Major restructurings, redundancy programmes, and union negotiations are all key areas of expertise for CMS, whose strong track record in immigration matters, disputes, and dismissals is noteworthy. Leading the group is Susana Afonso, a go-to lawyer for complex restructuring, redundancy, collective bargaining and pension matters across sectors including financial services, insurance, aviation, and retail. Sofia Mateus oversees the litigation side of practice, specialising in disciplinary proceedings, social security lawsuits, and labour misdemeanour impugnation. João Paulo Gomes, who is at the helm of the Madeira office, provides labour advice to multinational and local companies in the hospitality, construction, and transportation sectors. Senior associates Sofia Costa Lobo and Margarida Rosenbusch bring extensive experience in TUPE operations, staff restructuring, and redundancy programmes, with a special emphasis on the telecoms, aviation, and retail segments.

DLA Piper ABBC’s renowned employment team routinely handles the labour aspects of large M&A transactions, collective bargaining negotiations and day-to-day issues for domestic and international companies. João Guedes, who is skilled in M&A due diligence and labour disputes, and Benjamim Mendes, a highly regarded practitioner with extensive experience in restructuring, layoff measures, and transfer of undertakings, jointly head up the department. Clients from an array of sectors, including financial services, insurance, retail and transport, regularly turn to Catarina Santos Ferreira for assistance with collective bargaining, dismissals and restructurings. Sara Leitão is especially sought after by companies seeking support in disciplinary proceedings, redundancy processes, and restructuring initiatives. Vitor Madeiras Rodrigues is no longer at the firm.

The ‘highly specialised and dedicated’ team at Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados offers support to clients in a wide range of employment-related matters, from collective dismissals, to disciplinary proceedings, business transfers, union negotiations and due diligence. Led from Lisbon by Luís Miguel Monteiro and Pedro Pardal Goulão, the team is recurrently sought after by companies from the energy, banking, pharmaceuticals and transport sectors, among others. Monteiro excels in corporate restructuring, collective dismissals, and social security law, while fellow co-head Pardal Goulão’s expertise spans litigation, due diligence, and corporate restructuring. Helena Tapp Barroso boasts a wealth of experience in collective bargaining agreements and social security disputes. In the Porto office, Paula Ponces Camanho handles contentious and non-contentious mandates, and José Amorim Magalhães is active in both individual and collective dismissals.

PLMJ’s accomplished team is a popular choice for clients seeking advice on collective dismissals, employee transfers, litigation, and contract terminations. At the helm of the practice, Tiago Cortes is skilled in the entire spectrum of benefits and employment matters, from individual disputes to international corporate restructuring, while Nuno Ferreira Morgado stands out for his solid credentials in non-contentious mandates, including restructurings, privatisations and M&A. Nuno Guedes Vaz chiefly acts for clients from the transport, pharmaceuticals, energy, and telecoms sectors. José Pedro Anacoreta offers expertise in human resources process management, such as international mobility and remuneration, while Mariana Paiva focuses on employment litigation and issues arising from acquisitions. Vitor Madeiras Rodrigues joined from DLA Piper ABBC in September 2023.

At SRS Legal, the employment department is regularly instructed by a multitude of international and domestic companies operating in a variety of sectors, including banking, insurance and aviation, among others. Heading the practice is the ‘extremely competent‘ and now co-managing partner César Sá Esteves, a highly regarded employment law expert, who specialises in collective bargaining and collective disputes. Mariana Caldeira Sarávia ‘expertly handles redundancy and disciplinary processes‘ for financial services, food and beverage, and retail clients, taking the lead on non-contentious matters related to corporate restructurings, outsourcing and human resources. Ana Luísa Beirão, who oversees the litigation arm of the practice, shines on administrative proceedings and disciplinary actions. Cláudia Varela, another key member of the team, provides valuable counsel to companies from the pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, transport, and IT sectors.

Abreu Advogados handles both contentious and non-contentious employment matters for clients across the healthcare, pharmaceutical, automotive, retail, and TMT industries. The department, which is under the joint leadership of Carmo Sousa Machado and Patrícia Perestrelo, ‘offers a high-quality, client-oriented service‘ in this space, covering M&A due diligence, restructurings, hiring and termination procedures (individual and collective) as well as labour disputes and disciplinary proceedings. Sofia Silva Sousa concentrates her practice on labour regulation and human resources issues, and is often called upon by clients in mandates involving working conditions, remuneration, and termination of employment. Madalena Caldeira left the firm in January 2024.

Recognised for its ‘exceptional quality of work’, Cuatrecasas‘ employment practice is proficient in restructurings, transactional matters, litigation, and day-to-day issues. Department leader Rui Vaz Pereira, a key contact for the negotiation of collective agreements, is singled out for his strong track record in labour litigation. Inês Pinheiro, who joined in January 2023 following the firm’s integration of SLCM | Serra Lopes, Cortes Martins & Associados, assists a diverse range of stakeholders with collective dismissals, labour audits, and collective bargaining negotiations. With over two decades of experience in this space, Sandra Lima da Silveira stands out for her in-depth knowledge of social security law.

