Legal 500 2021

"Sérvulo & Associados is noted for its impressive track record in assisting Portuguese banks subject to regulatory intervention, and consequent liquidation and resolution processes."

"Covering the entire spectrum of transactional and regulatory services, the banking and governance practice not only acts for financial and credit institutions, but is also engaged by payment service providers and insurance companies."

"In addition, the firm offers an integrated fintech service, which has become popular among financial clients."

"Regulatory expert Paulo Câmara oversees the department with Manuel Magalhães, who is seasoned in restructurings. Other noteworthy individuals include Verónica Fernández, who is a key point of contact for investment fund managers, and Inês Palma Ramalho, whose experience spans real estate, project and acquisition finance."

"By representing several financial players in Portugal, the team has an extensive experience in all banking and finance matters."

"I would like to highlight the enormous technical quality of this team."

"In addition to Paulo Câmara, an indispensable figure in the banking, financial and governance world is Verónica Fernández. The team stands out for its professionalism, knowledge and pragmatism and also for its clear understanding of the Client’s needs (and sometimes limitations)."

"We believe that Sérvulo brings to our company the seriousness, competence and above all experience that our activity requires. We always feel secure in relation to all the activities managed by or in partnership with Sérvulo."

"With a strong understanding of regulatory issues, Sérvulo & Associados provides regular assistance to leading credit and financial institutions and investment banks." 

"Paulo Câmara, who specialises in securities law and corporate governance, and Manuel Magalhães jointly lead the practice, which is equipped to advise on debt and equity capital markets transactions, investment funds and fintech, for which the firm fields a dedicated support team. Furthermore, it has recently launched a new integrated ESG (environment, social and governance) service to fully assist clients with compliance matters."

"Availability of contact and speed / efficiency in the response; compliance with agreed deadlines; expertise and knowledge of the legal and regulatory framework for asset management, as well as the respective European legislation."

"Paulo Câmara has a remarkable power of synthesis and the ability to present solutions that are simple but fully adjusted to what is desired."

"Although availability and speed of execution are high, the firm is able to maintain a personalised service, which helps to build a close and trusting relationship."

"Our experience with Sérvulo & Associados is very positive. They effectively monitor the client, with permanent partner involvement. The quality of human resources is excellent. They work in an articulated manner with clients, almost as if they were an extension of their business."

"Paulo Câmara is the team leader and distinguishes himself for his skills and proximity to the client."

"Sérvulo’s team is multidisciplinary, and demonstrates excellent technical and legal knowledge; availability and proactivity; timely delivery of the service requested by the client; and understanding of the client’s business."

"I highlight Paulo Câmara for his experience and knowledge in this area. He understands the true needs and limitations of the client."

"Francisco Barona, Verónica Fernández, Sofia Thibaut Trocado and Francisco Boavida Salavessa have remarkable knowledge of the legislative and regulatory frameworks of asset management, being constantly updated in their evolution."

"With extensive experience acting for private and public sector clients, Sérvulo & Associados provides assistance in M&A deals, joint ventures, cross-border restructurings and an array of corporate law matters."

"Besides M&A transactions, Sofia Carreiro is seasoned in joint ventures and commercial contracts, such as agency or distribution agreements."

"Capacity to promptly respond with high-quality advice. The team provides sound and robust legal advice together with practical solutions."

"It is a dedicated team, with a strong commitment to trying to understand, prior to the transaction, what the client’s objectives are. They have solid technical knowledge, explaining in detail all the possible options throughout the deal, and indicating the best possible framework for the intended operation. All documents delivered are previously reviewed by the respective partners, thus ensuring that they are produced with high accuracy and without errors."

"The team was always available for clarifications and constant review of the documentation provided."

"Very client-oriented team, good communication, direct contact with the partner and team, always available to discuss matters and review documentation."

"Sérvulo & Associados' broad service offering encompasses civil, commercial and administrative litigation, corporate crime and arbitration."

"The team predominantly acts in financial disputes, but has recently developed its practice in the field of sports litigation. The latter is a particular area of expertise for co-head João Saúde."

"The department is also increasingly assisting clients with shareholder conflicts, directors' liability and proceedings arising from corporate transactions."

"Mafalda Ferreira Santos is seasoned in restructuring and insolvency matters and arbitration." 

"Capability to deal with complex technical issues."

"Unmatched quality, above average knowledge."

"Professionalism, effectiveness and precision in the way they deal with matters."

"Sérvulo & Associados provides multi-disciplinary legal advice to private and public sector clients on all matters pertaining to individual and collective working relations. Over the past year, the department witnessed an unprecedented growth of unemployment mandates related to lay-off procedures, collective dismissals, remote working agreements and related privacy issues."

