Luísa Esteves da Fonseca
Luísa Esteves da Fonseca
Associate
Academic Profile
Post-graduation in Health Law from the School of Law of the Catholic University of Portugal – School of Lisbon (2019)
Course in Conflict Mediation from NOVA School of Law – Universidade Nova de Lisboa (2017)
Master’s Degree in Forensic Law and Arbitration from NOVA School of Law – Universidade Nova de Lisboa, with a dissertation on “The Position of the Procedural Parties in the Judicial Action Challenging the Regularity and Legality of Dismissal” (2017)
Degree in Law from the School of Law of the University of Lisbon (2015)
Professional Profile
Joined SMFC in 2025, where she works in the areas of Labour Law and Litigation
Lawyer at Cruz, Roque Semião e Associados (2023-2025)
Lawyer at Ferreira Pinto & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados, SP, RL. (2020-2023)
Trainee Lawyer and Lawyer at Abreu & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados, SP, RL (2016-2020) (2016-2020)
Associações Profissionais
Member of the Bar Association since 2018
Languages: English
Eva Vicente
Eva Vicente
Trainee
Academic Profile
PhD Student in Public Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Coimbra
Master’s Degree in Law – Legal/Political Sciences, with a specialisation in Public and European International Law, from the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra (2025)
Post-graduation in Human Rights from Ius Gentium Conimbrigae/Human Rights Centre of the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra (2025)
Post-graduation in Competition and Regulation Law from the Institute for Economic, Financial and Tax Law of the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon (2025)
Degree in Law from the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra (2023)
Professional Profile
Trainee Lawyer at SMFC since 2025
University Teaching Assistant in the Legal and Political Sciences Section, Faculty of Law, University of Coimbra (2024–2025)
Languages: English, Spanish and French
Martim Sousa Santos
Martim Sousa Santos
Trainee
Academic Profile
Degree in Law from the School of Law of the University of Lisbon (2024)
Professional Profile
Trainee Lawyer at SMFC since 2025
Languages: English and Spanish
Leonor Carvalho Araújo
Leonor Carvalho Araújo
Trainee
Academic Profile
Attending the Master’s Degree in Business Law at the School of Law of the Catholic University of Portugal – School of Lisbon (2024 – 2025)
Post-graduation in Real Estate Law from the School of Law of the Catholic University of Portugal – School of Lisbon (2024)
Degree in Law from the School of Law of the University of Lisbon (2023)
Professional Profile
Trainee Lawyer at SMFC since 2025
Summer Internship at Vieira de Almeida & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados SP RL (2022)
Languages: English and Spanish
Francisca Seixas Barata
Francisca Seixas Barata
Associate
Academic Profile
Master’s Degree in Forensic Law and Arbitration from NOVA School of Law – Universidade Nova de Lisboa, with a dissertation on “Parenting on Social Media and Children’s Rights” (2024)
Degree in Law from the School of Law of the Catholic University of Portugal – School of Lisbon (2021)
Professional Profile
Joined SMFC in 2025, where she works in the areas of Civil Litigation and Family and Probate Law
Trainee Lawyer and Lawyer at Abreu & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados, SP, RL. (2022-2024) (2022-2024)
Summer Internship at CMS Portugal (2022) and Courts of Justice of Peace (2019)
Professional Associations
Member of the Bar Association since 2024
Languages: English and Spanish
António Magalhães Mendes
António Magalhães Mendes
Associate
Academic Profile
Post-graduation in Tax Law from the School of Law of the Catholic University of Portugal – School of Lisbon, (Católica Tax) (2023)
DMIF II Course – Minimum Knowledge and Competencies – Information Provision Profile, by the Institute of Banking Formation (2020-2021)
Attendance of the curricular part of the Master’s Degree in Business Law at the School of Law of the Catholic University of Portugal – Lisbon School (2020-2021)
Degree in Law from the School of Law of the Catholic University of Portugal – School of Lisbon (2019)
Professional Profile
Joined SMFC in 2023, where he works in the areas of Corporate Law and Tax Law.
Trainee Lawyer (2nd stage of the bar association internship) at the Francisco Teixeira da Mota – Advogados law firm (2022).
Trainee Lawyer at Sofia Leite Borges & Associates (2021-2023)
Professional Associations
Member of the Bar Association since 2023
Languages: English
André Oliveira Costa
André Oliveira Costa
Partner
Academic Profile
Completed the General Data Protection Regulation Programme, at Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics (2017)
Degree in Law from the School of Law of the Catholic University of Portugal – School of Lisbon (2004)
Professional Profile
He has been a partner of SMFC since 2024, where he is co-head of the Corporate and M&A areas
Partner at RA&A (2020-2023)
Associate Lawyer at RA&A (2013-2023)
Associate Lawyer at DLA Piper ABBC Sociedade de Advogados (2011-2013)
Associate Lawyer at VdA – Vieira de Almeida, Sociedade de Advogados (2007-2011)
Trainee Lawyer VdA – Vieira de Almeida, Sociedade de Advogados (2004-2007)
Professional Associations
Member of the Bar Association since 2007
Languages: English and Spanish.
