BLP > San Jose, Costa Rica > Firm Profile

BLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Costa Rica > Banking and finance Tier 1

Employing the full bench strength of offices in San José, Puntarenas and Guanacaste, in addition to branches across Latin America and Europe, BLP remains a market leader, advising multinational and national commercial banks, investment banks, private equity sponsors and international funding organisations involved in high-value, multi-jurisdictional transactions. The firm’s full service extends to the securing and servicing of loans, credit restructuring, bankruptcy, regulatory compliance and complex litigation. The team is led by Vivian Liberman, an expert in capital markets, and Andrés López, who specialises in fintech and blockchain. Other key figures include Julio Castellanos, who advised on a recent social bond issuance of Inter-American Investment Corporation (IDB Invest) for a total of up to $75m, along with Pablo Umaña, who manages financing for major infrastructure projects in the energy, hospitality, transportation, agribusiness and manufacturing sectors. Luis Hernández brings expertise to advising on finance for real estate developments. The team was bolstered with the hire of Rodrigo Cubero as senior counsel in July 2022; he served as president of Costa Rica’s Central Bank between 2018 and 2022, and his previous experience includes over a decade spent in senior positions at the IMF.

Costa Rica > Compliance Tier 1

The team at BLP remains a leader in the market, creating, implementing, and monitoring compliance programmes and risk management strategies for domestic and household-name multinational corporates such as Microsoft, Colgate-Palmolive and Samsung, across the tech, electronics, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, construction and hospitality sectors. The group advises clients on matters ranging from anti-money laundering, consumer protection and antitrust to corporate human rights, data privacy, corporate regulatory frameworks and ESG. Juan Carlos Tristán, who brings strength to investigations, training and the drafting and implementation of ethics and anti-corruption programmes, leads the team, along with Uri Weinstok, a specialist in conducting audits and compliance programmes. Other key figures include Andrés López, who brings AML expertise; experienced litigator and special counsel Alejandro Rojas; and San José office director and data privacy expert León Weinstok.

Costa Rica > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

The powerhouse team at BLP remains a market leader, employing the full bench strength of offices in San José, Puntarenas and Guanacaste (with a new fourth location in Marina Flamingo which opened in January 2023), in addition to branches across Latin America and Europe, to provide day-to-day advice and assistance with complex, high-value, cross-border M&A to national and global corporates across sectors ranging from building materials, life sciences, software and aviation to pharmaceuticals, fintech, telecoms and hospitality. The practice is headed by David Gutiérrez, who divides his time between the San José and Madrid offices, and who brings expertise to corporate structuring and infrastructure financing. Other key figures include Eduardo Calderón and Adriana Castro, both of whom are specialist in telecoms and media industry matters; Adelina Villalobos, who advises on free trade zone matters; and directors Adriana Acuña, who manages files involving corporate governance, and Elia Naranjo, who brings experience to contractual negotiations. José María Pacheco, a newly appointed special counsel experienced in cross-border M&A, joined the team from Sfera Legal in August 2022.

Costa Rica > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Employing the combined bench strength of offices in San José, Puntarenas and Guanacaste, in addition to branches across Latin America and Europe, BLP remains a market leader, representing such household-name multinationals as Pfizer, Kraft Heinz and Uber involved in complex, multi-jurisdictional disputes. With an active client base spanning sectors ranging from food and beverages, pharmaceuticals and telecoms to e-commerce, hospitality, medical devices and tech, the team’s full service covers international litigation and arbitration related to administrative concession rights, as well as claims involving distribution, unfair competition, fraud and real estate and construction matters. The team is led by seasoned litigator Mauricio Salas, who brings over 25 years of experience in the legal profession. Other key figures include experienced arbitrator Luis Ortiz; criminal expert Alejandro Rojas, who was promoted to partner in April 2023; and senior associate Robert Morales, who proves expertise in administrative law matters.

