Combining strong local and international expertise, the employment team at CMS‘ has a solid reputation in handling restructurings, trade union negotiations, and collective dismissal procedures. It also excels in negotiating collective agreements, employment contracts, and TUPE proceedings. The practice is spearheaded by a trio of experts: Susana Afonso, who remains a go-to for complex restructuring work; Sofia Mateus, who manages the litigation side of the practice with a particular focus on disciplinary matters, social security disputes, and labour misdemeanour cases; João Paulo Gomes, who leads the Madeira office and offers expert labour counsel to clients in the hospitality, construction, and transport sectors, both locally and internationally.

Well-regarded for its ability to marry ‘excellent technical knowledge’ with a ‘client-oriented’ approach, the employment group at DLA Piper ABBC covers both transactional employment matters and standalone advisory services. Esteemed as trusted advisers to blue-chip international companies, the team excels in managing complex issues such as collective bargaining agreements, redundancies, employee transfers, and business reorganisations. Benjamim Mendes focuses on individual and mass dismissal procedures, collective bargaining agreements, lay-off procedures and contentious employment matters. Catarina Santos Ferreira is lauded as an ‘extremely professional’ individual who possesses ‘remarkable know-how.’ João Guedes advises on the labour law implications of M&A deals, and Sara Leitão regularly assists companies with day-to-day advice.

Praised for its ability to combine ‘practical experience’ with ‘technical excellence’, Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados‘ employment group offers comprehensive support across a broad spectrum of employment matters, including collective dismissals, disciplinary actions, business transfers, union negotiations, and employment-related due diligence. The practice is jointly steered by Luís Miguel Monteiro and Pedro Pardal Goulão. Monteiro stands out for his expertise in labour and social security litigation, while Goulão is a key port of call for domestic and international clients, offering expertise in sports-related matters and social security issues. Helena Tapp Barroso stands out for her experience in labour and social security litigation, and Isabel Valente Dias earns praise for her 'technical excellence and academic rigour’.

PLMJ draws considerable praise from clients, who turn to the team for its ‘excellent knowledge’ and ‘constant concern with innovation and training’. The practice remains a favoured choice for clients navigating collective dismissals, employee transfers, litigation, and contract termination matters. Co-head Tiago Cortes‘s practice covers everything from individual employment disputes to corporate restructuring on an international scale. Fellow co-head Nuno Ferreira Morgado is noted for his focus on employment law and social security matters. Key contact José Pedro Anacoreta specialises in human resources process management, while both Vitor Madeiras Rodrigues and Mariana Paiva are highly regarded for their expertise across a broad spectrum of employment matters.

Well-regarded for its ‘extensive knowledge’ and ‘technical robustness’, the employment team at SRS Legal is frequently engaged by international and domestic companies across the banking, insurance, and aviation industries, among other sectors. Leading the practice is a team of three distinguished professionals: managing partner César Sá Esteves, who has extensive experience advising financial institutions on the full scope of employment law matters; Mariana Caldeira Sarávia, who specialises in guiding financial services, food and beverage, and retail clients through redundancy and disciplinary processes; and Ana Luísa Beirão, who excels in administrative proceedings and disciplinary cases.

The ‘coherent and dedicated’ team at Abreu Advogados expertly manages both contentious and non-contentious employment issues, offering strategic guidance to clients across a range of sectors, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, automotive, retail, and TMT. Carmo Sousa Machado continues to play a pivotal role in some of the largest multinational group restructuring deals in Portugal. She leads the team alongside Patrícia Perestrelo, who specialises in matters related to corporate restructuring operations involving labour issues. Sofia Silva e Sousa focuses on regulatory matters, offering strategic human resources advice to both national and multinational corporations.

The very ‘efficient and professional’ employment team at CS’Associados is well-versed in contract terminations, workplace matters in transactions, and pension and social security issues. The practice is steered by Pedro Furtado Martins, who advises companies, financial entities, public companies, and regulatory entities on the full spectrum of employment matters, earning praise for his ‘critical and analytical spirit’. He is supported by the ‘amazing, attentive and proactive’ Maria Barbosa.

Noted for its ’empathy and professionalism’, the employment group at Cuatrecasas stands out for its proficiency across a spectrum of employment law matters, including in the context of M&A transactions and corporate restructurings. The team skilfully navigates both strategic and day-to-day labour law issues, offering advice on sensitive matters such as employee terminations, disciplinary actions, collective bargaining agreements, and lay-off procedures. Practice head Rui Vaz Pereira has extensive experience in labour litigation and collective agreement negotiations. Inês Pinheiro focuses on providing legal advice to human resources management, and supporting clients in restructuring and collective redundancies, while Sandra Lima da Silveira stands out for her ability to advise on the employment aspects of M&A deals.

