Chambers Europe 2024
Chambers Europe is the reference among international directories that produce rankings of law firms, for the quality of its research and the breadth of the geographies it analyses, including several practice areas in each jurisdiction.
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:
"The team has a holistic approach to problems, considering the legislation, the reality of the company and knowledge of the legislature."
"The quality of the service is strong, the team meets deadlines and presents a very complete response."
"Manuel Magalhães expertise also covers regulatory banking mandates."
Manuel Magalhães
“Manuel has notable experience in financing matters arising within the context of insolvencies of Portuguese credit institutions. Manuel earns praise for his broader finance practice, which includes advice on the negotiation of new corporate loans.”
Paulo Câmara
“Paulo Câmara leads financial services regulatory matters both for major Portuguese banks and for new entrants to the market.”
Francisco Barona
“Francisco Barona demonstrates solid knowledge of corporate finance matters and debt restructurings.”
Chambers Review:
In addition to its strong reputation for financial services regulatory work, Sérvulo & Associados has experience on the issuer side of debt issuances and capital increases. The firm acts for banks, fund managers and public bodies.
Paulo Câmara has a superb financial services 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.
Verónica Fernández is a key member of the team's mixed finance transactional and regulatory practice. She is well placed to advise on the structuring of securities-issuing programmes.
Strengths:
"Its professionals are efficient and have great technical capacity and specific legal knowledge."
"The law firm offers a multidisciplinary team of lawyers with different backgrounds that bring value to projects with a broad scope."
"All the process are pursued with the best care and attention. The team also answers to all deadlines on time."
"Verónica Fernández is focused on excellent delivery and client management."
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados stands out for its focus on assisting public authorities and financial sector clients with state aid matters. The law firm also handles behavioural investigations and merger clearance filings, including representing third parties in challenges to filings. It has further experience in competition compliance matters and in disputes concerning EU regulations.
Miguel Gorjão-Henriques has a broad practice representing clients in behavioural investigations, state aid matters and merger control proceedings. He further acts on appeals against decisions and damages actions. He is also known for his ability to handle European Union law matters.
Alberto Saavedra often assists clients with state aid matters. He also has experience in behavioural investigations and appeals against authority decisions. He additionally acts on contentious merger control proceedings.
Strengths:
"The lawyers are very knowledgeable, technical experts."
"The team is quick in its answers, clarifying our doubts, and giving us inputs on solutions."
"Miguel Gorjão-Henriques is able to strategise how we should communicate with the authorities."
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados is well placed to assist with business incorporations. 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 and real estate sectors.
Sofia Carreiro enters the rankings this year backed by positive client feedback. She is adept at handling business incorporations, corporate transactions and restructurings.
Strengths:
"The law firm has a multidisciplinary and experienced team, capable of handling complex matters."
"It's a very committed and available team that works closely with the client."
"Sérvulo & Associados has a good, solid team that provides solutions to all the problems that come up during transactions."
"The team has great capacity to understand its clients' issues and provide solutions."
"Sofia Carreiro is very client-oriented."
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:
"Their ability to come up with innovative solutions that help us tackle the difficult constraints that we face on a daily basis is remarkable."
"It offers a very focused team with a capability of analysing all aspects of the issues brought to them."
"They have a deep knowledge of the subjects and provide quick answers."
Chambers Review:
João Saúde has experience representing clients from the banking sector in insolvency-related disputes. He also handles commercial litigation, with further prowess in handling commercial and investment treaty arbitrations.
Mafalda Ferreira Santos regularly advises on banking and real estate disputes, with the proven ability to assist with international matters. She has further experience in disputes regarding distribution agreements and product liability.
Strengths:
"João Saúde is excellent and has great technical knowledge."
"Mafalda Ferreira Santos has an outstanding capacity of diagnosing the situations, appraising the risks and identifying all possible solutions."
"Mafalda Ferreira Santos has excellent communication skills and availability to clarify issues."
Chambers Review:
Rui Medeiros is a well-reputed arbitrator. He is appointed co-arbitrator or chair in public law cases, including tax arbitrations. He also accepts appointments on commercial and private law cases.
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados has a prominent activity in the employment sphere. The law firm regularly assists with the employment aspects of transactions and restructuring and compliance procedures, offering further advice on collective bargaining agreements, the employment aspects of public service contracts, and employment-related litigation.
Rita Canas da Silva is well placed to assist with employment litigation, restructuring, redundancy procedures, collective bargaining agreements and the implementation of working conditions.
Strengths:
"Sérvulo has ample and proven experience and a track record on labour litigation. It has a great reputation and experience, providing valuable support and advice on matters related to labour and employment law and social security law."
