ALEJANDRO BATALLA

Partner

Alejandro is a professional of wide and recognized trajectory. For more than 30 years he has participated as a lawyer in complex litigation and arbitration matters, advised important companies in matters related to administrative contracting, restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, consumer issues, and many others. He also has participated as a member of several Board of Directors of many important companies. 

All this arduous professional work has been accompanied by an intense academic activity as professor in the Autonomous University of Central America and the University of Costa Rica, where he has been professor of Administrative Law courses. He has also made several specialized publications and has participated as speaker in several conferences.

Alejandro has also had a strong cultural involvement as a former member of the Board of Directors of the National Theater and, because of his professional services for years to the French Embassy and to the French culture in general, he has been condecorated with the highest distinction granted to a civilian by the French Government as Knight of the Order of Merit and Knight of the Legion of Honor. 

Alejandro has also served the public function as he was an alternate magistrate of the Constitutional Chamber for 8 years.

Law degree from the Autonomous University of Central America (Universidad Autónoma de Centro América) (1983)

Masters and Doctorate from the University of Bordeaux in Public Law (Universidad de Burdeos) (1986)

Band 1 for Dispute Resolution and Public Law by Chambers and Partners.

Band 2 for Corporate/M&A by Chambers and Partners.   

ADRIÁN VEGA

Associate

Adrián has more than 17 years of experience advising industrial and service companies in Costa Rica and the entire Central American region. He specializes in audits of compliance with environmental regulations, occupational health and safety, labor, innocuousness. He has extensive experience in legal advice for the implementation of ISO 14001: 2015, ISO 9001: 2015, ISO 45001: 2018, ISO 50001, FSSC 22000, BASC and BONSUCRO standards.

Adrián has participated in the preparation of environmental due diligence for commercial operations of acquisition and closure of companies in Costa Rica.

He also has extensive experience in the processing of administrative requirements of SETENA, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of the Environment, among other institutions.

He is an environmental manager accredited by the National Technical Secretariat (SETENA) since 2010, advising on agricultural, industrial and construction projects.

Adrián was considered the leading environmental lawyer in Costa Rica by Chambers & Partner since 2015.

Law Degree and Public Notary from the Latin American University of Science and Technology, ULACIT (2004)

Master’s in Business Law from University for International Cooperation, UCI (2015).

ANA ELENA QUIRÓS

Associate

Alejandro is a professional of wide and recognized trajectory. For more than 30 years he has participated as a lawyer in complex litigation and arbitration matters, advised important companies in matters related to administrative contracting, restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, consumer issues, and many others. He also has participated as a member of several Board of Directors of many important companies. 

All this arduous professional work has been accompanied by an intense academic activity as professor in the Autonomous University of Central America and the University of Costa Rica, where he has been professor of Administrative Law courses. He has also made several specialized publications and has participated as speaker in several conferences.

Alejandro has also had a strong cultural involvement as a former member of the Board of Directors of the National Theater and, because of his professional services for years to the French Embassy and to the French culture in general, he has been condecorated with the highest distinction granted to a civilian by the French Government as Knight of the Order of Merit and Knight of the Legion of Honor. 

Alejandro has also served the public function as he was an alternate magistrate of the Constitutional Chamber for 8 years.

Law degree from the Autonomous University of Central America (Universidad Autónoma de Centro América) (1983)

Masters and Doctorate from the University of Bordeaux in Public Law (Universidad de Burdeos) (1986)

Band 1 for Dispute Resolution and Public Law by Chambers and Partners.

Band 2 for Corporate/M&A by Chambers and Partners.   

ANA LUISA VILLEGAS

Associate

Ana Luisa joined the firm as an associate in 2022 and her practice area is Corporate and Commercial.

Due to her professional practice, she has experience providing advice to national and transnational companies with day-to-day matters, corporate governance, and compliance, as well as in matters related to commercial negotiations participating in highly complex transactions in contractual matters and commercial law, including business structuring in the industrial and construction area as in-house legal counsel. 

In addition, she has experience advising banks and financial institutions on credit granting and financing, as well as structuring trusts and guarantees.

Ana Luisa has also participated in several investigations and reports on Human Rights, gender, diversity, and inclusion.

Law degree Summa Cum Laude from Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho (2019).

Bachelor´s degree in English with emphasis in Translation from Universidad de Costa Rica (2018). 

Member of the Diversity and Inclusion Commission from Costa Rican Bar Association. 

ANDREI CALDERÓN

Trade, Logistics and Customs Specialist

Andrei focuses his practice in international business and customs, providing consulting and advisory services to domestic and international businesses in international business, market access, business development, technical topics for customs processes, and other areas.

He has worked with the National Program of Rural Youth (PRONAJUR) and with the National Program for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (Programa Nacional de Pequeña y Mediana Empresa) (PRONAMYPE). He has also worked to develop different projects for affiliated, internal projects with impact in the country for the Chamber of Importers and Foreign Representation in Costa Rica (Cámara de Importadores y Representantes de Casas Extranjeras de Costa Rica) (CRECEX) and chairman of the AMCHAM Trade Committee and the Customs Regulatory Improvement Subcommittee of UCCAEP. Andrei currently teaches commerce, customs and international marketing at the University of Costa Rica.

