Professional Background

Ms. Dada Rivera is a Senior Partner and Head of the Corporate and Commercial Law Group of Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia.

She is widely regarded as a go-to counsel for high-stakes inbound investments and multi-agency regulatory matters in the Philippines, particularly those involving complex ownership structures, nationality restrictions, and heavily regulated sectors.

Ms. Rivera is widely recognized as a leading practitioner in corporate and M&A, with a strong track record advising Philippine and international clients on market entry, investments, and complex regulatory matters. Her practice focuses on navigating ownership and nationality restrictions, structuring tax-efficient investments, and ensuring compliance with Philippine regulatory frameworks. She is particularly known for guiding foreign investors in establishing Philippine operations, structuring joint ventures with local partners, and securing regulatory approvals across key government agencies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Trade and Industry, Board of Investments, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, National Telecommunications Commission and relevant local government units. She is particularly recognized for her ability to align legal strategy with commercial imperatives while managing regulatory risk.

She has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions (both asset and share deals), joint ventures, and complex commercial arrangements, including due diligence, negotiation, and transaction execution. Clients value her for delivering clear, actionable advice in high-pressure, time-sensitive transactions.

Ms. Rivera also brings significant government and policy experience, having previously served in senior roles in the Philippine Government. She was Assistant Secretary for Legal of the Department of National Defense (2005–2006), Undersecretary in the Office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and the Office of the Executive Secretary (2003–2005), and Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs at the Presidential Management Staff (2001–2003). Her government background provides clients with valuable insight into regulatory processes and stakeholder engagement at the highest levels.

She is consistently ranked by leading legal directories. She is recognized as a Hall of Fame Lawyer for Corporate and M&A by Asia-Pacific Legal 500 (2025), having been named a Leading Individual in Corporate and M&A from 2017 to 2024. She is also cited as a Notable Practitioner in Capital Markets and M&A by IFLR1000 (2024, and in prior years 2019–2023), and as a Recommended Lawyer for Real Estate and Construction by Asia-Pacific Legal 500 (2024, 2023, 2020). Earlier in her career, she was recognized as a Market Leading Lawyer for Corporate/M&A by asialaw Leading Lawyers (2017).

She is a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Philippine Bar Association, U.P. Women Lawyers’ Circle, Federacion Internacional de Abogadas (Philippine Chapter), and the Women Lawyers Association of the Philippines.

Ms. Rivera obtained her Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines in 1995, graduating sixth in her class and receiving the Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence. She was also a consistent member of the Order of the Purple Feather Honor Society. She was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1996. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of the Philippines (1989).