Next Generation Partners

Firms To Watch: Dispute resolution

The team at boutique San José firm Hulbert Volio Abogados brings strength to acting for domestic and regional corporates and private individuals involved in a wide range of disputes, from complex collection processes to breach of contract claims.

Dispute resolution in Costa Rica

Alta Batalla

Alta Batalla stands out in the dispute resolution space, representing high-profile clients, including public figures, banks, and multinationals, in complex, multijurisdictional conflicts involving a wide range of sectors such as energy, banking, telecoms, and real estate. The team handles high-stakes commercial and investment arbitration, administrative and criminal litigation, as well as disputes concerning tax, labour, energy, and environmental law issues. Led by Róger Guevara, an authority in white-collar crime and contractual disputes, and Mariela Martínez, known for her work in tort law and consumer rights, the team also includes seasoned practitioners Alejandro Batalla, Felipe Riveros (senior associate), and Sophia Villalta (associate), each bringing expertise in arbitration, civil liability, and concession claims.

Responsables de la pratique:

Róger Guevara; Mariela Martínez


Les références

‘Currently we only have the Alta Legal Department, which sees all our litigation matters. We always have the best attention from the team and availability to clarify doubts and follow up on our issues.’

‘Don Roger Guevara who always has knowledge of the issues and his availability to help the company. Mariela Martinez, follow-up on our topics, meetings, writings. Rosaura Sanchez, clarification of queries. I include other collaborators who always intervene depending on the topics.’

Principaux clients

Condominio KUK


Inmobiliaria Santiagomillas


Grupo Nutresa (POPS)


Marco Calzada´s parents


Link Logística, S.A.


Daikin Industries Limited / Daikin Applied Latin America LLC


Banco Lafise (Lafise Group) / Lafise Seguros S.A.


Philip Morris Costa Rica (Sucursal de Philip Morris International)


SBA Communications Corporation (SBA Torres de Costa Rica)


IGT Global Services, Ltda.


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Marco Calzada’s parents as plaintiffs in two criminal trials for murder, one against the three underaged persons and the other for the two defendants that were over 18 years old.
  • Acted for Philip Morris in a judicial case involving the largest distributor of its products in the country.
  • Advises and represents Banco LAFISE Costa Rica and other banks of the Group (Banco LAFISE Panama S.A. and Banco LAFISE Bancentro) in various legal proceedings and arbitrations related to disputes arising from the real estate crisis.

BLP

The powerhouse team at BLP remains a market leader, employing the combined bench strength of offices in San José, Puntarenas, Guanacaste and Marina Flamingo in addition to branches across Latin America and Europe, to represent such household-name multinationals as Pfizer, Amazon and Uber involved in complex, multi-jurisdictional disputes. With an active client roster spanning sectors ranging from food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, telecoms, and apparel to tech, medical devices, finance, hospitality and education, the team’s full service covers international litigation and arbitration related to administrative concession rights, as well as claims involving unfair competition, distribution, fraud and real estate and construction matters. Veteran litigator Mauricio Salas leads the team, bringing 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; director Robert Morales, who provides expertise in administrative law matters; and senior associate José Pablo Miranda.

Responsables de la pratique:

Mauricio Salas


Les références

‘BLP is a firm with the necessary and updated knowledge to provide truthful advice and follow-up.’

‘Mauricio Salas – his knowledge and response time makes him stand out from others.’

‘I consider that they have a solid team for Costa Rica in this area, with innovative and creative ideas.’

Principaux clients

Pfizer


Kraft Heinz


Uber Technologies


Gencom Group


Grupo Pelón


Medtronic


Axiom


adidas


Chiquita Brands International


Demasa


Millicom (DBA Tigo)


Amazon


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing Pfizer in class action suit, dealing with the approval mechanism of the COVID mandatory vaccination programme.
  • Represented Amazon, as a victim of electronic fraud, in a case dealing with hacking stemming from different jurisdictions, resulting in the recovery of stolen funds exceeding $370k.
  • Represented Initec, a Spanish energy company, in a construction arbitration with the Costa Rican state, namely its national power company, in a case dealing with a turn-key geothermal power project.

