Jiménez Peña > Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic > Firm Profile

Jiménez Peña
AVENIDA WINSTON CHURCHILL 1099
CITI TOWER EN ACROPOLIS, PISO 14
SANTO DOMINGO DN 10148
Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic > Banking and finance Tier 1

Jiménez Peña's banking and finance team is regularly called upon to act as local counsel on the lender side of cross-border transactions, counting foreign banks and multilateral institutions among its clients. The group has a strong track record in local and multi-jurisdictional corporate and project finance, including highly leveraged banking transactions. Founding partner Marcos Peña Rodríguez leads the team alongside Katherine Rosa, who specialises in project finance in the energy and infrastructure spheres, as well as in banking regulation. Jennifer Beauchamps, who was promoted to the partnership in January 2023, and senior associate Gisselle Valera are also standout team members, particularly for transactions in the energy sector.

Practice head(s):

Marcos Peña Rodríguez; Katherine Rosa

Key clients

Banco BHD Leon

Banco Centroamericano de Integración Económica

Citibank

Asociación Popular de Ahorros y Préstamos

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)

Inter-American Investment Corporation (IDB Invest)

International Finance Corporation (IFC)

Banco Activo

Advanced Asset Management

Corporación Interamericana para el Financiamiento de Infraestructura (CIFI)

Work highlights

  • Advised Banco Activo on a capitalisation process through which a new investor acquired a 70% stake in the bank, increasing the presence of the financial institution in the Dominican Republic.
  • Assisted the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IDB Invest) with a secured loan for an amount of up to $10m granted to an educational foundation in the Dominican Republic.

Dominican Republic > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

Jiménez Peña is noted for its experience of advising multinationals and large local groups on their operations in the Dominican Republic, including M&A, corporate reorganisations and corporate governance. It is also active in assisting foreign private equity groups with inbound investments. The team has a particular strong suit in the energy sector, frequently handling foreign investment mandates in this space. Founding partners Luis Julio Jiménez and Marcos Peña Rodríguez, Vilma Veras and Katherine Rosa, a standout name for energy matters, steer the team. Jennifer Beauchamps, who made partner in January 2023, is also a key contact, particularly for company reorganisations.

Practice head(s):

Luis Julio Jiménez; Marcos Peña Rodríguez; Vilma Veras; Katherine Rosa

Testimonials

Collaboration is part of their brand. They have a team which is always at the disposal of the client.

I would like to mention the good service of Katherine Rosa and Jennifer Beauchamps, who offer practicality and quality in their handling of matters.

‘Jiménez Peña has a good relationship with energy players and government institutions in the sector, which gives the firm an extra advantage.

Accessibility. Knowledge of the energy sector. Good networking relationships.

Key clients

Banco BHD Leon

Banco Centroamericano de Integración Económica

Citibank

Portblue Hotels

ARS Humano

Total Energies

Asociación Popular de Ahorros y Préstamos

Interamerican Development Bank (IDB)

International Finance Corporation (IFC)

Banco Activo

Advanced Asset Management

Portland Private Equity

Unilever

Corporación Interamericana para el Financiamiento de Infraestructura (CIFI)

Work highlights

  • Carried out due diligence for Total Eren and GP Capital and advised on the negotiation of the acquisition of 100% of the shares in an SPV for Proyecto Villarpando, a 100MW photovoltaic power plant.
  • Advising Grupo Punta Cana on setting up an export free zone around the Punta Cana International Airport for a logistics hub to provide all goods and services related to the operation of the airport (passenger services, handling facilities, catering services and mechanical services, among others).
  • Acted as local counsel for Total Energies on the due diligence process and negotiation of a strategic alliance agreement with Grupo Martí, as well as corporate, regulatory, contractual, environmental and real estate matters.

