Legal 500 2023

"Equipped with extensive knowledge and fielding a longstanding regulatory tradition, Sérvulo & Associados‘ finance and governance practice has played a prominent role in the structural reorganisation of the public financial sector in Portugal."

"Leading credit and financial institutions in Portugal and abroad seek the firm’s assistance on a host of transactions, including acquisition, corporate and real estate finance, just to name a few."

"At the helm of the practice, Manuel Magalhães and Paulo Câmara are noted for their combined wealth of experience in mandates involving Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa, a service which is provided through SÉRVULO LATITUDE – an international network of law firms – and the African desk." 

"The banking and finance team is made up of excellent professionals, whose knowledge and approach to the issues are recognised by everyone in the market."

"Equipped with extensive knowledge of the client’s situations."

"Team was always available for calls and responsive on all our enquiries and provide very good support during the project."

"I’ve received great attention and availability. In addition, they have helped us in a very proactive way also beyond the scope we had initially agreed on."

"What makes Sérvulo unique is the knowledge and experience in the areas of banking and direct consumption. They always carry out careful, in-depth and detailed analyses of all topics."

"Francisco Boavida Salavessa: great technical knowledge, work capacity, and creativity."

"Best known for its 'in-depth knowledge of legislation' and regulatory matters in the financial services segment, Sérvulo & Associados is a strong performer in the capital markets space, and is increasingly engaged in high-end transactional mandates, especially equity deals."

"Noted for being a 'reference in the national market and, even more, in the space of digital assets', the firm has a strong fintech offering, and boasts further capabilities in private equity and investment funds-related matters."

"SÉRVULO LATITUDE - its international network of law firms - allows it to be present in cross-border mandates, particularly those with ties to Portuguese-speaking jurisdictions in Africa."

"The 'highly regarded' Paulo Câmara, who has a strong track record in multijurisdictional matters, and is singled out for his unparalleled regulatory knowledge, leads the finance and governance team alongside Manuel Magalhães." 

"Sérvulo & Advogados is a reference in the national market and, even more, in the space of digital assets. We would like to highlight the high level of technical knowledge they have on the subject and the correct monitoring carried out throughout the process."

"Paulo Câmara, Verónica Fernández and José Guilherme Gomes stand out. The team demonstrated a high degree of friendliness, professionalism, availability, technical knowledge and commitment throughout the entire process."

"Sérvulo’s main quality is its in-depth knowledge of legislation and the private equity market. Additionally, the constant availability of the team is an outstanding factor in relation to other law firms."

"Paulo Câmara: highly regarded lawyer with availability for the client and demonstrates a deep knowledge of the legislation and the market. His experience gives the client a lot of security in his opinions."

"The in-depth knowledge of the legislation applicable to real estate investment funds and the financial area in general, as well as the excellent relationship and respectability they have with the national supervisory authority, the CMVM. The day-to-day availability for our topics and the celerity and professionalism that help us in the queried questions. Billing is very honest for the quality and time of responses."

"Noted for being ‘technically impeccable‘, Sérvulo & Associados is well versed in high-value transactions, cross-border restructurings, corporate law and commercial agreements."

"Multidisciplinary team, great expertise in M&A transactions, very client- and business-oriented."

"Lawyers are very professional, and have great availability to contact and liaise with urgent matters."

"Sérvulo is responsive and commercially oriented. The lawyers at Sérvulo are technically impeccable, very flexible and imaginative in finding solutions for the clients."

"Sérvulo & Associados offers banking, IT and software, healthcare, insurance and public sector clients strategic advice on a wide range of privacy and data protection matters, most notably GDPR compliance projects, audits and data processing and transfer agreements."

"The practice is led by the trio of Ana Rita Paínho, José Lobo Moutinho and João Carmona Dias."

"Multidisciplinary law firm that allows you to jump from one topic to another with the same partner guiding the matter, no need to re-explain the topic each time."

"Sérvulo & Associados provides excellent legal support, the whole team is extremely well prepared and is able to provide adequate legal advice in a pragmatic way to all types of legal and commercial matters, which in many cases are quite complex. In addition, the team is quite diverse which is very important and valued."

"Offering ‘promptness and excellence in service’, the dispute resolution team at Sérvulo & Associados handles complex litigation and arbitration cases, covering civil and commercial disputes, corporate crime, regulatory compliance and administrative proceedings."

"Well known for its domestic and international arbitration capabilities, the team has a strong reputation in the market for representing financial institutions in high-profile financial disputes."

