Team JPS&A Algarve
Dr. José Plácido Santos (1956 – 2017)
Born in Coimbra and was admitted to the Portuguese Bar Association in 1985. He graduated in Law from the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra (1979) and obtained a postgraduate qualification in Comparative Legal Studies from the same Faculty (1981).
He was the founding partner of JPS Lawyers Office (1993) and later founding partner of J. Plácido Santos & Associados – Sociedade de Advogados, RL (2001–2017), contributing decisively to the firm’s development and reputation.
Other Positions and Roles
- President of the Faro District Political Committee of the CDS-PP (2002–2004)
- Vice-President of the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR Algarve) and, by virtue of that position, Member of the National Council of Education (2003–2004)
- Visiting Assistant Professor at ISMAT – Portimão (Lusófona Group) (1994–2015)
- President of the Parish Council of Sé Nova, Coimbra (1982–1985)
- Assistant Lecturer and Visiting Assistant Professor at Universidade Livre do Porto (1981–1987)
- Senior Technical Officer at the Algarve Regional Coordination Commission (CCR Algarve), Faro (1981)
- Adviser to the Secretary of State for Regional and Local Administration of the V Constitutional Government (1980)
- Senior Technical Officer at the Regional Secretariat for Public Administration of the Regional Government of the Azores (1979–1980)
Dr. José Plácido Santos will always be remembered for his dedication to the legal profession, his public service and his decisive contribution to the development and prestige of this law firm.
Dr. Joaquim Martins Cabrita
Founding Partner and Managing Partner since 2001, he joined JPS&A as an Associate in 1994.
Born in Estômbar, he has been a member of the Portuguese Bar Association since 1992, under Professional License No. 9870-L.
He holds a Law degree from the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon and a postgraduate qualification in Urban Planning, Land Use and Environmental Law from the University of Coimbra.
He is also a University Lecturer within the Lusófona Group.
Main practice areas: Real Estate Law and Administrative Law, with particular focus on Urban Planning and Land Use.
Languages: Portuguese, English and French.
E-mail: jmc@jpslaw.com.pt
Dra. Marta Gaivão Plácido
Partner and Managing Partner since 2017, she joined JPS&A in 2012, first as a Trainee Lawyer and later as an Associate.
Born in Coimbra, she has been a member of the Portuguese Bar Association since 2016, under Professional License No. 55361-F.
She holds a Law degree from Instituto Superior Manuel Teixeira Gomes – Lusófona Group and a postgraduate qualification in Criminology and Criminal Investigation from the same institution.
Main practice areas: Real Estate Law and Civil Law, with particular focus on Foreign Investment, Succession Law and Contract Law.
Languages: Portuguese, English and French.
E-mail: mgp@jpslaw.com.pt
Dr. Luís Vieira Dias
Partner and Managing Partner since 2017, he joined JPS&A in 1999, first as a Trainee Lawyer and later as an Associate.
Born in Odemira, he has been a member of the Portuguese Bar Association since 2002, under Professional License No. 258-F.
He holds a Law degree from Universidade Lusófona.
He is a founding member of Business Network International – “BNI Talento” (2013).
Main practice areas: Civil Law and Business Law.
Languages: Portuguese and English.
E-mail: luis@jpslaw.com.pt
Dr. Cesário Belém
Partner and Managing Partner since 2017, he joined JPS&A in 2006, first as a Trainee Lawyer and later as an Associate.
Born in Portimão, he has been a member of the Portuguese Bar Association since 2009, under Professional License No. 48055-F.
He holds a Law degree from the University of Coimbra and a postgraduate qualification in Urban Planning, Land Use and Environmental Law from the same university.
Main practice areas: Commercial and Corporate Law, Administrative Law and Civil Law, particularly in Family Law and Contract Law.
Languages: Portuguese, English and Spanish.
E-mail: cesbelem@jpslaw.com.pt
Dra. Cátia Ventura Espada
Associate Lawyer since 2017, she joined JPS&A in 2014 as a Trainee Lawyer.
Born in Albufeira, she has been a member of the Portuguese Bar Association since 2017, under Professional License No. 57856-F.
She holds a Law degree from Instituto Superior Manuel Teixeira Gomes – Lusófona Group.
She is also a Member of the Justice Council of the Algarve Swimming Association.
Main practice areas: Commercial Law and Insolvency Law, Family and Children Law, Civil Law, as well as Contract and Tenancy Law.
Languages: Portuguese and English.
E-mail: cespada@jpslaw.com.pt
Dra. Soraia Fidalgo
Associate Lawyer since 2022, she joined JPS&A in 2020 as a Trainee Lawyer.
Born in Portimão, she has been a member of the Portuguese Bar Association since 2022, under Professional Licence No. 66827-F.
She holds a Law degree from Instituto Superior Manuel Teixeira Gomes – Lusófona Group and a postgraduate qualification in Law from Universidade Lusófona de Lisboa.
Main practice areas: Civil Law, Commercial Law, Insolvency Law and Administrative Law.
Languages: Portuguese and English.
E-mail: soraia@jpslaw.com.pt
Dra. Joana Liberal Carvalho
Associate Lawyer since 2019, she joined JPS&A in 2010 as a Trainee Lawyer.
Born in Barcelos, she has been a member of the Portuguese Bar Association since 2010, under Professional Licence No. 49531-F.
She holds a Law degree from the University of Coimbra.
She also completed the Advanced Studies Programme in Public Management at INA – Directorate-General for the Qualification of Public Sector Workers.
Main practice areas: Family and Children Law, Criminal Law and Civil Law.
Languages: Portuguese, English and Spanish.
E-mail: jlc@jpslaw.com.pt
Dr. Carlos Tendeiro
Associate Lawyer since 2025, he joined JPS&A in 2018, first as a Trainee Lawyer and later as an Independent Collaborator.
Born in Agualva-Cacém, he has been a member of the Portuguese Bar Association since 2022, under Professional License No. 66132-F.
He holds a Law degree from Instituto Superior Manuel Teixeira Gomes – Lusófona Group.
He is the Founder and President of the Board of ASPGN – Socio-Professional Association of Night Guards.
Main practice areas: Criminal Law, Administrative Offences Law, Family and Children Law, and Administrative Law.
Languages: Portuguese and English.
E-mail: tendeiro@jpslaw.com.pt
Benedita Santos
Specialized legal assistant
Holding a degree in Human Resources Management, she has been part of our team since 1994, providing specialised legal secretarial and administrative support to the firm’s activity, standing out for her extensive experience, in administrative support, document management and procedural follow-up of our Clients’ matters.
Manuela Encarnação
Specialized legal assistant
Having been part of our team since 1999, she provides specialised legal secretarial and administrative support to the firm’s activity, standing out for her extensive experience, in administrative support, document management and procedural follow-up of our Clients’ matters.
Rosário Silva
External Services
Having been part of our team since 1999, she is the face of our firm before public authorities and official entities, ensuring the diligent follow-up of matters and proceedings with public offices and other institutions
Cláudia Carrola
Front-office and Translator
Having been part of our team since 2022, she is responsible for reception and administrative support, as well as translation and linguistic support for our national and international Clients.
Ana Furtado
Translator and secretary
With a degree in foreign languages and a master’s in translation, having already completed an internship with us in 2021, she joined our team permanently in 2026, taking on legal secretarial and translation duties.