Pellerano & Herrera > Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic > Firm Profile

Pellerano & Herrera > The Legal 500 Rankings

Dominican Republic > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Pellerano & Herrera stands out for its strength in advising international clients, acting for a wide-ranging roster of multinational companies from the technology, pharmaceuticals, telecoms and fashion sectors, among others. The team has particular expertise in assisting multinational companies with entering the Dominican market, as well as advising on foreign investments, local and cross-border M&A, and corporate restructurings. In addition, the firm entered a collaboration agreement with global firm Andersen Legal in August 2021, expanding its international reach. The practice is led by managing partner Ricardo Pellerano, who is experienced in high-profile transactions in the banking, real estate and tourism sectors in particular, and Alessandra Di Carlo, who is noted for her expertise in cross-border deals. Carolina Leon is also recommended for her advice to international clients on M&A and foreign investments.

Dominican Republic > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Praised for its ‘excellent technical knowledge‘, Pellerano & Herrera‘s wide-ranging dispute resolution practice spans high-profile criminal litigation, shareholder disputes, distributor protection, product liability and consumer rights cases, and real estate and sport-related litigation. In particular, the team stands out for its niche expertise in cybercrime litigation, acting for a number of major international clients. Vitelio Mejía Ortiz, who has longstanding experience in tax disputes and sports litigation and arbitration, co-heads the department with the ‘proactive and diligent‘ Lucy Objío, an expert in commercial, criminal, maritime insurance and labour disputes. Senior associates Yolemny Cruz and Sheila Oviedo provide key support. Since publication, Oviedo has been promoted to the partnership - effective as of April 2023.

Dominican Republic > Real estate and tourism Tier 2

Aviation is a key area for Pellerano & Herrera and practice co-head Ricardo Pellerano, with Vitelio Mejía Ortiz covering permits and authorisations for Interjet, as well as corporate and financial advice for tourism resorts, and Alessandra Di Carlo working on property financing and acquisitions. Day-to-day advice for clients in the tourism sector is also covered; Di Carlo and Mejia Ortiz advise Amhsa Marina Hotels & Resorts on operational matters as well as defending the client against IP and negligence lawsuits.  Carolina Leon oversaw service agreements for the restart of Carnival Cruise Corporation’s operations, including tour operator and lease agreements, as well as counting Expedia, for whom she provides day-to-day assistance, as a client. Practice co-head Ramón Luciano advised on land demarcation issues for both a tourist resort and Avon, as well as real estate matters for individuals such as recovery of real estate in a will dispute, and property sales for foreign investors. Tourism industry partner Caroline Bonó left the firm to join Pellerano Nadal.

Dominican Republic > Tax Tier 2

Pellerano & Herrera‘s tax practice received a double blow in 2021 with the departure of practice head Caroline Bonó to Pellerano Nadal and partner Félix Fernández, who worked on tax litigation, to DMK Abogados. Senior associate Nathalie García, who joined the firm in 2022, now oversees its tax work from a corporate perspective. The practice advises on tax audits and planning, the tax elements of corporate restructurings and due diligence on transactions, as well as providing representation in administrative and judicial proceedings.

Dominican Republic > Banking and finance Tier 3

Pellerano & Herrera stands out for its cross-border work for multinational clients, including investment banks and asset management groups, and at times works together with global law firms to provide local counsel. It has a niche in advising Chinese investors, often on energy and natural resources projects, an area that is overseen by practice co-head and managing partner Ricardo Pellerano. The firm focuses on advice to lenders, frequently on financing infrastructure and real estate projects. Practice co-head Alessandra Di Carlo leads on work advising Citigroup, JP Morgan and Scotia Capital as underwriters of a $300m bond offering by an energy corporation. Members of the corporate team are closely involved in the practice, with corporate partner Carolina Leon overseeing investment, secured financing and trust indenture matters and senior associate Maria Montero acting as a key support in much of the firm’s work.

Dominican Republic > Labour and employment Tier 3

Pellerano & Herrera is experienced in both labour disputes and advisory work for an impressive roster of multinational clients. Litigator Lucy Objío heads the contentious side of the practice, which focuses on representing major employers in claims brought by employees, while special counsel Isabel Andrickson leads the consultancy practice, advising on the labour aspects of M&A and reorganisations, the recruitment and dismissal of employees, and the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements. Corporate partner Carolina Leon assists with the employment aspects of transactions, and senior associates Sheila Oviedo and Laura Patiño handle labour disputes and consultancy matters, respectively.