Macau law firm DSL Lawyers is set to integrate with domestic counterpart MdME, according to the leaders of both firms. The combined firm, with 12 partners, will operate under the MdME brand.

In a statement, MdME said that the merger “will bring together two of Macau’s most prestigious law offices and will create an unparalleled offering for our clients and our people” and thus form “Macau’s leading international law firm.”

Rui Pinto Proença (R), managing partner of MdME, told ALB that he will be managing partner of the combined firm, with a board of directors composed of Francisco Leitão and João Encarnação. The heads of the three offices in Macau, Hong Kong and Lisbon will also remain the same.

Carlos Duque Simões, managing partner of DSL Lawyers, will not retain a management position in the new entity, however, and instead focus his time on client work.

Pinto Proença said he expects MdME to benefit from DSL Lawyers’ expertise in real estate and intellectual property. “For us, this deal is about tapping into the experience of DSL partners as well as increasing our scale and expanding our market footprint in Macau. I believe DSL clients will benefit from the access to our wider pool of talent, deeper specialised knowledge, and international footprint,” he added.

Duque Simões told ALB that the decision to integrate was “a winning change to both sides” that was approved unanimously by partners of both firms.

“The main advantage for DSL partners is that they will benefit from a professional management structure at MdME and could focus more on their clients and practices. Our clients will also benefit from a much wider practice with more specialised support in certain practice areas, in addition to the existing ones,” he said.

Before the integration, MdME has 40 legal professionals, including nine partners, according to its website.