Degree in Customs Administration and International Business from the University of Costa Rica (2008). 

ARNOLDO ACUÑA

Senior Counsel

Arnoldo joined the firm in 2022. Before, he worked as the Director of the Litigation Department of Sfera Legal and as Associate Attorney in Bufete Robles Oreamuno. 

He is Senior Counsel since 2022 and focuses his practice on the Dispute Resolution Department and Real Estate. 

He has considerable experience in civil and commercial litigation, leading complex cases in Judicial and Arbitration Courts, in matters such as  Civil Liability, Torts, Commercial Law, Collection Proceedings, Insurance, representing domestic and international clients. He is an expert designing and implementing complex litigation and negotiation strategies. 

Arnoldo has also ample experience representing domestic and international clients in complex Real Estate transactions. 

Law degree from University of Costa Rica (2008).

Master of Laws in Comparative Law from Levin College of Law, University of Florida (2010). 

Law Degree thesis “The theory of the frustration of purpose and its applicability in Costa Rica, awarded with honors and publication recommended, University of Costa Rica (2008).

ERICK OVARES

Associate

Erick, as part of the Dispute Resolution practice, focuses his career on civil and commercial litigation. He has extensive experience on the area of judicial collection, in which he has led and processed more than 400 cases. He also has experience in drafting lien and mortgage contracts.

In addition, he has knowledge in matters of criminal litigation due to his prior experience working in the Criminal Court and Deputy Prosecutor’s Office of San José. During those years he was responsible of the preparation and review of criminal cases for their trials.

Erick also has extensive experience in Human Rights, since he has served as a collaborator with the United Nations, specifically in the area of refugees. He was responsible for preparing professional opinions for administrative procedures and requests of appeal.

His professionalism, attention to details, oral skills, and general knowledge of the Costa Rican laws make him outstanding in the practice of Dispute Resolution.

Law Degree from Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho (2019)

Specialist in Notary and Registration Law from Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho (2020)

LUIS FELIPE RIVEROS

Senior Associate

Felipe joined the firm in 2010. He has been an associate since 2016 and focuses his practice on the Dispute Resolution Department. 

He has considerable experience in civil and commercial litigation. Felipe has participated in complex judicial proceedings on civil liability, torts, commercial law, and consumer´s right law, collection proceedings, insurance and banking and finance matters, representing domestic and international clients. In his practice, Felipe also regularly participates in cases involving administrative and judicial authorities in the United States of America, advising companies in civil and criminal international matters.

Felipe also represents national and international clients in arbitration proceedings before the main arbitration institutions in Costa Rica. He has experience advising clients in commercial national and international arbitration.

As part of his working experience as an associate in Batalla, Felipe was seconded to the Madrid Office of Uría Menéndez, practicing in the civil litigation and arbitration department.

Law degree with emphasis in Banking and Securities from Universidad de Costa Rica (2016). 

Master of Civil Liability from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain (2019).

Degree thesis awarded with honors, Universidad de Costa Rica (2016).

JOHN BRENES

Associate

John is a member of the Dispute Resolution practice, where he focuses on criminal and administrative litigation.

He has experience satisfactorily dealing with highly complex cases related to corruption offences, cybercrimes, fraud and other economic crimes in all stages of the criminal process. In addition, he has accompanied and advised senior public officials in investigations carried out by special and permanent commissions of the Legislative Assembly.

In contentious-administrative matters, he has extensive experience dealing with precautionary measures and complex cases involving infrastructure, public employment, commercial disputes, and Tort Law. 

He is a member of the Costa Rica Integra Association, Costa Rican chapter of Transparency International, where he has participated in projects related to issues of judicial integrity and in drafting commissions for legal reform projects.

Law Degree with emphasis in forensic science from the Universidad de Costa Rica (2016).

Master of laws in Criminal Justice approved with distinction from Queen Mary University of London (2019).

Masterclass in Human Rights from University of Antwerp (Belgium) and Queen Mary University of London (2019).

Awarded with the Chevening Scholarship from the Government of the United Kingdom (2018-2019).

Distinction of honor in the qualification of the master's thesis, Center for Commercial Law Studies, Queen Mary University of London (2019).

Honorable mention of the bachelor thesis, University of Costa Rica (2016).

JORGE GUTIÉRREZ

Associate

Jorge joined the firm in 2023. He focuses his practice as the Director of the Notarial Department.

He has considerable experience in transactions, real estate due diligences, representing domestic and international clients. In his practice, Jorge was member of National Registry Board of Directors as a practicing Notary.

Law degree Cum Laude. Escuela Libre de Derecho (2020).

Master of Business Administration. University of Costa Rica (2005).

