SRS Legal

Partner in the Finance Department, Alexandra Valente has advised Portuguese and international financial institutions and private equity funds on numerous complex transactions, involving, inter alia, distressed debt, distressed equity and financial restructurings. She has also advised on a range of important finance activities such as privatisations and public share offerings, large mergers and acquisitions and asset finance and project finance transactions, providing advice to banks and other investors. With over 20 years of experience, Alexandra advises extensively on the provision of debt finance, structured finance, EMTN Programmes and securitisations, both in the financial sector, as well as involving other classes of underlying assets.

Alexandre Roque

Partner in the Projects and Environment Departments, Alexandre Roque has extensive experience in all areas of Administrative Law, acting for many private and public companies, in the context of infrastructure, projects, public procurement and urban planning. With over 20 years of experience, Alexandre has advised on numerous important regulatory, arbitration and administrative disputes.

Ana Menéres

Partner in the Life Sciences & Healthcare Department, Ana Menéres is a specialist in Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology law. She has extensive experience in providing legal advice to companies in the pharmaceutical industry, both national and international, covering the areas of commercial, corporate, and regulatory law. With 25 years of experience, Ana advises numerous international law firms, in particular from the US, UK and Germany, on Portuguese pharmaceutical law issues.

Ana Luísa Beirão

Partner in the Employment & Social Security Department, Ana Luísa Beirão has extensive experience in advising national and international companies in a variety of sectors, in particular coordinating and implementing administrative employment proceedings and disciplinary actions, as well as on collective dismissals. With over 15 years of experience, Ana Luísa heads the labour litigation team of the department, as well as the disciplinary action and social security litigation team, and is responsible for establishing action plans/strategies and for supervising judicial lawsuits in the area of labour law and social security.

Anabela Gonçalves Ferreira

SRS’ Consultant with over 25 years of experience, Anabela specialises in Corporate, Commercial and M&A, Contract Law as well as Banking and Finance Law. She was recommended by the Legal 500 in 2022.

Bernardo Castro Caldas

Managing Associate of SRS’ Litigation and Arbitration Department, Bernardo Castro Caldas has 30 years of experience in Law. He served as an advisor for the Portuguese Ombudsman and is a member of the Portuguese Litigation Lawyers Circle.

Carla Neves Matias

Partner in the Dispute Resolution Department, Carla Neves Matias has extensive experience in representing domestic and international clients in complex court and arbitration proceedings, arising from distribution contracts and agency, disputes related to corporate relations, insurance, as well as contractual and non-contractual liability. With over 20 years of experience, Carla advises extensively on financial restructuring processes, whether in or out of court. She also has considerable experience in monitoring criminal proceedings relating to economic offenses.

Catarina Anastácio

SRS’ Consultant with over 25 years of experience, Catarina is a specialist in Competition Law and the European Union. She worked as a legal adviser to the Bank of Portugal, the Portuguese Securities and Exchange Commission and the Portuguese Competition Authority, as well as an advisor and assistant to the Portuguese Secretary of State for Treasury and Finance, Member of the Coordinating Committee of the Editorial Board of the Portuguese Competition & Regulation Journal, and Chairman of the Editorial Board of the same publication.

César Sá Esteves

Partner and Head of the Employment & Social Security Department, César Sá Esteves is ranked as one of Portugal's leading employment lawyers by the most important international directories (Band 1 by Chambers & Partners and Leading Individual by Legal 500). He is particularly highly regarded in the context of corporate restructurings, as well as employment issues related with M&A transactions. With over 25 years of practice, César has extensive experience in dealing with collective bargaining, disputes, and HR/employment strategic advisory services.

Cláudia Varela

Partner of Employment & Social Security department at SRS, Cláudia Varela, provides legal and labor advice to a wide and diversified range of national and international companies, from different sectors of activity, namely the Pharmaceutical Industry, Mass Consumption, Services, Handling and Aviation, and also to managers and senior staff. With over 25 years of experience in all areas of Labor Law, she has been outstanding in the labor support for M&A operations and restructuring processes, in labor and administrative disputes, as well as in collective labor negotiation and collective conflict management. Cláudia has been a speaker and trainer in several forums and published articles in specialized publications.

