When we were founded in 2006, we had a clear ambition: to become an international law firm. At a time when cross-border legislation was still limited or, in many cases, non-existent, this was a bold aspiration. Simultaneously, the Portuguese legal sector was entering a period of profound transformation. The justice system was taking its first steps towards a more digital, agile, and connected model, embarking on a journey that would radically reshape the legal profession for the better.

A system that would become clearer, more objective, and above all, more transparent.

We were born precisely during this period of change. For that reason, digital transformation is not merely a phenomenon we have witnessed; it is part of our DNA.

In 2006, courts and legal professionals still operated in a reality heavily dependent on paper. Court submissions were often delivered in person, archives occupied entire rooms, fax machines remained indispensable communication tools, and consulting case files required physical visits to the courts.

It was also during this period that the foundations of electronic case management began to take shape through the implementation of the Citius platform, marking the beginning of a new era in legal proceedings. Over the years, we have witnessed the progressive dematerialisation of legal processes, the replacement of fax communication by email, the widespread adoption of digital signatures, remote access to court files, and the possibility of carrying out procedural acts entirely through electronic means.

As the justice system evolved, so did our firm. We grew in an environment already shaped by technology, embracing digital tools, paperless processes, and working models focused on efficiency, proximity, and innovation, while providing clear reporting to Clients and International Partners.

This vision was also accompanied by a strong international vocation. In an increasingly interconnected world, we understood from the outset that modern legal practice requires the ability to transcend borders, support clients across multiple jurisdictions, and respond to the challenges of a globalised economy. Digitalisation has enabled people, businesses, and markets to connect with greater legal certainty; our mission has been to transform that connectivity into value for our Clients.

As we celebrate two decades of our journey, we have had the privilege of being active witnesses to one of the most significant transformations in the history of the Portuguese justice system. We have experienced the transition from paper to digital, from fax to instant communication, from in-person consultations to remote access, from late-night trips to post offices at airports to file urgent court submissions before midnight when strategy or deadlines demanded it, from physical bureaucracy to fully electronic proceedings and digital signatures.

More than simply adapting to this evolution, we made it part of our identity.

Today, we continue to embrace innovation with the same conviction we had twenty years ago: technology does not replace legal knowledge and experience; rather, it enhances their effectiveness, brings people closer together, and enables us to deliver a service that is faster, more transparent, and better suited to the demands of both the present and the future.

Because we grew alongside the digital transformation of justice.

And because we believe that the legal profession of the future will continue to be built every day through human insight, experience, wisdom, authenticity, and the genuine personal stories that define our “Cool & Legal” team.