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Richard Montes de Oca
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Richard Montes de Oca

Shareholder

International Business Transactions and Compliance Practice Group Leader

Miami, FL
 
 
 

How Richard Helps Clients

Richard focuses his practice in the areas of corporate governance, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and securities with an emphasis in international transactions. He is also a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) and specializes in global compliance and business ethics. Richard serves as the leader for Buchanan’s International Business Transactions and Compliance practice group.

Practicing law for more than 20 years, he has extensive experience in representing clients in various corporate and international law matters. Throughout his career, Richard has represented clients in a number of international corporate transactions and global compliance matters valued at over $5 billion in more than 30 countries, including the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, and Russia.

Richard has (i) served as a trusted advisor to Executive Management, Boards of Directors and Board Committees of public and private companies; (ii) designed and implemented corporate governance and global compliance programs for companies in various industries and (iii) managed various high-performance in-house practice groups and outside legal teams. Richard also recognizes and embraces diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of his personal and professional endeavors, and serves as a member of Buchanan’s Diversity and Inclusion Council.

Prior to joining Buchanan, Richard founded and served as the Managing Partner of MDO Partners, a boutique corporate and compliance law firm, where he represented clients in cross-border transactions and advised Fortune 500 clients in compliance matters, including anti-corruption (FCPA), anti-money laundering (AML), antitrust, conflicts of interest, export controls and economic sanctions (OFAC), labor and employment and various other areas. He also served as Associate Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of one of the largest cruise lines in the world. During his tenure, he managed the legal department’s corporate, finance and operations teams. He was responsible for advising senior management on all aspects of corporate governance, securities, and finance matters as well as mergers and acquisitions. Richard was also responsible for developing and overseeing the company’s Global Compliance and Ethics Program.

Richard also has experience as Senior Counsel at a Fortune 500 energy, commodities, and services company and an Am Law 100 law firm in its securities and international transactions practice groups. Richard serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Miami School of Law where he teaches Compliance, Contract Drafting, and Mergers and Acquisitions.

Awards:

  • Chambers USA, Top Attorney in Corporate/M&A and Private Equity, South Florida, 2021 - 2022
  • Best Lawyers in America© in Corporate Compliance Law, International Mergers and Acquisitions, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2021 - 2024
  • Legal Elite, Business Law, Florida Trend, 2019
  • Top Latino Lawyers, Latino Leaders, 2017
  • Legal Luminaries (Top M&A Attorney) Finalist, Dade County Bar Association, 2017
  • International Lawyer of the Year Finalist, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, 2016
  • Top Lawyers Under 40 Award, Hispanic National Bar Association, 2015
  • Doing Good While Doing Well Humanitarian Award, SFMSDC, 2014
  • 40 Under 40 Award, South Florida Business Journal. 2013
  • 40 Under 40 Outstanding Lawyers of Miami-Dade County 2006 - Legal Elite Up and Comer, Florida Trend, 2010

What Clients Can Expect

Clients value Richard’s multidimensional approach to solving complex problems that combines his technical expertise, in-house practical approach, entrepreneurial spirit, and international experience. He also collaborates with clients to build an effective strategy to grow their businesses in the U.S. and internationally. Always a team player, Richard also collaborates with other practice areas throughout the firm and abroad to ensure clients receive the full-service, capabilities, attention and support they require to succeed.

Purpose. Passion. Performance.

Outside the Office

Richard loves spending quality time and traveling with his wife and family. He also enjoys golfing with clients and friends. Richard is also a big fan of the Florida Gators, Miami Hurricanes, Miami Dolphins and Miami Heat, and watches and attends their games regularly with friends and family.

Proof Points 

  • $250 Million Aviation Academy Transaction in the Middle East
  • $85 Million Sale of Nutraceuticals to publicly traded company
  • $1.2 Billion Revolving Credit Facility for Cruise Line
  • Compliance Program Assessments and Development for Telecom and Aviation Companies (FCPA, TCPA, OFAC, AML)
  • Designed, Developed and Managed Global Compliance Program for Cruise Line with 5 Brands, 42 Ships, 50,000 employees and 450 Ports of Call around the world