Dora Joana

Managing Associate at the Employment & Social Security Department of SRS, Dora Joana has more than 20 years of experience in law.

Duarte Pirra Xarepe

Managing Associate in the Competition and EU Department of SRS, Duarte Pirra Xarepe has 20 years of experience in law, in Portugal and Spain. He is a member of the Portuguese Competition Lawyers Circle.

Dulce Franco

SRS’ consultant with over 40 years of experience, Dulce Franco has in-depth knowledge of corporate, commercial and M&A and contract law, specialising in investment and private equity. She was Assistant Secretary of State to the Portuguese Minister of Economy in the XV Constitutional Government and a founding partner of AAA Advogados, which later merged with SRS. Dulce is a member of the International Bar Association, of the Portuguese Delegation to the International Chamber of Commerce Commission on Commercial Law and Practices, of the Panel of Arbitrators of the Portuguese-Spanish Chamber of Commerce and Industry and also of the Lisbon District Council of the Portuguese Bar Association.

Françoise Le Quer

Head of the Francophone Desk at SRS, Françoise Le Quer has an extensive experience in the Insurance sector in France and Portugal. She advises insurance companies on regulatory matters, on design and development of life and non-life insurance products, including group insurance as well as drafting of the full range of policies documents, contracts and agreements required by the insurance activity.

Gabriela Rodrigues Martins

SRS’ Consultant with 35 years of experience, Gabriela Rodrigues Martins has in-depth knowledge of corporate, commercial and M&A, capital markets, contract law, public procurement, private equity and privatisations. She has professional experience in Portugal and Brazil and is a member of the Portuguese Bar Association in both countries. Gabriela was a founding partner of AAA Advogados, which later merged with SRS.

Gonçalo Anastácio

Partner and Head of the Competition & EU Department and the Energy Department, Gonçalo Anastácio is one of the most recognised lawyers in his field, both nationally and internationally, including by the leading law directories (Band 1 by Chambers & Partners and Hall Of Fame by Legal 500). With over 25 years of experience, Gonçalo has been involved in many of the most high-profile competition and regulatory cases in Portugal.

Gustavo Ordonhas Oliveira

Partner in the Finance Department and Head of the Private Equity & Venture Capital team, Gustavo Ordonhas Oliveira has a vast experience in private equity, venture capital, M&A and corporate finance, regularly advising large national and international corporates and funds on the acquisition and disposal of minority and controlling shareholdings, IPO, takeover bids and restructurings, as well as on the formation, registration and compliance of private equity funds and fund managers. He also has an extensive experience in advising the main national and international financial institutions and investment banks on a varied range of banking and finance, capital markets and derivatives matters, including bank lending structures, debt and equity issuances, public offerings of securities, debt issuance programmes, derivatives and acquisition of NPL portfolios.

Joana Brisson Lopes

Managing Associate at the Employment & Social Security Department of SRS, Joana Brisson Lopes has over 20 years of experience in law, particularly in employment and social security. With a strong involvement in the community, she has also published doctrine on Equality and Non-Discrimination, more specifically on Parental Leave.

Joana Farrajota

SRS’ Consultant with over 20 years of experience, Joana Farrajota is a specialist in Dispute Resolution. She was Assistant to the Secretary of State for Internal Administration and Specialist Technician for the Minister of Agriculture and Sea. She is a referee for the Journal of Financial Law and Capital Markets. Joana is also a guest lecturer at the Nova University Law School, where she teaches Banking Law and Collateral and Financing Contracts, coordinating the Law and Financial Markets Master's programme; as well as a visiting professor at the Católica | Lisbon School of Law, where she teaches Banking Contracts.

João Santos Carvalho

Partner in SRS’ Corporate & Finance Department, João Santos Carvalho has extensive experience in advising credit institutions and borrowers on a wide range of banking and financial law issues, including a range of domestic and cross-border bank financing transactions, asset finance, project finance, real estate finance, ship finance, direct lending, NPL and banking regulatory matters. He has advised several investment banks, investment fund management companies, financial intermediaries and issuers on capital markets transactions and the provision of financial services, including several debt issuance transactions and securitisations and regulatory matters. He also advises incumbents, fintechs and crypto-active operators on regulatory issues related to digital banking, provision of payment services, credit granting and crypto-active products.