"The team's expertise was further reinforced with the integration of Nuno Pais Gomes, a seasoned employment law practitioner who joined the firm. Rita Canas da Silva is knowledgeable in all labour and social security matters, while litigation is a key area of focus for Margarida Costa Gomes."

"Availability, associated with high legal and labour knowledge, gives us a certainty that allows us to outline preventive and reactive strategies in the scope of employment proceedings (judicial, pre-judicial or administrative spheres). Through Sérvulo’s advice, we have managed to reduce litigation in the employment area."

"Sérvulo’s team includes Rita Canas da Silva, who has extensive academic and professional experience." 

"The team provides personalised services and client treatment. Professionals with high technical capacity, where the reconciliation between academic experience and forensic practice allows the relevant particularity in the national market."

"What makes this firm unique is its proximity to the client, the speed of responses, and the quality of the technical solutions presented. In the context of the national legal market, Sérvulo’s team has the ability to generate a feeling of unique trust with the client, which was particularly visible in the context of Covid-19. The team was able to find solutions and monitor the numerous legislative initiatives that were constantly being approved by the Government."

"Extensive experience in employment matters. The team finds it easy to understand our problems, due to our longstanding relationship."

"Clarity in exposing risks and opportunities, and ease of access to other areas of expertise."

"Rita Canas da Silva for her knowledge and clarity with which she exposes the pros and cons of each solution."

"Sérvulo & Associados leverages its leading position in the public law field to assist clients in a wide range of regulatory matters."

"Recent mandates saw the team advise on issues pertaining to electric mobility and self-consumption of renewable energy."

"The team, which is also equipped to handle sector-related transactions and public procurement, is jointly led by Ana Luísa Guimarães and Mark Kirkby."

"The services provided are of high quality and personalised. The team demonstrates a great capacity to know and understand the client’s business in its various aspects."

"This firm has been supporting us in specific issues pertaining to electric mobility." 

"Showcasing an impressive track record before the European Commission, Sérvulo & Associados has particular strength acting for private and public entities in state aid proceedings across a range of sectors, including financial services, transport, energy and retail."

"Department head Miguel Gorjão-Henriques is experienced in restrictive trade practices, and is highly regarded among pharmaceutical clients."

"The team is further retained to advise on merger law matters in the context of M&A transactions, compliance issues, private enforcement and abuse of dominance." 

"Alberto Saavedra is another practitioner to note for EU law and competition matters."

"The team was well organised and also very responsive. If a new issue came up, they were really quick to react and were ready with possible options on how best to handle it within a very short period of time."

"Highly competent and available team. Miguel Gorjão-Henriques is recommended."

"It has been my great pleasure to work with the Sérvulo team. They have developed a deep connection with the client teams involved, and are clearly trusted in their advice, style and knowledge. I have worked with competition lawyers around Europe and can say confidently that the Sérvulo team is first rate and has an exceptionally good rapport with clients. I am impressed by their legal knowledge, but also their understanding of the academic literature of competition issues which means that they are able to run leading legal and economic arguments."

"Alberto Saavedra – an excellent legal mind. He is able to digest complicated evidence and present it in clear legal documents. I have seen Alberto manage the delivery of large written documents to be filed in court with him drafting in a clear, careful and persuasive way."

"Miguel Gorjão-Henriques – a lawyer at the very forefront of competition law in Portugal. He has a PHD in Law and also teaches, and you can see his knowledge is deep, meaning he can quickly identify key issues in the case or evidence and propose strategies. He has a calm, polite and commanding style."

"The corporate crime and regulatory compliance group at Sérvulo & Associados attracts high-profile mandates, which predominantly involve financial and corruption-related accusations."

"On the compliance front, the team advises clients on the structuring of programmes to prevent criminal practices, assess risks and avoid other administrative infringements."

"I recommend Ana Brito Camacho and Teresa Serra. They are very organised and professional. They conduct an in-depth analysis of the theory and laws and apply well-founded, accurate, adequate and prudent conclusions to the specific case. They clearly and simply explain the risks of each situation and propose solutions."

"The team that has worked with us has proved to be very competent and well articulated with each other, endowed with high legal and procedural knowledge, evidencing the great professional experience they have. The exhaustive preparation that they undertake in relation to the different stages of the process stands out. They excel in court proceedings."

"José Lobo Moutinho has great management skills, critical sense, relevant experience and deep knowledge of the matters involved."

"The professionalism and proximity to the client makes the team stand out."

"Teresa Serra's extensive experience covers white-collar crime, compliance and arbitration."

"Sérvulo & Associados specialises in advising on the restructuring and insolvency of banks and financial institutions, and it also assists banking groups in the restructuring and insolvency cases of their clients."

"Deep knowledge of the topics covered. We recommend Mafalda Ferreira Santos, Maria José Lourenço and Manuel Magalhães."

