Morais Leitão appoints new partners and honorary partners

Morais Leitão has announced the appointment of three new partners and two honorary partners, as part of the decisions taken at its recent General Assembly. The appointments, states the firm, “reflect its strategic vision and commitment to sustainability and leadership”.

Maria Gouveia was admitted as equity partner, bringing a wealth of experience in tax and transactional law. She has nearly two decades of experience as a tax specialist, having worked at the Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union of the European Commission, served as a tax consultant for eight years at PwC, and, since 2016, in the tax department of Morais Leitão.

Carlos Eduardo Coelho was also admitted as equity partner and appointed head of innovation and knowledge. He will be responsible for leading the consulting and technological development services. Carlos, who has been with Morais Leitão since 2014, has a solid track record in management and innovation processes in law firms.

Paulo Nogueira da Rocha, with extensive experience in the contractual infrastructure management, became a non-equity partner. He has been with the firm since 2022, joining the public Law, urban planning, and environmental Law team. He began his career in 1991 as an administrative law attorney, with a particular focus on urban planning law, administrative litigation, expropriations, construction, and public works, both in Portugal and in Africa.

The new honorary partners

António Pinto Leite and Carlos Botelho Moniz have been awarded the status of honorary partners, “in recognition of the invaluable contribution they have both made to our firm and to the legal profession in Portugal”. Pinto Leite, founder partner of Morais Leitão, served as co-chairman of the board of directors of the firm from 2004 to 2012. He has extensive experience as a lawyer and as an arbitrator in national and international arbitrations, as well as in highly complex litigation.

Botelho Moniz has been with the firm since 2001, as a partner. He is part of the European and Competition team. His experience includes advising and representing companies and public entities in competition law matters, including restrictive practices, merger control, and state aid.

“We wish Maria, Carlos, and Paulo every success in their new positions. We furthermore cannot fail to emphasise the deep appreciation and recognition we feel for António Pinto Leite and Carlos Botelho Moniz, whose inspiring careers have shaped the national legal profession. With these promotions, Morais Leitão reaffirms its commitment to growth and leadership”, underpinned by its values, promoting an inclusive and collaborative environment that allows us to achieve the best results for our clients and partners”, states the firm.

On the picture, from left to right: Maria Gouveia, Carlos Eduardo Coelho, Paulo Nogueira da Rocha, António Pinto Leite, and Carlos Botelho Moniz.