João Paulo Mioludo

Partner in charge of the Intellectual Property Department at SRS, João Paulo Mioludo has extensive experience in advising national and international clients on the registration of patents, trademarks, and intellectual property. With over 25 years of experience, he has participated in various intellectual property litigation cases and has published legal opinions on the subject. João Paulo Mioludo is a member of the Associação Portuguesa de Consultores em Propriedade Industrial, the European Community Trademark Association and the International Trademark Association.

José Jácome

Partner of the Dispute Resolution Department, José Jácome is highly regarded in civil and commercial litigation, criminal and administrative offenses, as well as in important arbitration proceedings. Over 30 years of practice and has been a regular adviser to leading national and international companies on litigation and arbitration with notable value and complexity.

José Carvalhosa

SRS Consultant with more than 30 years of experience, José Carvalhosa is a specialist in Labour Law and Social Security.

José Carlos Soares Machado

Partner and Head of the Dispute Resolution Department, José Carlos Soares Machado is a regular adviser to leading national and international companies on litigation matters. He is also one of the most experienced lawyers in criminal and misdemeanours litigation. With more than 35 years of experience, Soares Machado is also a leading lawyer on corporate and international arbitration matters. He is an Arbitrator of the Associação Comercial de Lisboa and of the Arbitration Centre of the Portuguese Bar Association. He founded the Portuguse Círculo de Advogados de Contencioso, which he also presided.

José Luís Moreira da Silva

Partner and Head of the Projects and Environment Departments, as well as the Transport and Shipping Department, José Luís Moreira da Silva has been involved in numerous arbitrations and litigation procedures, as well as advising the government, Portuguese and international companies on a wide range of matters. He is also the Head of SRS ' Mozambique Desk. With over 30 years of experience, José Luis advises the major Portuguese port authorities and the Portuguese road operator on a wide range of high level issues and projects, as well as the Portuguese Public-Private Partnerships health programme on the construction and development of various hospitals. He is currently coordinator for the programme to conform port legislation for all APLOP member countries (Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Macau, Morocco, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and East Timor). He is President of the Portuguese section of UIA (Union Internationale des Avocats).

Leonor Francisco

Managing Associate at the Employment & Social Security Department of SRS, Leonor Francisco has 25 years of experience in law, particularly in employment and social security. She also has academic qualifications in Medicinal Products Law and is a member of the Portuguese Labour Law Association.

Luís Neto Galvão

Partner in the Corporate and M&A Department and the TMT Department, Luís Neto Galvão has extensive experience in information technology, telecommunications, media and privacy. Luís advises companies and organisations on privacy and data protection, including all aspects of compliance, data audits and international data transfers, especially in the telecommunications, media and IT, health and pharmaceutical, energy, banking and insurance sectors. With over 20 years of experience, Luís was a member of the Commission Expert Group on Cloud Computing Contracts and Consultant for the Council of Europe in the field of Data Privacy & Protection.

Luz Torrico Peña

Consultant at SRS with 30 years' experience, she is responsible for the firm’s matters in Spain. Luz Torrico Peña is a specialist in Real Estate Law, Corporate, Commercial and M&A, as well as Dispute Resolution. She has worked at the Centre for International Environmental Law and at the Spanish Embassy in Washington, DC. Her academic qualifications were completed in Madrid and Washington. Luz is a member of the Portuguese and Spanish Bar Associations.

Mafalda Alves

Partner of SRS’ Tax Department, Mafalda Alves has extensive experience in both domestic and international operations, with a special focus on advising corporate restructuring and individual assets, real estate operations and international tax law. With nearly 20 years of experience, Mafalda specialises in tax issues for companies and individuals, as well as tax issues across more than one geography. She is a member of the Associação Fiscal Portuguesa and the International Fiscal Association.