Facio & Cañas

Bolstered by the March 2023 opening of two new offices in Puntarenas and Guanacaste, the multidisciplinary team at Facio & Cañas remains a leader in the market, bringing deep bench strength to advising public figures and household-name multinationals such as Coca-Cola FEMSA, Oracle, Sony Music and Peugeot involved in high-stakes criminal, administrative, civil and commercial litigation and arbitration. With a client base spanning such sectors as sports, construction, energy, telecoms, education, hospitality, aviation, automotive, entertainment, tech, and food and beverages, the group’s comprehensive offering covers matters ranging from defamation and breach of contract claims to cases involving intellectual property rights and the termination of distribution agreements. The practice is led by veteran litigator Federico Torrealba and Carlos Oreamuno, an expert in international commercial distribution disputes. Other key figures include experienced arbitrator Gianna Cersosimo, a specialist in anti-piracy cases, and senior associate Adelita Olivares, who brings expertise to litigation involving tort law and contractual breaches.

Responsables de la pratique:

Federico Torrealba; Carlos Oreamuno


Les références

‘Ability to solve issues at high levels and of high complexity given their previous experience and recognition.’

‘The team at Facio & Cañas is excellent. The duo of Gianna Cersosimo and Federico Torrealba is excellent.’

Principaux clients

Fresh Del Monte


Coca Cola FEMSA


Oracle


Warner Music, Sony Music and Universal Music through Fonotica


Diageo


Bia Foods


Arcos Dorados – McDonald’s Costa Rica


Peugeot


Tous


Zimmer Biomed


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing energy companies Grupo Corporativo Saret, Saret Metalmecanica and others before the bankruptcy court of San José.
  • Providing ongoing representation of Diageo in an anti-smuggling and anti-piracy campaign.

Aguilar Castillo Love

The dispute resolution team at Aguilar Castillo Love harnesses the bench strength of nine offices throughout the region to represent public figures (including former Costa Rican president Carlos Alvarado Quesada) and such major multinationals as Synthes (Johnson & Johnson), DHL, AstraZeneca and Hewlett Packard in high-stakes domestic and multi-jurisdictional disputes. With a client encompassing the pharmaceuticals, energy, government, healthcare, tech, logistics, food and beverages, media and financial services sectors, the practice’s full service covers matters ranging from international arbitration and distribution contract disputes to white-collar criminal proceedings. The practice is led by Esteban Agüero Guier, a seasoned expert in international investment arbitrations who heads the dispute resolution group, and Rodolfo Brenes Vargas, who leads the team’s corporate crime, anti-corruption investigation and compliance work. Other key figures include experienced corporate litigator Tatiana Rojas Hernández; Laura Rodríguez Amador, who brings experience in handling disputes in the telecoms sector; and associate Sergio Herra Rodríguez, a specialist in white-collar crime.

Responsables de la pratique:

Esteban Agüero Guier; Rodolfo Brenes Vargas


Les références

‘We use this firm in labour disputes and their practice is very efficient, attentive, with solid experience.’

Principaux clients

Johnson & Johnson Medtech


Corteva Agriscience


VWR Avantor


BaumInvest


Hydro China


Higer Bus


Químicas Mundiales


Carlos Alvarado Quesada


Marietta Herrera Cantillo


Rodrigo Ramírez Rodríguez


DHL


TUI


AstraZeneca


Hewlett Packard


Yafit Ohana


Fidelity National Financial


Kenvue


Cargill


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing Synthes, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson Medtech, in several administrative litigation actions against the Costa Rican social security entity.
  • Representing Corteva Agriscience, as a victim of a crime of fraudulent administration committed by former employees including the country manager.
  • Continuing to represent HydroChina, a subsidiary of the Powerchina group, in bringing a lawsuit against a former commercial partner arising from the construction of a cancelled hydropower project.

