Russin, Vecchi & Heredia Bonetti > Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic > Firm Profile

Russin, Vecchi & Heredia Bonetti
CALLE EL RECODO NO 2, EDIF MONTE MIRADOR 3RD FLOOR
SANTO DOMINGO
Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

With experience of advising multinationals across a range of sectors, including energy, mechanical engineering, financial services, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverages, Russin, Vecchi & Heredia Bonetti handles both domestic and cross-border corporate transactions. Areas of strength include M&A and foreign investments, corporate restructurings, contractual matters (particularly agency and distribution agreements), and regulatory and compliance issues. Managing partner Georges Santori Recio, who is noted for his advice to foreign clients on corporate finance, M&A and commercial matters in the Dominican Republic, leads the sizeable team alongside José Maldonado Stark, an expert in advising investors in the trade, real estate, infrastructure and financial services sectors, Luis Heredia Valenzuela, whose expertise spans M&A, foreign investments and joint ventures, and Román Medina Diplán. Ariel Jaquez Nuñez is also a name to note. Angelica Noboa Pagan  joined the team from Baker McKenzie Abogados, S.C. in 2021 bringing with her significant expertise in regulatory, competition and international trade matters.

Practice head(s):

Georges Santoni Recio; Luis Heredia Valenzuela; Jose Maldonado Stark; Roman Medina Diplan

Testimonials

‘Very professional, great lawyers, and very knowledgeable about doing business in the Dominican Republic.’

‘A well-established firm, with lawyers who have been in the business for a long time, building an excellent service. Very professional and very well-respected.’

‘The team is highly trained and leaves clients feeling reassured that their legal matters are in good hands.’

‘Laura Fernández is highly skilled and strategic. She provides support and satisfactory solutions to complex cases and situations.’

Dominican Republic > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Russin, Vecchi & Heredia Bonetti‘s ‘very capable‘ team is experienced in a wide range of commercial, civil, criminal and constitutional litigation, including complex multi-jurisdictional cases. Notable areas of expertise include contractual disputes, particularly those involving distribution agents in the Dominican Republic, and fraud, insurance, tax and family law cases. Managing partner Georges Santoni Recio leads the team alongside senior associate Joan Batista Molina, who has expertise in criminal, real estate and administrative law. José Maldonado Stark and Luis Heredia Valenzuela are also names to note.

Practice head(s):

Georges Santoni Recio; Joan Batista Molina

Testimonials

‘We have felt particularly supported by the firm’s development of a highly effective defence strategy. We have felt that they give us added value, not only in our defence in litigation, but also in coming up with proactive and highly technical and strategic proposals that have led us to excellent results.’

‘It is a multidisciplinary team and they always advise us correctly in the various areas of law they cover. The team are all very capable.’

‘They are always available and are informed in a timely manner of what is happening in the country.’

‘They provide support for clients’ specific requirements.’

‘The lawyers have fast and detailed communication with clients.’

Key clients

AAA Dominicana

Helvex

Royal Prestige

Gulf Trading

Impregilo (Webuild)/Consorcio Impregilo-Yarull

Tetra Pak

Antillean Marine Shipping Corporation

Mead Johnson Nutrition Dominicana

Robert Bosch

World Fuel Services

Work highlights

  • Representing an international shipping company in a lawsuit filed by national insurance companies claiming reimbursement for alleged payments made abroad because of a stranded vessel.
  • Leading the legal strategy for the recovery of equipment that was illegally retained by a free trade zone park and successfully obtained several judgments allowing the client access to the equipment and their seizure.
  • Representing a client in a claim brought by the parents of a child whose image has been used on the cover of the packaging of the client’s main milk formula products.

Dominican Republic > Energy and natural resources Tier 2

Much of Russin, Vecchi & Heredia Bonetti‘s work in the energy sphere involves renewable projects, including solar and wind, and their regulatory requirements, including regulatory aspects of M&A, construction and financing. Led by José Maldonado Stark, the firm’s work includes project finance, such as foreign investment, as well as due diligence for acquisitions and negotiations of contracts. Managing partner Georges Santoni Recio  and Román Medina Diplán provide oversight, and associate Laura Cruz Felix frequently assists with regulatory matters.