Mafalda Rodrigues Branco

Managing Associate of the Litigation Department at SRS, Mafalda Rodrigues Branco has 15 years of experience in law, in the areas of civil, criminal and misdemeanour litigation, as well as White Collar Crime. The Women in Business Law Awards declared her a "Rising Star" in the "Arbitration" category, in 2022.

Manuel Lopes Porto

Consultant at SRS with over 45 years of experience, Manuel Lopes Porto has in-depth knowledge of Competition Law and the European Union, and is an opinion-leader in this area. He was Chairman of the Portuguese Comissão de Coordenação da Região Centro, Conselho Nacional do Plano, Comissão de Reforma Fiscal and Conselho Nacional de Educação, as well as of the European Community Studies Associations, the Coimbra Municipal Assembly and the General Assemblies of ANA, Aeroporto e Navegação Aérea and Caixa Geral de Depósitos. Manuel was also a MP of the European Parliament, a member of the University Council of the Jean Monnet Action and a Professor at the Faculty of Law of Coimbra University, Lusíada University and Bissaya Barreto Institute. Manuel holds an Oxford degree and is a member of the International Federation of European Law, the Portuguese Fiscal Association and the Interuniversity Association for European Studies.

Manuel de Almeida Ribeiro

Consultant at SRS with over 40 years of experience, Manuel de Almeida Ribeiro has vast knowledge in various areas of law, with a profound specialisation in Arbitration and Mediation, as well as Energy. Manuel was Assistant to the Portuguese Minister for Housing, Public Works and Transport, Advisor to the Portuguese Prime Minister, member of the Management Board and Liquidator of EPDP - Empresa Pública do Jornal Diário Popular, General Manager of Legal Services at Petrogal, Director of Legal Consultancy at the Galp Energia Group, and an Associate Professor at the Instituto Superior de Ciências Sociais e Políticas da Universidade de Lisboa. He has completed his academic qualifications in Portugal and Brazil, being a member of the Bar Association of both countries, as well as the Portuguese Arbitration Association, the Portuguese Society of International Law, the International Chamber of Commerce, the International Law Association and the American Bar Association.

Maria de Lancastre Valente

Partner in the Firm’s Employment & Social Security Department, Maria de Lancastre Valente is the Head of the International Business Unit of SRS’ Employment Department, focusing mainly on support to international clients, namely multinational corporations, international law firms and diplomatic missions. With over 20 years of experience, Maria is a specialist in cross-border HR-related operations, as well as corporate restructures and business reorganisation exercises, TUPE, management of senior positions and remuneration and benefits. She also regularly advises on issues related to international HR mobility.

Maria Ana Cunha

Managing Associate of the Litigation Department at SRS, Maria Ana Cunha has more than 15 years of experience in law, advising clients in the areas of civil, criminal and misdemeanour litigation.

Maria José Tavares

Partner in the Dispute Resolution Department, Maria José de Tavares has extensive experience in civil and commercial litigation, involving high value and complex claims, as well as international and national arbitration. With more than 25 years of experience, Maria José regularly advises on general commercial litigation, in particular on cases involving insurance, fraud and professional negligence, financial services, construction and infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, M&A and shareholders disputes, and also contentious insolvencies and recoveries. She also works on trading and commercial mediation, pre and post-litigation.

Maria Paula Milheirão

Partner in the Corporate & Finance Department, Maria Paula Milheirão has extensive experience in the corporate and M&A area, advising companies in capital market operations, mergers and acquisitions, investment transactions in the technology sector and in the energy sector, both at a national and international level. With more than 20 years of experience, she has also published doctrine on franchising.

Mariana Caldeira de Sarávia

Partner in the Employment & Social Security Department, Mariana Caldeira de Sarávia has extensive experience in advising national and international companies involved in a variety of sectors. She has extensive experience on the definition of flexible contractual models for the hiring and appointment of human resources, (re)organization of working time, and restructuring processes, and in the context of collective dismissals and transfers of undertakings. With over 20 years of experience, Mariana has acted on some of the most relevant corporate restructurings in the banking and construction sectors in Portugal. She also advises on legal and procedural audits, in particular with the purpose of optimising existing internal procedures. Mariana has also been involved in the negotiation of collective labour regulations with trade unions and provides legal advice on social security, pensions and stock option plans.