Degree thesis awarded with honors: “Obligaciones Dinerarias en Costa Rica”, Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho (2020).

JOSÉ LUIS CAMPOS

Senior Associate

José Luis is part of the firm since 2004 and he has vast experience working in with major cases in criminal law, both locally and with legal teams from the United States.

He has represented plaintiffs and defendants in major White Collar Crime cases including allegedly bribe payments to public officials, six-figure sums frauds, environmental crimes, document forgery and medical mal praxis. He is also experienced in litigation of parallel civil claims in the criminal jurisdiction. His participation in high profile cases includes the defense of musicians and artists, politicians, public officials and businessmen involved in criminal investigations, both as defendants or plaintiffs. 

He also focuses his professional practice in advising clients on relationships and conflicts within companies and employees by designing strategies and research for businesses in order to comply with legal regulations about social security, insurance and labor in Costa Rica. Litigation in Employment Courts is a very important part of his practice. Clients often require José Luis to deal with matters such as fair dismissals, breach of employment agreements and dismissal of specially protected employees (i.e. pregnant women).

His professional practice also includes collective bargaining issues related with labor unions and other organized groups and successfully represented companies in economic and social collective conflicts in courts.  

In addition to his activities as a lawyer, in the academic area, he has been a university professor for more than fifteen years and he is the author of many articles related to different legal matters published in books and magazines. He is also a frequent information source for newspapers and television news programs when legal cases and court rulings are discussed in public media. 

Member of the Criminal Science Association (part of its board of directors several times), of the Anticorruption Commission of the Costa Rican Chapter of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and the Costa Rican Bar Association. 

Bachelors’s Degree (with honors) in Journalism from the University of San Judas Tadeo (1996)

Law degree (with honors) from La Salle University (2000)

Specialist in Criminology from the University of Salamanca (2001)

Candidate for Doctorate in Criminal Law from the University of Salamanca

KAROLINA SOLANO

Associate

Karolina has extensive experience managing family businesses, which allows her to give outstanding and comprehensive advice to local and foreign companies from a legal and business perspective. She is dedicated to advising companies on issues related to restructuring and estate planning through the implementation of trusts and holding structures.

Additionally, due to her expertise in family businesses, she provides advice in the preparation of Family Protocols, Implementation of Family Board and Family Council, Professionalization of Family Business, and Family Office.

As part of the corporate practice, she is usually in charge of contract preparation and has vast experience in due diligence projects

Law degree with honors and Public Notary from Universidad Latina de Costa Rica (2000)

MBA in Entrepreneurship & Family Business from Escuela de Administración de Empresas, Barcelona, Spain (2005)

MBA in Business Management and Organization from Universitat Politécnica of Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain (2007)

Master of business administration and Business Law from Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho, Costa Rica (2019)

Best grades average in the 2000 Law degree promotion at the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica.

KRISLY HIDALGO

Associate

Krisly has extensive experience in civil and commercial litigation. Over the years she has participated in complex matters, advising local and international clients regarding breach of contracts, civil liability cases, consumer law and collection procedures. 

Krisly has a deep understanding of Procedural Law. As part of the Public Law Practice, she advices and accompanies clients in public procurement procedures, as well as administrative proceedings and litigations. 

Krisly proactively identifies the needs of the client. Her professionalism, leadership and empathy allow her to provide effective and complementary advice tailored to fit the objectives of the matter at hand. Her work with clients has let her develop her knowledge on a manifold range of industries, such as consumer goods; telecommunications; government and real estate.

Law degree from Universidad de Costa Rica with emphasis in Technology, E-Commerce and Telecommunications (2019) with honorable mention of her bachelor thesis.

Specialist in Commercial Law from Universidad de Costa Rica (2022).

LUCÍA GONZÁLEZ

Trade, Logistics and Customs Specialist

Lucía is an expert in international business and customs. She has more than sixteen years of experience in consulting and advising domestic and international businesses in terms of international business, market access, free trade zone, business developments and technical topics for customs processes. 

She also has more than ten years of teaching experience at the Universidad de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional, Universidad Estatal a Distancia, and technical colleges.

She is an ICC Official Trainer for INCOTERMS® 2020 in Costa Rican and Colombian Chapters. She is an active member of the AMCHAM Trade & FDI Committee, chair of the Operational and Customs Committee of the AZOFRAS, and member of ACACIA, CRECEX and others trade associations.

Degree in Customs Administration and International Business from the University of Costa Rica (2008).

Master’s Degree in Leadership from the National University (2015).

LUIS SALAZAR

Associate

Luis has experience advising institutions and public authorities concerning Public Law guidelines, and has participated in cases before the Constitutional Court. He has intervened in dispute resolutions and negotiations between public and private actors, participated in administrative procedures and the elaboration and review of regulations, executive decrees, and legislative projects.

Prior to his incorporation to the firm, he worked as a legal advisor in the Presidency of the Republic and in the Office of the President between 2015 and 2020. In this position, he participated in the Advisory Opinion OC-24/17 before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights regarding LGBTIQ+ rights. 