Practice head(s):

José Maldonado Stark

Testimonials

‘The team demonstrates a great knowledge of the sector and the laws applicable to it. They provide full support in all aspects related to the projects.’

‘The key is deep knowledge of the sector and the main actors Jose Maldonado Stark and Laura Fernández give us an excellent service.’

Dominican Republic > Intellectual property Tier 2

Russin, Vecchi & Heredia Bonetti assists clients with litigation in administrative courts, such as filing oppositions against trademark applications before the National Trademark Office, all the way up to the Constitutional Court, before which the firm is representing a client in an image use claim. Practice head Rosa Campillo Celado and Mónika Fiallo Paradas act for a Dominican photographic services company in a dispute with Adobe regarding the ‘Photoshop’ trademark, representing the client before the National Trademark Office. The firm oversees trademark protection, publicity rights and copyright issues for sectors including pharmaceuticals, nutrition and consumer goods.

Practice head(s):

Rosa Campillo Celado

Testimonials

‘It is a comprehensive practice that follows the needs of the client with a prompt response.’

‘The people are ethical and professional who provide continuous help in legal challenges with the highest standards of quality of service.’

‘The team is well informed of procedures and follows them diligently.’

‘Personalised treatment. Professional.’

‘This team is up to date with the most recent provisions of the rules, regulations and laws; and keeps us informed both on matters that concern us directly and on other matters that could be of interest to us, or simply to keep us informed with national and international events, anticipating how it could positively or negatively affect our operations. We continue to believe that we are in very good hands.’

‘The vast experience accumulated by the lead partners and the various cases that they have had to handle as a team inspire us to seek their advice and entrust them with our legal matters in commercial, civil and labour matters. It is worth highlighting the performance and good dispositions of Rosa Campillo and Monika Fiallo.’

‘I think they are very professional in their area. In general I am satisfied with their work and professional dedication’

‘Monika Fiallo and Rosa Campillo are lawyers with extensive experience in intellectual property in the Dominican Republic.’

Key clients

Bmj Industries Tobacco Limited

Mead Jhonson Nutrition Dominicana And Mead Johnson

Photoshop Caribe

Dominican Republic > Labour and employment Tier 2

The ‘well-rounded‘ employment practice at Russin, Vecchi & Heredia Bonetti spans both contentious and non-contentious matters. Representing employers in labour disputes is a key area of expertise, but the team also plays an active role in advising international clients on the labour aspects of setting up local subsidiaries, including hiring personnel, compliance with local labour and social security regulations, review of company policies and immigration issues.  The practice is led by managing partner Georges Santoni Recio, who is noted for his assistance to foreign clients in labour disputes, and José Maldonado Stark. Ariel Jaquez Nuñez and Mónika Fiallo Paradas, whose specialisms include immigration law, are also names to note.

Practice head(s):

Georges Santoni Recio; José Maldonado Stark

Testimonials

‘What makes this practice unique is its professionalism and integrity, which was demonstrated in all my dealings with the firm.’

‘I am very pleased with the service Ariel Jaquez Nuñez and Monika Fiallo Paradas provide.’

‘It is a well-rounded practice that deals with the client’s requirements promptly.’

‘The people are ethical and professional, and provide continuous support in legal challenges to the highest standards.’

‘The RVHB team is very professional and always willing to provide legal advice as soon as possible. They are very knowledgeable about the laws in the Dominican Republic.’

‘A very professional, highly trained team, with excellent customer service.’

‘The team stands out for its knowledge and experience.’

Key clients

International Executive Service Corps

Renaissance Partners

Signal Dominicana

Dominican Garden Products

Pfizer

Mathiesen Republica Dominicana

Condominio Casa del Lago, Guavaberry Gulf & Country

Movix República Dominicana

Work highlights

  • Successfully represented Renaissance Partners in a claim brought by a former employee for harassment and bullying.
  • Advised on labour matters at the Casa del Lago condominium complex in the Guavaberry Golf & Country Club relating to the Covid-19 pandemic, including the suspension and termination of some employment contracts.
  • Assisting IESC with labour matters including hiring, the termination of employment contracts, the revision of employment and service agreements, and immigration matters for foreign employees.