Rafaela Figueiredo Lima
Rafaela Figueiredo Lima
Associate
Academic Profile
Attending the Master’s Degree in Civil Law at the School of Law of the University of Lisbon
Post Graduate Degree in Family and Probate Law at the School of Law of the University of Lisbon (2022)
Degree in Law from the School of Law of the University of Lisbon (2020)
Professional Profile
Joined SMFC in 2022, where she works in the areas of Civil Litigation and Family and Probate Law
Summer internship at the Legal Department of CNPDPCJ (National Commission for the Promotion of Rights and Protection of Children and Young People) (2021)
Professional Associations
Member of the Bar Association since 2024
Languages: English and Spanish.
Graça Quintas
Graça Quintas
Associate
Academic Profile
Attended Executive Training Programmes promoted by the Catholic University of Portugal –School of Lisbon, within the scope of: Negotiation Strategies, Effective Management of Meetings, Managing Difficult Conversations, Networking & Building Client Relationship (2017)
Attended Intensive Courses on amendments to the Labour Code by the School of Law of the University of Lisbon and the Catholic University of Portugal – School of Lisbon (2016-2017)
Completed the curricular part of the Executive Master in Human Resources Management, INDEG/ISCTE – Institute for the Development of Business Management at ISCTE – obtained a postgraduate degree (2008-2009)
Attended the III Postgraduate Course in Business Law at the Institute of Business and Labour Law (IDET) of the School of Law of the University of Coimbra (2003)
Attended the III Postgraduate Course in labour Law at the Institute of Labour Law (IDET) of the School of Law of the University of Lisbon (2001)
Degree in Law from the School of Law of the University of Lisbon (2001)
Professional Profile
Joined SMFC in 2020, where she works in the area of Labour Law and Social Security
Coordinating Lawyer of the labour Law Department at CCR – Sociedade de Advogados SP, RL (2018 – 2019)
Associate Lawyer and Senior Associate Lawyer at the labour Law Department at Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira, SP, RL (2004 – 2017)
Associate Lawyer at Uría & Menéndez – Proença de Carvalho (2004)
Trainee Lawyer at FSMM – Fraústo da Silva, Mendes Martins & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados (2002-2003)
Trainee Lawyer at João Correia, Armando Henriques, Ana Cristina Pimentel & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados (2001-2002)
Professional Associations
Member of the Bar Association since 2003
Member of the European Employment Lawyer’s Association (EELA)
Member of the Association of Young Labour Lawyers (AJJ)
Languages: English and Spanish.
Sandra Amaral Gomes
Sandra Amaral Gomes
Associate
Academic Profile
Degree in Law from Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa (1993)
Professional Profile
Joined SMFC in 1993, where she coordinates the Civil Litigation area, and has vast experience in the areas of Insolvency and Debt Recovery.
Trainee Lawyer at Soares Machado, Athayde Tavares & Andrade Ramos – Sociedade de Advogados (1993)
Professional Associations
Member of the Bar Association since 1995
Languages: English, French and Spanish.
Rute Louro
Rute Louro
Associate
Academic Profile
Attended the Post-graduation in Family and Probate Law at the Lisbon School of Law (2019-2020)
Attended the Post-graduation “The New Administrative Litigation” at the Catholic University of Portugal (2003-2004)
Degree in Law from the Lisbon School of Law (2002)
Professional Profile
Joined SMFC in April 2016, where she works in the areas of Family and Probate Law.
Associate lawyer at Maricato, Lima & Associados (2015-2016)
Associate lawyer at Tenreiro Martins, Maricato & Associados (2013-2015)
Practice of law, in individual practice, until January 2013, in the areas of Civil Law, Contracts, Labour Law and Family and Probate Law
Professional Associations
Member of the Bar Association since 2004
Languages: English.
Maria Luísa Lobo
Maria Luísa Lobo
Associate
Academic Profile
Post Graduate Degree in Commercial Companies Law at the School of Law of the Catholic University of Portugal – School of Lisbon (2024)
Attended the curricular part of the Master’s Degree in Forensic Law at the School of Law of the Catholic University of Portugal – School of Lisbon (2013-2014)
Degree in Law from the School of Law of the Catholic University of Portugal – School of Lisbon (2013)
Professional Profile
Joined SMFC in 2014, where she works in the areas of Corporate Law and Real Estate Law.
Summer internship at PBBR – Sociedade de Advogados, RL (2013)
Professional Associations
Member of the Bar Association since 2017
Languages: English.
Lourenço Sousa Machado
Lourenço Sousa Machado
Associate
Academic Profile
Post-graduation in Real Estate Law from the School of Law of the Catholic University of Portugal – School of Lisbon (2018)
Degree in Law from the School of Law of the Catholic University of Portugal – School of Lisbon (2008)
Professional Profile
Joined SMFC in 2009, where he works in the areas of Litigation, Real Estate Law and Family and Probate Law.