Dentons

The Costa Rican dispute resolution team at Dentons utilises the bench strength of its regional network of seven offices in six countries in Central America to represent multinational corporations (including Samsung) in a wide range of complex, cross-border disputes. With a client roster spanning such sectors as electronics, hospitality, food, construction, real estate and energy, the group’s full offering covers commercial litigation and arbitration, collection actions, insurance litigation and environmental law claims, as well as restructuring, insolvency and bankruptcy proceedings. The practice is headed by Roy Herrera, who is experienced in both litigation and arbitration, and a member of the board of directors for the Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration of the Costa Rican-American Chamber of Commerce. The group is supported by senior associate Aracelly López, who is skilled in litigation proceedings relating to cross-border M&A, and associate Johann Montero Brenes, who specialises in labour and employment matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Roy Herrera


Les références

‘It’s a large team with many associates working for key partners so you always have availability for issues and questions. We work primarily on arbitrations with Roy Herrera. Roy is very knowledgeable regarding arbitrations in Costa Rica and has led us through several difficult cases.’

Principaux clients

Azvi


Caterpillar Financial


Brinkman y Asociados Reforestadores de Centro América Barca


Tulemar Hotel


Agroganadera Pinilla


Samsung


Coopeagropal


Firmenich


ECIJA

The team at ECIJA draws on the bench strength of its March 2023 alliance with Taylor Wessing LLP and offices throughout Europe and Latin America, to advise private investors, insurers, governments and major multinationals (including DHL and Pfizer) involved in high-value, cross-border disputes. With an active client base spanning such sectors as pharmaceuticals, logistics, energy, real estate, healthcare, media, food, telecoms and tech, the practice’s comprehensive service covers complex commercial litigation, arbitration, and tax and administrative proceedings, as well as debt collection matters. The practice is led by Mauricio París, an expert in the enforcement, recognition and annulment of arbitration awards. Other key figures include Arturo Guerrero, who draws on over 25 years of experience and who launched the firm’s insolvency practice in Costa Rica, and associate Mario Alberto Umaña, who joined from the Ministry of Security in October 2023.

Responsables de la pratique:

Mauricio París


Les références

‘Mauricio Paris is an excellent professional, very diligent and dedicated.’

‘It is an office that is distinguished by the good personal and professional treatment of its clients. The lawyers deal with cases with deep seriousness, carrying out the necessary studies and analysis to substantiate their theory of the case.’

‘Quick responses and knowledgeable about the industry.’

Principaux clients

Pfizer


Claro


Republic of Panama


INECO


Herbalife


CMA CMG


DHL


Unión Fenosa


Triple S


Millicom


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented the Republic of Panama before the Supreme Court of Costa Rica in the petition for annulment of an arbitration award rendered in an over $300m investment arbitration.
  • Filed a successful tax suit on behalf of Union Fenosa Generadora la Joya against the state on the grounds of numerous illegalities incurred by the tax administration.
  • Represented a global pharmaceutical company in a successful arbitration related to the breach of contract of a supplier for a regional project.

Arias

The experienced team at regional firm Arias brings strength to representing government agencies (including the US Department of Justice) and major multinational corporates such as Mondelez in diverse range of dispute resolution matters. With a client base spanning industries from pharmaceuticals, construction and real estate to manufacturing, healthcare and food and beverages, the practice’s full offering covers litigation prevention, commercial disputes, white-collar criminal cases, fraud and debt collection proceedings, distribution proceedings and disputes related to intellectual property and environmental law. The team is headed by Víctor Manuel Garita, who brings expertise to arbitrations related to concession disputes and construction and distribution contracts; and senior counsels German Rojas, an experienced civil litigator who leads the firm’s compliance practice, and Abraham Balzer, a specialist in civil liability and consumer rights claims and class actions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Victor Manuel Garita; Abraham Balzer; German Rojas


Les références

‘The service offering is good and maintains regional coverage.’

‘The Arias team at this practice maintains a very good relationship with clients. They respond quickly, and understand the needs of clients.’

‘Victor Garita is a great strategist, with extensive knowledge of multiple areas of law, from the litigation process through to substantive issues of commercial and and other financial and banking matters.’

