The Miami Finance Forum, South Florida’s leading professional finance industry networking organization, has announced that renowned and highly acclaimed international law attorney Richard Montes de Oca has been appointed to its Board of Directors.

“Richard Montes de Oca is an outstanding leader who brings extensive financial and legal knowledge to our Board,” said Gregory M. Santín, Chairman of the Miami Finance Forum and a banker at J.P. Morgan Private Bank. “We welcome his involvement and participation as the organization grows to the next level.”

Richard Montes de Oca is the founder and Managing Partner of MDO Partners, a boutique law firm that focuses on Corporate, International and Real Estate Law as well as Global Compliance and Business Ethics. Richard is an AV-Preeminent Rated attorney in Corporate, Contracts and International Law, specializing in corporate governance, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and securities transactions, as well as global compliance. Throughout his career, Richard has represented clients with global compliance matters and international corporate transactions valued at over $5 billion in more than 30 countries.

“I'm honored to be joining such an impressive and committed Board," said Richard Montes de Oca. “I look forward to contributing my skills and leadership to execute our mission on advancing South Florida as a global financial hub.”

Prior to establishing MDO Partners, Richard was the Associate Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of Royal Caribbean Cruises where he managed the Legal Department’s Corporate, Finance and Operations team. He also oversaw Royal Caribbean’s Global Compliance and Ethics program. Prior to joining Royal Caribbean, Richard was Senior Counsel at World Fuel Services, and an attorney at Holland & Knight in the Securities and International Transactions practice groups. Richard is an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Miami School of Law, serves on the Executive Council of the International Law Section of the Florida Bar, a member of the Board of Governors of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Co-Chair of the Financial Stability Impact Council and serves on the Community Investment Committee of the United Way of Miami-Dade. Richard received his law degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Miami and a Master’s in Business Administration from Florida International University. He completed his undergraduate studies with high honors at the University of Florida.

The Miami Finance Forum is a not-for-profit membership organization comprised of professionals and executives from the world of finance, investment management, banking, commercial real estate, capital markets, private equity, venture capital, legal, accounting and related fields. MFF creates programing that fosters and supports the continued growth of Miami and the rest of South Florida as the premier network of finance and investment professionals. It is dedicated to expanding the knowledge base and professional practices of its members, while ensuring that the region continues to attract and retain its top talent. The MFF community has grown to over 6,400 professionals in all sub-segments of finance and includes startups, high-growth companies and entrepreneurs. For more information, visit www.miamifinanceforum.com.