The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, SRS Advogados is a third tier firm,

SRS Advogados’ ‘experienced and rounded’ team is advising Banco do Brasil on a €20m facility agreement with Galp Energia, and on another facility agreement with Amorim Holding II. The highly regarded William Smithson heads the team, which attracted new clients Banco Invest, Archers Capital and TPG-Axon Capital. Smithson advised Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce on the WireCo World Group financing. Pedro Rebelo de Sousa and Alexandra Maia de Loureiro are also recommended, as is senior associate Gonçalo dos Reis Martins for regulatory advice.

Within Capital markets, SRS Advogados is a third tier firm,

SRS Advogados provides ‘real international expertise and know-how’. Highlights included advising Banco do Brasil as manager of Galp Energia’s €300m floating rate notes issue, and representing Caixa Económica Montepio Geral on an exchange and tender offer under its EMTN programme. Practice head William Smithson, Alexandra Maia de Loureiro, managing associate Gustavo Ordonhas Oliveira and senior associate Gonçalo dos Reis Martins are recommended.

Within Corporate and M&A, SRS Advogados is a third tier firm,

SRS Advogados provides ‘excellent’ advice and turnaround times. Octávio Castelo Paulo leads the team, which is particularly notable for its TMT and energy experience. Highlights included advising Japanese internet provider NEC on the squeeze-out of minority shareholders in a Portuguese subsidiary, and on the merger of two subsidiaries. It also advised on Air Liquide’s acquisition of Gasmedi in Spain and Portugal. An ‘excellent professional’, Nuno Miguel Prata provides ‘timely, clear and concise advice’.

Within Dispute resolution, SRS Advogados is a second tier firm,

SRS Advogados goes from strength to strength following 2010’s absorption of a dispute resolution boutique. José Carlos Soares Machado and José Luís Moreira da Silva lead the team, which is experienced across many industry sectors including energy, financial, TMT and life sciences disputes. It advised Apollo Management in a common proceeding relating to a payment claim, and Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics in a damages claim relating to a distribution agreement. The ‘very solid’ Carla Neves Matias is recommended, as is fellow managing associate and ‘good strategist’ Ana Matias Lopes, who has ‘a strong presence in court’.

Within EU and competition, SRS Advogados is a first tier firm,

‘A true business partner of the client’, SRS Advogados handles state aid and merger control cases, and enforcement, compliance and investigations work. Gonçalo Anastácio has ‘astonishing knowledge of European legal matters’, and is ‘becoming a rainmaker’. Anastácio advised Galp in a state aid case for European Commission approval of its €1.5bn refineries expansion project. This ‘efficient and effective’ group is also representing new client ECS Capital in obtaining PCA clearance for its acquisition of MIF, and acted in the first abuse of dominance case ruling by a Portuguese court. Other clients include Sumol+Compal and Portuguese government entities.

Within Employment, SRS Advogados is a first tier firm,

Another highly rated employment practice, SRS Advogados has notable experience in corporate restructuring and collective dismissals. It continues to advise Galp in collective disputes with trade unions, and to act for Kraft Foods following its restructuring. New clients include Soares da Costa, BPN, Bertelsmann Group and Norgine. ‘Walking encyclopaedia’ César Sá Esteves has ‘solid technical skills’ and ‘a very practical approach’. Maria de Lancastre Valente is a very able associate.

Within Energy and environment, SRS Advogados is a second tier firm,

SRS Advogados’ busy energy practice is noted for its ‘deep knowledge’, and the highly experienced Gonçalo Anastácio’s ‘low-profile approach proves to be the best solution when dealing with complex matters’. Anastácio is advising Martifer on a biofuels project in Mozambique. Other clients include Repsol, Galp, Iberdrola and NRG. Mário Melo Rocha is the key contact for environmental issues, and is advising scrap-recycling company Batista on complying with EU regulations. Pedro Rebelo de Sousa is also recommended.

Within Insolvency and restructuring, SRS Advogados is a third tier firm,

SRS Advogados is well placed to handle insolvency litigation, and is able to call on the firm’s sizeable dispute resolution team. The team, led by disputes expert José Luís Moreira da Silva, is also experienced in restructuring work, and acts for Rottapharm, Conesa, and ES Capital. Octávio Castelo Paulo is singled out for his experience.

Within Intellectual property, SRS Advogados is a third tier firm,

SRS Advogados advises on trade marks and domain names, and on patent registrations, infringements and licensing, copyright protection and IP litigation. The team provides ‘timely and clear responses’, and advises Mobizapp on trade mark filing, prosecution and infringement. It is advising Sumol+Compal on IP rights. Octávio Castelo Paulo and managing associate Raquel Cuba Martins are ‘excellent lawyers with full knowledge of IP matters’.

Within Project finance, SRS Advogados is a third tier firm,

SRS Advogados’ projects practice features public law partner José Luís Moreira da Silva and finance expert Alexandra Maia de Loureiro. The team maintains a focus on infrastructure projects, where clients include Estradas de Portugal and Société Générale.

Within Public law, tier 4

SRS Advogados has experience advising on several PPPs for hospitals, and infrastructure projects and concessions. José Luís Moreira da Silva is advising Galp in judicial reviews of regulatory sanctions, and also assisting Renault Portugal with public procurement issues. ZON remains a key client. Managing associate Alexandre Roque is also recommended.

Within Real estate, SRS Advogados is a third tier firm,

The team at SRS Advogados displays ‘total commitment’ and produces ‘prompt and accurate responses’. Practice head Maria José Santana is advising the Spanish branch of Rabobank Nederland on the incorporation of two special purpose vehicles to acquire its Portuguese real estate assets. Managing associate and head of the Madeira office Gonçalo Maia Camelo is ‘an expert in tourism, construction, urban planning and public law issues’, and is ‘very persuasive and trustworthy’.

Within Shipping and transport, SRS Advogados is a first tier firm,

SRS Advogados’ strong shipping and transport practice handles public concessions, acquisitions, regulatory compliance issues and litigation work for clients. José Luís Moreira da Silva is advising Arriva subsidiary ViaPORTO as the new operator of the Metro do Porto, and also advising Sacor Marítima in a €10m arbitrage lawsuit relating to the construction of an oil and gas tanker. Maria José Santana advises shipowner Box Lines on acquisitions.

Within TMT, SRS Advogados is a second tier firm,

Octávio Castelo Paulo heads SRS Advogados’ well-respected TMT team. ZON remains a key client, particularly in disputes against competitor PT Comunicações and regulator ANACOM. Recent instructions include representing Zapp Holdings/Mobizapp in penalty proceedings for an alleged misuse of frequencies. Other clients include BT Group, Google, Colt Group, and Estée Lauder. Luís Neto Galvão is a telecoms expert.

Within Tax, SRS Advogados is a second tier firm,

Paula Rosado Pereira at SRS Advogados provides pure tax advice, and also as part of transactions. Highlights included advising the London branch of RBS on tax matters relating to securitisation, and advising Milupa Comercial on the tax regime of non-habitual residents. Banco do Brasil is a client of senior associate Maria da Graça Martins who, as with Pereira, also acts as a tax arbitrator.