Rui Pinto Proença appointed Managing Partner of MdME

MdME Lawyers is pleased to announce the appointment of Rui Pinto Proença as Managing Partner, for a three-year mandate.

Rui Pinto Proença follows Gonçalo Mendes da Maia, who held this position from 2006 to 2019. At this important moment, MdME thanks Gonçalo for his commitment and dynamism over the years, wishing him well in his future endeavours.

As Managing Partner, Rui will be responsible for overseeing the strategy of the Macau and Hong Kong offices, supervising a team of 55 people, including 25 fee-earners.

His foremost priority will be maintaining the leading position of MdME in the Macau market, as well as steering the firm in its ambitious plans to expand its international reach. This will include strengthening the firm’s regional vocation in the context of the Greater Bay Area, as well as furthering MdME’s position as the got-to-firm in assisting Chinese investment into the Portuguese Speaking Countries.

Founding Partner João Encarnação commented: "This mandate reflects Rui’s commitment to Macau, as well as his passion for the profession and the firm; At a time when Macau is taking a pivotal role as China’s world class tourism destination and the center for business with the Portuguese speaking countries, Rui’s international vocation makes him the right person to lead the firm going forward".

Rui is qualified to practice in Macau, Portugal and Angola and has been a partner of the firm since 2011. He is recognized by piers as a top tier corporate lawyer, having been deeply involved in Macau’s thriving gaming sector. Rui is ranked as a leading lawyer in the most prestigious directories, having been awarded the "M&A Deal of the Year" in the "IFLR Asia Awards 2015" and distinguished as "Emerging Leader of the Year" in the "Asia Gaming Awards 2017". He specializes in mergers & acquisitions and often acts on private equity transactions, having a significant track record across a range of different industries.

Following the decision, Rui Pinto Proença commented: "This is a great sign of trust, and I am humbled by my partners’ choice to lead our firm. We have a top-of-the-class team, which makes us rightfully recognized as the go-to firm in many sectors, having worked on high profile and complex cases and transactions. I will do my very best to honor this position and to meet its responsibilities."

MdME is a member of Morais Leitão Legal Circle, an international alliance of law firms created by Morais Leitão.