento - are also top-notch lawyers, the latter of whom has particular experience in the area of tax litigation."

"I would highlight Diogo Feio, Teresa Pala Schwalbach and Ana Moutinho Nascimento."

"A small team, but with great technical quality. With a lot of proactivity and good 'delivery'."

"This firm has a very pragmatic and efficient way of dealing with all kinds of legal issues. They are highly motivated. The knowledge in different fields is extremely high and they do not hesitate to dig into issues other law firm would not do. Therefore, from a service point of view, I have truly never experienced anything better."

"Attention to detail, accuracy, availability and ease of communication. Very competent and available team. Great sharing of knowledge with the client."

"Diogo Feio – always present and available, with deep and intrinsic knowledge of the market (in the Tax area) and of the various initiatives and trends that occur in it."

"Led by Ana Rita Paínho, Sérvulo & Associados' team is well known for its experience in the advertising and marketing sector, but is active across the whole spectrum of TMT matters."

"On the technology front, the group is skilled in advising on IT contracts, software agreements, internet law and e-commerce."

"Department head Paínho provides assistance to Portuguese and international clients from the technology and telecoms sectors."

"The quality of the service provided is the best I have found, whether from the point of view of relationships, or from the point of view of knowledge and support. The ongoing relationship was not affected by the pandemic, and the use of collaborative tools was constant and effective."

"Ana Rita Paínho is the person we interact with in this area and with whom we have a team relationship. There is a focus on resolution always in the Client’s best interests. There is strong know-how of the area and specific particularities of TMT and new ways of contracting."

"I consider the service provided by this firm of high quality and rigour, distinguished by its simplicity and disruptive spirit. Other qualities that I cannot fail to mention and which I consider distinctive are availability, and the existence of above-average knowledge of this area in particular, which gives the client extreme confidence and security."

"I would definitely recommend Ana Rita Paínho." 

"Ana Rita Paínho – very available, extraordinary ability to manage meetings and negotiations, total availability and a lot of experience in the area."

"Ana Rita Paínho – partner responsible for the TMT area, due to her experience in the area of technology and assertive and careful advice, always defending the client’s interests and creating important consensus between the various intervening parties. Always available and extremely efficient."

"Sérvulo have helped us to find the most adequate solution for one of our key projects. They understand perfectly our business. In addition, they have offered an attractive fee structure that takes into consideration the stage of our company."

"Sérvulo & Associados' transport team is a go-to for state and public bodies in all areas of transport including, road, rail, river and sea."

"The team is led by public procurement and concessions expert Ana Luísa Guimarães and PPP and infrastructure specialist Mark Kirkby, who oversee the firm's wide-ranging practice."

"The team is particularly adept in handling regulatory work, advising several municipalities, metropolitan areas and inter-municipal communities in both Lisbon and Porto in public tenders for public transport."

"The team has a good knowledge of the regulatory environment for electric mobility in Portugal, which requires in-depth knowledge of the energy market, but also of its connection with transport and new technologies."

"Ana Luísa Guimarães demonstrates an enormous willingness to incorporate topics with some urgency in her agenda, complying with timings and deadlines."

"Exceptional knowledge of regulatory and legal issues relating to the energy sector, promoting tailor-made and pro-business legal guidance, which makes Sérvulo an important partner for strategic decision-making in defining our product and service offerings."

"Sérvulo was at the national vanguard and showed throughout the period of preparation a capacity for analysis, assimilation and interpretation of the problem of transport, leading to questioning the proposed technical solutions and foreseeing potential consequences."

"Ana Luísa Guimarães is a dedicated professional, who demonstrated from the beginning her will to master the subject of transport, a challenging subject at the time."

"I highlight the proximity in the approach to the themes and the fulfilment of the established goals. Also emphasize the approach that was systematically taken to us in the preventive sense to avoid future issues."