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 Sofia Mateus
Partner

Lawyer

Sofia Mateus

Languages
  • Portuguese
  • English
  • Spanish
Social media

Sofia Mateus is a Partner in the Employment, Labour & Pensions team.

She has over 20 years of experience and coordinates the labour litigation team, devising the strategy and action plan underlying any disciplinary proceedings, labour misdemeanour impugnation and labour or social security lawsuits.

Sofia is also responsible for all matters relating to pension plans and funds.

She is also a member of the planning, coordination and execution team for restructuring and harmonization processes of personnel, with notable experience working with companies in the financial, insurance, industrial, construction, aviation, retail, pharmaceutical and services sectors.

In addition, she provides day-to-day employment law and Human Resources advice to national and international clients, in the private sector. This includes the drafting of opinions, information and memoranda, as well as individual employment contracts, conducting processes relating to workplace and establishment, transfers, definition of remuneration plans and organisation of working time.

Sofia is acknowledged as Leading Partner for Employment by Legal 500, 2025 and she was also acknowledged as Associate-to-Watch, as well as Up & Coming for Employment by Chambers Europe, from 2015 to 2019. She is also recognised for Labour and Employment Law by Best Lawyers, since 2018 and ranked Excellent for Labor & Employment by Leaders League, 2025. Moreover, she was awarded Lawyer of the Year for Employment, Forty under 40 in 2015, by Iberian Lawyer.

Joined CMS Portugal in 2000.

Awards & Recognitions
01
  • Quote
    Potential clients would be interested to know that the team is composed of highly skilled professionals with extensive experience in various legal domains.
    Legal 500 (2025)
  • Quote
    They have in-depth knowledge of labour law, rigorous analysis, and search for creative solutions.
    Legal 500 (2024)
  • Quote
    Great rigour and attention to detail. Advice based on in-depth knowledge of the legislation applicable to our sector. In addition, the team knows our company very well.
    Legal 500 (2023)
  • Quote
    Sofia Mateus is a lawyer with a deep technical knowledge, oriented to detail and with an excellent quality of work.
    Legal 500 (2022)
  • Quote
    Sofia Mateus is a lawyer committed to building solutions, with excellent capacity for analysis, research and the study of legal solutions. She works in true partnership with the client’s team.
    Legal 500 (2021)
  • Quote
    Next Generation Partner
    Legal 500 (2021)

Publications

  • "Mecanismos de cessação de contratos de trabalho" durante uma conferência promovida pela IFE - International Faculty for Executives (2011)
  • "A Nova Legislação Laboral - contraposição de regimes - e o regime do contrato de trabalho em cargos públicos", in Secretaria Geral do Ministério da Saúde (2009)
  • "O contrato de trabalho em cargos públicos", no âmbito da conferência "Aplicação do Novo Regime do Contrato de Trabalho em Órgãos Públicos" promovida pela NPF - Pesquisa e Formação (2009)
  • "Os novos regimes de duração e organização do tempo de trabalho", no âmbito da conferência "Aplicação do Novo Regime do Contrato de Trabalho em Órgãos Públicos" promoted by NPF - Pesquisa e Formação (2009)

Memberships & Roles

  • Member of the Portuguese Bar Association since 2002

Education

  • Law degree, Faculdade de Direito, Universidade de Lisboa
  • Postgraduate degree in Direito do Trabalho e da Segurança Social, Faculdade de Direito da Universidade Clássica de Lisboa
  • Certified lecturer, by the IEFP – Instituto do Emprego e da Formação Profissional