"The team is absolutely engaged with the company and very familiar with the business in all its dimensions. Its ability to come up with innovative solutions that help us tackle the difficult constraints that we face on a daily basis is remarkable."
"Rita Canas da Silva has a deep and recognised knowledge and experience in labour law and social security. She has enormous focus and offers attention to the clients and their specificities."
"Rita Canas da Silva is extremely competent, proactive and is a problem-solver."
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados houses a strong team able to provide advice for public and private clients in a diverse range of energy matters, including assistance with hydropower and solar energy projects. The lawyers are also well versed in regulatory law matters. The team further advises clients on project developments and finance.
Mark Kirkby frequently advises public and private entities on the structuring and development of large-scale projects. He is regularly mandated to advise on renewable energy projects and PPA agreements.
Strenghts:
"Sérvulo & Associados analysed our situation well and suggested strategies. The team is very available."
"The team is very practical and proactive. Its lawyers possess a deep knowledge of the sector and the capacity to enter into dialogue with the relevant entities."
"Its has demonstrated that it has the necessary skills to provide solutions that allow the client to close deals, even in the most complex negotiations."
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados has a notable practice housing a first-rate life sciences team which regularly assists leading generics clients with patent infringement and invalidity disputes. The law firm also advises pharmaceutical clients on clinical trials and EU regulatory matters, as well as on legislation around the use of biological materials and human embryos. The team is experienced in trade mark registrations and opposition proceedings.
Ana Rita Paínho is highly active in patent infringement and invalidity proceedings, often representing clients from the pharmaceutical industry. She has additional experience in life sciences matters such as clinical trial agreements and data privacy, and further assists clients with regulatory matters.
Mariana Costa Pinto is well placed to advise on generic medicine mandates, including patent infringement and marketing issues.
Strengths:
"Sérvulo & Associados offers very strong commitment, solid technical skills and fantastic experience."
"Sérvulo & Associados has always shown a lot of knowledge, practice and ease in dealing with the issues presented and the challenges of the area in question."
"The team provides feedback in a comprehensive and detailed manner."
"The law firm provides a professional and available service and is always keen to find solutions."
"Its team is very proactive and fast in clarifying all the doubts about the process."
"Mariana Costa Pinto is a very well-prepared lawyer and I know her for her high-quality work."
"Mariana Costa Pinto did a good job for us and helped with litigation in a healthy manner."
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados has a notable practice housing a first-rate life sciences team which regularly assists leading generics clients with patent infringement and invalidity disputes. The law firm also advises pharmaceutical clients on clinical trials and EU regulatory matters, as well as on legislation around the use of biological materials and human embryos. The team is experienced in trade mark registrations and opposition proceedings.
Ana Rita Paínho is highly active in patent infringement and invalidity proceedings, often representing clients from the pharmaceutical industry. She has additional experience in life sciences matters such as clinical trial agreements and data privacy, and further assists clients with regulatory matters.
Mariana Costa Pinto is well placed to advise on generic medicine mandates, including patent infringement and marketing issues.
Strengths:
"Sérvulo & Associados offers very strong commitment, solid technical skills and fantastic experience."
"Sérvulo & Associados has always shown a lot of knowledge, practice and ease in dealing with the issues presented and the challenges of the area in question."
"The team provides feedback in a comprehensive and detailed manner."
"The law firm provides a professional and available service and is always keen to find solutions."
"Its team is very proactive and fast in clarifying all the doubts about the process."
"Mariana Costa Pinto delivers outstanding performance and unsurpassed dedication."
"Mariana Costa Pinto did a good job for us and helped with litigation in a healthy manner."
Chambers Review:
Eduardo Gonçalves Rodrigues offers support with a variety of planning matters, including contractual and licensing issues.
Strengths:
"Eduardo Gonçalves Rodrigues is very easy-going without losing his ability to perform at the highest level of expertise. I enjoy working with him."
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.
Mark Kirkby regularly advises on tender processes, project developments and concession agreements. He also provides advice to public sector entities on regulatory issues.
Strengths:
"The lawyers are competent and prompt in providing the required advice."
"The law firm delivers high-quality output, responds promptly to requests and handles the assignments within a reasonable timeframe."
"Mark Kirkby is well aware of the matters and is knowledgeable and available."
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados is distinguished by its longstanding expertise in public law and is widely recognised in the market for its knowledge and experience. The team is noted for advising an impressive roster of public entities, for which it handles public procurement, PPPs, disputes and regulatory work. Its advice spans a range of sectors, including telecommunications, retail, energy, transport, and food and beverages. The law firm also offers environment law expertise.
