Chambers Global 2026
Chambers Global reflects the prestige of Chambers Europe, but it focuses, in Portugal, only on a few practice areas with global reach.
Chambers Global also gives a view of the legal markets on the African continent and of the international dimension of law firms, in which SÉRVULO's capabilities and the team's expertise have also been referenced.
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:
"Sérvulo & Associados stands out for its negotiation skills, high competence, availability and in-depth analysis of matters."
"Sérvulo & Associados offers a pragmatic and solution-oriented approach."
"Sérvulo & Associados offers experience, pragmatism and the pursuit of the best defence of client's interests."
"Sérvulo & Associados is very responsive, cooperative and willing to engage on difficult topics."
"Sérvulo & Associados is distinguished for its technical competence, experience and quality."
"Manuel Magalhães has notable experience in financing matters arising within the context of insolvencies of Portuguese credit institutions. He 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."
"Manuel Magalhães offers exceptional competence, deep customer knowledge and distinctive availability."
"Manuel Magalhães is an impressively dedicated lawyer."
"Paulo Câmara leads financial services regulatory matters both for major Portuguese banks and for new entrants to the market."
"Paulo Câmara is one of the most knowledgeable lawyers in Portugal."
"Paulo Câmara is an excellent professional, always timely and responsive in every interaction."
"Francisco Barona demonstrates solid knowledge of corporate finance matters and debt restructurings."
Manuel Magalhães
“Manuel Magalhães is distinguished for his work capacity and his ability to perceive and focus on what truly matters to his client.”
Paulo Câmara
“Paulo Câmara displays very strong technical competence, particularly in highly complex matters. He has a very accurate commercial vision.”
Francisco Barona
“Francisco Barona is an excellent lawyer. He is able to resolve complex issues with a very commercial approach.”
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados boasts a strong reputation for financial services regulatory work, as well as expertise on the issuer side of debt issuances and capital increases. The firm acts for banks, fund managers and public bodies.
Strengths:
"Sérvulo & Associados provides clients with efficient and speedy service."
"Sérvulo & Associados offers, experience, knowledge and a multifaceted and dynamic team."
"Sérvulo & Associados is distinguished for its high level of knowledge of regulations, full availability and clear communication."
"Sérvulo & Associados provides excellent service and high responsiveness."
"Sérvulo & Associados demonstrates exceptional analytical and adaptive capabilities. The firm's flexibility and rapid learning curve allows it to confidently address complex matters."
"Paulo Câmara has a superb regulatory practice and has additional experience in public M&A transactions and capital increases. He further stands out for his experience working with key clients based in Cabo Verde."
"Paulo Câmara is very competent, knowledgeable and responsive."
"Paulo Câmara is meticulous in his work and always available to answer any questions."
"Paulo Câmara is an excellent lawyer."
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:
"Sérvulo & Associados provides both legal and market knowledge."
"The firm shares rapid feedback and is close to the client. Its team has empathy as well as a wide and varied range of knowledge. The team is also results-oriented and available."
"Sérvulo & Associados offers an immense capacity to provide complex and sophisticated advice on M&A transactions."
"The firm provides speed and assertiveness in responses coupled with technical competence and business experience."
"Its team has a highly specialised legal knowledge and great availability and commitment."
"Pedro Silveira Borges is known for his expertise advising clients in the energy and aviation sectors on acquisitions, mergers and other corporate and M&A transactions."
"Pedro Silveira Borges is an amazing professional. He ensures that deals land at their destination and to the client's satisfaction, combining legal sophistication and commercial pragmatism."
Pedro Silveira Borges
“Pedro Silveira Borges is an excellent lawyer. He is the right choice for any matter within his area of expertise.”
Inês Gomes Ferreira
“Inês Gomes Ferreira assists prominent domestic clients with M&A deals and corporate governance topics. She is recognised for her ability to handle complex transactions.”
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:
"Its team is extremely attentive and dedicated in pursuing the correct route for the matters."
"Sérvulo & Associados has really excellent lawyers who are very knowledgeable, experienced and hard-working."
"Sérvulo & Associados excels at providing thoughtful, deliberate strategic planning, combined with a good dose of practicality."
"Sérvulo & Associados has top lawyers who are very capable of handling complex and sophisticated matters."
"Sérvulo & Associados is extremely knowledgeable and very responsive."
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados is widely recognised for its robust international cross-border legal capabilities, particularly within Portuguese-speaking jurisdictions. The firm leverages its strategic position as an independent Portuguese law firm with global reach, facilitated by its membership of Legalink, Cathay Associates, and the ROXIN Alliance. Through these affiliations, Sérvulo offers legal support on transactions and disputes across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, with strong ties to jurisdictions such as Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, Macao, and East Timor. The firm also has foreign desks covering include Africa, Brazil, France, Germany, Scandinavia, and Spain.
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:
"Sérvulo & Associados have the capacity to develop flexible and inventive solutions adapted to the needs of customers in this field."
"Sérvulo & Associados' experience with regard to projects in the public sector both in Portugal and in Portuguese-speaking countries, especially in Africa, is a distinguishing factor."
"They respond quickly and are always attentive to our questions, promptly suggesting possible solutions. They also adhere to the proposed response deadlines."
"Sérvulo & Associados are always helpful, leaving nothing unanswered, demonstrating a capacity for creative legal analysis and respective solutions."
"One of the main strengths that distinguishes this firm is their ability to combine technical rigour with a strategic vision deeply aligned with the requirements of the business sector."
"Mark Kirkby regularly advises on tender processes, project developments and concession agreements. He also provides advice to public sector entities on regulatory issues."
"Mark Kirkby manages to break down the most complex matters in order to make them clear and understandable."
"Mark Kirkby is open to debate with the clients. He is proactive and suggests good proposals with solutions."
"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."
"She is highly intelligent and has solid legal knowledge. She has a commercial instinct and the capacity to be empathetic with clients."
"I highlight Francisca Mendes da Costa for her ability to understand the client's objectives within the scope of her legal consultations."
"Francisca Mendes da Costa maintains an available, attentive and solution-oriented attitude throughout the interactions."