Natália Garcia Alves

Partner of the Dispute Resolution Department and Coordinator Partner of the area of practice of Credit Recovery, Natália Garcia Alves is a specialist in civil, commercial and banking litigation. With over 20 years of experience, shes provides legal advice to credit institutions, investors and international funds, leasing companies, long term rental companies and other services providers as well as legal advice in M&A operations, within the framework of the assignment of credit portfolios (NPL and NPE), in particular through the analysis of contracts and pending cases, associated contingencies and support to the investor's decision. She has been a speaker at several conferences and other forums and has published articles in specialized publications.

Neuza Pereira de Campos

A Partner in SRS’ Real Estate Department, Neuza Pereira de Campos is one of the most prominent figures in this area in Portugal, providing legal advice to real estate companies and consultancies, as well as private clients. With a meteoric rise, Neuza was distinguished as a "Next Generation Partner" by Legal 500. With 20 years of experience, Neuza went through all the stages of her career as a lawyer SRS until she became a Partner.

Nuno Calaim Lourenço

Managing Associate of SRS’ Competition and EU Department, Nuno Calaim Lourenço has over 20 years of experience in law in Portugal, the UK and Belgium. He was an agent at the European Commission and a researcher in London, being currently a member of the Portuguese Competition Lawyers Circle.

Nuno Miguel Prata

Partner in the Corporate, Commercial and M&A Department, Nuno advises major multinationals, Portuguese companies and private equities on corporate, M&A and commercial matters. He has advised many Portuguese corporations on their foreign investments, as well as on the drafting and negotiation of joint ventures with local partners in various countries. Nuno has advised Portuguese and foreign clients on various privatisations of Portuguese companies. He is the co-Head of the Angola Desk of SRS. With over 20 years of experience, Nuno has been active in dealing with foreign investment in various countries, with a particular focus on Africa (in particular Angola), Spain and Latin America.

Octávio Castelo Paulo

Partner and Head of the Corporate and M&A Department, Octávio Castelo Paulo is also the Head of the TMT practice (Telecommunications, Media and Technology), being recognised by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 in Band 1. Octávio is the Head of the Angola Desk of SRS. With more than 25 years of experience, Octávio has been advising clients on domestic and cross border corporate and M&A transactions as well as TMT matters in Portugal and in Angola being a member of the Angolan Law Society.

Paula Rosado Pereira

A Consultant at SRS with over 30 years of experience, Paula Rosado Pereira has in-depth knowledge of tax law. Paula was an in-house tax consultant, national co-rapporteur in the research project developed by the OECD - together with the International Fiscal Association - on the practical application of double taxation conventions, an arbitrator at the Centre for Administrative Arbitration and a lawyer and partner at SRS. She is a lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon, where she teaches Tax Law and other subjects related to taxation. She was also a guest lecturer on the Postgraduate Course in Tax Law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Porto. Paula is a member of the Portuguese Tax Association, the International Fiscal Association and the Advisory Board of the Journal Revista de Finanças Públicas e Direito Fiscal.

Paulo Bandeira

Partner in the Corporate, Commercial and M&A department, Paulo Bandeira has over 20 years of experience advising companies on daily corporate matters, mergers and acquisitions, as well as on corporate governance matters, advising mainly on board structuring and directors duties and liabilities. Head of the Startups team, Paulo has advised a wide range of technological and biotechnological startups, Business Angels and Venture Capitals on investments, as well as incubators and acceleration programs. In 2018, Paulo Bandeira was responsible for the creation of STARTUP LAB by SRS, the first startup acelerator developed by a Portuguese law firm. www.startuplab.pt

Pedro Rebelo de Sousa

Pedro Rebelo de Sousa, Founding and Managing Partner of SRS, is considered a benchmark in Finance and M&A. Pedro advises domestic and international clients on significant banking and finance matters, as well as structuring and executing big ticket M&A transactions. With over 40 years of experience, Pedro has a unique banking and finance background having been a senior officer in an international investment bank in São Paulo and New York, and also as Chairman/CEO of a Portuguese bank.

