The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Sérvulo & Associados is a third tier firm,

Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira’s ‘very professional’ team ‘always respects deadlines’. Managing partner and team head Maria João Ricou advised the Portuguese debt agency IGCP on a €26bn loan facility from the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism, and is assisting Banco Privado Português (BPP) in its liquidation process. The team also advised Caixa Geral de Depósitos on incorporating banks in Angola and Mozambique, and represented Rabobank International and Bunge on a €700m global trade receivables securitisation programme. Diogo Ortigão Ramos is recommended, along with associate Manuel Requicha Ferreira, who is ‘always available to assist’. Manuel Magalhães and five associates moved to Sérvulo & Associados in June 2011.

Within Capital markets, tier 4

Paulo Câmara heads Sérvulo & Associados’ team, which advises on corporate governance matters and capital markets regulations. It is assisting Banco Privado Atlântica Europa with the Portuguese Capital Markets Authority licensing process. In June 2011, Manuel Magalhães and five associates joined from Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira.

Within Corporate and M&A, Sérvulo & Associados is a third tier firm,

Sérvulo & Associados’ António Teles and Nuno Moura Roldão advised DomusVenda on service agreements with two Bank of America investment funds. Sofia Carreiro has ‘deep knowledge’ and is ‘quick to understand issues’, and Fernando Ferreira Pinto and senior associate Magdalena Ivanova Ilieva are also recommended. Carreiro and Ilieva advised Multicert on its €3m merger with Certipor.

Within Dispute resolution, Sérvulo & Associados is a second tier firm,

Sérvulo & Associados’ practice spans civil and commercial litigation and arbitration, as well as corporate crime and regulatory compliance. This ‘proficient and highly qualified team’ defends clients in a ‘very detailed and competent’ manner. Teresa Serra is representing several Grupo Fénix companies in tax offence procedures, and Ricardo Guimarães – who produces sharp arguments – is representing Rede Ferroviária Nacional in a damages case regarding the termination of a contract. José Lobo Moutinho ’combines an extensive knowledge of legal issues with solid analysis and litigation skills’. The ‘truly excellent’ João Saúde delivers ‘work of an exceptionally high standard’ and ‘highly creative solutions’. Rui Medeiros, José Manuel Sérvulo Correia and Fernando Ferreira Pinto are recommended for arbitrations.

Within EU and competition, Sérvulo & Associados is a third tier firm,

Sérvulo & Associados’ excellent reputation is largely due to Miguel Gorjão-Henriques, who regularly assists government ministries in state aid and other cases before the European Commission. The team is representing Controlinvest in a PCA merger notification case.

Within Employment, Sérvulo & Associados is a first tier firm,

Sérvulo & Associados’ ‘very strong’ practice has an excellent reputation for advising public entities in employment matters, and can handle collective dismissals and personnel restructurings. Pedro Furtado Martins is noted for his ‘fair and reasonable opinions’, and advised PT Comunicações on employment issues during 2011. Tiago Soares Cardoso now works full-time in the tax department.

Within Energy and environment, Sérvulo & Associados is a third tier firm,

Lino Torgal heads Sérvulo & Associados’ ‘very good’ team, which is advising the Ministry of Economic Affairs on management contracts for energy efficiency. António Teles and Sofia Carreiro are also recommended.

Within Intellectual property, Sérvulo & Associados is a third tier firm,

Sérvulo & Associados advises corporate clients on IP matters including data protection, copyright and software licensing. Senior associate Rui Simões is advising the Universidade Católica Portuguesa on data protection and trade mark issues, and Fernando Ferreira Pinto advises RTP on copyright, licensing, and infringement cases.

Within Project finance, Sérvulo & Associados is a second tier firm,

The projects practice at Sérvulo & Associados has ‘expertise and experience in public law and PPPs’. The group, led by the ‘very client-focused’ Lino Torgal, is singled out for infrastructure work, and counts Ascendi, TERTIR – Terminais de Portugal, and Parpública as clients. Mark Kirkby is ‘experienced and creative’, and associate Maria Zagallo is ‘bright and hardworking’. The team is ‘good at the negotiating table’.

Within Public law, Sérvulo & Associados is a first tier firm,

Sérvulo & Associados’ six-partner team is ‘undoubtedly the best in public law’, and provides ‘extraordinary levels of service’. Combining responsiveness, academic expertise and strength in depth, the group handles all types of public law, including public procurement, and advises public institutions and private companies. The ‘unmatchable’ José Manuel Sérvulo Correia heads the practice, which notably advised the Portuguese state on the veto power of its golden share regarding Telefónica’s acquisition of Vivo from PT. ‘An excellent option in public law’, Lino Torgal handled several PPP renegotiations, including advising TERTIR – Terminais de Portugal on the concession contract for Porto Paita in Peru. The ‘terrific’ Ricardo Guimarães and Rui Medeiros have ‘impressive knowledge’. The ‘very capable’ Mark Kirkby acts for Parpública. João Amaral e Almeida is also recommended.

Within Real estate, tier 4

Sérvulo & Associados is developing a strong practice assisting corporate clients with planning and licensing matters relating to real estate transactions. Practice head Nuno Moura Roldão advised RTP on regulations pertaining to its real estate assets.

Within TMT, Sérvulo & Associados is a third tier firm,

Sérvulo & Associados acts for public bodies and regulators, including ANACOM. Public law expert Lino Torgal and Fernando Ferreira Pinto are the key contacts.

Within Tax, Sérvulo & Associados is a second tier firm,

Sérvulo & Associados’ ‘intelligent and accurate’ Gonçalo Leite de Campos has ‘a very deep knowledge of all tax perspectives’, and is becoming a ‘top reference for tax work’. Formerly focused on employment issues, Tiago Soares Cardoso now works full time in tax. The team advises Portuguese companies in tax litigation, and regarding corporate income tax, VAT and administrative tax.