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.

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.

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.