Luis has provided guidance in processes such as the incorporation of Costa Rica into the OECD regarding matters of Centre of Government and Corporate Governance; he has also worked in public banking, interventions of public institutions, public transport and mobility, construction and Public-Private Partnerships.

Between 2018 and 2020 Luis was appointed as Presidential Commissioner for LGBTIQ + population affairs, a position in which he was responsible for leading the Government's efforts in the elaboration of public policies and executive regulations for equality and non-discrimination in the different institutions and guaranteeing the implementation of the Advisory Opinion OC-24/17 and same-sex marriage. Likewise, he managed alliances and networks with civil society, private companies, universities, multilateral organizations, and embassies, as well as the representation of the Government in international activities.

Law degree from Universidad de Costa Rica (2016)

MARCO UREÑA

Partner

Marco joined the firm in 2010 and since then, he has advised local and international clients on complex Administrative and Regulatory Law issues, with special emphasis on government procurement, Competition and Consumer Law, and Telecommunications. He also has extensive experience in litigation related to the State, both in administrative proceedings and in contentious-administrative judicial proceedings. 

Marco has been a speaker at multiple conferences and seminars, and actively participates in business associations and chambers on issues related to his knowledge and experience. 

He is a member of the Costa Rican Bar Association, UCCAEP (Telecommunications Commission), Lawyers Associated Worldwide (LAW), Business Network International (BNI), and Soft Landing World (SLW).

Law Degree from Universidad de Costa Rica (2002).

Master in Business Law from Universidad para la Cooperación Internacional (2008).

Specialist in Telecommunications Regulation from Universidad para la Cooperación Internacional (2010).

Specialist in Government Procurement from Universidad de Costa Rica (2011).

Master in Business, Competition and Regulatory Law from Institute for German and European Business, Competition and Regulatory Law, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany (2013).

Marco has been ranked by Chambers & Partners in the areas of Public Law, Competition and TMT (Telecommunications, Media and Technology). 

MARIANA CASTRO

Senior Counsel

Mariana has over 16 years of experience in Competition, Corporate and Real Estate Law. She specializes in foreign investment, regulatory compliance and corporate governance. Mariana advises national and transnational companies on regulatory issues, prevention of anticompetitive practices, technical defenses, economic regulation, contracts, and corporate restructuring.

Mariana was President and permanent commissioner of the Costa Rican Antitrust Authority (COPROCOM) from 2017 until 2020. As part of her experience in COPROCOM she represented Costa Rica since 2017 up to 2020 at the OECD’s Global Forum on Competition Law in Paris. Her role in COPROCOM led her to participate as co-drafter of the recently approved Costa Rican Antitrust Law No.9736. Her profound understanding of the economic and competition law implications of M&A and corporate transactions helps clients navigate through Costa Rican and European competition law regimes and develop solutions that address both antitrust and corporate issues.

She is member of the Costa Rican Bar Association, the Trade Facilitation Committee, and Competition Law Committee of the Costa Rican-American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM). She is also lecturer for the International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) Course on Competition, King’s College London Alumni Leader for Costa Rica and founding member of the Costa Rican chapter of Women in the Profession (WIP) Program, of the Cyrus R. Vance Center of New York.

King’s College London, United Kingdom, Master’s Degree in Competition Law (LL.M.) (2015).

Universidad de Costa Rica, Juris Doctor (2011).

LACCA Approved 2023.

Degree thesis awarded with honors, “Product Liability with an emphasis on Mass Damages (Class Actions) in Costa Rica” Universidad de Costa Rica (2011).

Nominated for Chamber’s Women in Law Awards Latin America 2018.

Mariano’s practice focuses on cross-border mergers and acquisitions and strategic advice for establishing and restructuring business operations in Central America.

Drawing on his business training and expertise, he represents large-scale global clients on a wide variety of cross-border transactions and complex contract negotiations, having taken part in deals in all Central American countries. He also regularly advises companies with governmental and public affairs.

Clients recognize Mariano for his ability to bring an innovative perspective to advise companies on opportunities for value creation through design thinking and strategy consulting methodologies.

Mariano is also an emerging leader in Latin American law firm management, with over a twenty international keynote presentations. He is also a contributing author of Leadership for Lawyers: Essential Leadership Strategies for Law Firm Success (Globe Law and Business) which explores the crucial elements of law firm leadership.

He is an appointed Officer of the Law Firm Management Committee of the International Bar Association, a Visiting Professor of Service Design and Entrepreneurship at INCAE Business School and an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at University of Costa Rica Business School.  Mariano is also a Founding Member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers chapter in Costa Rica and a former instructor of innovation and entrepreneurship at Harvard University.

As part of his active citizenship leadership within the firm, he serves as Director of the Board of Fundación Paniamor and was board member at the Asociación de Vecinos de Barrio Escalante, a pioneering public-private partnership that earned the firm The Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice and Latin Lawyer’s Leading Light recognition as a Pro Bono law firm leader in Costa Rica.

