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Chambers Europe

Described as “one of the best employment teams in the country,” this national group splits its employment practice between the Lisbon and Porto offices. The nine-member outfit is “client-focused and very quick to respond,” and noted for always being “on top of matters.” It also enjoys “excellent assistance from the junior lawyers.” The team covers the whole array of employment matters, with labour litigation and collective dismissals forming a sizeable proportion of the workload over the past year. Clients/Work Highlights: The team advised Alcoa Fujikura on the closure of its Portuguese factory and the collective dismissal and litigation that followed. Other clients include BP; Pfizer; Santander Group; Abbott and Banco BPI.
This relatively young department has gained widespread market respect. With six lawyers in Lisbon and two in Oporto, the group covers the whole range of labour issues and has noteworthy experience in all employment matters involving M&A operations, such as restructuring, collective dismissals and outsourcing. As one client explained: “We always seek its strategy advice in M&A operations. Our company totally relies on the team.” Litigation and social security, especially relating to financial entities, are also among the group’s busiest areas of work. Clients/Work Highlights: PGA (Portugália Air Lines); Alcoa Fujikura; BPI Bank; BP; Pfizer; Santander Bank; Sonae Group; Schweppes; EDP and Mercer Human Resources Consulting.
The employment division is just one of the several highly acclaimed departments at this full-service Portuguese heavyweight. Like the whole firm, the labour department is considered strong all round, with the capacity to handle both consultation and courtroom work. To the delight of its clients, the team combines deep Portuguese employment law knowledge with a keen business sense, and recently demonstrated its skills on a number of restructuring processes. The lawyers’ expertise in handling collective dismissals and downsizings is likely to be sought after in the present economic climate, with such highlight work already including advising Alcoa Fujikura following a factory closure and assisting Carris with collective bargaining matters.
This firm has a well-established, top-tier employment practice, which features a highly recommended labour litigation team. The team is divided between the firm's Lisbon and Porto offices, and provides assistance with matters across the sector. Thanks to the excellent reputation that it has established, the group continues to attract new clients.
The 12-lawyer employment team at this Portuguese powerhouse is split between the firm's Lisbon and Porto offices. It spent much of the past year focusing on restructurings, redundancies and collective dismissals. It is noted for its litigation skills and expertise in a number of sectors including technology, energy, pharmaceuticals and aviation, and counts a plethora of multinational corporations as clients. The group recently advised easyJet on the start-up of its operations in Portugal. Sources say: “It has technical quality and durable relationships with clients.”
MLGTS represents the biggest names in the energy market, and sources agree that it belongs in the top tier. The team of ten fee earners is involved in transactional and regulatory work in both traditional and innovative areas, such as wave and wind energy. The natural resources/environment group is part of the firm's public law department and supports the energy team. Recent highlights include advising Spanish group Abertis Infraestructuras on environmental impact studies and licensing procedures for the construction of a logistics platform. Other key clients include major Portuguese companies EDP - Energias de Portugal and REN, which the team is advising on their internationalisation processes.
From its Lisbon and Porto offices, this sizeable employment team advises many major Portuguese and international clients from the banking, media and distribution sectors. The group has been busy with restructuring work of late, with labour disputes accounting for around a third of its workload. Interviewees point to the lawyers' pragmatic approach and international outlook as key strengths. BP, BNP Paribas and Santander Totta Bank are some of the high-profile institutions that instruct the group on these matters. Sources say: "The best: this firm offers good expertise and value for money."
Solid litigation practice coupled with expertise in regulatory matters such as employment agreements. Often advises high-profile domestic and multinational clients on employment issues related to restructurings and business transfers. "The team puts our legal questions in a business context and shows strategic thinking." "The firm shows a lot of quality in many different areas, which isn't easy to achieve."
Market-leading practice recognised for its strength in complex employment litigation. Provides comprehensive labour and social security advice to an impressive roster of clients from a wide range of industries, including major players in the financial services, energy and communications sectors. Frequently assists with issues relating to large corporate restructurings and business transfers. "This team provides a high standard of service. It's always clear, and the responsiveness and personal engagement is very good. The practitioners here are well respected legal people within Portugal." "A very good experience. The firm has a high level of know-how and knowledge." "A strong and established practice."
Excellent practice providing a comprehensive service encompassing corporate restructurings, collective dismissals, collective agreements and business transfers. Particularly strong in employment-related litigation. Adept at advising a range of clients, including major players in the financial services, energy and communications sectors. Interviewees highlight the "good expertise and strong employment team" offered by the firm. One client notes: "This employment department provides a high standard of service, with a clear focus on the results and clients' needs." One source confirms: "The firm has a team of competent, capable and knowledgeable lawyers" able to assist with employment matters.
 What the team is known for:  Excellent practice providing a comprehensive service encompassing corporate restructurings, collective dismissals, collective agreements and business transfers. Also maintains a market-leading labour law litigation practice. Acts for leading domestic and international corporates from a range of sectors, including a sizeable client base of European banking institutions.  Strengths:  Clients praise the insight the team offers. One describes the "excellent planning and strategic approach to each case." One interviewee further highlights the department for its "specific knowledge and expertise in employment law," in addition to the "excellent communication with the lawyers."