"António Teles manages the department alongside sports litigation and restructuring and insolvency specialist João Saúde, and Mafalda Ferreira Santos, who is recommended for in- and out-of-court proceedings, covering consumer rights issues, competition law matters and commercial contracts."

"High work capacity, rigour, professionalism, high responsiveness, credibility, client orientated and availability."

"This is an office with extensive experience working with banks. Very competent in the area of litigation. Diligent and proactive."

"Mafalda Ferreira Santos is noted for her ability to work under pressure, experience and technical knowledge. António Teles, Maria José Lourenço, Alexandra Valepaço and Nuno Temudo Vieira are also recommended. Its technical capacity, level of experience, degree of knowledge of the client’s business and quality of work stand out, being differentiating factors of the team."

"The promptness and excellence in service."

"Office with a very competitive price/quality ratio, with renowned professionals with great qualifications and valuable experience."

"The teams we worked with were always in perfect sync. They are always able to understand with accuracy what it is being discussed. They always resolve the issues faced by us with rigour and assertiveness. Amazing legal and sectorial expertise and effective communication."

"Highly rated for its ‘high level of technical expertise’, Sérvulo & Associados‘ employment team covers the full range of labour matters, from whistleblower channels and HR policies to litigation and disciplinary actions."

"On the international front, the group is often engaged in cross-border projects, spanning restructurings, transfers of undertakings and employment-related M&A matters."

"Heading the practice is Rita Canas da Silva, who was appointed as a member of the firm’s executive committee in January 2021 and is ‘well known in the labour law space’."

"Consultant Margarida Costa Gomes offers assistance in labour conflicts and litigation."

"‘Sérvulo & Associados has a team with a high level of technical expertise that conveys confidence.’"

"Rita Canas da Silva demonstrates vast knowledge on all labour matters and an extraordinary ability to work and deliver services. Her responsiveness and availability are brilliant. In addition to presenting great and creative legal solutions, she always ensures that the company is up to date on legislative changes and court decisions."

"Margarida Costa Gomes is an excellent lawyer, with an incredible ability to deliver work with outstanding quality. Rita Canas da Silva is also recommended."

"Sérvulo & Associados is a popular destination for companies and public sector clients active in the renewables sector."

"Led by Mark Kirkby, Ana Luísa Guimarães, Sofia Carreiro and Pedro Silveira Borges, the team is equipped to handle a wide range of matters in the industry, spanning M&A, regulatory issues, public tenders, energy contracts and administrative offences, among others."

"Good knowledge and support for tender processes related to electric mobility."

"We work closely with Ana Luisa Guimarães, who is always available and is able to deliver results within short deadlines. She has extensive knowledge of public procurement and administrative proceedings."

"Attention to detail. Technical knowledge. Cordiality and readiness."

"Led by Miguel Gorjão-Henriques, Sérvulo & Associados' European and competition law group is reputed for its strength in high-profile investigative proceedings, the full range of State Aid matters and antitrust compliance issues."

"A powerhouse in the public law space, the firm attracts instructions from private and public entities from an array of sectors, including TMT, energy, retail, healthcare and financial services, and is experienced in handling pre-litigation proceedings and cases heard before European courts, the European Commission and the European Central Bank."

"In recent months, the team has acted in several major restrictive practices cases before the PCA."

"Fast, clear, available, innovative and comprehensive advice."

"I highlight the quality and excellence of the service provided to the client, as well as the deep knowledge and experience in competition law. Miguel Gorjão Henriques is our go-to person."

"The ‘well-prepared, efficient and modern’ corporate crime and regulatory compliance team at Sérvulo & Associados has a strong criminal and administrative litigation practice."

"Financial institutions, corporates, directors and public sector clients turn to the group for assistance in corruption-related accusations, financial crime cases and internal investigations."

"The team has been increasingly active in criminal compliance matters, often advising on anti-corruption programmes and whistleblowing channels."

"José Lobo Moutinho is highly regarded as ‘one of the most reputable lawyers’ in the field of white-collar crime and compliance."

"Claudia Amorim excels in fraud cases and often advises high-profile private clients."

"Of counsel Ana Brito Camacho has a strong background in corporate crime and compliance matters related to anti-bribery and money laundering."

"The team is always available and able to find solutions to the questions asked. It also seeks new approaches."

"José Lobo Moutinho and Ana Brito Camacho have a very pragmatic approach to solutions and a human touch."

