Fostering ‘close client relationships’ with leading Portuguese and multinational companies, Garrigues Portugal is turned to for advice on TUPE transfers, collective bargaining agreements, disciplinary proceedings and labour disputes. Rui Valente leads the ’extremely effective’ team, bringing broad sector expertise across automotive, aviation, retail and pharmaceutical sectors. João Soares Almeida is praised for his ‘profound technical knowledge’ in restructurings and labour due diligence, while André de Oliveira Correia is renowned for his ’competence’ in matters involving civil servants. Rita Nogueira Neto advises on the employment aspects of multijurisdictional acquisitions, particularly in tech.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Garrigues Portugal stands out in the national legal landscape for its combination of technical rigour and close client relationships. The team comprises experienced and highly qualified professionals, recognised for their ability to simplify legal complexities and transform challenges into practical and secure solutions.'
- 'The quality of service is based on ethical, collaborative, and solution-oriented conduct. Each process is carried out with a commitment to understanding the client's context and objectives, ensuring precise, agile legal responses tailored to the company's reality.’
- ‘The way it seeks solutions to the legal problems that arise daily, with a high success rate, allows it to acquire and maintain a high level of trust in the services provided.’
- ‘I must mention the capacity, professionalism, and competence of the labour law team. The team stands out mainly for its great experience and depth in dealing with the issues we face. The labour law team is extremely effective, constructing arguments in defence of the company with great logic, thorough reasoning, and coherence, which has allowed us to win several cases. It's a team of excellence.’
- ‘Dedication to the customer and quality of analysis. We always know we can count on a quick response and solutions to the issues raised.’
- ‘João Soares Almeida stands out for his profound technical knowledge in labour law, complemented by exceptional practical know-how of the sector and business reality. His approach is marked by clear and accessible communication, which translates legal complexity into practical guidance. He is recognised for his complete availability and for guaranteeing robust solutions aligned with clients' business objectives.’
- ‘The following professionals stand out: André Oliveira Correia, whose work is distinguished by technical clarity, close client relationships, and the ability to rigorously analyse and practically address legal challenges, transforming complexity into concrete solutions; Cláudia Campos Rodrigues, who combines technical excellence and human sensitivity, ensuring secure, balanced legal solutions tailored to the reality of each context.'
- ‘João Soares Almeida and André de Oliveira Correia demonstrate attention to detail, availability to clients, and dedication to their subjects.’
Key clients
- Eberspaecher – Purem Tondela
- Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Portugal
- Faurecia / Forvia
- Avincis (formerly Babcock)
- Continental
- Bosch
- Super Bock Group
- Sonae
- Kuehne+Nagel
- Mahle
Work highlights
Advised Generali on the cross-border TUPE transfer of hundreds of employees in Portugal following its acquisition of Liberty Seguros in the Iberian Peninsula.
Advised Klöckner Pentaplast, a manufacturer of sustainable packaging solutions, on the planning and implementation of a collective dismissal at Ovarpack, its Portuguese subsidiary, resulting in the termination of all employment contracts.
Advised Bosch on the employment-related structuring and implementation of the demerger of its Security Systems division in Portugal.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
João Soares Almeida
André de Oliveira Correia
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Rita Nogueira Neto
Practice head
Rui Valente
Other key lawyers
João Soares Almeida; André de Oliveira Correia; Rita Nogueira Neto; Cláudia Campos Rodrigues; Magda Nunes; Ricardo Grilo