Cuatrecasas reappoints Ricou as managing partner for Portugal

Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira has reappointed Maria João Ricou as Portugal managing partner after Frederico Pereira Coutinho stepped down from the role for “personal reasons”.

Pereira Coutinho spent less than five months in the role following his appointment on 1 July this year.

Ricou was previously co-managing partner of Cuatrecasas in Portugal from January 2011 to June 2015.

A Cuatrecasas statement said Ricou had been reappointed following Pereira Coutinho’s decision to “step down from his management role for personal reasons and to refocus on corporate law, which he has been practicing for over 25 years”.

The statement added that Ricou will have a seat on the firm’s “board of directors at Iberian level”. She will be in charge of the implementation of the firm’s new “global strategic plan in Portugal”, the firm said.

Ricou, who has been a partner at Cuatrecasas for 25 years, coordinates the banking, finance and capital markets practice.

The firm has a total of 217 lawyers and support staff in Portugal, including 29 partners.

The firm’s senior partner Rafael Fontana said: “Maria João Ricou’s leadership, management and professional skills are proven, and I am delighted that she is able at this stage to resume the management functions she previously held on a joint basis.

“This appointment pursues the line of Portugal’s strong performance and excellent contribution to the global growth of our Iberian firm. The firm will continue to count on the valuable contribution of Frederico Pereira Coutinho, to whom I thank for his dedication and commitment in carrying out his management functions.”