Dominican Republic > Dispute resolution Tier 2

At Jiménez Peña, international arbitration is a core area of strength for the dispute resolution team, which has notable experience in investment treaty arbitrations (as well as handling the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards). On the litigation side of the practice, the team is well versed in commercial, civil, administrative, labour and real estate disputes. Founding partner Marcos Peña Rodríguez, who is at the forefront of the firm's arbitration cases, co-heads the practice with Rosa (Lisa) Díaz, an expert in civil, commercial, administrative and labour litigation. Laura Medina is also a key name to note for both litigation and arbitration.

Practice head(s):

Marcos Peña Rodríguez; Rosa (Lisa) Díaz

Testimonials

A very prestigious firm with a wide range of services.

They are excellent at designing strategies to resolve conflicts.

The team at Jimenez Peña, in my opinion, has in-depth knowledge of many legal issues, including arbitration and civil liability cases. For me, they stand out from other firms because they are accessible and realistic when evaluating a case. They do not make promises that cannot be kept and have a pragmatic vision of things. I know that they remain at the forefront in this field.

Marcos Peña is an authority in the Dominican Republic on arbitration, both in terms of knowledge and technique in handling cases. He also has a commercial and pragmatic perspective on cases; he is not limited to what lawyers traditionally focus on, but has business understanding. That helps him make brilliant risk assessments in litigation and arbitration.

Laura Medina is a very well-rounded lawyer, with deep knowledge of arbitration, and civil and labour disputes. She is very detail-oriented and quick to analyse cases, so I predict a great future for her at the firm. She is always there when you need her.

Marcos Peña is exceptional.

Key clients

ADM Latin America

AIC International Investments

American Airlines

Asociación Popular de Ahorros y Préstamos

Celuisma

Washington Nationals Baseball Club

Eaton Corporation

DHL

Sirenis Group

Alstom Group

Work highlights

  • Represented AIC International Investments in multiple foreclosure procedures for approximately 126 properties, pursuing the collection of over $64m against over 40 defendants.
  • Defended Alstom Group against a claim for breach of contract.
  • Represented Celuisma in the Court of Appeals, challenging two conflicting arbitral awards.

Dominican Republic > Energy and natural resources Tier 2

Jiménez Peña has robust skill sets in matters relating to power generation, transmission and distribution, and has recently seen an uptick in renewable energy mandates. The team, which counts major international sponsors and lenders among its clients, frequently advises on project development and financing (particularly in relation to solar and wind power projects) and handles acquisitions in the energy sphere. Luis Julio Jimenez and Marcos Pena Rodriguez, who are well versed in energy-related transactions, project finance specialist Katherine Rosa and corporate-focused Vilma Veras lead the team. Senior associate Gisselle Valera provides key support on energy and mining matters.

Practice head(s):

Luis Julio Jimenez; Marcos Peña Rodriguez; Katherine Rosa; Vilma Veras

Key clients

Total

International Finance Corporation (IFC)

Banco Múltiple BHD León

Acciona

United Renewable Energy (General Energy Solution)

Karpower International DMCC

Work highlights

  • Advised United Renewable Energy on the expansion of the total installed capacity of the Monte Plata Solar power plant from 30MW to 60MW.
  • Advised Karpower International DMCC on obtaining the provisional concession for the installation of a power ship fuelled by natural gas.
  • Assisted Urba Solar with the due diligence for a prospective investment in a 50MW photovoltaic power plant and assisted with the negotiations of a definitive concession agreement with the Dominican State.

Dominican Republic > Labour and employment Tier 3

At Jimenez Pena, practice head Rosa (Lisa) Díaz combines expertise in labour law and litigation to assist with contentious mandates in this field, handling matters ranging from preventative consultation and labour audits to labour litigation. The team's work also includes advising local and multinational companies on hiring and dismissing local and foreign employees, and introducing and implementing internal labour policies and regulations. Founding partner Marcos Peña Rodríguez and newly promoted partner Laura Medina Acosta are also key contacts for labour disputes.

Practice head(s):

Rosa (Lisa) Díaz

Testimonials

Good availability of partners and good flexibility.