In 2016, Mariano was recognized by Costa Rica’s leading financial newspaper El Financiero, as one of 40 under 40 business leaders and is frequently quoted by major news sources, including La Nación, El Financiero and La República. He is a Fellow of StartingBloc and stars, and a member of the Costa Rican Bar Association.

He received his law degree summa cum laude from University of Costa Rica, where his graduation thesis Appraisal Rights: Limitations and Proposal for a New Business and Legal Model was approved with distinction and recommended for publication. He undertook his graduate studies in business and professional service firms at Harvard University and Tufts Fletcher School and has a Certificate in Advanced Negotiation from the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School. 

Law degree with honors from the University of Costa Rica (2008).

Masters degree in International Business from Tufts Fletcher School in conjunction with Harvard University (2011).

MARIELA MARTÍNEZ

Partner

Mariela Martínez started at the firm in 2007, focuses her practice on complex civil and commercial litigation, with particular focus on disputes related to breach of contracts, civil liability, tort law, real estate projects, consumer rights, and in contentious-administrative matters representing class actions. She has also been involved in important domestic arbitration cases, representing national and foreign companies. 

Mariela has been involved in numerous judicial processes, participating in all the stages of the procedures. She has led the drafting of lawsuits and responses to lawsuits, appeals, requests and oppositions to precautionary measures, as well as the identification and interview of witnesses and experts, including the preparation and participation in oral hearings and the drafting of other complex motions.

Also, she is the leading attorney in judicial collection procedures in the firm, due to her high degree of specialization in this type of procedures, which has allowed her to collaborate and provide advisory to international recovery firms for debt recovery, creditors’ rights and legal services related to Costa Rica, and leading attorney in intellectual property matters

Her professionalism, oral and written skills, attention to detail and general knowledge of local laws and practice made her a standout in the dispute resolution practice.

She is a member of the Costa Rican Bar Association since 2011.

Law Degree from Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho (2010).

Specialist in Notary and Registration Law from Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho (2012).

Law Specialization on Contracts and Damages from Universidad de Salamanca (2014).

LL.M. in International and Comparative Law from Tulane University (2017).

Scholarship from A. N. Yiannopoulos Law Scholarship Endowed Fund to pursuit LL.M in Tulane University (2016).

MARVIN CARVAJAL

Partner

Marvin has over 20 years of experience in the study and practice of public law, although he has also worked in the fields of criminal law and real estate. He was a clerk of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Costa Rica, Director of the Judicial Training School, and for nearly five years, General Legal Counsel of the Presidency of Costa Rica. In this role, it was providing specialized advice to various public institutions, as well as to mediate in conflicts with actors from the private Sector.

He was agent of the State of Costa Rica before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. Stands out, among others, his participation in the inquiry that led to the Court issued the Advisory Opinion OC/24, about the rights of LGBTI people in the entire American continent.

Marvin has brought important judgments before the Constitutional Court and has accompanied various cases of administrative Law, arbitration, and administrative procedures. He has participated in the preparation of several bills and executive regulations.

He is Professor of constitutional law at the University of Costa Rica since 1998. He has served as a postgraduate teacher in universities in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. He has been a visiting professor at Columbia University, the University of São Paulo, Brazil, at Duquesne University and in the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It has been facilitator in processes of judicial training for judges and candidates from various countries.

He was Director of the Institute of the press and freedom of expression (IPLEX), is a founding member of the Costa Rican Institute of constitutional law and is a member of the Justice Advisory Council the report of the State of the nation.

Law Degree from the University of Costa Rica (1994).

Doctorate in Constitutional Law from the University of São Paulo, Brazil (2000), Specialization in Administrative Law frotm the University of Salamanca, Spain (2002).

Postgraduate in Human Rights from the University of Chile (2010).

OSWALD BRUCE

Partner

For close to 25 years, Oswald has advised local and foreign clients in diverse areas of Business Law, such as: Telecommunications, Energy, Immigration, Consumer, Foreign Investment, Intellectual Property, Real Estate, and Alternate Dispute Resolution.

Prior to becoming a member of the firm, he was a partner in regional and international law firms where he advised American, European, and Asian clients in establishing and operating their businesses in multiple jurisdictions.

As well as being an attorney, he is an arbitrator and a certified mediator and has consulted for the United Nations, international non-government agencies, and the Costa Rican Bar Association.

Oswald was a member of the Costa Rican Bar Association’s Alternate Dispute Resolution Committee, where he aided in the creation of the Arbitration and Mediation Center where he was a member of the Board of Directors for four terms.

Bachelor and Law Degree (with honors) from Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho (1997).

Master’s Degree in Business Law from Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnología (2002).

Diploma in Human Rights and Alternate Dispute Resolution from United Nations’ University for Peace (2013).

Certified Arbitrator in Domestic and Foreign Arbitration from the University of Valencia, Spain, and the Costa Rican Bar Association (2013). 

