ECIJA > San Jose, Costa Rica > Firm Profile

ECIJA > The Legal 500 Rankings

Costa Rica > Labour and employment Tier 1

With offices in 17 countries spanning Central America, Europe and Asia, the dispute resolution practice at ECIJA combines global bench strength with the experience of its team to provide a comprehensive service to national and multinational corporates, including major pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Sanofi. Providing full support on matters ranging from employment discrimination lawsuits, data privacy and collective bargaining to terminations and employment contract regulation, the firm’s active client base also spans the hospitality, logistics, agrochemicals, manufacturing, direct sales, government, education and NGO sectors. The department is led by labour and human rights expert Daniel Valverde, who advises clients on the creation of compensation schemes, review of workdays and work shifts, and sexual harassment claims, among other issues.

Costa Rica > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

Leveraging the bench strength of offices in 17 countries spanning Central America, Europe and Asia, and working relationships with Magic Circle firms such as Clifford Chance LLP, and bolstered by the firm’s March 2023 alliance with Taylor Wessing, the corporate and M&A team at ECIJA advises major multinationals (including Sanofi) on day-to-day matters and high-value, cross-border transactions. The practice’s services cover matters ranging from M&A, due diligence and corporate governance to commercial contracts and foreign investments. The group’s active client base spans the pharmaceuticals, energy, financial services, consumer goods, e-commerce, tourism, automotive and agrochemicals industries. The team is headed by corporate structure expert Guillermo Zúñiga, who has led the practice for over 20 years, and who brings strength to managing complex distribution schemes and matters involving the real estate and energy sectors. Other key figures include real estate specialist Mercedes Sancho, who brings expertise to advising NGOs and foundations seeking to establish a presence in Costa Rica, and experienced associate Monserrat Soto Roig. Since publication, the firm has also strengthened it global hallmark practice of TMT with the hire of former vice minister Edwin Estrada; previously at the country’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Telecommunication, he joined the firm as of counsel in March 2024.

Costa Rica > Dispute resolution Tier 2

With offices in 17 countries spanning Central America, Europe and Asia, the dispute resolution practice at ECIJA pairs global bench strength with the experience of its team to represent private investors and major multinational corporates such as Sanofi and Pfizer involved in high-value, cross-border disputes, across sectors ranging from pharmaceuticals, energy and government to software, health and insurance. The team’s comprehensive service extends to complex commercial litigation, arbitration, and tax and administrative proceedings, as well as debt collection matters. The team is headed by Mauricio París, an expert in the enforcement, recognition and annulment of arbitration awards who brings expertise in the tech and pharmaceutical sectors, and Mariela Hernández, who handles consumer law matters. Other key figures include Arturo Guerrero, who launched the firm’s insolvency practice in Costa Rica, and who was appointed to partner in June 2022, and associate Mauricio Rapso, who will re-join the firm in September 2023 after studying abroad. Associate and family law specialist Andrea Rodríguez arrived in October 2022 from in house.

Costa Rica > Real estate Tier 2

The real estate team at ECIJA utilises the bench strength of offices in 17 countries spanning Central America, Europe and Asia, and working relationships with Magic Circle firms such as Clifford Chance LLP, to advise national and multinational developers, investors and corporates, across such sectors as energy and hospitality, on the financing and construction of projects including resorts and residential communities. The firm’s full service extends to matters ranging from acquisitions of assets, construction agreements, concession processes and environmental matters to the obtaining of financing facilities, and setting up property in a condominium regime. Guillermo Zúniga leads the team, bringing decades of experience to assisting with complex real estate projects and transactions involving concessions in the Maritime Zone, the forestry industry, protected areas, condominiums and luxury hotels. Other key figures include Mercedes Sancho, who utilises a background as a real estate, tourism and luxury development in-house counsel, and associate Ana Cristina Mora, who assists with due diligence research procedures on properties, procedures to obtain transaction permits and the creation of investment vehicles.

Costa Rica > Intellectual property Tier 3

With offices in 17 countries spanning Central America, Europe and Asia (in addition to one in the metaverse), the team at ECIJA utilises deep bench strength to safeguard and manage the trade marks, copyrights and patents of national and multinational corporates, such as Pfizer and Church & Dwight, across a diverse range of sectors, including consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, health, logistics, textiles and beverages. The practice’s full service offering extends to utility models, industrial designs, advertising, merchandising and sponsorship, and assignments. Senior associate Monserrat Soto Roig leads the team, bringing expertise to such matters as IP risk assessment, image rights, software licences and work-for-hire agreements.

Costa Rica > Tax Tier 4

The tax team at ECIJA leverages the combined bench strength of offices in 17 countries spanning Central America, Europe and Asia (plus one in the metaverse) to provide national and international corporates including Coca-Cola FEMSA with comprehensive tax advisory services, covering tax contingencies analysis and planning and representation before administrative tribunals and in judicial proceedings. The practice’s active client base spans a broad range of sectors such as hospitality, real estate, energy and beverages. The team is headed by experienced litigator and arbitrator Mariela Hernández, who assists clients with tax adjustments and the annulment of fines on administrative contracts.

Central America > Corporate and finance Tier 3

Spanish firm ECIJA has continued apace with its expansion in Latin America, launching an office in Uruguay in April 2023, and has already established a strong platform in Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic. Clients in the region can also benefit from the firm’s recent alliance with Taylor Wessing LLP. Commercial and M&A specialist Guillermo Zúñiga leads the corporate team in Costa Rica (which is based across two offices), while Alfredo Navas Duarte is the key contact for corporate and finance matters in El Salvador. Rosalinda Cruz Sequeira and Roberto Williams steer the corporate practice from the firm’s two Honduras offices. Marcos Palma is the key figure in Guatemala and Daniel Shamah heads the corporate team in Panama.