"Technical quality, work capacity, timely response."

"Security in the legal solutions found."

"Manuel Magalhães: for attention, treatment and reasoning and legal knowledge."

"Sérvulo & Associados fields a highly specialised IP team, which stands out for its strong focus on patent litigation in the life sciences sector."

"With international companies at the core of the group's client base, the practice also undertakes work pertaining to trade marks, copyright and distribution issues." 

"Ana Rita Paínho, who has extensive experience in cross-border matters, oversees the department."

"Expertise in IP, speed in responding to queries, availability, clarity in the drafting."

"Ana Rita Paínho and Mariana Costa Pinto stand out in the field."

"Personalised services and competent professionals."

"Ana Rita Paínho and Mariana Costa Pinto are recommended for their availability and competence."

"The urban planning group at Sérvulo & Associados acted for a range of real estate investors, major companies, funds and banks on their planning and licensing matters in 2020." 

"Eduardo Gonçalves Rodrigues leads the team and has worked in conjunction with the office's wider real estate practice on recent tourist and residential developments, among others."

"Willing to provide the necessary framework and clarification with the support of an extended structure." 

"Drawing on its public law prowess, the infrastructure projects practice at Sérvulo & Associados assists a predominantly public entity client base on matters in the water and waste, energy, infrastructure and transport industries."

"The practice covers Portugal's major metropolitan areas as well as jurisdictions in Lusophone Africa."

"Practice co-head Ana Luísa Guimarães focuses on public procurement, concessions and projects in regulated sectors and alongside her, Mark Kirkby has extensive experience in public infrastructure, especially road and rail networks. Francisca Mendes da Costa was promoted to partner in July 2020 and has been heavily involved across the firm's range of project mandates."

"Sérvulo & Associados stands out for its exceptional professionalism in dealing with the issues that are presented to them. The team repeatedly demonstrates a high degree of commitment and compliance with deadlines."

"Sérvulo & Associados has grown immensely in the area of Projects, with the very committed involvement of a group of lawyers in this area, with a special focus on Francisca Mendes da Costa, whose enthusiasm, pragmatic spirit and availability will certainly facilitate investment in that area."

"I would point out in particular in this area Mark Kirkby and Francisca Mendes da Costa, as differentiating elements in the market. The first with a strong connection to university education that uniquely strengthens the knowledge of the subjects and Francisca Mendes da Costa demonstrates legal certainty combined with a pragmatic and totally customer-oriented spirit, always with total availability."

"Francisca Mendes da Costa: enthusiasm, pragmatism, availability and resilience and innovative spirit."

"Mark Kirkby: technical knowledge and innovation in solutions."

"Quality in the analysis of matters, the presentation of legal solutions to support decision making and the follow-up of matters until their closure."

"Francisca Mendes Costa is a competent and insightful professional."

"Sérvulo & Associados is a reference in the Portuguese legal market for its uncontested expertise in public law."

"The senior team is entirely devoted to public law matters and receives high-profile instructions from private and public clients operating in a wide range of regulated sectors, notably telecoms, healthcare, banking, transport and energy."

"Its growing international presence, namely in Portuguese-speaking African countries, is bolstered by the recent launch of SÉRVULO LATITUDE (an international network of law firms) and its African desk."

"Sérvulo & Associados is distinguished by the excellence and quality of the advice provided to the client, and by the combined knowledge and interest in the client’s activity / business sector. Sérvulo & Associados’ legal opinions have been instrumental in supporting the decision-making of our management bodies."

"Competence, honesty, availability and wisdom. Rui Medeiros and Duarte Rodrigues Silva stand out."

"Sérvulo & Associados is probably the most recognized law firm in the areas of public procurement and public law. Originally based on the prominent figure of professor Sérvulo Correia, he has over the years gained significant reputation in these areas." 

"Sérvulo’s public law team is characterised by the strength of its theoretical knowledge, combined with its practical experience, in the most diverse areas of public law. The team excels in legal consultation, and in administrative litigation and arbitration."

"Sérvulo & Associados is a leading law firm in Portugal, particularly in matters of Public Law and Public Procurement. The firm includes the best collection of professionals in this field. The quality of services is extremely high, and the development of the activity is always directed to the client’s best interest."

"Administrative litigation is an area of focus for Duarte Rodrigues Silva, while recently promoted Francisca Mendes da Costa stands out for her experience in multi-jurisdictional matters."

"Mark Kirkby and Francisca Mendes da Costa are recommended."

"I highlight Duarte Rodrigues Silva for his deep knowledge of Public Law matters, which he combines with an exceptional pragmatism and a vast professional experience. In addition to being an excellent lawyer, he has been an ally, always available to support and with an extraordinary ability to quickly solve problems."

