EY Law
EY Law is a global firm boasting over 700 offices spread across over 150 countries. The firm’s Dominican Republic location is
in Santo Domingo.
The firm is active in the practice areas of capital markets, finance, M&A and project finance. Across
all of the firm’s practices, the team possesses specialized knowledge pertaining to
the sectors of construction, energy, infrastructure, media and sports.
Key firm clients include
Cibao Futbol Club,
Consorcio Minero Dominicano,
Inclam Group Water Engineering,
J. Fortuna Constructions and
Multimedios del Caribe.
Guzmán Ariza
Guzmán Ariza is a full-service firm with eight locations countrywide. The firm was founded in 1927 and has offices in
Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, Las Terrenas, Casa de Campo, Samaná and Cabrera. It is a part of the SCG Legal and GGI Geneva Group International networks.
The firm is known for its work in the financial and corporate and project development practice areas. Many of its clients are international and represent a variety of industries. The team advises clients in matters relating to acquisitions, financing, restructurings and project financing and development.
The firm’s key clients include Blue Orchard, Knauf Gips, Wells Fargo and UBS.
Research period review: 33rd edition
(2022/2023)
Over the research period the firm was active in financial and corporate and project development.
The financial and corporate team had a presence in the aviation, mining, banking,
agriculture and investment funds sectors, among others. The team participated in complex transactions including restructurings, loan agreements and due diligence for various funds.
The projects team worked on renewable energy, telecommunications, mining and various other projects.
Deal highlights:
33rd edition
(2022/2023)
ARENDAL
$1.2 billion gold mine project
POSCO $200 million natural gas infrastructure project
Schrader Camargo $2 billion thermoelectric power plant project
Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernández
Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernández is an experienced firm that was founded in 1985. The firm’s main office is in Santo Domingo. The firm is also a part of the legal network known as TAGLaw.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm has focused its efforts on developing its asset finance and banking practices. The firm is also strong in project development, specializing in project acquisitions and projects in the mining and energy sectors.
Key clients
The firm’s key clients include the Government of the Dominican Republic, Imperial Brands, Isla
Dominicana de Petróleo, Citibank,
Central American Bank for Economic Integration, McKinsey, Mastercard and Playa Grande Holdings.
Research period review:
33rd edition
(2022/2023)
Over the research period the firm was active in financial and corporate and project development.
The finance and corporate team had an impressive catalogue of diverse transactions including acquisitions,
divestments and
investments. The
firm’s clients included borrowers, issuers and acquirers in the real estate, energy and oil and gas industries.
The
projects team worked on project development and project finance, advising investors, bidders and developers in the financing and execution of energy, healthcare and real estate projects.
Deal highlights:
33rd edition (2022/2023)
Diesco
$275 million financing
Imperial Tobacco La Romana
$1 billion asset sale
Client feedback:
33rd edition
(2022/2023)
“Problem solvers, quality work and knowledge.”
“The firm is extremely knowledgeable and well versed in corporate law and is responsive. Work is high quality (and in a professional level English).”
“Very knowledgeable,
provides practical and
timely advice, and is extremely responsive.”
“Excellent customer service, excellent response time, follows up on details.”
“Customer service and knowledge.”
OMG
Full-service firm OMG has three domestic offices in the Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo,
Santiago and Punta Cana, as well as an international office in Panama. The firm is a part of LEGUS and Eversheds LatAm Alliance Group.
The firm is known for its work in both the financial and corporate and project development practice areas.
In financial and corporate, the firm has experience with bond issuances, reorganizations, mergers, loan agreements, acquisitions and restructurings. It works across
numerous industries.
In project development, the firm is especially active in the real estate and tourism industry. Within this industry, it represents developers and financiers in real estate developments, joint ventures,
acquisitions and financing.
Key clients for the firm include IDB Invest, Putney Capital Management, The World Bank, Citibank, Banco Dominicano del Progreso, Johnson & Johnson, Energizer Holdings, Meliá International Hotels, Andares del Mirador Trust, Terra RD Partners and Rhythm & Harmony Real Estate Development.
Research period review:
33rd edition
(2022/2023)
Throughout the research period, the firm worked on financial and corporate as well as project development.
The financial and corporate team worked with sellers, acquirers, borrowers, lenders and issuers in project financing, digital currency issues and
deSPAC transactions. The firm was active in the banking, energy, real estate and financial services sectors.
The project development team worked on a variety of infrastructure projects including waste to energy PPAs, wind farm acquisitions and other developments in the real estate, hospitality, tourism, energy and health industries.
Deal highlights:
33rd edition
(2022/2023)
Melia Hotels International $160 million real estate project
Murales Trust $100 million real estate development
Sociedad Administradora de
Fondos de
Inversión $500 million fund formation
Client
feedback:
33rd edition
(2022/2023)
“They have
very broad experience and have been great allies in challenging matters.”
“Esperanza is a fantastic lawyer with great judgement.”