Costa Rica > Energy and natural resources Tier 1

With offices in Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala, the team at BLP leverages regional strength to advise multilateral banks, development finance agencies and major multinationals on high-value energy and infrastructure projects, including solar power plants, battery energy storage systems, hydro facilities and wind farms. Energy finance expert Luis M Castro; David Gutiérrez, who specialises in multi-jurisdictional purchases and credit operations; Julio Castellanos, who brings experience in the negotiation of public works concession contracts; and Pablo Umaña, who assists with project finance matters, are the key contacts.

Costa Rica > Environment Tier 1

The powerhouse environment law team at BLP remains a market leader, utilising a multidisciplinary approach to advise household-name multinationals, such as Kraft Heinz, Uber, WeWork and PepsiCo, across a diverse range of sectors. The practice’s comprehensive service covers compliance auditing and consulting, environmental dispute resolution, the proposing and drafting of new regulations, environmental planning related to tourist developments, laws and initiatives on conservation and green finance. In addition, the group acts for both public and private sector plaintiffs and defendants in environmental cases before the civil, criminal and administrative courts. The practice is headed by Mauricio Salas, who brings 25 years of experience to the team and who, in additional to environmental law, specialises in dispute resolution, and Andrea González. Key support is provided by associate Luis Palacios, who assists clients with litigation and with obtaining permits related to mining extraction and water concessions.

Costa Rica > Insurance Tier 1

The powerhouse insurance team at BLP remains a market leader, utilising a strong regional presence and offices in San José, Playa Herradura and Las Catalinas to advise multinational insurers and reinsurers, such as AXA, Chubb and Willis Towers Watson, on a diverse range of matters, from coverage analysis, preparation bids and defence of liability policies to insurance fraud, contractual disputes, third-party claims and liquidations. The team is led by experienced litigator Neftalí Garro, who brings over 25 years of experience and insurance regulatory expertise, and who acts as legal adviser to the Association of Private Insurers (AAP) of Costa Rica. The group is supported by senior associates Juan José López and Carlos García, who assist clients with authorisations, licences, and the drafting and review of insurance contracts.

Costa Rica > Intellectual property Tier 1

The market-leading team at BLP employs the combined bench strength of offices in San José, Puntarenas and Guanacaste, in addition to branches across Latin America and Europe, to advise global household names including Adidas, Sony and WeWork, on the management, licensing and enforcement of their international intellectual property portfolios. With an active client base spanning such sectors as apparel, food, education, entertainment and financial services, the practice brings expertise to matters involving trade marks, copyrights and sanitary registrations, in addition to complex patent prosecutions, cross-border registration reports, the seizure of counterfeit goods, third-party infringements and the assignment of rights. Giselle Reuben leads the team, bringing expertise to the anti-counterfeiting litigation practice. Other key figures include Uri Weinstok, whose utilises a multidisciplinary skill set to handle IP issues related to competition and antitrust law, advertising, and, along with senior associate León Weinstok, manages complex IP data protection matters. Key support at the associate level is provided by Anel Aguilar, a specialist in trade mark filing strategies.

Costa Rica > Projects and infrastructure Tier 1

The powerhouse team at BLP remains a market leader, leveraging the bench strength of offices in San José, Puntarenas and Guanacaste (with a new fourth location in Marina Flamingo which opened in January 2023), in addition to branches across Latin America and Europe, to advise banks, sponsors, non-bank lenders, contractors and operators involved involved in major energy and transportation projects, including hydro, wind and solar plants and toll road, airport and port concessions. The practice’s comprehensive service extends to project finance and development, as well as public-private partnerships (PPPs), public procurement, public debt and governmental budget issues. The team is led by Luis M Castro, who specialises in energy contracts and dealing with governmental entities; David Gutiérrez, who handles cross-border purchases and operations; and Luis Ortiz, who brings over 20 years of experience to public procurement processes. Other key figures include Julio Castellanos, who advises national and international and multilateral financial entities on multi-jurisdictional credit operations, and Pablo Umaña, whose practice focuses on corporate, infrastructure, energy and multilateral-related financing in emerging markets.