Excellent practice providing a comprehensive service encompassing corporate restructurings, collective dismissals, disciplinary actions, collective agreements and business transfers. Also maintains a strong labour litigation practice. Acts for leading domestic and international companies from a range of sectors, including a sizeable client base of European banking institutions. Impressed by the firm's overall capabilities, clients highlight team members' "good communication and analytical skills, experience, perseverance and creativity." Other interviewees underline the team's availability and "technical knowledge."

Outstanding team maintaining a vanguard position by providing a broad employment service, which includes restructuring processes, collective terminations, employment litigations, and collective bargaining agreements. Further advises on business transfers and disciplinary proceedings. Represents an array of clients with strong presence in the banking, consumer goods and pharma industries.

Outstanding team maintaining a vanguard position by providing a broad employment service, which includes restructuring processes, collective terminations, employment litigations and collective bargaining agreements. Further advises on business transfers and disciplinary proceedings. Represents an array of clients, with strong presence in the banking, consumer goods and pharma industries. "They have a great in-depth analysis, which lets us make well thought out legal decisions," one client says. "Their services are very complete and at the same time easy for people with no knowledge of the laws to understand. They are very friendly and always available."

"The lawyers at Morais Leitão are very competent in their analysis of the issues and very forward-looking in their approach to the outcome. Their degree of specialisation makes it possible to answer objectively the questions addressed."

"The practitioners give priority to urgent questions without prejudicing the correctness and accuracy of the answer. The response time depends on the level of complexity of the question being analysed, without prejudicing the client's expectations."

