GFDL - Gil Figueira & Devillet Lima Advogados > Lisbon, Portugal > Firm Profile
GFDL - Gil Figueira & Devillet Lima Advogados Offices
Rua Rodrigues Sampaio 97 – 1º
1150-279 Lisboa
Portugal
GFDL - Gil Figueira & Devillet Lima Advogados > Firm Profile
GFDL Advogados is a Portuguese law firm based in Lisbon. Our team comprises highly skilled advisors and lawyers with international experience in law and business affairs.
Our dedicated teams handle all aspects of doing business and investing in Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking jurisdictions. We consolidate intellectually rigorous work with unique insights into business and cultural practices. A hands-on approach to projects accompanies our strong industry knowledge.
Our practices are divided into the following:
- Corporate and commercial contracts
- Capital markets
- Tax and social security
- Immigration and citizenship
- Intellectual property
- Employment and labour
- Litigation
- Public law
We are known for independent client-oriented advice, international footprint, and knowledge in niche sectors. We are engaged by a broad array of clients seeking innovative and reliable solutions in traditional and disruptive business areas.
Our client base includes companies, institutional entities, and private clients. We are known for independent client-oriented advice, international footprint, and knowledge in niche sectors. By working in niche areas of the legal arena, we remain at the industry’s vanguard as it adjusts to the innovations and complexities of business and life.
Our firm acts as a reliable partner by providing business-focused legal advice beyond borders and narrow areas of expertise.
We have accumulated knowledge in the following industries:
- FinTech and blockchain
- Private equity
- Private client and asset protection
- Media, sports and performing arts
- Real estate and construction
- Manufacturing and retail
- Global talent advisory
- Hospitality and leisure
In tandem with providing technical solutions, we strive to know and understand our clients’ businesses and the vectors that influence their industries. Our clients usually present complex needs, attractive projects, and challenging requirements.
Your goals, our expertise.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| João G. Gil Figueira | hello@gfdl.legal | +351210997356 | |
| Rodrigue Devillet Lima | hello@gfdl.legal | +351210997356 |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ms Catarina Andrade Miranda | Junior Associate Lawyer | View Profile |
|
Ms Catarina Branco Valada | Junior Associate Lawyer | View Profile |
|
Mr Rodrigue Devillet Lima | Partner | View Profile |
|
Mr João G. Gil Figueira | Partner | View Profile |
|
Ms Adrienn Menhart | Senior Consultant | View Profile |
Languages
Portuguese English French HungarianMemberships
Ordem dos Advogados – Portuguese Bar Association Portuguese Chamber of Commerce (CCIP) Portuguese Fiscal Association International Association of Lawyers (UIA) Portuguese Blockchain Alliance ANJAP - Young Portuguese Lawyers National Association International Fiscal Association International Bar AssociationInterviews
JOÃO GIL FIGUEIRA, PARTNER
In this interview, the partner of GFDL shares insights on how the firm is evolving to meet the dynamic needs of its clients in the ever-changing legal landscape.What do you see as the main points that differentiate Gil Figueira & Devillet Lima from your competitors?
Being a small firm, we are able to put together case-dedicated teams that provide comprehensive analysis and advice. We do not compartmentalize our teams but approach every case with a holistic perspective that allows us to better serve our clients.
We also invest in our team’s legal and business education, which allows taking an extra step forward in our advisory regardless of the industry or practice area. We always look for a deep understanding of the legal and market trends in each field we work in.
Our niche market focus allows us to provide our clients with specialized expertise and innovative solutions tailored to their unique needs. We prioritize clear and open communication with our clients. For many clients, we provide a level of service akin to an in-house counsel, covering all aspects of their businesses and objectives. In fast pacing industries, practical and commercially viable legal advice and working collaboratively also set us apart from our competition.
Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?
We anticipate that several of our practice areas will experience growth over the next 12 months, driven by various factors specific to each practice.
In our Corporate Law practice, we anticipate the most significant increase in demand for our services, mainly related to restructurings, venture capital and private equity investments, and some traditional acquisitions. In the Real Estate practice, we expect to see growth in the commercial real estate sector due to some transactions that were delayed now being implemented. In the residential sector, we find that the level of work will remain the same, despite the looming termination of the Portuguese residence by investment program (the Golden Visa), which traditionally attracted real estate investors.
We also find that the current macroeconomic situation will impact some, if not most, of our clients’ businesses. Our Litigation team is already experiencing an increase in the number and the amounts involved in each dispute, and we expect this department to outperform previous years.
One of our core practices is the Blockchain/Fintech one. Due to Portugal being perceived as a jurisdiction with a growing ecosystem, growth in this practice will continue and will soon be accelerated with the full implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation and ancillary domestic legislation related to it.
What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?
On the one hand, we have adopted a more technology-driven approach to our work. Minor changes allowed us to streamline our processes, increase efficiency, and provide even more comprehensive and timely service to our clients.
On the other hand, the main change was to move into a new customized office designed from scratch for better team interaction and comfort for clients visiting us or working from our premises.
Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?
We recognize that technology is constantly evolving, and we are committed to staying up-to-date with the latest developments in legal technology.
In today’s post-Covid times, we continue interacting with clients through virtual meetings and teleconferencing. We will soon attempt to integrate artificial intelligence tools into our workflow.
Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?
We have combined the efforts of several teams to allow a client to commence its Portuguese operations in a regulated sector from scratch, growing it from zero to 100 employees in nine months while also conducting its hiring process in nine countries.
Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?
I see the firm growing steadily during the next three years, despite a potential worldwide macroeconomic downturn, and expanding into new markets.
Spotlights
PORTUGAL
GFDL is a full-service law firm that advises a wide range of clients, including corporations, startups, private clients and families, and non-profit organizations. Our practice areas include Corporate Law, Real Estate, Tax Law, Employment Law, Intellectual Property, Litigation, and Dispute Resolution.
Our Corporate Law team advises clients on all aspects of corporate governance, corporate finance, and commercial transactions. We work closely with clients to understand their business goals and provide innovative solutions that help them achieve their objectives. Our expertise in niche markets and innovative industries allows us to offer comprehensive legal advice to clients operating in dynamic and rapidly evolving sectors.
The Real Estate practice at GFDL advises clients on all aspects of real estate law, including property development, leasing, construction, and financing. We represent clients in both simple and complex real estate transactions connected to several industries, such as retail, hospitality, and healthcare.
Our Tax Law team provides clients with comprehensive tax advice on domestic and international tax matters. We assist clients in navigating complex tax laws and regulations and provide guidance on tax planning, compliance, and dispute resolution. Our team has experience working with clients in many industries, including technology, healthcare, and finance.
The Intellectual Property practice at GFDL advises clients on all aspects of IP law, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Our team has experience working with clients in various industries, including software, fashion, and entertainment.
Another key practice area is Media and Entertainment law. We have extensive experience working with clients in the media and entertainment industries, including production companies, studios, networks, and talent. Our team advises on all aspects of media and entertainment law, from development and financing to production and distribution, and we are well-versed in the legal issues that arise in these industries.
At GFDL, we take a 360-degree approach to legal advice, providing comprehensive legal advice that considers both the legal and business implications of any given situation. We are committed to providing our clients with the highest quality legal services and evolving to meet their changing needs.