Dominican Republic > Banking and finance Tier 3

José Maldonado Stark at Russin, Vecchi & Heredia Bonetti handles financing for project development, notably energy and real estate developments, which has involved assisting with the structuring of credit facilities and securities. The firm acts for both domestic and international companies. The team’s cross-border work also includes overseeing the formalities for loans by foreign investors, an area that Georges Santoni Recio leads on. Luis Heredia Valenzuela is also noted.

Practice head(s):

Georges Santoni Recio; Luis Heredia Valenzuela; José Maldonado Stark

Testimonials

‘They have very complete knowledge of the topics that are consulted.’

‘They are knowledgeable about the issues and advise and guide in an easy and understandable way.’

Dominican Republic > Real estate and tourism Tier 3

Led by Román Medina Diplán, the team at Russin, Vecchi & Heredia Bonetti focuses on advice for individual investors on their purchases and sales of property and land, occasionally in tourist areas; work includes due diligence, title research, contracts and tax incentives. The firm also covers condominium rules, demarcation of land and litigation. José Maldonado Stark handles real estate issues for energy clients, such as advising BAS Corporation on a long-term lease, easements and due diligence on land prior to project development. Luis Heredia Valenzuela provides oversight on transactional and contentious matters.

Practice head(s):

Roman Medina Diplan

Testimonials

‘We have a very good working relationship and the fact they speak English is a very big help.’

‘The team was able to answer all our questions and was very prompt in their responses. They were bilingual, which was necessary for us.’

‘We always heard from them quickly. We even had communications at night and on the weekend, which was a pleasant surprise.’

Key clients

Green Polymer, S.R.L.

Kathryn Ann Holden & Allison Gray

Keith Edward John Morris

Mark Soderstrom

Andrew Merinoff

Cristina Pons

Almacenes Sema, S.A.

Bas Corporation

Sophia D’Angelo & Jonathan Hughes

Rene Conitzer

Dominican Republic > Tax Tier 3

José Maldonado Stark oversees much of the team’s tax work at Russin, Vecchi & Heredia Bonetti, often aided by associate Laura Fernandez-Peix, with Georges Santoni Recio and Ariel Jaquez Nuñez also leading matters. As a member of tax consultancy network BLITA International, the firm represents clients in administrative proceedings and frequently advises on the tax aspects of real estate investments, such as tax-efficient structuring for real estate investors or taxes on transfers of real estate. Luis Heredia Valenzuela and Román Medina Diplán, who acts for private clients, additionally co-head the department.

Practice head(s):

Georges Santoni Recio; Luis Heredia Valenzuela; Jose Maldonado Stark; Román Medina Diplan

Testimonials

‘In-depth technical knowledge, they know how to identify and make risks transparent. Honest as to which variables can be controlled and which cannot.’

‘Outstanding management of tax and labour code. Support in share restructuring taking into account the tax impact, analysing the different options and defining the pros and cons of each option. Both José Maldonado and Laura Cruz are always available to clarify any concerns.’

Russin, Vecchi & Heredia Bonetti (RV&HB) is the Dominican Republic office of Russin & Vecchi, an international law firm with an established presence in Asia, Europe, North America and the Caribbean. It was founded in 1969 and has a team of professional multilingual lawyers that specializes in all areas of commercial law.

RVHB is a law firm with a global vision of the practice of law, committed to the excellence in service, innovation and high ethical standards. The firm has contributed significantly to the reform and legislative modernization of the Dominican Republic.

The firm is Meritas’ sole representative in the Dominican Republic, a globally recognized association of independent lawyers and is a member of several other associations including BLITA, INTA and L2B, among others.

Types of work undertaken
Agency and distributorship: RV&HB represents companies providing goods and services to Dominican economy in the negotiation and termination of agreements in light of the stringent distributors’ protection laws in the Dominican Republic.