Raquel Sampaio

Consultant in the Public Law Department at SRS Legal, Raquel Sampaio has 20 years of experience and has worked for the UN, Mozambique and the Portuguese government. She specialises in public law, predominantly in the energy and sustainability sectors. She has academic qualifications in Innovation and follows the evolution of new technologies, such as Legaltech and Blockchain, as well as new areas of regulation - like digital content.

Raquel Cuba Martins

Partner and Head of the Immigration & Golden Visa department, Raquel Cuba Martins is highly regarded within the Corporate Immigration sector. She advises international Clients on a wide variety of corporate and immigration matters. With more than 20 years of experience, Raquel has also extensive experience in advising clients in the context of M&A transactions – both domestic and cross-border. Her knowledge of corporate and commercial issues and the specific experience on Intellectual Property law allow her to have a full experience in structuring complex operations.

Regina Santos Pereira

Partner in the Dispute Resolution Department, Regina Santos Pereira is an expert on procedural civil law and has extensive experience defining proceedings strategy. She also has extensive real estate experience, in particular on rental issues. With over 25 years of experience, Regina is recognised as a leading litigator, particularly in the context of evictions, and has been involved in numerous headline cases, including appeals to the highest Courts.

Rita Lynce de Faria

Consultant at SRS with over 25 years of experience, Rita Lynce de Faria specialises in the areas of civil, criminal and misdemeanour litigation. With strong links to the academic world, in particular to the Catholic University, Rita is an Assistant Professor at the Lisbon School of Law of the Catholic University of Portugal and was a member of its Board of Directors, as well as Executive Coordinator of its Arbitration Centre. She is also a researcher at the Católica Research Centre for the Future of Law.

Rogério Tavares

Consultant at SRS with over 35 years of experience, Rogério Tavares has in-depth knowledge in various areas of law, namely litigation, arbitration and mediation, corporate, commercial and M&A, international arbitration for the automobile and insurance sectors, export credit insurance for Europe and China, franchising and also investment in the countries of the Southern African Development Community and the Economic Community of West African States. Rogério was a founding partner of two law firms and co-founder of another. He is an Honorary Consul of Namibia in Lisbon and an Expert of the Brussels Committee on Trade and Distribution and the Chambre de Commerce Internationale in Paris. He was awarded the degree of Chevalier de L'Ordre National du Mérite de la France. Rogério is also a member of the European Lawyers Network, the International Franchise Association, the International Franchise Lawyers Association and the Portuguese Franchising Association.

Sara Estima Martins

Partner in the Competition and European Union department at SRS, Sara Estima Martins has extensive knowledge in Portugal and Spain, having worked in a well-known law firm in Madrid. With over 20 years of experience, she covers all competition law matters, including merger operations, cartels and other horizontal practices, vertical agreements and abuses of dominant position. She frequently assists clients in implementing internal competition law compliance programmes, as well as provides provides advice to several companies in matters of European Union law, particularly on issues of freedom of movement, structural funds, the common agricultural policy and access to documents of the EU institutions. Sara has often represented these clients before the European Commission and the European Court of Justice.

Sara Milheiro Tavares

Managing Associate at the Employment & Social Security Department of SRS, Sara Milheiro Tavares has over 20 years of experience in law, particularly in labour and social security. She was recommended by The Legal 500, in 2022.

Tiago Coder Meira

Managing Associate of the Litigation Department at SRS, Tiago Coder Meira has 15 years of experience in law, advising clients in the areas of civil, criminal and misdemeanour litigation.

Vasco Correia da Silva

Managing Associate of the Litigation Department at SRS, Vasco Correia da Silva has more than 20 years of experience in law, advising clients in the areas of civil, criminal and misdemeanour litigation.

William Smithson

Partner and Head of the Finance Department, William Smithson is highly regarded within the corporate finance, banking, capital markets and real estate sectors. He advises investment banks and companies on a wide variety of finance matters, as well as public and private mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and other related work. With more than 25 years of experience, William has extensive knowledge of the asian market due to his experience of working in Hong Kong, PRC and Singapore. William is the Head of the Asia Desk at SRS.

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