Lauded for its ability to combine the ‘experience and resources of a large firm with client-centric attention to detail’, Garrigues Portugal is well positioned to advise domestic and multinational corporations on a host of employment matters, with particular expertise in collective dismissals, redundancy procedures, outsourcing, and social security matters. Leading the team is Rui Valente, who maintains a busy practice, advising on collective dismissals and layoff proceedings. He is supported by João Soares Almeida, a name to note for clients operating in the retail, wind energy, automotive, tech and finance sectors, and Rita Nogueira Neto, who stands out for her multijurisdictional experience. André Oliveira Correia is recommended for his work on collective dismissals, furlough procedures, and transfers of undertakings.

Praised for its ‘promptness and demonstration of full knowledge’, the employment group at Sérvulo & Associados stands out for its strong track record in public sector employment law. Additionally, the firm offers deep expertise in global group restructurings, M&A-related labour due diligence, and transfers of undertakings. The team is led by Rita Canas da Silva, who has wide-ranging expertise in all areas of employment and social security. Margarida Costa Gomes, described as ‘excellent’, is noted for her expertise in labour conflicts and dispute resolution.

Fielding a ‘very available, experienced, collaborative’ team, Uría Menéndez‘s employment practice is highly regarded for its involvement in major M&A transactions, complex litigation, and company restructurings. Practice head André Nascimento has extensive experience in restructuring operations, leading several downsizing procedures. Susana Bradford Ferreira is noted for her specialism in employment law litigation, social security and pension fund matters.

Standing out for the ‘technical ability and dynamism of its lawyers’, VdA is widely recognised for its expertise in handling employment matters, from guiding clients through collective redundancy procedures to advising on the labour impacts of corporate transactions. The team is jointly led by Américo Oliveira Fragoso and Tiago Piló. Fragoso provides day-to-day advice in all areas of labour and social security law, while Piló focuses on corporate labour. Porto-based Manuel Cavaleiro Brandão, described as a ‘true expert in his field’, is well-versed in national and international arbitration, while Benedita Gonçalves stands out for her focus on labour and social security law.

Singled out for its ‘excellent knowledge’ and ‘great technical skills’, the team at Andersen offers expertise across a range of employment matters, including M&A and restructuring processes, collective dismissals, terminations, and court proceedings. At the helm sits José Mota Soares, who has a significant track record in complex labour litigation and non-contentious work. He is supported by Sílvia Martins, who specialises in negotiations and procedures brought against companies for regulatory breaches of labour law issues.

Lauded for its ‘technical competence and knowledge’, the team at Miranda & Associados is well-versed in the full scope of labour matters, including human resources management, restructurings, due diligence, collective bargaining, and disciplinary proceedings. The practice is jointly led by Diogo Leote Nobre, who stands out for his contentious experience, and Nuno Gouveia, who is focused on Portuguese and French-speaking jurisdictions of Africa. Other notable individuals include Paula Caldeira Dutschmann, who specialises in corporate restructurings and downsizings, and senior associate Silvia Mota Carvalho, who is noted for her experience in French-speaking jurisdictions.

pbbr - Sociedade de Advogados RL is a go-to firm for employment matters, fielding a team that is well-versed in areas such as business reorganisations, transfers of undertakings, and labour disputes. The practice is spearheaded by Inês Reis, whose expertise covers social security issues, employment benefits, and litigation. These are also key areas of activity for Inês Oom de Sacadura. Complementing the team’s offering is Bruno Soeiro Barbosa, who brings experience in collective bargaining and litigation.

Noted for its ‘broad knowledge’, the team at Albuquerque & Almeida is experienced in handling workforce restructurings, collective redundancies, and litigation for a broad range of clients. Practice head João Salvador frequently advises Portuguese companies and multinationals across the chemicals, electronics, shipping, and automotive sectors, and has been praised as ‘exceptionally skilled and knowledgeable’. Contentious employment matters are primarily handled by Leonor Barata.

CCA Law Firm’s team is adept at handling both contentious and non-contentious employment matters. The practice is well equipped to assist with employment contracts, workplace policies, wrongful terminations, discrimination cases, and immigration-related issues, with clients across the real estate, insurance, pharmaceuticals, and technology sectors frequently instructing the team. Pedro Antunes, who specialises in dispute prevention and resolution, leads the practice and is especially popular with companies in the IT sector. Maria Luís Guedes de Carvalho complements the team’s offering with her expertise in day-to-day employment and social security matters, as well as corporate restructurings.