Costa Rica > Real estate Tier 1

The powerhouse real estate and hospitality group at BLP remains a market leader, employing the deep bench strength of offices in San José, Puntarenas and Guanacaste (with a new fourth location in Marina Flamingo which opened in January 2023), in addition to branches across Latin America and Europe, to advise national and multinational developers, construction companies, lenders, private and institutional investors, landlords, tenants, and other major corporates involved in large-scale projects and high-value, cross-border transactions. The firm’s comprehensive services range from assistance with acquisitions, development, financing, sales, leasing, contract negotiations and structuring to day-to-day operations, tax planning, free trade zone matters and due diligence. The team is led by Luis M Castro, a practice area authority. Other key figures include Eduardo Calderón, the former president of the Bar Association of Costa Rica, who brings over 20 years of experience to projects in the country’s coastal and urban areas; Anneth Jiménez, an expert in construction and operation contracts; Andrea González, who specialises in free trade zone matters; Juan Carlos Tristán, who assists with regulatory compliance and hospitality sector matters; director and development strategist Catalina Soto; and senior associate and complex transaction advisor Karla González. Newly appointed special counsel José María Pacheco, who has experience managing large-scale real estate and hotel developments, joined the team from Sfera Legal in August 2022.

Costa Rica > Labour and employment Tier 2

The experience team at BLP harnesses the combined bench strength of offices in San José, Puntarenas and Guanacaste, in addition to branches across Latin America and Europe, to assist household-name multinationals including Microsoft, Uber and Pepsi on a comprehensive range of labour and employment matters. With an active client base across areas ranging from e-commerce, hospitality, food and beverages, and education to the automotive industry, aviation and building materials, the firm’s full service extends to labour litigation, preventative advice, due diligence, immigration matters, telework implementation, start-up guidance, employment structure reviews and the handling of extrajudicial negotiations. The team is led by veteran litigator Randall González, who brings over 28 years of experience in the practice space. Other key figures include senior associate Carla Sánchez, a specialist in judicial and administrative processes, and associates Juan José Montero, who provides expertise in audits and compliance reviews, and Alexandra Aguilar, an experienced mediator who advises clients on risk prevention, benefits for executive staff and internal regulations.

Costa Rica > Tax Tier 4

The tax team at BLP employs the combined bench strength of offices in San José, Puntarenas and Guanacaste, in addition to branches across Latin America and Europe, to represent domestic and multinational corporates involved in complex, cross-border disputes. With an active client base spanning such sectors as hospitality, digital services, aviation, manufacturing, financial services and medical devices, the practice’s comprehensive service covers tax litigation, tax consultancy, due diligence, asset planning and customs matters. Tax director Vittoria Di Gioacchino heads the team, specialising in international taxes and corporate structuring. Special counsel Luis Chacón brings over 30 years of tax litigation experience to the practice. Senior associate Isis Ulloa handles administrative and judicial tax litigation processes.

Central America > Corporate and finance Tier 1

BLP has continued to expand its presence in Central America, launching its fourth Costa Rica office, which focuses on real estate transactions, in Marina Flamingo in January 2023, as well as providing environmental and immigration advisory services through two innovative companies: Zone and Moval. The firm houses comprehensive corporate and finance practices in the region, with standout expertise in infrastructure and energy-related transactions, and is widely recognised for its representation of Fortune 500 companies. Its strength in international transactions is reinforced by its representative office in Madrid, where David Gutiérrez is the key name. Gutiérrez, an expert in M&A and infrastructure financing, also heads the corporate practice in Costa Rica (where the firm has additional branches in San José, Marina Los Sueños and Las Catalinas), while Vivian Liberman and Andrés López lead the banking team. In Guatemala, the firm strengthened its practice with the hire of former Arias senior partner Jorge Luis Arenales, who has a wealth of experience in corporate and finance transactions, in June 2023; he joins the well-regarded duo of Luis Ruiz, who is also a skilled IP lawyer, and María Inés Arenales. Zygmunt Brett, an authority in financing, capital markets and M&A matters, is the name to note in El Salvador, and Ernesto Rizo, an expert in the mining and agribusiness spheres, leads the corporate and finance team in Nicaragua. In Honduras - where the firm has branches in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula - José Miguel Álvarez and energy specialist Karla Aguilar are the key contacts.