Professional Associations
Member of the Bar Association since 2013
Languages: English and Spanish.
Isabel Marta
Isabel Marta
Associate
Academic Profile
Degree in Law from the School of Law of the University of Lisbon (1997)
Professional Profile
Joined SMFC in 1999, where she works in the area of Civil Litigation, and has experience in the area of Insurance Law.
Professional Associations
Member of the Bar Association since 1999
Languages: English and French.
Margarida Telo Rasquilha
Margarida Telo Rasquilha
Associate
Academic Profile
Master in Forensic Law at the School of Law of the Catholic University of Portugal – School of Lisbon, with a thesis on “(Law prohibiting) discrimination on grounds of disability and the existence of an aggravated health risk in the insurance activity” (2015)
Degree in Law from the School of Law of Universidade Nova de Lisboa (2014)
Professional Profile
Joined SMFC in 2019, where she works in the areas of Civil Litigation, Family and Probate Law and Real Estate
Lawyer at Caiado Guerreiro, Sociedade de Advogados SP, RL (2017-2019)
Trainee Lawyer at Caiado Guerreiro, Sociedade de Advogados SP, RL (2015-2017)
Summer internship at CCA Law Firm (2014)
Professional Associations
Member of the Bar Association since 2017
Languages: English and Spanish.
Martim Pita Negrão
Martim Pita Negrão
Partner
Academic Profile
Completed the General Data Protection Regulation Programme, at Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics (2020)
Advanced Data Protection Course: General Data Protection Regulation, EU Directives and National Legislation, from the School of Law of the University of Lisbon (2017)
Postgraduate Degree in Public Procurement Law and Practice, from the School of Law of the Catholic University of Portugal (2011)
Degree in Law from the School of Law of the University of Lisbon (2006)
Professional Profile
He has been a partner of SMFC since 2020
Joined SMFC in September 2006, where he works mainly in the areas of TMT – Technology, Media & Telecommunications, Contracts, Litigation, Public Procurement and Family and Probate Law
Professional Associations
Member of the Bar Association since 2009
Languages: English and French
Mafalda Vaz Pinto
Mafalda Vaz Pinto
Partner
Academic Profile
Degree in Law from the School of Law of the University of Lisbon (2000)
Professional Profile
She has been a partner at SMFC since 2020.
Joined SMFC in 2007, working in the area of Litigation, focusing on Civil and Corporate Litigation, Family and Probate Law, Criminal Law and Misdemeanour Law, and is experienced in the field of Intellectual Property.
She also exercises her professional activity in national and international arbitrations, and has performed as an arbitrator in national arbitral proceedings.
Lawyer at Vieira de Almeida & Associados, RL from 2000 to 2006, where she developed her activity mainly in the area of Litigation.
Professional Associations
Member of the Bar Association since 2002
Languages: English
Jaime Dória Cortesão
Jaime Dória Cortesão
Partner
Academic Profile
Degree in Law from the School of Law of the University of Coimbra
Professional Profile
In 1968, he joined the Judiciary at the Public Prosecutor’s Office, in the District of Lobito, and went on to join the then Ministry of Corporations and Social Security.
In August 1974 he joined the Confederation of Portuguese Industry (CIP) as a founding technician, focusing his activity in the field of collective labour relations and the intermediation of labour conflicts in a wide range of industries.
He is a founding partner of SMFC where, in addition to managing several companies, he has been developing forensic activity with special emphasis on Labour and Administrative Law and in the field of mediation and arbitration.
Professional Associations
Member of the Bar Association since 1977.
Languages: English, French and Spanish.
Alexandre Sousa Machado
Alexandre Sousa Machado
Partner
Academic Profile
Master in Civil Law from the Catholic University, Faculty of Law
Post-graduation in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University
Degree in Law from the School of Law of the University of Coimbra
Professional Profile
Connected to the Catholic University of Portugal, where he has taught since the first law course, he was the author of several essays, articles and publications, responsible for the chapter about Portugal in the compendium on “Family Law in Europe” (Hamilton and Perry, Butterworths, 1995 and 2002).
He is a founding partner of SMFC and since 2011 he has been a Member of the Superior Council for the Judiciary, appointed by the President of the Republic, Aníbal Cavaco Silva; he remained in office after the inauguration of the new President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who appointed him to a second term in the Superior Council for the Judiciary,
Professional Associations
Member of the Bar Association since 1982
Languages: English, French and Spanish.
Manuel Ferreira da Costa
Manuel Ferreira da Costa
Partner
Academic Profile
Degree in Law from the School of Law of the University of Coimbra
Professional Profile
From 1983 to 1986, he devoted himself to forensic practice in the areas of litigation and company law, directing the litigation service at COSEC – Companhia de Seguros de Créditos, S.A.
In addition to practicing law, he was a university lecturer in Law and, in 1982 and 1983, was President of the Portuguese Institute of Cinema.
He is a founding partner of SMFC and responsible for SMFC’s international relations, regularly participating in congresses of international alliances that the Firm is part of.
Professional Associations
Member of the Bar Association since 1979
Languages: English and French