"The multi-disciplinary team at Sérvulo & Associados possesses specialist knowledge of real estate, urban planning and tourism law."

"It is engaged by leading real estate companies and investment funds on a range of high-end real estate transactions, financing matters, and planning and licensing procedures of commercial and tourism projects." 

"Manuel Magalhães leads the practice, which also includes Sofia Thibaut Trocado, who is the name to note for real estate finance and the incorporation of real estate investment funds, and Joana Pinto Monteiro."

"The team was very quick to fulfil our requests and gave us very important and useful law-related advice."

"Always available and great capacity under pressure."

"As a foreigner you are not familiar with local laws and customs. Then it is important to be able to count on a reliable partner who provides you with clear and complete information and who is available at critical moments with not only expert advice, but also takes a pragmatic approach. Sofia Thibaut Trocado meets these requirements in every respect."

"The quality I value the most was the reactivity and the fact that they listen to the client. They understand the point of view of clients and at the same time protect them."

"Despite being a larger firm, there is an air of informality which is beneficial for the client. It simplifies communication and makes for rapid processing."

"Overseen by Diogo Feio, Sérvulo & Associados fields a tax practice divided into an advisory department, headed by the 'highly professional, collaborative and trustworthy' Teresa Pala Schwalbach (who was promoted to partner in 2020), and a litigation team, led by experienced tax partner Ana Moutinho Nascimento."

"Recent highlights for the team include significant instructions in contentious and non-contentious matters for banking sector clients. The firm's sports law department demonstrates another specialism in advising HNWIs."

"The quality of the office professionals is evident, which allows them to approach subjects of great complexity with ease."

"Sérvulo has a young and qualified team in several areas and where the figure of Diogo Feio, a skilled lawyer and an advanced expert in tax law, is punctuated, with the ‘plus’ of a special insight into fiscal policy due to his long political career."

"Diogo Feio – an excellent lawyer, with a lot of experience, namely in matters of tax litigation."

"Very good personal service, highly professional but still very relevant, actual and empathic – always up to date and give a feel of being both a very modern firm, but at the same time an image of high trust."

"Teresa Pala Schwalbach is highly professional, collaborative and trustworthy. She has an excellent partner/client relation and everything she delivers is always exceeding expectations. I believe her way of working is extraordinary and standing out from competitors and other lawyers based on her way of simplifying for the client, at the same time showing professionalism, modern co-creation and responding to any question/request with client in focus."

"Sérvulo is characterized by the quality of services provided to clients, with partners and lawyers in the tax team who have extensive academic training, in addition to professional experience. They are dedicated to matters of a diverse nature (such as sports, insolvencies, the health sector, construction and real estate, among others) and, above all, to innovative subjects, such as the digital economy and studies on the weight of tax compliance in the activity of Portuguese companies."

"Among the various elements of the team, I would highlight Teresa Pala Schwalbach, who was recently promoted to partner. I value the constant availability shown in the follow-up of the subjects, the vast and diversified professional experience and the ability to think outside the box, looking at the global context of the issues and alerting / helping in the resolution of issues that are not only related to the legal forum but which may be of an operational or business nature."

"Niche expertise in publicity and advertising alongside a strong IT and technology practice characterises Sérvulo & Associados' offering." 

"Ana Rita Paínho leads the team and has IT and data protection expertise, as well as the aforementioned publicity focus."

"Sérvulo’s TMT team is very knowledgeable and very helpful on IT contracts related matters."

"Ana Rita Paínho is very experienced on IT related matters, immediately providing the client visibility on the relevant points to be addressed. Very useful and add-valued assistance to any entity in need of legal support on IT matters on a regular basis."

"Good and practicable firm for IT, commercial and data protection work."

"Great firm and lawyers to work with."

"Sérvulo & Associados has a proven track record in all areas of transport (including aviation, rail, road and shipping), drawing upon its reputation in public law."

"The practice is regularly engaged by the state and other public bodies in mandates pertaining to road and rail projects involving concessions and PPP structures. It is adept at advising on regulatory, transactional, litigation and transport-related financing work, having recently expanded its service offering to clients in the aviation and aeronautics sectors." 

"Ana Luísa Guimarães and Mark Kirkby are the key points of contact in the team."

"Sérvulo demonstrated professionalism and knowledge in the tasks performed. I would like to highlight the work of Ana Luísa Guimarães."

"There was a wide range of new legislation that had never been applied and was subject to the first interpretation. Sérvulo was undoubtedly a pioneer in this matter. They quickly mastered this area of knowledge."

"In addition to the entire legal component of the process, Ana Luísa Guimarães lent herself to the review of technical documents with a critical analysis of their meaning in order not to lend herself to misinterpretations in the context of the competition."