"The office is well prepared, efficient, modern and provides a quality service."

"Sérvulo’s knowledge and practical experience in the field of corruption prevention are crucial for us."

"I’d highlight Cláudia Amorim, Rui Oliveira Alves and Ana Brito Camanho."

"Quality and experience."

"José Lobo Moutinho and Cláudia Amorim are recommended."

"With ‘a proven track record in bank liquidation and insolvency proceedings’, Sérvulo & Associados‘ practice is regularly involved in high-profile restructuring and insolvency cases, with a particular focus on the financial services sector."

"Praised for its ‘promptness and excellence in service and client care’, the group advises a diverse client list of asset management firms, financial institutions and companies operating in the automotive, aviation, pharmaceuticals and real estate industries."

"Manuel Magalhães is a popular choice for major banks, and Mafalda Ferreira Santos focuses on dispute resolution and is well versed in in- and out-of-court restructuring and insolvency cases."

"A team with a proven track record in bank liquidation and insolvency proceedings in Portugal. Diversified knowledge of the matters covered in the judicial liquidation process. In-depth knowledge of the client’s situation."

"Mafalda Ferreira Santos is noted for her ability to work under pressure, technical quality and experience in insolvency proceedings."

"The quality of work is a differentiating factor."

"Promptness and excellence in service and client care."

"Efficiency and knowledge of the subjects. Permanent availability of teams. Prices adjusted to the service provided."

"Manuel Magalhães, Alexandra Valpaços and Margarida Sepúlveda Teixeira are recommended."

"Sérvulo & Associados‘ IP team holds a strong track record in patent and trade mark litigation, with a focus on the life sciences sector."

"Acting for major domestic and international companies, the department is led by Ana Rita Paínho, whose practice covers a wide range of matters, including trade marks, patents, counterfeiting, franchise agreements and brand protection strategies."

"In July 2022, the group was strengthened with the partner promotion of Mariana Costa Pinto, who is ‘an experienced patent litigator, very responsive and client focused, with excellent knowledge of the pharmaceuticals market and IP litigation matters’."

"Very good and efficient service. Excellent language skills."

"Its practitioners have great knowledge of IP and national law. Their advice is always fast, accurate and business-oriented. Their performance in judicial cases is outstanding."

"Mariana Costa Pinto demonstrates passion and flexibility."

"Sérvulo & Associados ‘stands out for its proximity to the client and the way its practitioners solve complex situations’."

"The team acts for real estate investors, funds, banks and major companies in planning and licensing matters related to some of the largest projects under development in the Portuguese market."

"The team has specialists in the most diverse areas. I highlight João Amaral e Almeida, Eduardo Gonçalves Rodrigues and Filipa Névoa."

"Sérvulo Advogados is distinguished by the urban planning expertise of its practitioners and their ability to create relationships with clients rooted in transparency and kindness."

"A leader in the public law space, Sérvulo & Associados ‘combines solid technical and theoretical knowledge‘ ‘with extensive practical experience‘ of acting for both public and private sector clients on the administrative side of large-scale projects."

"With a loyal following of public entities seeking advice on PPPs, concessions and public work contracts, the practice is particularly skilled in projects in the water and waste, energy, transport and healthcare segments."

"Benefitting from the relationships it has been building around the globe through its network SÉRVULO LATITUDE?, the firm has been increasingly engaged by development banks and foreign aid agencies in relation to international mandates, including projects in Mozambique, Cape Verde, São Tomé e Príncipe and – more recently – Tanzania."

"Focusing on the areas of public procurement and administrative litigation, Mark Kirkby chairs the department with Ana Luísa Guimarães, who became an equity partner in September 2021, and Francisca Mendes da Costa."

"Ana Luísa Guimarães is skilled in PPPs, concessions and projects in the mobility and energy sectors, while fellow co-leader Francisca Mendes da Costa is a key contact for multijurisdictional matters."

"Sérvulo e Associados stands out for its corporate awareness of the need to invest in learning, in transforming information into knowledge, in knowledge sharing, namely through the training it promotes whenever there is change and/or new legislation."

"Sérvulo e Associados demonstrated that it combines solid technical and theoretical knowledge of the subjects in question, with extensive practical experience and sensitivity to the specifics of our project. It clearly stands out from other law firms due to the legal quality of the service provided and the ability to present solutions tailored to the client’s particular needs."