Singled out for its 'dedication to the client, in-depth knowledge, and excellent service', Garrigues Portugal is adept at advising domestic and multinational corporations on a host of employment matters, most notably collective dismissals, redundancy procedures, outsourcing, and social security issues. Co-head Rui Valente has a proven track record in managing individual and collective dismissals, with a particular focus on the tourism, entertainment, and automotive sectors. Fellow co-leader João Soares Almeida brings a wealth of experience in restructuring procedures, transfers of undertakings, and labour due diligence. André de Oliveira Correia is a name to note for clients from the private and public sectors seeking guidance in transactional matters, restructuring processes, and collective bargaining agreements. Rita Nogueira Neto is seen with great regularity handling the employment aspects of acquisitions and disputes.

Best known for its expertise in employment matters pertaining to the public sector, Sérvulo & Associados is also well placed to advise on global group restructurings, labour due diligence in the context of M&A transactions and transfers of undertakings. Litigation, disciplinary actions and whistleblower-related matters are other areas of activity for the group, which is led by Rita Canas da Silva, 'an excellent professional who combines solid technical knowledge and practical advice'. Margarida Costa Gomes complements the team with her extensive knowledge of labour disputes, company restructurings, and redundancy procedures.

Noted for its ‘in-depth knowledge of labour regulations', Uría Menéndez – Proença Carvalho’s 'competent' employment team is recognised for its role in major M&A transactions in Portugal, complex litigation proceedings and company restructurings. Clients operating in a variety of sectors - including financial services, manufacturing, retail and insurance often retain the group, which is overseen by André Nascimento, a specialist in employment litigation, collective bargaining, pensions and social security law. Senior associate Susana Bradford Ferreira showcases notable strength on litigation and social security issues.

At VdA, the employment practice acts for an impressive client roster, featuring leading companies from the banking, technology, life sciences, and energy sectors across Portuguese-speaking countries. At the helm of the team is Manuel Cavaleiro Brandão, a veteran labour practitioner based in Porto with a wealth of experience in national and international arbitration. In Lisbon, Américo Oliveira Fragoso provides comprehensive advice to a diverse client base on all aspects of labour and social security law, including litigation. The ‘exceptional‘ Benedita Gonçalves, who sits in the Porto office, focuses on corporate restructuring, lay-offs, labour negotiation, and employment law training. Both Fragoso and Gonçalves were promoted to the partnership in 2023.

‘Dedicated to all matters related to labour law’, Andersen’s expertise spans M&A and restructuring processes, collective dismissals, terminations, and court proceedings. Clients from a variety of sectors, including media, manufacturing and technology, regularly turn to the practice for assistance in hiring and termination matters at the C-suite level. Based in Lisbon, co-head José Mota Soares specialises in collective bargaining processes and litigation, while fellow co-leader Teresa Nogueira, who sits in the Porto office, is proficient in trade union relations and M&A due diligence.

Commended for its 'professionalism, efficient performance, and quick responses', Eversheds Sutherland is skilled at advising Portuguese and multinational corporations on the employment aspects of corporate transactions, collective dismissals, disciplinary proceedings and day-to-day labour issues. Inês Albuquerque e Castro oversees the practice, focusing on restructuring, collective dismissals, and transfers of undertakings. Bruno Ferreira Domingues is counsel of choice to management and human resources departments within medium-sized and companies, seeking advice on workforce restructurings.

Singled out for its keen focus on domestic and cross-border transactional matters, Linklaters’ employment division, part of the firm’s corporate department, provides comprehensive advice on labour disputes, restructurings, collective bargaining, and senior-level appointments and terminations. At the helm of the practice, Marta Afonso Pereira’s strengths lie in workplace diversity issues, employment disputes, and crisis management mandates. Covering all advisory and contentious aspects of labour and social security law, Sílvia Pinheiro Esteves advises human resources departments from both private and public sector companies.

The 'well-rounded team' at Miranda & Associados handles a broad spectrum of labour matters, ranging from human resources management and work accident prevention, to restructurings, due diligence, collective bargaining, and disciplinary proceedings. The ‘strong and multidisciplinary’ group is under the joint leadership of three practitioners: Diogo Leote Nobre, whose expertise covers litigation, contract negotiations, and establishment transfers; Paula Caldeira Dutschmann, who concentrates on collective bargaining and restructurings; and Nuno Gouveia, a key contact for employment, immigration, and benefits issues involving Portuguese and French-speaking African jurisdictions.

At pbbr - Sociedade de Advogados RL, the 'highly knowledgeable' employment team provides expert guidance to an array of corporate clients in areas such as business reorganisations, transfers of undertakings, labour disputes, and payroll management, among others. Practice leader Inês Reis, who enjoys a strong reputation in the market, is a reference for social security matters, employment benefits, and related litigation. Bruno Soeiro Barbosa enhances the department’s capabilities with his proficiency in collective bargaining and collective claims.