Legal 500

Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ pre-eminent employment team benefits from the firm’s outstanding corporate department, having advised some of the country’s largest companies on a wide range of employment-related issues. NAER recently instructed the firm regarding employment due diligence on ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal in view of the company’s privatisation and the construction of the new Lisbon airport. The firm also acted for Marcelle Bouhon on the termination of a distribution agreement of Parfums Christian Dior and subsequent collective dismissal. Senior associate Luís Miguel Monteiro heads the firm’s highly regarded four-fee-earners team.
While Luís Miguel Monteiro leads Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares Da Silva & Associados' employment department, the firm also boasts in António Pinto Leite, José Carlos Botelho Moniz and António Emílio de Vasconcelos three further experienced practitioners. Monteiro led the firm's advice to Pernod Ricard in an employment dispute arising in the context of its worldwide acquisition of Allied Domecq. Other clients include Heinz, BP, Allianz AG and Auchan Group.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados is legal counsel to some of the most important players in the Portuguese market. The team comprises three partners and is headed by senior associate Luís Miguel Monteiro. Highlights last year include advising BCP (Banco Comercial Português) on the proposed privatization and acquisition of the majority of the share capital of Banca Comerciale Romana, the largest Romanian bank.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares Da Silva & Associados acts for a number of national and international clients, such as Alcoa Fujikura, EDP – Electricidade de Portugal and Santander Group. Senior associate Luís Miguel Monteiro is he firm’s head of practice.
The strength of Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ corporate practice has led such clients to also seek the advice of its highly regarded employment lawyers. As a result, the team represents some of Portugal’s biggest and most reputable companies, and is seen as a go-to practice for the whole range of employment law matters. According to one client, the team demonstrates ‘ profound knowledge of my issues, knowledge about my company and our way of doing business, and is dedicated and committed to the subjects we ask them to be involved with’. Recently, the team has seen a steady stream of collective dismissal work, judicial employment litigation activity and collective bargaining agreement negotiations. Luís Miguel Monteiro leads a team that inspires ‘ great confidence’ among clients.
‘One of the best legal minds in Portugal’, Luís Miguel Monteiro leads Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ ‘experienced, focused and results-driven’ employment team. Able to leverage off the firm’s corporate department, as well as acting in major standalone cases, the group excels at both contentious and non-contentious matters. Recent highlights include acting for Pfizer in dismissal proceedings and subsequent litigation, and representing Santander in employment and social security litigation. Another key strength is at associate level, where Pedro Pardal Goulão and Joana Almeida are recommended.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados has a ‘very good team’ that offers ‘high-quality service’ regarding employment law. Luis Miguel Monteiro, who is praised as a leader in the field, continues to advise Pfizer on its dismissal proceedings and Santander Totta Group on a merger between private and commercial banking groups. Helena Tapp Barroso, who made partner in 2010, and António Pinto Leite advised BP Portugal on restructuring and relocating its accounting services centres from Lisbon to Bangalore. Associate Joana Almeida advised Mondial Assistance on collective dismissal proceedings and subsequent litigation.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ ‘brilliant’ team is led by the ‘very good’ Luis Miguel Monteiro. It is advising EasyJet on Portuguese employment matters, and representing Pernod Ricard Portugal in litigation. The ‘fantastic and efficient’ Helena Tapp Barroso represents Fujitsu and Parfois. António Emílio de Vasconcelos advised RCS in a case brought by former employees following a collective dismissal after the company’s transfer to China. Senior associates Pedro Pardal Goulão and Maria João da Luz, associate Joana Almeida and Oporto-based consultant Paula Ponces Camanho are also recommended.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ practice is led by the very experienced Luís Miguel Monteiro, and acts for clients in the pharmaceuticals, telecoms, publishing, financial services, and aviation sectors. António Emílio de Vasconcelos is noted for his expertise. Helena Tapp Barroso continues to represent Impresa Group in areas including social security and litigation. Senior associates Maria João da Luz and Pedro Pardal Goulão, associate Joana Almeida and Oporto-based consultant Paula Ponces Camanho are also recommended.
Responsive’ and ‘analytical’, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados is ‘one of the best firms in the market’, with Luís Miguel Monteiro highlighted for his intelligence and communication skills. Senior associate Maria João da Luz is ‘a strong negotiator’ and ‘fabulous professional’, and is ‘extraordinarily result-oriented’. Pedro Pardal Goulão advised Saint Julian’s School on its downsizing and redundancy process. Helena Tapp Barroso advised Impresa Group on labour and social security issues. Senior lawyer Paula Ponces Camanho, in Oporto, acted for Fujitsu in a dispute concerning internal HR policies. António Emílio de Vasconcelos and senior associate Joana Almeida are also recommended.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados is ‘among the best firms in Portugal’. Helena Tapp Barroso is advising Impresa Group on restructuring matters and Pedro Pardal Goulão has been assisting Saint Julian’s School with work permit issues and litigation. Luís Miguel Monteiro heads the ‘strong’ team, which also includes António Emílio de Vasconcelos and senior associates Joana Almeida and Oporto-based Paula Ponces Camanho.
At Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados, the ‘very good’ team handles a broad spread of contentious and advisory work. Practice head Pedro Pardal Goulão is recommended, and Helena Tapp Barroso is advising the Impresa Group on labour and social security matters. Previous practice head Luís Miguel Monteiro (‘who is very competent and highly reliable’) remains a key part of the team, which also includes António Emílio de Vasconcelos, Joana Almeida and Paula Ponces Camanho.
Pedro Pardal Goulão’s team at Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados advises clients including AccorHotels, Galp, Pernod Ricard and Santander Totta on a range of labour and employment matters. On the contentious side, it is representing the Portuguese football association FPF in a case against former employees. Helena Tapp Barroso and Luís Miguel Monteiro are also recommended.
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ team of ‘skilled professionals’ cover all areas of labour and employment work. Helena Tapp Barroso led advice to Impresa on labour and social security matters as well as handling employment litigation; Luís Miguel Monteiro represented Pfizer in employment litigation. Pedro Pardal Goulão has ‘an excellent control of all situations’.

Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associado is noted for its ‘engagement, assertiveness and respect in the market’. It acts for a variety of companies, including start-ups. The ‘extraordinary’ Luís Miguel Monteiro provides ongoing advice to Pfizer, ‘fantastic’ and ‘technically flawless’ managing associate Joana Almeida assisted Indorama with its acquisition of operational industrial assets from Artlant and Artelia, and Helena Tapp Barroso advised Impresa Group on the sale of its magazine portfolio. Practice head Pedro Pardal Goulão regularly acts for Tupperware.