Master’s Degree in Taxation from Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnología (cand. 2018).

Listed by IFLR 1000 in association with Petroleum Economist Magazine as Leading Lawyer in Energy and Infrastructure (2013).

Listed by Legal 500 as Recommended Lawyer in Corporate Law (2013) and Intellectual Property (2012).

“European Union and Central American Association Agreement”, at the Warwick Legal Network Autumn Conference in Rome, Italy, November 7th – 9th, 2013.

“Doing Business in Central America”, at ‘‘Investimentos na América Latina: Oportunidades e Ambiente Legal’’ organized by the Aliança de Advocacia Empresarial in Sao Paulo, Brazil, November 8th – 9th, 2012.

“Doing Business in Costa Rica”, at the Warwick Legal Network Autumn Conference in Paris, France, October 13th – 15th, 2011.

“Doing Business in Central America”, at the Legal Network International (LNI) Fall Conference in Paris, France, October, 2009.

“Practice of Law in Costa Rica”. Organized by the Bar Association of Orange County, California, USA. Quepos, Costa Rica. May 24, 2009.

“Legal aspects of Leasing in Costa Rica”. Organized by KPMG Peat Marwick. San José, Costa Rica. July 14th and 15th 1998.

PAMELA CASTRO

Associate

Pamela has been part of the practice of Public Law of the firm, in which she advises local and international clients in administrative contracting processes, as well as administrative proceedings and litigations. Pamela is a highly perfectionist so she makes sure that every detail of her work is of the best quality, in addition, she is constantly deepening her studies in order to provide the client with the best and most up to date service. She speaks Spanish, English and French. 

Law Degree from the University of Costa Rica and graduated from the program with honors (2014).

Master degree in Public Law from the University of Costa Rica and the Universitiy of Toulouse I Capitole, in Toulouse, France, and graduated from the program with honors (2016).

Currently carrying out a Diploma in Public Contracts of the University of Castilla-La Mancha together with the Research Group of Global Public Law of the University da Coruña and the Ibero-American Network of Public Procurement. She speaks Spanish, English and French.

PRISCILLA ORTIZ

Special Counsel

Priscilla Ortiz focuses her practice on different aspects of corporate and commercial law. Her experience also includes advice on international trade and business law, customs, logistics, and maritime and transportation law. 

Priscilla offers advice to international and local companies in logistic operations, customs, international trade, implementation of free trade agreements and international agreements. She has also been involved in important projects with Doing Business IFC and the World Bank, on issues related to entrepreneurial activity and the creation and registration of new businesses worldwide, the Doing Business Report for 2016, and the analysis of Free Trade Agreements. Further, she was involved in the first boat arrest procedure performed in Costa Rica due to a maritime lien for necessaries under the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules relating to the Arrest of Sea Going Ships, adopted in Brussels on May 10, 1952. She has also been involved in important customs administrative procedures regarding tariff classification, customs declarations, certificates of origin and free trade agreements implementation, as well as insurance and transportation fee calculations. 

She graduated in law from the University of Costa Rica (2010) and holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the National University of Costa Rica (2008). She has a Masters in International Legal Studies with specialization in International Business Law from the Washington College of Law at American University (2012) and a Master in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development of the School of Industrial Organization, Madrid, Spain (2010). She is a member of the Costa Rican Bar Association, and she was the Chairman of the Committee on Trade Facilitation in AMCHAM for 2013-2014.

Law degree from the University of Costa Rica (2010)

Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the National University of Costa Rica (2008)

Master in International Legal Studies with specialization in International Business Law from the Washington College of Law at American University (2012)

Master in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development of the School of Industrial Organization, Madrid, Spain (2010)

RAÚL GUEVARA

Partner

Raúl is one of the most recognized corporate lawyers in the environmental and energy sector. He has been advising many companies in legal matters related to waste management, air emissions, soil pollution, urban planning, among others. His professional formation in natural resource management and speleology, allow him to understand technical and scientific data, which is clue to coordinate multidisciplinary teams during preventive legal advice as well during administrative or judicial procedures.

He has been leading and bringing support to many of the most complex cases such as an international investment arbitration initiate by American investor under CAFTA rules, where the core of the dispute is regarding the application of environmental laws.

Raúl has 19 years advising on economic instruments to achieve environmental objectives, in the first photovoltaic plant in Costa Rica developed under a JCM Agreement, in the development of MDL projects to generate CO2 Offset certificates, participating in procedures to fix tariffs in the energy sector (foil and renewables), as director of procedures to determine environmental damage and it assessment and calculation using instruments of environmental economy, as consultant for the Government and multilateral financial entities to analyse and develop legal-economic instruments to achieve environmental objectives (incentives for renewable energies, electric cars, etc).

He also has a lot experience in public and regulatory law giving advice to companies in complex public contracting procedures, advising both private entities and the State in administrative contracts and different modalities of Public-Private Partnerships as well asinotherlegal-administrative   contentious   and   non-contentiousmatters relatedtodifferentindustries:  energy,  utilities,  technology, food,  infrastructure,  amongothers.