Rated for its 'high availability, professionalism and technical rigour', Albuquerque & Almeida is well versed in workforce restructurings, collective redundancies, and litigation. The group is led by João Salvador, who often provides employment law advice to Portuguese companies and multinationals from the chemicals, electronics, shipping, and automotive sectors. Leonor Barata takes the lead on contentious matters.

Covering both non-contentious and litigation matters, CCA Law Firm’s 'young, dynamic and multidisciplinary team' is well positioned to advice on employment contracts, workplace policies, wrongful terminations, discrimination, and immigration issues. The firm is sought after by clients from a number of sectors, including real estate, insurance, pharmaceuticals, and technology. With a strong following of companies from the IT space, Pedro Antunes leads the practice, concentrating on dispute prevention and resolution. Maria Luís Guedes de Carvalho offers day-to-day employment and social security advice, and also showcases notable strength in restructurings.

MACEDO VITORINO advises clients on a wide array of employment matters, from restructurings and M&A,to labour litigation and social security issues. The group is particularly adept at representing public sector clients in collective bargaining and resolving collective conflicts. Practice head Guilherme Machado Dray frequently collaborates with the Portuguese government, playing a key role in mediating labour disputes and negotiating collective bargaining agreements.

Portuguese and international companies from the worlds of financial services, retail and transport (among other) routinely seek PRA-Raposo, Sá Miranda & Associados, Sociedade de Advogados RL's advice on collective agreements, M&A-related employment issues, staff restructurings, and litigation. The team is helmed by Joana de Sá, lauded by clients for her ‘profound and sound legal competencies and real-life experience’. Key practitioners also include Helena Braga Marques, whose expertise encompasses labour, transport, family, and inheritance law, and Joana Cadete Pires.

Clients from various sectors, notably banking, insurance, technology, aviation and pharmaceuticals, turn to Raposo Bernardo for guidance in workforce restructurings, labour litigation, employee benefits and compliance issues. Overseeing the practice, Ana Cláudia Rangel 'has thorough and comprehensive knowledge of all employment matters, covering both consultancy and litigation'.

Restructurings, labour due diligence, collective bargaining, and employment litigation are all key areas of activity for the 'always available, helpful and collaborative' team at TELLES, which is based between Lisbon and Porto. The group offers day-to-day advice to corporate clients on aspects such as employment contracts, remuneration, pension plans, and social security. Gonçalo Pinto Ferreira, who heads up the labour and social security practice, focuses on advising both Portuguese and international clients on large-scale restructurings. Sofia Pamplona coordinates the labour law team in Porto, while managing associate João Dotti de Carvalho oversees the Lisbon-based office.

With extensive experience in employee benefits, pension and social security issues, APTS - Alves Pereira & Teixeira de Sousa, S.P., R.L. offers legal support to corporate clients in labour judicial proceedings, disciplinary procedures, and employment contract negotiations. João P. Alves Pereira is the main point of contact in the team for domestic and multinational companies seeking advice on dismissals, workforce restructurings and litigation.

Caiado Guerreiro  is instructed by a host of corporate clients in a wide range of employment matters, from executive-level contracts to employee benefits, pensions, and remote work models. Standing out for his strong knowledge of judicial and administrative proceedings, department leader Ricardo Rodrigues Lopes is regularly engaged in mandates concerning collective and individual redundancies.

Under the joint leadership of founding partner Nuno Cerejeira Namora and Pedro Condês Tomaz, the employment practice at Cerejeira Namora, Marinho Falcão is regularly engaged by clients from the worlds of manufacturing, retail, technology and healthcare seeking representation in judicial litigation and advice on the prevention of labour disputes. Cerejeira Namora has a wealth of experience in the entire range of employment law matters, while Condês Tomaz play a prominent role in guiding clients through employment compliance audits and litigation.

Antas da Cunha Ecija maintains a broad employment and social security practice which covers advice on compliance issues, union negotiations, restructurings, dismissals, and disciplinary actions. Pedro da Quitéria Faria, praised as ‘incredibly professional and knowledgeable’, oversees the team and is supported by a strong group of senior associates. The practice was further strengthened by the arrival of Tiago Cochofel de Azevedo as of counsel from VdA in November 2023; he is particularly active in the pharmaceuticals and banking sectors.

Rated for its ability to 'adeptly handle complex, multifaceted situations with integrated and rapid responses', Espanha e Associados provides assistance to both individuals and corporate clients across the hospitality, food and beverages, healthcare, financial services, and insurance spaces. The practice is proficient in business restructurings, compliance issues, contractual matters and in the management of collective dismissals. Department head Luís Almeida Carneiro stands out for his extensive experience in handling the employment law aspects of M&A transactions and corporate restructuring.