"Ana Luísa Guimarães was always very proactive in her relationship with us, seeking to know and provide legal advice according to the company’s business needs."

"They are full-time professionals and a true business partner, always with assertive advice and a broad legal vision and receptive to technological innovation."

"Sérvulo & Associados is highlighted for its ‘significant experience in the public law space’."

"It is a go-to firm for companies and public sector clients in high-profile matters across a wide range of sectors, most notably infrastructure, energy, transportation and healthcare."

"Rui Medeiros and João Amaral e Almeida are key names for administrative litigation and arbitration."

"Other key practitioners include founding partner José Manuel Sérvulo Correia, litigator Duarte Rodrigues Silva and Francisca Mendes da Costa, who is well versed in PPPs and international projects across Mozambique, Cabo Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe."

"Of counsel Paula Bordalo Faustino is another name to note."

"I would highlight the firm in the area of public law for its extensive knowledge and experience, making it, in my opinion, the leading firm in Portugal for public law."

"Mark Kirkby, António Cadilha and Duarte Rodrigues Silva are recommended for their knowledge, commitment and availability in dealing with the matters presented to them."

"Pedro Fernández Sánchez has practical experience and deep knowledge of public procurement."

"João Amaral e Almeida and Paula Bordalo Faustino demonstrate exceptional experience, competence and intelligence in the area of public procurement. They also have the ability to understand and meet the company’s needs. Exceptional dedication to the work that was proposed to them."

"I emphasise the technical qualities and ability to explain matters in simple language. I would recommend  João Amaral e Almeida and Paula Bordalo Faustino."

"Rui Medeiros and Paula Bordalo Faustino have excellent technical knowledge and great ability to integrate data and new and challenging perspectives. Always available."

"Private equity firms, developers, investment funds, corporates and high-net-worth individuals turn to Sérvulo & Associados for assistance in high-end real estate transactions."

"Offering assistance across real estate, urban planning and tourism law matters, the group has been particularly active in advising on acquisitions and disposals, leasebacks, real estate due diligence and construction contracts."

"Eduardo Gonçalves Rodrigues is recommended for zoning and planning issues."

"Real estate finance expert Sofia Thibaut Trocado and recently promoted partner Inês Palma Ramalho are other names to note."

"Always precise and especially quick answers."

"On point, available and pragmatic."

"Eduardo Gonçalves Rodrigues led the team that advised us on a complex project involving urban planning law. I have to highlight the ability to identify and grade the relevant issues and risks, as well as to present a structured and contextualised advice."

"Split into two main areas focused on tax advisory and litigation, Sérvulo & Associados' practice covers domestic, EU and international tax matters."

"On the transactional front, the team offers support to an impressive client base of corporates and private clients in relation to their inbound and outbound investments, comprising M&A, corporate restructurings, financial trasactions, international tax regimes and benefits."

"Transfer pricing, Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FACTA) and CRS issues are other areas of activity for the tax advisory subgroup, which is headed by Teresa Pala Schwalbach, a key contact for private clients and wealth management services."

"Led by the 'excellent' Ana Moutinho Nascimento, the tax litigation team assists clients with tax inspections, administrative proceedings and judicial claims."

"Department leader Diogo Feio is the main point of contact for the firm's biggest corporate clients; he is skilled in both consultancy and contentious matters, including tax arbitrations."

"Experience and quality of work adjusted to client needs."

"Ana Moutinho Nascimento is recommended for her technical capacity."

"Fast, clear, available, innovative and comprehensive advice."

"The care and professionalism in the handling of matters is very evident."

"Great technical and human quality. Its lawyers are close to the clients."

"Sérvulo & Associados is noted for its wealth of experience in advising adverting, media, e-commerce and technology clients on IT contracts, software agreements, licensing issues and data protection work."

"Sérvulo & Associados is a popular choice for advice on concessions, public tenders and arbitration proceedings in the road, rail, sea and river transportation segments."

"The group is often involved in high-profile road and rail projects and acts for both private and public sector clients."

"Leading the practice are Ana Luísa Guimarães, who is specialised in PPPs and concessions, and litigator and arbitrator Mark Kirkby, whose practice covers disputes related to public contracts."

"Sérvulo e Associados demonstrated that it combines solid technical and theoretical knowledge of the subjects in question, with extensive practical experience and sensitivity to the specifics of our project."

"It clearly stands out from other law firms due to the legal quality of the service provided and the ability to present solutions tailored to the client’s particular needs."