Principaux clients

Mondelez


Essity


U.S. Department of Justice


Fifco


3M


Cooperativa Dos Pino


Establishment Labs


Satys Group


Unicomer


Adoc


AMVAC


Accenture


Aloft


Asofarma


BIC


Banesco


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Essity on an unlawful competition dispute.
  • Representing Comapan in multiple proceedings against former employers for committing different crimes in a supermarket chain.

BG&A Abogados Corporativos

The team at BG&A Abogados Corporativos brings expertise to representing entrepreneurs, financial institutions, domestic corporates and multinationals, including Office Depot, Telefónica and Sherwin-Williams, in negotiation and mediation proceedings, and in complex administrative and civil litigation. With a client base spanning such sectors as education, sports, retail, construction, chemicals, telecoms and fitness, the practice’s full skill set covers matters ranging from debt collections and evictions to labour disputes and lawsuits for reputational damage. The team is headed by founding partner and seasoned litigator Benjamín Gutiérrez. Other key figures include senior associates Gabriela Monge, a specialist in education law, and Eslava Hernández Jiménez, who manages family and real estate law files, and associates Nicole Damha, an expert in labour litigation, and Christopher Rojas, who handles civil, administrative and intellectual property matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Benjamín Gutiérrez


Les références

‘The lawyers at BG&A are always attentive to my concerns and problems.’

‘BG&A Abogados adapts to the specific needs of us as clients in a personalised way.’

‘BG&A lawyers stand out for their deep knowledge and experience, the quality of their client service, their strategic approach, their capacity for innovation and adaptation, their commitment to excellence and their proven results in previous cases. The work of its managing partner, Benjamín Gutiérrez, and the lawyers Nicole Damha and Gabriela Monge is very notable.’

Principaux clients

Office Depot


Universidad Internacional SEK system


International Education Systems


Boca Ratón Preparatory School


Panamá Preparatory School


Uniformes Designs (Ecuador)


Unión Española


Sherwin-Williams


Mexichem


Grupo Sur


Telefónica (Movistar)


Banco Nacional de Costa Rica


Municipalidad de San José


Junta Administrativa del Hospicio de Huérfanos de Cartago y COVAO


Paradise Medical Services


Colegio Santa María (Saint Mary School)


Nexsys Centroamérica


Energym


Samelec


Colegio de San Luis Gonzaga


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing Jorge Segovia in a complaint filed against journalists from Radio La Clave for libel and slander.
  • Pursuing a legal action against Amazon Prime Video for reputational offences committed against SEK International University and Jorge Segovia Bonet following the release of the series “El Presidente”.
  • Representing Unión Española SADP, which holds usufructuary rights to land in Independencia, Chile, where plans for a modern real estate project were thwarted when the Municipality of Independencia unexpectedly revoked the construction permit, resulting in significant financial losses.

Consortium Legal

The team at Consortium Legal leverages the deep bench strength of offices in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua, to represent financial institutions and national and multinational corporates (including Walmart and Del Monte) involved in high-stakes civil and commercial litigation and arbitration. The firm’s active client roster spans sectors ranging from healthcare, real estate, aviation, manufacturing and consumer goods to infrastructure, beauty, retail, agriculture, building materials and hospitality. The team is headed by veteran litigator Rolando Laclé Castro (who brings over 30 years of experience) and José Pablo Valverde, who handles matters involving damages claims, breaches of contract, and construction and financial disputes. Other names to note include Andrés Martínez, a specialist in international arbitration and judicial litigation, and associates Josué Barahona Vargas and ​​Gerald Hoffman​, who provide key support in complex arbitrations.

Responsables de la pratique:

José Pablo Valverde; Rolando Laclé Zúñiga


Les références

‘They are very serious professionals, committed to providing an excellent service to their clients and obtaining positive results.’

‘José Pablo Valverde and Andrés Martínez have extensive knowledge of banking, civil and commercial cases and make an exceptional team.’

‘The entire team is exceptional. They are truly efficient and go above and beyond what is required to provide exceptional service and attention.’

