The new partnership between the two firms will facilitate synergies in the provision of legal services between the two continents, linking the Portuguese-speaking markets and Southeast Asia.
Morais Leitão, one of the leading Portuguese law firms with a strong international presence, and JLA, Advogados e Consultores (“JLA”), a leading law firm in Timor-Leste, announce the establishment of a strategic partnership aimed at facilitating international cooperation in legal matters. This alliance strengthens investment flows between Portugal and Southeast Asia and allows both firms to better serve their clients with a specialised legal service offering covering jurisdictions in Europe, Africa and Asia.
With this partnership, Morais Leitão expands its presence in Asia and adds Timor-Leste to its network, which already includes offices in Portugal, Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique and Singapore. This is another step in the renewal of Morais Leitão's strategy for the Asian market, which was reinforced last year with the opening of an office in Singapore with a permanent team.
At the same time, JLA strengthens its links with the Portuguese-speaking markets and reinforces its own internationalisation. Both firms are well placed to provide cross-disciplinary legal solutions in sectors such as infrastructure, energy, mining, oil and gas, and the public sector.
This new collaboration represents a significant step forward in connecting investors, businesses and legal expertise between Europe and Asia, capitalising on the links of the Portuguese language and common legal culture. Clients of both firms will benefit from an efficient network of multidisciplinary legal advice in booming markets. This partnership comes at an opportune time as investor interest in both regions continues to grow.
Martim Krupenski, Managing Partner of Morais Leitão, commented:
“Our new partnership with JLA is a key element of our global strategy. It allows us to extend our reach in Asia and respond to the growing demand for multi-jurisdictional legal services. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to facilitating our clients’ international growth by providing comprehensive and excellent legal support across continents.”
Lukeno Ribeiro Alkatiri, Managing Partner of JLA, adds:
“We are very excited about our partnership with Morais Leitão, a firm recognised for its expertise and international presence. This alliance will allow us to offer our clients enhanced legal solutions by combining our in-depth knowledge of the Timorese market with the global experience that Morais Leitão offers.”
The partnership not only strengthens Morais Leitão’s presence in Asia, but also expands JLA's legal capabilities, creating opportunities for clients and potential clients of both firms.
About Morais Leitão
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados (“Morais Leitão”) is a leading and experienced full-service law firm in Portugal. Internationally recognised, its reputation stems from the excellence and high level of the services provided to clients, solid ethical values and a distinctive approach with cutting-edge solutions, reflected in the successive and consistent recognition in awards granted to the firm and its individual lawyers.
Specialised legal services in the main areas of law and in different sectors of the economy are a benchmark of the firm leading to its involvement in the most important operations in Portugal, as well as in high value cross-border transactions and disputes.
Through the network Morais Leitão Legal Circle, we present a team of more than 450 professionals, with offices in Portugal (Lisbon, Porto and Funchal (Madeira Island)), Singapore, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde and Timor-Leste.
About JLA
JLA, Advogados e Consultores (“JLA”) is a leading law firm in Timor-Leste, providing specialised legal services to local and international clients. With in-depth knowledge of the legal and business landscape in Southeast Asia, the firm specialises in corporate law, energy and infrastructure, administrative law, tax, procedural law and arbitration. Through strategic partnerships, JLA offers personalised legal solutions that meet the needs of companies operating in different sectors and markets.
