José Carlos Soares Machado takes part in two issues of the magazine of the Lisbon Regional Council of the Portuguese Bar Association

Testimonial from Pod Informar No. 6 | June 2023:
"Among the noblest duties of the Bar Association are the defence of the rule of law, the defence of the rule of law, the contribution to the development of legal culture and the improvement of the law. Bearing in mind the consecration of and the importance of these duties, it is impossible not to conclude the importance of these duties, it is impossible not to conclude the specificity of the within the general framework of the liberal professions.
The Bar Association has responsibilities in the pursuit of the ends of the Rule of Law and has an unavoidable obligation to contribute to perfecting its instruments. It is up to Congress, which has no executive functions, to reflect, discuss and deliberate - in the words of the law, "deal with and pronounce" - on matters that fall within the general remit of the defence of law and justice. This is enough for the class should recognise the utmost importance of this body, which unfortunately is not the case, due to a number of Unfortunately, this is not the case, for a number of reasons, not least the growing distance between lawyers and their representatives.
This is therefore a good opportunity for all of us to lawyers to give Congress the place it deserves in this matter: it's the right place for it. Congress the place it deserves in this matter: it's the right place for lawyers to discussion of theses and proposals that contribute to improving the administration of justice and the legal order in general.
Today, more than ever, it is urgent that Congress fulfils this extremely important role. I hope it does."

Testimonial from Pod Informar Nº 8 | August 2023:
"It was a time of total dedication to resolving the problems of the profession in the Lisbon Judicial District. Following the challenge that President Castro Caldas threw down to me to accompany him in his bid for a second mandate, when I was part of his General Council team in the previous three-year period. I remember the extraordinary quality of the team I had the honour of chairing. Everyone gave of their best, often sacrificing their professional activity. I also remember the great support we always the services of the District Council of the Order. For those of us who, like me, has always lived the profession intensely, the time I spent at the head of the Council was extraordinarily meaningful, giving me the opportunity to get to know my colleagues better and to get to know my colleagues better and to better understand the work and role of the Bar Association in the correct and competent practice of law.
It was a period of enormous transformation on many levels. Among other initiatives: we reformulated the entire training programme, offering for the first time a wide range of courses in addition to the compulsory traineeship courses, from traditional subjects to new ones such as public speaking; we reformulated the entire written assessment system for the traineeship and set up the new aggregation exam system for the first time; we also created, for the first time, the solemn ceremony for handing out professional certificates; we created car parks for lawyers next to many courts, including the one in Lisbon's Palace of Justice in Lisbon; we inaugurated and put into operation the new headquarters and facilities at new headquarters and facilities at Largo de Sta. Bárbara; we created, for the first time, a regular for the first time, a regular consultative meeting of the "Former Presidents", as well as CDL Support Committees made up of lawyers of recognised merit, such as the recognised lawyers, such as the Legislation Committee and the Committee to Combat Illegal Prosecution; we have brought the pending investigation and disciplinary proceedings; we have reactivated international co-operation with similar bodies; we managed to put an end to the illegal system of unofficial appointments, known as "cambão"; we created, for the first time, a periodical communication organ of the CDL; etc.
CRLisboa is playing an increasingly important role. Today, without the disciplinary tasks that the CDL used to have, this allows it to pay more attention to other aspects of its remit, such as training and improving professional relations. As the body closest to the lawyers, it has the greatest importance in their day-to-day professional lives. It is the body that is out in the field, that interacts most directly with lawyers, and is therefore one of the most important immediate faces of the Bar Association.
I believe it should endeavour to increase its visibility and take a more active role in external intervention, so that lawyers feel more represented and protected. It must endeavour to get closer to lawyers and, above all, in the very serious situation we are experiencing in the  courts, to take a stronger and more present role in denouncing the incapacity of the justice system to respond in a way that harms the legal profession and citizens."