Banking, financing and securities: RV&HB provides advice and counsel for domestic and foreign banks and other financial institutions, and it also provides assistance regarding the regulatory framework in the Dominican Republic related to this field and stock market activities.

Business: the firm’s business department offers its national and international clients advice on the development of their activities and projects in all areas of business law of the Dominican Republic.

Civil aviation: RV&HB has a high profile in this area, providing specialized legal counsel and services with respect to the specific needs of the domestic and international aviation industry and related activities.

Corporate and commercial law: its corporate practice encompasses managing a portfolio of hundreds of Dominican and foreign trade companies, including all aspects of their social lives.

Energy and telecommunications: RV&HB has had a major role working with its clients in the modernization and reorganization of the energy and telecommunications sectors in the Dominican Republic.

Competition law: RV&HB offers services of the highest quality standard to its clients in comprehensive preventive advice, defense of competition rights, and the design and implementation of business compliance plans to prevent and mitigate risks of investigations for alleged anti-competitive practices (antitrust compliance).

We represent our clients in the courts of justice and before the market regulatory bodies (Procompetencia, Indotel, and Superintendencia de Electricidad) to defend their rights to free enterprise, stop the abuse of dominant position and unfair competition. We have the merit of having contributed motions that have become judicial precedents dictated by the high courts of the Dominican Republic.

Intellectual property: the firm’s IP team provides all services related to the protection of intellectual and industrial property rights which intend to preserve the acquired rights protected by legislation related to copyrights and trademarks and other distinctive signs, in the digital environment as well.

Foreign investment: RV&HB is recognized for providing optimal legal advice regarding the legal requirements and registration of foreign capital in the Dominican territory, and the legal structures under which these investments are made, including direct investments and foreign loans.

Family: the department of family law is responsible for all matters related to family and everything related to the organization of family assets, rights and duties of the spouses, as well as succession matters.

Litigation, dispute resolution and arbitration: the litigation department at RV&HB handles all areas of practice, disputes of domestic and international scope derived from the ordinary course of business.

Real estate and tourism: RV&HB has advised developers, commercial and private investors, agricultural companies, hotels and tourism projects, in complex real estate transactions.

Renewable energy: the firm advises clients in connection with matters including renewable energy, photovoltaic energy, and biodiesel fuel, as well as advice to permit clients to obtain the incentives for developing projects according to Dominican laws.

DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
Agency and distribution Georges Santoni Reciogsantoni@rvhb.com809-535-9511
Civil aviation and airports Luis Heredia Valenzuelalheredia@rvhb.com809-535-9511
Corporate and commercial Georges Santoni Reciogsantoni@rvhb.com809-535-9511
Energy and renewable energy/environment Jose Maldonado Starkjmaldonado@rvhb.com809-535-9511
Foreign investment Georges Santoni Reciogsantoni@rvhb.com809-535-9511
Foreign investment Luis Heredia Valenzuelalheredia@rvhb.com809-535-9511
Intellectual property Rosa Campillo Celadorcampillo@rvhb.com809-535-9511
Litigation, dispute resolution and arbitration Georges Santoni Reciogsantoni@rvhb.com809-535-9511
Public procurement Jose Maldonado Starkjmaldonado@rvhb.com809-535-9511
Public procurement Luis Heredia Valenzuelalheredia@rvhb.com809-535-9511
Real estate and tourism Roman Medina Diplanrmedina@rvhb.com809-535-9511
Tax Jose Maldonado Starkjmaldonado@rvhb.com809-535-9511
Tax Luis Heredia Valenzuelalheredia@rvhb.com809-535-9511
Competition Law Angelica Noboa Pagananoboa@rvhb.com809-535-9511
International trade Angelica Noboa Pagananoboa@rvhb.com809-535-9511
Commercial arbitration Angelica Noboa Pagananoboa@rvhb.com809-535-9511
Telecommunications Angelica Noboa Pagananoboa@rvhb.com809-535-9511
Other fee-earners : 16
Total staff : 36
English
Spanish
French
Meritas Law Firms Worldwide
International Trademark Association (INTA)
ASIPI
ABA (American Bar Association)
IWIRC
Partners : 8