He also has strong relation with chambers and government entities: he advice UCCAEP (Federation of Chambers of Private Enterprises) in environmental, biodiversity, air pollution regulatory matters. He is part of the National Commission of Biodiversity, the National Commission for Prevention of Soil Pollution of the Ministry of Health, and Joint Commission of National Environmental Technical Secretariat (SETENA), among others

Raul has been considered as leader environmental attorney in Costa Rica by Chambers & Partner, Choice Awards, Global Law Experts among others publications.

Law degree from the University of Costa Rica (1998)

Masters degree in Environmental Law from Euskal Herriko Unibersitatea (2005)

Candidate for Masters degree in Natural Resources front Universidad Estatal a Distancia.

REBECA SANDÍ

Associate

Rebeca Sandí Salvatierra has experience in Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Parliamentary Law, Dispute Resolutions, Public Employment and Health Law.

She has provided legal advice to different institutions and public authorities, as well as in the drafting and analysis of legislative bills, executive decrees, regulations, guidelines, administrative procedures and legal management of processes before the Constitutional Chamber and the Administrative Courts. She has worked in multidisciplinary teams for the resolution of highly complex issues and negotiations between public and private actors.

Prior to her incorporation to the firm, she worked in the Presidency of the Republic, the Legislative Assembly and the University of Costa Rica. In the Presidency of the Republic, she worked as Legal Advisor for 8 years, first in the Legal Department of the Presidency and later in the Office of the President of the Republic.

Between 2020 and 2022, she was in charge of monitoring projects and processes of the Ministry of Health, the Costa Rican Social Security Fund, the National Emergency Commission, JAPDEVA and the Institute of Aqueducts and Sewerage. She provided advice on the approach and attention of the COVID-19 health emergency, the simplification of procedures and registrations at the Ministry of Health, as well in the implementation of the Tax Law Reform regarding public employment aspects.

In the case of Artavia Murillo vs. Costa Rica, about In Vitro Fertilization before the Inter-American Court, she acted as Agent of the State of Costa Rica.

Law degree from Universidad de Costa Rica (2016).

Degree thesis awarded with honors, Universidad de Costa Rica (2015).

RÓGER GUEVARA

Partner

Roger advises local and foreign clients in on air and maritime transport law, international trade, customs and logistics. He has extensive knowledge and certifications from the ICC on INCOTERMS and its application to international sale and transport transactions. On international trade matters, his experience includes international transport, logistics and customs, customs regimes (Tax Free Zones, inward and outward processing arrangements, temporary imports), use of customs-tax incentives given by Free Trade Agreement, customs valuation, tariff classification and rules of origin, among other areas in commerce. 

As co-director of the Dispute Resolution practice Roger represents both plaintiffs and defendants in complex commercial litigation and arbitration, especially relating to civil liability matters due to breaches of contract, damage claim and product responsibility. He also has experience in white collar and financial crime cases, and insurance and reinsurance claims. In the past several years he has been part of relevant cases involving FCPA and RICO matters regarding white collar crime cases with cross-border implications. Roger has served as a Costa Rican law expert in several different courts in the United States (New York, Massachusetts, Florida), as well as Panama, Bolivia and China. He has participated in more than 35 arbitrations both in a local and international level, in Costa Rica, Miami, Panama, and Washington DC, representing interest of over 650 million dollars. He has broad experience working in cases that involve communication, cooperation, and leadership with firms from all over the world.

In the past two years Roger has coordinated the representation of Mr. Eduardo Li, ex-president of the Costa Rican Football Federation and Executive Director of CONCACAF and FIFA, in the FIFA-GATE case and representing the interest of a group of American investors before the ICSID,  against the Republic of Costa Rica in a investment arbitration process. He also represented the interests of a transnational company in an international arbitration against an autonomous entity of the Costa Rican State.

His broad knowledge has allowed him to provide counsel in international trade and customs matters to the Customs Administration of Costa Rica through the Legal Commission of Public Function Assistants as representative of the CANACO, mainly counseling in implementation of Central American legislation with the CAUCA III and RECAUCA (between 2002 and 2004)

For 10 years (from 2000 to 2009) he was counsel of logistics operator associations, such as the National Chamber of Freight Consolidators and Allied CANACO and the Costa Rican Association of International Freight and Logistics Agencies (ACACIA).

Roger has been a professor of the Law School of the University of Costa Rica, Interamerican University, and International Cooperation University. Currently he is professor in the Public Administration School of the University of Costa Rica in the Customs and International Trade degree, in the “Legal Aspects of International Trade” course (from 2010 to present).

He is a member of the Costa Rican Bar Association since 1999.

His experience and trajectory have been lauded for the past 8 years by publications such as Chambers and Partners, Latin Lawyer, and Legal500.

