Firm Profile > Consortium Legal > San Jose, Costa Rica

Banking and finance Tier 1

Mario Quesada-Bianchini, Randall Barquero, David Campos and Andrés Chamberlain are the four key figures jointly leading the banking and finance department at Consortium Legal. The team advises on credit facilities, syndicated loans, corporate bond issuances, regulatory and compliance matters, and mergers and acquisitions in the financial sector; in addition, the firm recently launched a fintech practice. The firm acts for international banks and investors, as well as regional financial institutions, and governmental and multilateral entities with a presence in Central America.

Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Antitrust, M&A transactions and distribution law are among the strong suits of the team at Consortium Legal, which is jointly led by Juan Manuel Godoy, Rolando Laclé Zúñiga, David Reuben and Juan Manuel Cordero. In a recent work highlight, the department acted as counsel for Walmart in the acquisition of Geesa's assets and retail business, which included conducting the due diligence, designing the purchase structure, and drafting and negotiating purchase agreements. The firm also demonstrated its excellence in antitrust matters while advising Televisora de Costa Rica (also known as Teletica) on the sale of its Cabletica operations to global cable company Liberty Latin America. Concesiones Rodoviarias, Grupo Progreso and Telecable are also part of the firm's client base.

Tax Tier 1

The five-partner tax practice at Consortium Legal is especially respected for its role in advising on the effects of the recently enacted new tax laws in Costa Rica. The eminent Rafael Luna and Diego Salto lead the department, which is particularly skilful in tax audits and litigation. In a recent work highlight, the firm successfully assisted Investment Energy Resources in a sales tax dispute with the Ministry of Finance. Cristina Sansonetti oversees all tax-related matters for regional airline Avianca, including administrative and judicial tax processes and tax planning. Walmart, Globalvia and Televisora de Costa Rica (also known as Teletica) are also part of the firm's client base. Anayansi Mora is also noted.

Dispute resolution Tier 2

Consortium Legal's dispute resolution practice represents clients in civil, commercial, administrative and labour litigation, as well as commercial arbitration. The team, which is jointly headed by Rolando Laclé Zúñiga and José Pablo Valverde, also handles tax, constitutional and IP-related disputes, and assists clients in the growing area of alternative dispute resolution. The firm's client list includes banking and finance institutions and hospitality and healthcare companies.

Labour and employment Tier 2

Real estate Tier 2

Consortium Legal has extensive experience in real estate due diligence processes and provides assistance to clients from highly regulated business sectors such as pharmaceuticals, fruit farming and real estate private equity. Department heads Rolando Laclé Zúñiga, David Reuben and Juan Manuel Cordero recently acted as counsel to Walmart in the acquisition of a supermarket chain owned by Grupo Empresarial de Supermercados, which was denied by the Costa Rican antitrust authority. The team also conducted a due diligence of commercial properties within a mall for BCR Fondos.

Intellectual property Tier 3

Led by senior associate Fabiola Sáenz, Consortium Legal's IP department is especially active providing IP services to clients of the firm's strong banking practice. The team also regularly advises clients in the cosmetics industry on the management of large portfolios. Other specialist areas of expertise are matters related to artificial intelligence, industrial automation and blockchains. In a recent work highlight, Sáenz acted for an ophthalmologist in successfully applying for a patent for a device for cornea surgeries.