Strong knowledge of how to apply the law and clear advice. Standout partners include Laura Medina.

They are always available to consult and meet deadlines. The service that Laura Medina and Marcos Peña provide is of a high quality. Their response times are excellent and communication is always punctual and clear.

The firm stands out for the quality and professionalism of its lawyers, including Marcos Peña, Lisa Díaz and Laura Medina.

It is a committed team, which is very professional and has in-depth knowledge of labour law.

In Jimenez Peña we have found a true ally to meet the needs of our clients in the Dominican Republic. The timing and quality of the responses are a differentiating aspect compared to other firms with which I have worked in that country.

Key clients

American Airlines

Hotelera Natura

Washington Nationals

JC Decaux

Sirenis Hotels

Hola Tours & Travel

Asociación Popular de Ahorros y Préstamos

Eaton Corporation

Frito Lay Dominicana

Work highlights

  • Represented Hola Tours & Ravel in three separate labour claims for termination with cause.
  • Assisted Frito Lay Dominicana with the negotiation of the collective agreement with a workers’ union.
  • Assisted American Airlines throughout the Covid-19 pandemic with day-to-day labour issues.

Dominican Republic > Real estate and tourism Tier 3

Luis Julio Jiménez  and Vilma Veras head up Jiménez Peña‘s team and combine expertise in real estate, corporate and tax matters to advise on issues ranging from the development and financing of commercial, infrastructure and tourism projects to hotel renovations, real estate acquisitions, sales and leasing, construction permits and tax exemptions. The firm stands out for its advice to large national and international hotel chains, such as Grupo Punta Cana, Marriott and Accor, as well as leading financial institutions and clients in the aviation sector (including advising on matters relating to Punta Cana International Airport).

Practice head(s):

Luis Julio Jiménez; Vilma Veras

Key clients

AIC

La Estancia Golf Resort

Grupo Punta Cana

Hola Tours & Travel

Sirenis Hotels

CCS Holding Group

Portblue Hotels

Celuisma

Marriott International

Excel Group

Work highlights

  • Advised Marriott International on management agreements and due diligence for major hotel projects in different locations in the Dominican Republic.
  • Advised Sirenis Hotels on all the corporate, tax and real estate aspects involved in a $90m remodelling and refurbishment of two of its hotels in the Dominican Republic.
  • Assisted Grupo Punta Cana with the setting up of an export free zone around the Punta Cana International Airport for the operation of a logistics hub to provide all goods and services related to the operation of the airport.

EXPERIENCE. Unifying our experiences makes us more

The consolidated knowledge of our team, closely united and with international training, allows us to offer solutions that anticipate and satisfy the needs of our clients.

Established in 2003, Jiménez Peña is one of the largest international law firms in the Dominican Republic. We have veteran talent and all the necessary resources to handle any legal challenge that a local and global business community may face in the Dominican Republic.

JP’s partners offer decades of experience and knowledge gained through practice in an emerging market that cannot be obtained from a textbook or from handling a few cases. They pass on their good business judgment to associates, who combine it with their high-level legal education to excel in their field.

The firm and its lawyers have received a high ranking on Chambers Global; Chambers Latin America; The Legal 500 Latin America; ILFR 1000, Latin Lawyer 250 and Who’s Who Legal. Our partners and associates appear in one or more of these publications of great international prestige.

JP has been selected by TRACE International as TRACE’s Partner Firm in the Dominican Republic, for its valuable experience in anti-bribery laws and regulations for the benefit of TRACE’s multinational members and intermediaries.

CREATIVITY. Think different as a goal

We believe in building innovative options that lead our clients to carry out their projects successfully. We grow in knowledge, but above all in diversity and vision of the future.

At JP we treat our clients as our business partners. We integrate them into the process, working as a team to achieve a common goal. Their projects become ours and we measure our success based on the satisfaction of their needs. We do not take our success for granted and are always looking for ways to improve our services. That is why we make it a priority to be available to our clients 24 hours a day, seven days a week, aware of the great difference that acting on time based on our advice can make.

