At Guzmán Ariza, a firm which is praised for its ability to advise on ‘all key legal areas for both the local and international markets‘, the group’s work spans from non-contentious matters such as the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, contract drafting, and payroll issues, to labour and employment litigation, with experience in cases before the Supreme Court. Indeed, Elvis Roque and Rhadaisis Espinal can be singled out for their litigation expertise. On the regulatory side, the group is skilled in advising on labour and immigration law compliance. Rubén García and Fabio J. Guzmán Ariza, the firm’s founding partner, are also leading figures in a group which has major international clients such as the New York Mets and Club Med on its roster. Julio Brea Guzmán is also a key contact.

Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernández is ‘the most complete firm on the market‘, according to one client, and has notable strength in litigation and alternative dispute resolution, including mediation, in relation to the termination of labour relationships. The group is also well versed in advising on labour benefits policies and drafting labour contracts. Practice head Tomás Hernández is instrumental to the team’s work in this regard, and also regularly advises on internal procedures and handles negotiations with employees’ unions. At junior level, senior associate Federico Pinchinat‘s litigation expertise means that he is a key name to note for labour disputes. Julio Camejo also lends litigation experience to the team.

The caseload handled by the employment group at Pereyra & Asociados includes the drafting and preparation of employment contracts – which is a significant part of the group’s work – and advice on employment benefits, company policies and incentives, as well as the prevention of employment-related claims. In addition, the group demonstrates an ability to advise on union-related negotiations and other issues. Its extensive client roster includes global technology companies. Luis Miguel Pereyra, who stands out for ‘the high quality of the service provided, and his accuracy, practicality and professionalism‘, leads the team alongside experienced labour law practitioners Gregorio García Villavizar and Emma Mejía Batlle, who specialise in regulatory compliance and employment litigation, respectively.

At ECIJA DVMS, the work of the labour and employment team ranges from pre-litigation advice and assistance with the design of labour manuals and policies to the hiring and dismissals of high-level executives, employee mobility issues and the labour aspects of M&A. The team is also able to draw on the firm's international network to advise multinational clients on labour issues in the Dominican Republic and other Latin American jurisdictions. At the helm are Edward Salcedo and Gabriel Dejarden; the former is the go-to practitioner for labour litigation, and the latter has a broad practice which includes advising on compliance with local labour laws. Senior associate Arístides Victoria is also noted.

Russin, Vecchi & Heredia Bonetti possesses a wealth of experience in assisting foreign clients with the labour aspects of forming local subsidiaries or accessing the Dominican market, including HR issues, regulatory compliance and immigration matters. Georges Santoni Recio, the firm’s managing partner, whose key clients include major financial corporations, and José Maldonado Stark, who is often involved in complex labour disputes relating to unpaid wages and labour benefits, lead the team. Another key contact is Mónika Fiallo Paradas, who has recently been particularly active in advising clients on labour matters in the technology sector.

DMK Abogados frequently advises clients on obtaining authorisations from the Ministry of Labour, including for special schedules for their employees. Other areas of work include advising hotel chains and free trade zone companies - which make up a large proportion of the team’s client roster - on employee management issues, such as contracts, terminations and the hiring of foreign employees, and labour disputes. Senior associate Vanessa Retif and associate Daniel Zavala are the duo running the team. Retif is well known for assisting clients with the modification of union agreements, while Zavala is a key contact for labour litigation. Managing partner Enrique De Marchena provides support.

OMG's labour lawyers are praised for finding ‘practical solutions based on their experience‘. The team advises on day-to-day employment matters, such as drafting contracts and compliance with local labour laws, as well as assisting with termination agreements involving high-level executives and the employment aspects of M&A. In addition, the team is skilled in representing defending employers in labour disputes, particularly wrongful termination claims - an area of work for which senior director Luis Pantaleón is key, utilising his arbitration experience. The firm's client base spans across a range of sectors, including food and drink and banking.

SOP Legal Consortium, which is highlighted for having ‘the professional capabilities of large firms and the accessibility of boutique firms‘, stands out for its contentious employment work, including handling disputes stemming from employment termination, as well as assisting both local and international clients with the drafting of employment contracts, hiring of senior personnel, immigration issues and compliance with local labour regulations. Founding partner Samuel Pérez heads up the team and is a key contact for labour disputes, including handling mediation with the Ministry of Labour.

Squire Patton Boggs often assists clients in connection with general labour management, including labour contracts, the hiring and dismissal of high-level employees, employee transfers and relocations, and benefits and other policies, in addition to occupational health and safety and immigration advice. Practice head Pedro O Gamundi plays a key role in labour litigation, with experience in cases going all the way to the Supreme Court of Justice. Carolina Soto Hernández is also an important figure in this regard. Senior associate Laura Consuegra provides key support, with a workload that often includes the drafting and preparation of employment policies.

Ulises Cabrera stands out for its assistance to clients in negotiations with workers' unions and with HR management work and immigration issues, acting from clients across a wide range of sectors, from energy to aviation. Experienced practitioner and firm founder Ulises Cabrera and José Cruz Campillo, who is particularly strong in the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, head up the practice. Elsewhere in the team, Mónica Villafaña is a go-to lawyer for advice on the employment aspects of M&A.