Sérvulo & Associados is highly regarded for its wealth of experience in advising public entities on tender procedures, procurement, and public concessions, with notable experience in energy and infrastructure projects in Portugal and Lusophone Africa. Co-head Mark Kirkby has a strong track record in concessions and PPPs, particularly within the renewable energy and transport sectors. Fellow co-lead Francisca Mendes da Costa focuses on concessions, public procurement, and PPPs, frequently advising on international mandates across Mozambique, Angola, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Cape Verde.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘From my experience, Sérvulo stands out for its intellectual rigour, ethical standards, and genuine client commitment. The team combines deep legal knowledge with practical, business-oriented advice, ensuring efficient and balanced solutions. Partners are directly involved, highly responsive, and collaborative across departments — particularly strong in regulatory, public, and corporate matters. Compared to other firms, Sérvulo offers exceptional consistency, trust, and long-term perspective.’
- ‘I have worked closely with Francisca Mendes da Costa, whose support has been truly exceptional. She combines deep technical knowledge with clarity, pragmatism, and a remarkable ability to anticipate issues before they arise. Francisca’s judgment, integrity, and commitment make her an outstanding and trusted advisor. The broader Sérvulo team reflects the same professionalism and cohesion — highly responsive, coordinated, and solution-driven.'
- 'Mark Kirby stands out for his analytical precision and calm, constructive approach, which brings real value in complex or sensitive matters. Overall, what differentiates them from competitors is the balance between intellectual rigour, teamwork, and a genuine sense of partnership with the client.’
- ‘Deep knowledge and extensive experience in the subjects and topics covered. Ready and immediate availability. Commitment and dedication.’
- ‘From what I could gather during my interactions with Servulo's team, what especially stands out is their solid legal knowledge and experience.'
- ‘Both Mark Kirkby and Francisca Mendes da Costa are very client-oriented and especially good at tailoring the legal work and the overall strategic framework of the operations to address clients' goals.’
Key clients
- Government of Cabo Verde
- AFAP - Fiduciary Agency for Project Administration
- Institute for the Management of State Assets and Holdings (IGAPE) / Angolan State
- Government of Angola
- Government of São Tomé and Príncipe
- Municipality of Ponte de Sor
- Municipality of Bragança
- Madeira Regional Government
- Portuguese State, through the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGEG)
- Chint Solar Portugal Projects, B.V.
- Metropolitan Area of Oporto (AMP)
- Intermunicipal Community of Coimbra Region (CIM Região de Coimbra)
Work highlights
Advised the Government of Cabo Verde on the revision of its regulatory framework for recreational and nautical tourism activities, in consortium with MLA – Menezes, Leite & Associados, under a World Bank-funded international tender.
Advised the Ministry of Planning and the Government of Angola on developing climate resilience projects, designing a PPP Portal, and promoting public-private partnerships, with a focus on the Lobito Corridor.
Advised the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe on drafting comprehensive legislation and regulations to drive its national digital transformation—covering digital identity, e‑government, data protection, access to information, cybersecurity, cybercrime, and e‑commerce.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Francisca Mendes da Costa
Practice head
Mark Kirkby; Francisca Mendes da Costa