Law firm profile partner since 2012 – says MLGTS has plans to open other offices in Asia via its Legal Circle network . “ We are considering opening a representative office on the China mainland , as well as openings in other places ,” he adds . Meanwhile , Galvão Teles says he is “ very happy ” with how the firm ’ s associated offices are performing in the Lusophone Africa countries , specifically Angola and Mozambique . “ They have grown there in the last three years ; they were able to have a strong presence in both markets with a strong international client base ,” he says . “ Recently in Angola , mandates were received to open two financial institutions , while instructions were also received in relation to significant government projects – this type of work is difficult to find .” Indeed , workflow in Angola has now reached the level where Angola Legal Circle
Partners :
MLGTS fact file
55 ( consisting of 35 equity partners and 20 salaried partners )
Lawyers : 200
2015 Revenue :
Undisclosed
Advogados , the firm with which MLGTS is allied , is looking to recruit more lawyers .
MLGTS currently has 200 lawyers in total , including 35 equity partners and 20 salaried partners . Galvão Teles says the firm takes on 12 trainees per year , and though MLGTS ’ strategy is to grow organically , he adds that the firm would look to make lateral hires if it was felt that “ we can add value ” to the firm . Galvão Teles , who joined MLGTS in 1987 and became a partner in 1995 , observes that the firm ’ s interactions with clients has altered significantly . Though viewed as a very traditional firm , MLGTS is embracing new innovation . “ Our relationships with clients have changed a lot ,” he remarks . “ We have made a huge effort to have very qualified professionals , we have a client care unit , a legal project management unit and a business development unit . We have also invested a lot in technology – it is a process that has taken a period of four to five years , there has been a profound change in the way we work , clients want quality but they also want lawyers to have a better perception of their business .”
Investment is crucial Galvão Teles highlights the work done by ‘ Team Genesis ’ – a group
of the firm ’ s lawyers dedicated to the provision of legal services in the areas of entrepreneurship and innovation – as having been particularly fruitful . The team was established to advise start-ups , small and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs ) and business angels , as well as venture capital and private equity companies . Team Genesis ’ clients include Start-up Lisboa and Startup Braga . “ Team Genesis has been a huge success ,” says Galvão Teles . “ We ’ re representing a significant number of the leading start-ups in Portugal .”
In general , Galvão Teles believes the outlook for Portuguese firms is improving . “ The years 2010 to 2014 were difficult , but Portuguese firms are very resilient and we ’ re now seeing foreign investment coming ,” he says . “ However , law firms not investing in technology , people and client care will have problems in future .” Galvão Teles also acknowledges that recent world events cast a shadow of doubt on future economic prospects . “ Brexit and the election of Trump as US president provides uncertainty that we could do without ,” he says . “ The world is changing , the digital era is here and this puts huge pressure on law firms – there are different ways of providing legal services and this could either be a challenge or an opportunity .”
www . iberianlawyer . com November / December 2016 • IBERIAN LAWYER • 19