Principaux clients

Banco Davivienda (Costa Rica)


Scotiabank de Costa Rica


​​Grupo Barceló​


​​Walmart​


​​Grupo Cuestamoras​


​​Banco Lafise​


​​Del Monte International


​​Banco BAC San José


​​​Banco General (Costa Rica)


​​Asociación Conservacionistas de Monteverde


Principaux dossiers


  • Defending Villas Playa Sámara against a lawsuit over a property that will be part of a new housing and hotels project.
  • Representing Asociación Conservacionista de Monteverde, an association that works on the preservation and reforestation of some areas in the region of Monteverde, in legal actions carried out to protect the rights of the association against squatters and the Government of Costa Rica.

Tactic Legal

Tactic Legal, formed by former COLBS Estudio Legal partner Javier Escalante after he and Sebastián Jiménez split their practices in September 2021, represents private individuals, NGOs and major multinationals involved in complex domestic and cross-border litigation and arbitration, across such sectors as food and beverages, real estate, luxury goods and security. The team is headed by Escalante, a seasoned trade negotiator who has served as both Consul General of Costa Rica in Singapore and Ambassador of Costa Rica in Qatar. Manuel Ventura, who joined from Facio Abogados in November 2023, brings expertise in constitutional law matters. Other key figures include senior associate Jean Carlo Díaz, who handles administrative law disputes, and associate and experienced litigator and banking and finance specialist Daniela Alvarado, who followed Escalante from his previous firm. Since the conclusion of research, the firm has merged with Guatemala's A. D. Sosa & Soto and rebranded as Tactic Legal as part of an ongoing process to become a regional player; the new entity also has offices in El Salvador and Honduras.

Responsables de la pratique:

Javier Escalante


Les références

‘The team’s dedication, commitment and ethics are unsurpassed.’

‘Javier Escalante is extremely courteous, responsible, careful and professional.’

Principaux clients

Grupo Jumex


Comercializadora Eloro y Jumex Costa Rica


Hermosa Oceanfront Development


Rosibel Morera Agüero


Kommuna


Detergentes y Jabones (DEJA)


Condominio Diamante del Sol


Alessandro Dal Bello


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised and represented Grupo Jumex, Comercializadora Eloro y Jumex Costa Rica in a complex dispute concerning the termination of a distribution agreement with another company in Costa Rica.
  • Advised Hermosa Oceanfront Developments on cadastral overlap that was detected between that and another property on the National Registry, hindering a donation.
  • Collaborated closely with the firm’s IP department to address a hereditary conflict involving the defence of the copyright for four novels and two additional books authored by the Costa Rican writer Carlos Luis Fallas, in favour of Rosibel Morera Agüero.

COLBS Estudio Legal

The dispute resolution practice at COLBS Estudio Legal harnesses the experience of its team to advise domestic and multinational corporates across the tourism, hospitality, real estate, construction and pharmaceuticals sectors on a wide range of disputes. The group’s full offering covers negotiation, mediation, arbitration and litigation (including commercial and civil). The team is led by founding partner and veteran litigator Sebastián Jiménez, who brings strength to matters involving civil liability, real estate issues, contract breaches and public law, and Edwin Rojas, who was promoted to partner in November 2023, and who specialises in arbitration procedures and banking and finance-related cases. Also of note is associate Dominick Delgado, who was appointed to the position internally in February 2024.

Responsables de la pratique:

Sebastián Jiménez; Edwin Rojas


Principaux clients

Grupo América


Fondo de Inversión Inmobiliario Vista


Andorra Euroinvestments


Lapas Nitrógeno Siete


Contract Workplaces Costa Rica


Kingstown Consulting


Samaúma Brands CR


Grand Caribean Developments


Swisscore Group


Principaux dossiers


  • Overseeing 20 cases against the real estate development company Lapas Nitrógeno Siete, dealing with a fully sold but unfinished project due to issues with environmental licences and permits.
  • Obtained the removal of a legal annotation placed by the Costa Rica National Registry on a property valued at $1.2m, initiated as a precautionary measure by the opposing party.
  • Advising Swisscore on conciliation or alternative dispute resolution approaches related to a breach of contract matter involving a Costa Rican company that owes Swisscore a considerable sum for several batches of products that were sold and delivered to it.