Every case at JP has a dedicated legal team led by a senior partner in the most cost-effective manner. Our priority is to communicate with our clients in a clear and effective way and attend to each of their needs, letting them choose the fee plan that best suits their particular objectives; flexibility and creativity in relationships with our clients benefit both us and them.

We pride ourselves on working as trusted partners in the Dominican Republic for clients around the world. We have formed an alliance with independent professionals from other firms, who bring diverse experiences in a variety of topics. We have created a network of proven professionals in tax, accounting, construction, and other areas who can easily be integrated into a problem-solving process. When our clients’ projects take them out of the country, we use carefully selected local firms, with whom we maintain strong business relationships.

RESULTS. Get to the finish line well and on time

As advisors, we work effectively to turn any difficulty into an opportunity, focused on achieving the proposed goals

Because of our dedication to integrity, responsiveness, and professional excellence, we have become the expert lawyers to turn to in many areas critical to business, such as corporate transactions, project finance, tax, labor, and government relations. A pioneer of international arbitration in the Dominican Republic, JP regularly intervenes in cases before major arbitration institutions, both as local counsel and as lead counsel.

Our clients include Fortune 500 companies, international organizations, domestic and foreign financial institutions, private investment funds, individual investors, and government entities, among others. Many of our clients have been with us since the founding of JP; many come to us on the recommendation of other clients.

We are grateful for the community that has given us so much. We offer pro-bono support to NGOs dedicated to health, education and local chambers of commerce. We frequently participate in the drafting of fundamental legislation and contribute to professional publications.

The Firm is committed to equal opportunities and the mixture of different attributes in the workforce, considering the inclusion and richness that different cultures, beliefs, education, religions, styles of action and thought, traditions, age, gender, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation bring. Due to this, our Diversity and Inclusion policy is reviewed and updated each year and guidelines are established to achieve a climate free of prejudice and a tolerant culture where differences are appreciated and add value to the firm and each one of its members.

Diversity and equal access are part of Jiménez Peña’s DNA. We have a Diversity and Inclusion Committee, which is in charge of monitoring our policy and developing new initiatives to promote it both internally, among our team, and externally, in collaboration with our clients, suppliers and our colleagues.

One of the most important aspects that we take into consideration is the promotion of talent, and we also encourage flexible hours. Additionally, we have a mentoring program that supports professionals who join or belong to the organization, whose objective is to improve the learning and development of our employees at each stage of their career.

The firm has been nominated on several occasions by Chambers, one of the main legal directory publications, which recognizes each year the best diversity and inclusion policies, receiving the first prize awarded to firms in Latin America as the Best Gender Diversity Initiative in the Dominican Republic.

Department Name Email Telephone
Energy, Bank and Finance Katherine Rosa krosa@jpadvisors.do 809-955-2727
International dispute resolution Marcos Peña R E: mpena@jcpdr.com mpena@jpadvisors.do 809-955-2727
Litigation Rosa Diaz E: rdiaz@jcpdr.com rdiaz@jpadvisors.do 809-955-2727
Government relations Marcos Peña R E: mpena@jcpdr.com mpena@jpadvisors.do 809-955-2727
Business Luis Julio Jimenez E: ljimenez@jcpdr.com ljimenez@jpadvisors.do 809-955-2727
Hospitality and real estate Luis Julio Jimenez E: ljimenez@jcpdr.com ljimenez@jpadvisors.do 809-955-2727
Tax Vilma Veras E: vveras@jcpdr.com vveras@jpadvisors.do 809-955-2727
Labor and Employement Laura Medina lmedina@jpadvisors.do 809-955-2727
Stock Market, Economic Regulation Jennifer Beauchamps jbeauchamps@jpadvisors.do 809-955-2727
Partners : 7
Other fee-earners : 18
Total staff : 51
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