Law degree (with honors) from the University of Costa Rica (1997)

Masters degree in Aerial Transportation Utrecht University, Holland (1998) 

Bachelor’s degree in Customs Administration and International Business from the University of Costa Rica (2001)

Master in Business and Tax Law from la Universidad para la Cooperación Internacional (2002)

RODRIGO ZELAYA

Partner

Rodrigo’s corporate practice has a wide scope, from complex transactions and joint ventures to business planning and restructuring and corporate governance, and has taken part in transactions in all Central American countries as well as Colombia and Perú.  

As part of our market-leading private equity practice, he advises private funds, institutional investors and angel investors on early – stage financings, investments, buyouts, fund formations and portfolio company transactions.  Rodrigo’s recent experience includes acting for clients such as The Abraaj Group, Actis Capital, Altra Investments, CASEIF Corporation I and II and CASEIF III L.P., Norfund, Finnfund, Oikocredit Global Equity, Honduras Renewable Energy Financing Facility L.P., MGM Innova Capital, The Moringa Partnership and their portfolio companies, in acquisitions, dispositions, strategic alliances, restructurings and financings. Rodrigo has also worked with sponsors of alternative funds in fund formation and other aspects of their operation in Central America. 

He has advised buyers and sellers in domestic and cross-border M&A transactions. His business planning and restructuring practice has allowed him to gain considerable insight across several jurisdictions for the implementation of corporate structures for investment in Central America as well as restructurings and transfer of domicile and continuation arrangements. 

Rodrigo is considered as leading corporate lawyer in Costa Rica by Chambers & Partner, Legal 500 and International Financial Law Review’s IFLR1000, among other publications.

Law degree from the University of Costa Rica (1998).

Masters of Arts, Indiana University (1996), Special Graduate Degree in Securities Markets (2000).

SERGIO AMADOR

Partner

Sergio has been part of Batalla since 2009. He is recognized for his attention to detail, having an interest in getting to know our clients’ business, and procuring a close relationship with them.

With a business-friendly vision, Sergio advises national and international clients in their matters related to Corporate, Business and Commercial Law, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Real Estate. In addition, he has had ample experience in Dispute Resolution, both in litigation and negotiation. Formerly, he served as Professor of Law at the Universidad Latinoamericana de las Ciencias y Tecnología (ULACIT). 

Law degree from Universidad de Costa Rica (2006) 

Master of Laws (LLM) specializing in Economic Law and Foreign Trade from Europa-Institut der Universität des Saarlandes - Germany (2008).

SERGIO GUIDO

Special Counsel

Sergio Guido has extensive experience in insurance law regulation and insurance litigation. His practice includes insurance risk and claims management, resolution of complex coverage disputes and estate planning solutions.

He advises institutions such as insurance companies and brokerage firms in terms of processes, compliance and reinsurance. He has advised the private banking sector and in the management of demand and industry companies in risk management and mitigation.

He graduated in law from the University of Costa Rica (2003), has a Masters Degree with an emphasis on environmental insurance from the Complutense University, Madrid (2005), a specialist qualification in Insurance Law from the Center for Financial Studies (CEF), Madrid (2007) and is currently a doctoral candidate at the Universidad Pontificia de Comillas (ICADE). He is a member of the Costa Rican Bar Association.

Law degree from the University of Costa Rica (2003) 

Masters with an emphasis on environmental insurance from the Complutense University of Madrid (2005)

Specialist Insurance Law from the Center for Financial Studies (CEF) (2007)

Doctorate at the Pontifical University of Comillas (ICADE)(Candidate)

SOPHIA VILLALTA

Associate

Sophia focuses her practice on a variety of disputes involving claims on civil liability, torts, damages, claims on real estate projects, tourism developments and concessions, as well as those related to commercial law, consumer protection and representation of foreign holdings. Regarding judicial litigation, she has experience in civil and commercial litigation.

Recognized by Who’s Who Legal as an arbitration future leader, Sophia regularly represents national and international private companies, as well as investors, in national and international commercial arbitration disputes under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the main arbitration centers in Costa Rica.

From an academic perspective, she has participated as speaker and moderator in innumerable academic events in Latin America and United States and has leaded Costa Rican and Latin American associations that have contributed to the development of arbitration in the region. She has also performed as trainer and arbitrator in numerous international law competitions focused on commercial arbitration, investment, and competition law.

She is a member of the Young Arbitrators Subcommittee of the ADR and Arbitration Commission of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Costa Rican Chapter, of Costa Rican Young Arbitrators, of the Red Latinoamericana de Jóvenes Árbitros and she is a member of the Bar Association of Costa Rica.

Law degree Summa Cum Laude with emphasis in Technology, E-commerce and Telecommunications from Universidad de Costa Rica (2017).

Currently studying Collective Communication with emphasis in Public Relations in Universidad de Costa Rica.

Degree thesis awarded with honors, Universidad de Costa Rica (2017).

Law degree with honors (2017).

Arbitration Future Leader (non-partners) – Arbitration 2022, Who’s Who Legal (2022).