Founding partner José Manuel Sérvulo Correia is highly regarded by interviewees, who consider him a figure of reference in the public law sector. He is an expert in regulatory matters and arbitration proceedings.
Pedro Fernández Sánchez frequently represents clients before the administrative court, in addition to assisting with the regulatory aspects of public procurements, including international tender procedures.
Strengths:
"Sérvulo & Associados' commitment is absolutely outstanding; the team are absolutely engaged with clients and very familiar with their businesses. The lawyers' ability to come up with innovative solutions that help tackle difficult constraints is remarkable."
"The team is comprised of excellent regulatory and public law lawyers with decades of specific experience in the sector."
José Manuel Sérvulo Correia
“Founding partner José Manuel Sérvulo Correia is highly regarded by interviewees, who consider him a figure of reference in the public law sector.”
Rui Medeiros
“Rui Medeiros is well regarded for his experience handling regulatory proceedings in relation to public-private partnerships, as well as complex administrative matters.”
João Amaral e Almeida
“João Amaral e Almeida regularly assists clients from the transport and infrastructure sectors with domestic and international public tenders.”
Mark Kirkby
“Mark Kirkby has considerable experience assisting domestic and international clients from both the public and private sectors with public procurements, arbitral disputes and the amendment of concession agreements.”
Pedro Fernández Sánchez
“Pedro Fernández Sánchez is a lawyer of enormous quality in the field of administrative law.”
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados has a well-known department providing advice to clients on the litigious aspects of insolvency processes and liquidation proceedings. The law firm offers a solid bench of noted practitioners who advise both creditors and indebted financial institutions as well as companies from the transportation and construction sectors. The team also assists with special revitalisation proceedings, credit claims and restructuring plans.
Manuel Magalhães has a broad practice that takes in large liquidation proceedings, credit claims, clawback disputes and insolvency liability litigation. He often advises banks and real estate clients.
Mafalda Ferreira Santos assists clients with contentious matters within insolvency, including pre-litigation and litigation proceedings, as well as revitalisation proceedings and credit claims.
Strengths:
"The delivery and expertise of Sérvulo & Associados are very good. Its team has the knowledge and sensibility that clients want."
"They have a deep and vast knowledge of the subject and give quick answers. They meet the deadlines without ceasing to be accurate in their answers."
"The team brings availability, rigour and technical knowledge."
"Mafalda Ferreira Santos is very attentive to the details. She is a team leader who has everything well documented and she can be assertive without losing diplomacy."
"Manuel Magalhães is proactive with good negotiation skills and is always able to provide legal and sound solutions."
Manuel Magalhães
“He is very knowledgeable about insolvency proceedings and provided us with good advice on how to move forward.”
Mafalda Ferreira Santos
“Mafalda Ferreira Santos has a great and profound knowledge. She dedicates herself fully to these matters and is always thinking about us and our needs.”
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados is an established group frequently advising clients on tax planning and tax litigation matters. It further offers experience in assisting companies with tax structuring and potential tax liabilities. The team is adept in submitting ruling requests before the Portuguese tax authorities.
Strengths:
"The team is extraordinarily great and very supportive."
"The advice the firm provides is very client-focused and its approach is holistic."
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados is an independent domestic group offering expertise in contractual negotiations as well as software-related issues. The law firm acts for clients from a range of industries such as life sciences technology and telecommunications. The practice offers additional strength in data protection issues and GDPR compliance.
Strengths:
"The team can figure out the way forward in a way that makes sense to the business."
Chambers Review:
Sérvulo & Associados maintains a strong reputation in the white-collar crime space, assisting clients with the handling of fraud, corruption and abuse of power allegations. The practice further encompasses investigations into money laundering, tax evasion and embezzlement.
José Lobo Moutinho is well versed in criminal cases, advising a number of private clients from the infrastructure, finance and public sectors on corruption, fraud and misuse of power.
Cláudia Amorim debuts in the rankings this year with positive market support and an established practice representing clients in money laundering, abuse of power and fraud claims.
Strengths:
"Sérvulo & Associados has well-prepared professionals who are knowledgeable about market practices."
"The team shows a high level of awareness in relation to new topics. Its lawyers provide information related to those topics and make themselves available to help clients, attempting to increase the services provided."
"The law firm is very careful in its analysis and preparation, executing the case with calm and smoothness."
"The team is quick to respond and provide feedback."
"Sérvulo & Associados' ability to come up with innovative solutions that help us to tackle the difficult constraints that we face on a daily basis is remarkable."
"José Lobo Moutinho is a recognised professional with in-depth knowledge."
"I have a very good impression of her work."