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“Thank you very much for clicking on my profile. My name is Mónica and I have nearly 15 years of experience practicing law. I spent the majority of my early legal career at one of the biggest law firms in Portugal and have provided legal advice in several jurisdictions, with a particular emphasis on Portugal and Timor-Leste. I am proud to have contributed to my old firm’s international expansion with a six month secondement in their Timor-Leste office. I have been based in Dili during the last four years and in 2017 I founded my firm MDS Legal. We are a multi service law-firm, providing advice to a variety of sectors most notably in Beverages, Technology, Media and Oil&Gas and are often consulted by international law firms from Australia, Singapore and Vietnam on Timorese law. Our advisory services go beyond legal assistance, as we also work as strategy consultants liaising with government institutions, NGOs and the private sector.
My background is mostly in Litigation, both Arbitration and Criminal Law matters, as well as Real Estate, with international clients and matters ranging from Asia to Africa. My goal in Dili, while developing our practice, is to contribute to the country’s growth, by serving the community with our knowledge and our experience, focusing on relationships.”
Advised National Oil Company in the development of gas fields in the Timor Sea
Advising one of the largest multi-national beverages company’s on all aspects of Timorese law
Advising Diplomatic missions/embassies
Advising a major social media business on all aspects of local Timorese law including forecasting of the political landscape and providing clarification on advertising locally specific items
One of Mónica’s main goals since arriving in Timor-Leste was to share her knowledge and try to empower young people locally through mentoring and offering internships at her firm (she currently has two). She is especially passionate about engaging with local young women and encouraging them to pursue further education. Mónica is a linguist enthusiast and being a native Portuguese speaker and fluent in English, Mónica founded More Than Words – Translations, where she provides legal translation services in different languages, both in Lisbon and in Timor. In addition, she speaks Spanish and French. Mónica is also a passionate musician and singer, and is obsessed with watching the beautiful golden sunset over the Dili coast
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