The Origin of SJF: From Law Pratice to Specialized Consulting

06.08.26 10:38 AM - By Contact@

Sandra Jardim Fernandes, founder of SJF Immigration & Investments, was recently featured in Revista Business Portugal's "Brands Power" section, published July 21, 2026. In the piece, she traces her path from a career in Real Estate Law to founding SJF, and the people-first approach that shapes how she guides clients through Portugal's immigration and investment programmes.



The original feature was published in the June/July 2026 issue of Revista Business Portugal, available here (pages 117–119).
Below you can find the English translation.


The Origin of SJF: From Law Pratice to Specialized Consulting

With a solid career in law, particularly in the fields of Real Estate Law and investment immigration, SJF founder Sandra Jardim Fernandes turned more than three decades of experience into a personalized consulting project. Driven by the desire to support clients before, during, and after their move to Portugal, she built a company grounded in closeness, trust, and tailored solutions for each family's needs.


From law practice to the creation of SJF


The creation of SJF was a natural evolution in the professional path of its founder, a lawyer with more than thirty years of experience in Real Estate Law. As Sandra Jardim Fernandes explains, "the idea came about very naturally," the result of experience gained over the course of her career and a desire to provide clients with more personal guidance.


Her interest in immigration began in 2013, with the creation of Portugal's Golden Visa program. Sandra Jardim Fernandes explains that she "was approached because of my experience in Real Estate Law, and I decided to deepen my knowledge of this mechanism." From that point on, she began developing expertise in this area, driven not only by legal interest but also by direct contact with clients, she says.

Throughout her professional experience, she noticed that many clients sought legal support only after they had already made important decisions. This realization sparked her interest in a different approach - one focused on the stage before the legal process begins. As she explains: "I liked being able to reach people at an earlier stage, not only as the lawyer for the process itself, but to be able to advise them at a stage when they are still deciding."

She also found that "the program chosen wasn't necessarily the best or the right one for that family," arguing that each solution should be tailor-made - that is, adapted to each client's needs and goals.

A people-centered approach

This vision gave rise to SJF, created with the goal of offering a personalized consulting service. Lawyer Sandra Jardim Fernandes says she "wanted to focus on the family's concerns" and guide each client "regardless of any financial interest," seeking to understand their situation before recommending any immigration or investment program.


Sandra Jardim Fernandes also notes that the challenges clients face vary widely, as many are unfamiliar with Portugal and how its different investment programs work.

As she states: "People don't know our country, and so they need guidance to make informed decisions." With this in mind, SJF analyzes each situation individually, presenting solutions suited to each family's profile and goals, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

The challenges of immigration and international investment

Another point she highlights is the importance of the trust built with clients. For the founder, an immigration process represents a profound change in people's lives, involving expectations, concerns, and countless decisions to make.


For this reason, she considers it essential to be available to support clients throughout the entire process. As she explains, "any immigration process takes a great deal of time," calling it "an adventure" for anyone deciding to move to another country - one that requires close, ongoing support.

Although the company was founded in 2022, by the end of 2025 it had become fully dedicated to the project, building its own team and establishing partnerships with lawyers across several regions of the country. This structure allows for closer, more comprehensive support while maintaining the quality of service as a top priority.

Throughout the interview, the founder also emphasizes that an immigration process goes far beyond its legal component. Beyond legal counsel, she considers it essential to support clients through every stage of adapting to the country - helping them with matters such as choosing a location, family integration, tax guidance, or even finding schools for their children. As she puts it, the goal is to "offer the full package," ensuring families feel supported at every stage of the move.


Growth with quality and closeness

SJF's CEO emphasizes that she intends to maintain sustainable growth for the company, prioritizing quality of service over volume of cases. Her goal is to continue working at a scale that allows her to maintain a close relationship with each client, stating that she does not intend to return to a model where her time is devoted solely to managing a team. As she explains, she wants "people to feel they can reach out to me, in confidence, at any time," reinforcing that closeness, availability, and personalized support remain SJF's core values.


Sandra Jardim Fernandes believes her experience as a lawyer was decisive in the creation of SJF, allowing her to turn legal knowledge into a consulting approach centered on people. The project is built on closeness, trust, and the conviction that every case must be carefully adapted to each family's specific needs.

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