SRS Legal > Lisbon, Portugal > Firm Profile

SRS Legal > The Legal 500 Rankings

Portugal > Employment Tier 1

At SRS Legal, the employment department is regularly instructed by a multitude of international and domestic companies operating in a variety of sectors, including banking, insurance and aviation, among others. Heading the practice is the ‘extremely competent‘ and now co-managing partner César Sá Esteves, a highly regarded employment law expert, who specialises in collective bargaining and collective disputes. Mariana Caldeira Sarávia ‘expertly handles redundancy and disciplinary processes‘ for financial services, food and beverage, and retail clients, taking the lead on non-contentious matters related to corporate restructurings, outsourcing and human resources. Ana Luísa Beirão, who oversees the litigation arm of the practice, shines on administrative proceedings and disciplinary actions. Cláudia Varela, another key member of the team, provides valuable counsel to companies from the pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, transport, and IT sectors.

Portugal > EU and competition Tier 1

SRS Legal draws considerable praise from a number of major corporations, who turn to the team for its ‘high level of knowledge’ and ‘total availability’ on the full gamut of contentious and non-contentious competition matters, including merger control, private enforcement and State Aid. Regularly sought out by companies operating in regulated sectors, the practice showcases strong capabilities in big-ticket antitrust mandates with multijurisdictional implications. The department is spearheaded by Gonçalo Anastácio, who regularly handles matters before the European Commission, national courts and the PCA, and is lauded for his ‘unparalleled knowledge and expertise.’ Sara Estima Martins is equipped to advise on the full scope of competition mandates, including cartels, merger control, vertical agreements, and abuse of dominance cases. Recently promoted partner Nuno Calaim Lourenço boasts a solid track record in cartel investigations, while Duarte Pirra is noted for his expertise in the full spectrum of antitrust matters.

Portugal > Banking and finance Tier 2

The ‘very strong and well-structured’ team at SRS Legal is well versed in the gamut of banking and finance matters, including bank lending, debt restructuring,  NPL deals, securitisations and fund offerings. A litany of financial players in the energy, healthcare, hospitality, TMT, insurance and real estate sectors turn to the team for its experience on complex financing deals at the domestic and international levels. Practice head Alexandra Valente is lauded for her ability to combine ‘a deep knowledge of applicable legislation with practical experience’. William Smithson regularly advises large international companies across various business sectors, while João Santos Carvalho has extensive experience in structured finance and banking regulatory matters.

Portugal > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

Praised for its ‘vast knowledge and legal experience’, the corporate and M&A team at SRS Legal possesses strong credentials in the private equity and venture capital spaces. TMT and energy sector expertise is a defining characteristic of the practice group, which regularly advises leading companies on critical transactions. With more than three decades of experience, practice head Octávio Castelo Paulo  is wellversed in M&A transactions, privatisations, private equity deals and joint ventures. Gustavo Ordonhas Oliveira, lauded for his ‘availability and flexibility’, excels in cross-border private equity and venture capital transactions. Paulo Bandeira is a key contact for start-ups, entrepreneurs, venture capital investors and incubators.

Portugal > Data privacy and data protection Tier 2

SRS Legal houses a data privacy and protection team that is praised for its ‘pragmatism’ and ‘great knowledge’. Clients from across the TMT, banking, insurance and life sciences sectors regularly turn to the department for advice on a range of matters, including GDPR compliance issues, data sharing agreements and regulatory investigations. At the helm sits Luís Neto Galvão, a reference in the market for TMT, healthcare, and financial sector clients; he brings to the table more than two decades' experience in this space and has been described as a ‘deep expert’ in all matters pertaining to data protection. Managing associate Milène Zorrón is responsible for the compliance department and the German and Brazilian desks.

Portugal > Energy and natural resources Tier 2

Standing out for its ‘deep knowledge’ and ‘clarity in its explanation’, the energy team at SRS Legal manages a varied workload where regulatory issues and licensing issues feature alongside litigation and competition law matters. The practice, which covers the renewables, oil and gas and hydrogen segments, is spearheaded by Gonçalo Anastácio, whose vast experience in the energy sector spans two decades. Maria Paula Milheirão advises on M&A deals, private equity and corporate matters in this space, which are also a key areas of activity for Paulo Bandeira. Nuno Calaim Lourenço, who was promoted to the partnership in November 2023, 'has a deep understanding of the complex regulatory framework' of the Portuguese energy sector.

Portugal > Projects and project finance Tier 2

SRS Legal’s wide-ranging expertise in this space spans public procurement, concessions, licensing and PPPs, as well as project negotiations, development contracts, and privatisations. José Luís Moreira da Silva is deeply involved in the energy, infrastructure, and transport sectors, bringing significant expertise in arbitrations and public law matters in Portugal. He oversees the projects department with Alexandra Valente, who focuses on guiding clients through domestic and cross-border project finance and corporate transactions. Public law specialist Alexandre Roque contributes experience in administrative litigation and urban planning.