Linklaters draws on its deep corporate and employment expertise to assist clients with domestic and cross-border transactional matters. The team is also active in labour disputes, restructuring projects, and collective bargaining negotiations, while also offering strategic guidance on senior-level hires and dismissals. Managing associate Sílvia Pinheiro Esteves is noted for her expertise across the entire spectrum of employment law and social security matters, adeptly handling both advisory and contentious issues. Former practice head Marta Afonso Pereira is no longer at the firm.

MACEDO VITORINO advises clients on a wide range of employment issues, including restructurings, M&A, labour litigation, and social security matters, with particular expertise in representing public sector clients in collective bargaining and conflict resolution. Steering the practice is Guilherme Machado Dray, who frequently works with the Portuguese government, mediating labour disputes and negotiating collective bargaining agreements.

PRA-Raposo, Sá Miranda & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados RL is regularly engaged by Portuguese and international companies across the financial services, retail, and transport sectors on collective agreements, employment issues linked to M&A, staff restructurings, and litigation. The team is led by the ‘super competent’ Joana de Sá, who stands out for her ability to ‘find the best solutions’.

Since launching its employment practice in December 2023, Pérez-Llorca has positioned itself as a capable and versatile player, adept at handling a wide range of matters including collective bargaining, litigation, commercial transactions, executive contracts, and board-level advisory. The team is led by Inês Arruda, who is noted for her extensive experience advising national and international companies across a range of sectors on the full gamut of employment matters.

Portuguese and international companies from the worlds of banking, insurance, technology, aviation and pharmaceutical routinely seek Raposo Bernardo‘s advice on workforce restructurings, labour litigation, employee benefits, and compliance issues. Practice head Ana Cláudia Rangel , described as ‘indispensable’, is noted for her expertise in  both advisory and contentious work.

The ‘dynamic, competent and available’ team at TELLES specialises in restructurings, labour due diligence, collective bargaining, and employment litigation. Operating from Lisbon and Porto, the team offers corporate clients day-to-day advice on employment contracts, remuneration, pension plans, and social security matters. Gonçalo Pinto Ferreira leads the team and focuses on large-scale restructurings for both Portuguese and international clients. Sofia Pamplona coordinates the Porto-based labour law team, while managing associate João Dotti de Carvalho heads the Lisbon office.

Well-regarded for its ability to combine ‘strong practical sense’ with ‘relevant academic knowledge in the area’, the employment team at Antas da Cunha Ecija provides guidance on compliance, union negotiations, restructurings, dismissals, and disciplinary proceedings. Practice head Pedro da Quitéria Faria is praised for his ‘global vision, dedication and knowledge of issues relevant to the client’.

APTS - Alves Pereira & Teixeira de Sousa, S.P., R.L. brings significant expertise in employee benefits, pensions, and social security matters. The firm also assists corporate clients with labour-related litigation, disciplinary actions, and employment contract negotiations. Practice head João Alves Pereira serves as the primary contact for both domestic and international companies, particularly those navigating dismissals, workforce reorganisations, and complex employment disputes.

The labour, social security law, and public employment team at BAS - Sociedade de Advogados supports a wide range of national and international clients spanning various sectors, including IT, sports, aviation, public health, and agribusiness. Alexandra Almeida Mota handles labour matters across a range of industries, while Dália Cardadeiro is noted for her focus on the public sector. Pedro Madeira De Brito specialises in corporate law, litigation, labour and employment law and health law.

The ‘helpful’ team at Cerejeira Namora, Marinho Falcão – a go-to choice for clients in manufacturing, retail, technology, and healthcare – provides representation in judicial litigation and proactive advice on avoiding labour disputes. Nuno Cerejeira Namora demonstrates broad expertise across the full gamut of employment matters, while Pedro Condês Tomaz takes a leading role in employment compliance audits and high-stakes litigation. Marta Silva joined the team from VdA in June 2024.

Boutique firm DCM | Littler offers comprehensive expertise across the employment law spectrum, handling matters such as hiring practices, collective bargaining, transfer of undertakings, workforce restructuring, and redundancies. Founding partner David Carvalho Martins provides tailored advice to clients across diverse sectors, including tourism, fishing, culture and the arts, and IT, earning praise for his ‘experience and working knowledge’.

Fielding an ‘attentive and pro-active’ team, Espanha e Associados is frequently engaged by both individuals and corporate clients across the hospitality, food and beverages, healthcare, financial services, and insurance sectors. The team excels in business restructurings, compliance matters, contractual negotiations, and the management of collective dismissals. Spearheading the team is Luís Almeida Carneiro, who stands out for his ‘strong critical sense’.