Advogados

Chambers Europe

Luís Miguel Monteiro is well known for his expertise in employment law, with commentators describing him as "highly experienced and knowledgeable in this area." He advises on collective dismissals, disputes and restructuring procedures. One impressed source was quick to highlight "his analytical skills and ability to build a good legal defence."
Pedro Pardal Goulão leads the team and regularly provides support on non-contentious mandates. Sources highlight his availability and note that he possesses "a lot of practical experience."
Helena Tapp Barroso advises an impressive portfolio of key domestic clients on their employment law issues. She regularly acts on litigious mandates, where she is considered to be "a great lawyer who is very assertive in her arguments."
Paula Ponces Camanho is widely respected by peers and has an impressive knowledge of the law from which clients greatly benefit.
Market leader Luís Miguel Monteiro continues to be highly respected as "a very well-known lawyer in labour law." A source acknowledges him as "solid and experienced, which makes him a strong, trustable professional, able to balance solutions with risks." He is active on restructurings, collective dismissals and litigation.
Head of department Pedro Pardal Goulão has a broad practice encompassing collective and individual employment law and social security issues. He is well known in the market and offers particular expertise in sports issues.
Peers observe Helena Tapp Barroso to be a knowledgeable member of the team. She is noted for her expertise in the TMT sector and frequently assists clients from the telecoms market. Her practice encompasses employment contracts and litigation.

Luís Miguel Monteiro

Band 1 Employment
2016

Pedro Pardal Goulão

Band 4 Employment
2016

Helena Tapp Barroso

Band 4 Employment
2016
Clients "have a lot of confidence" in practice head Luís Miguel Monteiro, whilst peers recognise his "prestigious academic knowledge."
Pedro Pardal Goulão enjoys a growing reputation in the market: "He demonstrated solid knowledge and has a good practice," one source says. He recently advised Federação Portuguesa de Futebol.
Interviewees agree Helena Tapp Barroso is a "hands-on" employment lawyer. She recently advised Impresa Group on employment litigation as well as social security matters.
Joana Almeida has considerable experience in issues arising from corporate restructurings.
Department head Luís Miguel Monteiro continues to represent top-class clients in complex labour matters. Clients remark on his academic background and pragmatic approach as key strengths.
Pedro Pardal Goulão frequently acts on behalf of clients from Angola and Mozambique.
Senior associate Joana Almeida has been working closely with Luis Monteiro on major deals. She is recognised by peers and receives strong praise.
Practice head and well-respected academic Luís Miguel Monteiro is widely praised for his practical, hands-on approach and availability. "He is always there if I need to speak to him," remarks a client.
Currently based in Brussels, Joana Almeida advises international companies with subsidiaries in Portugal. "I enjoyed working with her. She was on her toes and took a very practical view of the matter," a client said.
Clients admire Pedro Pardal Goulão for his availability and great attention to client needs: "He is a great professional. Always available and I trust him. His advice is clear, detailed and solution-oriented."
Clients and peers applaud practice head Luís Miguel Monteiro, declaring that “he is extremely solid and structured in his analysis of the legal questions, and has a deep knowledge of the employment field.”
Interviewees appreciate key team member Joana Almeida's “great attention to detail and valuable opinions.”
Clients are impressed by associate Pedro Pardal Goulão, who has expertise in sports law.
Luís Miguel Monteiro leads the department and is highly recommended by sources, who attest that he "ensures continuity in the quality of service, and understands perfectly the nature of our business and our needs. He goes out of his way to find the best solutions, is always available, and is particularly skilled at clearly explaining the issues at hand to all parties, establishing an environment that facilitates negotiation."
Joana Almeida is recognised for her considerable experience and high-quality advice.
“Astounding” department head Luís Miguel Monteiro has profound expertise that comes from a strong academic grounding and practical experience, according to interviewees.
They also rave about young associate Joana Almeida, who is “super-practical, confident and has full command of the subject – you can tell that she is going to go far.”
One satisfied customer spoke highly of the "great energy and positivism" emitted by the team’s leading members, Luís Miguel Monteiro and Joana Almeida. Monteiro is renowned for his analytical approach and clients benefit from his strong academic background.
One satisfied customer spoke highly of the "great energy and positivism" emitted by the team’s leading members, Luís Miguel Monteiro and Joana Almeida. Almeida recently returned to Lisbon after a one-year study programme in London.
Head of department Luís Miguel Monteiro, a professor and author of several books on labour law, “is highly efficient, pragmatic and very knowledgeable.”
Rising star Joana Almeida is seen as “clear-thinking and objective” as well as “quick in understanding clients’ needs.”
Interviewees have nothing but praise for Luis Miguel Monteiro, who is both head of practice and a professor. Clients appreciate his “careful and efficient approach,” while peers highlight his “outstanding technical skills.” “He knows how to be tough when he has to be,” one added.

Legal 500

Luís Miguel Monteiro

Leading Lawyer Employment
2019

Luís Miguel Monteiro

Leading Lawyer Employment
2018

Luís Miguel Monteiro

Leading Lawyer Employment
2017

Luís Miguel Monteiro

Leading Lawyer Employment
2016

Luís Miguel Monteiro

Leading Lawyer Employment
2015