Portugal > TMT Tier 2

Electronic communications, IT, media and emerging technology expertise forms the cornerstone of the TMT practice at SRS Legal. Praised for its ‘very pragmatic approach’, the team possesses the capabilities to advise its diverse roster of clients on the full scope of regulatory, contractual and contentious matters. A reference in the market, Octávio Castelo Paulo possesses over three decades' experience in regulatory, contractual and commercial mandates in the telecoms space, regularly advising Portuguese and international network operators, service providers, cable TV, OTT players, media companies and content providers. He oversees the practice with Luís Neto Galvão, another key contact for traditional operators and OTC companies seeking assistance with regulatory and contractual matters, such as market access issues, outsourcing, and software licensing, among others.

Portugal > Transport Tier 2

Primarily focused on the rail, road and maritime industries, SRS Legal's transport department is a popular destination for advice on financing and licensing matters, procurement, dispute resolution and regulatory issues. Department leader José Luís Moreira da Silva advises public and private entities on critical transport projects, concessions, and related disputes. Alexandre Roque draws on his public law background to assist transport sector clients with public procurement and administrative litigation.

Portugal > Capital markets Tier 3

Retained by a multitude of international financial institutions, banks and issuers, the team at SRS Legal is well placed to advise on securitisation transactions, bond issuances and fund-related matters. The team is led by Alexandra Valente, a key port of call for Portuguese and international financial institutions and private equity funds. A name to note for derivatives products, Gustavo Ordonhas Oliveira has over two decades' experience advising clients on domestic and cross-border matters, including structured finance deals and financial services regulatory issues. João Santos Carvalho is also recommended for his expertise in capital markets transactions and regulatory matters.

Portugal > Dispute resolution Tier 3

Under the joint leadership of José Carlos Soares Machado and José Jácome, SRS Legal's dispute resolution department advises on domestic and cross-border mandates. Disputes across the real estate, telecoms, financial services and construction sectors are core areas of activity for the department, which is well versed in both litigation and arbitration. Seasoned litigator Maria José De Tavares demonstrates ‘enormous diligence and work capacity’ and Carla Neves Matias specialises in criminal proceedings regarding economic offences. Natália Garcia Alves brings particular experience in the banking and finance sector, while Regina Santos Pereira is skilled in real estate disputes. Tiago Coder Meira represents clients operating in the real estate, construction, mining, energy and financial services industries before judicial courts and arbitral tribunals.

Portugal > Insolvency and restructuring Tier 3

SRS Legal is adept at representing distressed companies, diverse creditor classes, and potential buyers in insolvency proceedings. The group is also equipped to assist domestic and international clients from the banking, healthcare, insurance, distribution and real estate sectors with the refinancing and restructuring of their Portuguese portfolios. José Jácome oversees the restructuring and insolvency practice, bringing significant expertise in dispute resolution. Key support is offered by Natália Garcia Alves, who specialises in civil, commercial, and banking litigation, and possesses notable experience in representing credit institutions.  

Portugal > Planning law Tier 3

The planning division at SRS Legal, adept in the planning and licensing of urban development projects, collaborates closely with its real estate team. With notable experience in urban and spatial planning and public procurement, practice head Alexandre Roque possesses a strong track record in administrative litigation, representing clients across a variety of sectors in planning, licensing, regulatory, and public procurement-related disputes.

Portugal > Public law Tier 3

SRS Legal offers guidance in regulatory compliance, public procurement, concessions, PPPs, and dispute resolution across various industries, including ports, infrastructure, transport, and energy. The public law team is co-led by José Luís Moreira da Silva, who brings ‘considerable experience’ in the infrastructure and transport segments, excelling in PPP/PFI arrangements and administrative disputes. Fellow co-head Alexandre Roque is lauded for the ‘excellent quality of the services’ he provides to a range of private and public sector clients, particularly in the areas of infrastructure projects, public procurement, and urban planning.

Portugal > Real estate and construction Tier 3

The multidisciplinary real estate practice at SRS Legal seamlessly integrates expertise from the firm’s tax, corporate and M&A, litigation, financing, and planning divisions. At the helm of the real estate division, Neuza Pereira De Campos specialises in inbound investments and real estate developments. With a marked presence in the hotel, leisure, residential and tourism spaces, the team also caters to high-net-worth individuals abroad seeking investment opportunities in the Portuguese property market.

Portugal > Tax Tier 3

SRS Legal fields an ‘excellent’ tax group, praised by clients for its ‘competence and high level of legal knowledge'. With a strong foothold in the banking, real estate, energy and consumer goods sectors, the team is a key port of call for domestic and international clients. The practice is steered by Mafalda Alves, who advises on the tax implications of domestic and cross-border transactions and possesses equally strong credentials in tax litigation. Alves earns further praise for her ‘technical experience and transversal knowledge of taxation’. Francisco Castro Guedes and Catarina Gomes Correia are key figures in the tax litigation area.

Portugal > Intellectual property Tier 4

With extensive experience in a variety of IP matters, SRS Legal excels in contentious proceedings involving copyright, trade marks, patents, industrial property rights and unfair competition. Practice head João Paulo Mioludo is noted for his experience in IP consulting and litigation, standing out for his proficiency in copyrights and industrial property rights. Dalila Simões is a name to note at associate level for trade marks and designs; software licensing and issues concerning new technologies are other core areas of activity for Simões.