Pellerano Nadal Law & Consulting
Pellerano Nadal Law & Consulting
is a full-service firm
with an office in Miami, Florida and another in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
The firm focuses on cross-border transactions, specifically the issuance of sovereign bonds. In project development the firm
specializes in concession and exploration contracts in the mining and energy sectors, as well as
varying types of infrastructure projects.
The firm’s key clients include
Apache,
Barrick Gold,
Citigroup Global Markets,
J.P. Morgan
Securities and
New Fortress Energy.
Research period review: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
Over the research period, the firm was active in project finance and project development. The project finance team represented lenders and investors in a variety of complex financings.
The project development team
worked in the construction, mining and oil industries primarily, continuing to
advise retained clients on projects such as mining concessions and energy plants.
Deal highlights: 32nd
edition (2022/2023)
J.P. Morgan Securities/Citigroup Global Markets $1.2 billion 8%sovereign bond issuance
Manzanillo Port concession
Ulises Cabrera
Founded in 1966, Ulises Cabrera has gained a lot of experience in business law.
Though the firm is capable in many industries, it is particularly experienced in pharmaceuticals, food and beverage and industrials. It acts for clients in divestments, acquisitions,
mergers, restructurings and incorporations. It also works on regulatory matters including AML compliance.
In project development, the firm
represents clients in the energy and infrastructure industry in financing and development matters.
Key clients for the firm include Siemens, Spectrum Brands, Fresenius Medical Care, Font Gamundi, Magna Motors, North Life Pharma,
Acquire BPO, Meditron, Grupo Pedralbes, Inversur, Megax Business Pharma, Advent International and Química Suiza Industrial del Perú.
Research
period review:
33rd edition (2022/2023)
Over the research period, the firm was active in project finance and project development.
The team’s work included mergers, corporate reorganizations and capital markets offerings. The represented industries include agriculture, healthcare, fintech, hospitality and healthcare.
Deal highlights:
33rd edition (2022/2023)
Bellon $54 million corporate reorganization
Alburquerque Abogados Consultores
Alburquerque Abogados Consultoreshas over 40 years of experience. The firm has one office in Santo Domingo and is a member of TerraLex.
The firm is noted for its M&A and project development practices.
In M&A, the firm
offers its services on
all varieties of transactions, though it has in recent years attended to a higher concentration of divestments and
sell-side work
in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
In
the project space, the firm
is particularly involved in tourism development deals.
Among the firm’s key clients are
Caliente Club & Resorts, Caribbean Venture LQV,
Laurus Master Fund and
Ribo Capital.
Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
“They have a vast knowledge of
the Dominican Republic's commercial law and
an international network of collaborators.”
Cáceres Torres
Boutique firm Cáceres Torres is located in Santo Domingo. However, its global presence has expanded because of its membership in IR Global and Mackrell International. The firm specializes in financial and corporate business law.
Focusses / specialisms
Though the firm has experience in numerous industries, it is most prevalent in the construction, real estate and food and beverage industries. In the financial and corporate practice area, where the firm focuses, it represents clients in corporate financing, reorganizations, acquisitions, incorporations and joint ventures.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include Zenith Crop Sciences and HYLSEG Seguros.
Client feedback: 31st edition (2020/2021)
Bank lending: Lender side
"They are very effective, respond in a timely manner, well versed in DR jurisdiction and are always available for a consult."
Restructuring: Corporate
“Excellent knowledge on the subject, giving the extra mile to assess its clients. Services are attended by the partner directly, which provides a sense of security in the recommendations provided."
"Professionalism. Integrity. Reputation. Honesty."
De Camps Vasquez Varela
Founded in 2005, the office of De Camps Vásquez Valera is located in Santo Domingo.
The firm
attends to corporate and M&A matters,
financings and project development deals.
In the corporate space, the firm provides regulatory
advice to a variety of companies.
In M&A, a large portion of the firm’s deals pertain to the energy sector.
The financing group
is among the firm’s most active,
emphasising lender-side representation.
The firm’s project development team
emphasises renewable energy development deals
and represents bidders, concessionaires,
developers and contractors, among others.
Key firm clients include Acropolis Center, Grupo Cisneros, Grupo
Puntacana and Invesco Global Group.
Client feedback: 32nd edition (2021/2022)
“Best energy law firm in the Dominican Republic. Superb knowledge of all energy-related matters, with a highly collaborative and pragmatic team that quickly understands the needs of its
clients
in securing a successful transaction.”
“Well connected, solid legal advice.”
DMK Lawyers
Founded in 1992, DMK Abogados is headquartered in Santo Domingo. The firm also boasts satellite offices in Las Terrenas, Puerto Plata and Punta Cana.
The firm is active across the practice areas of
capital markets, finance, M&A, project development and project finance.
The firm’s capital markets
practice is dedicated exclusively to securitization, while in
the finance space, the firm is active on both the lender and borrower sides.
Key firm clients include
Abanca,
Banesco, Marriot,
Nokia, Senator Hotels & Resorts and
Stendhal.
ECIJA DVMS
Founded in 1997, ECIJA
is a global,
Iberian-American firm
with initial roots in Spain.
Since its conception, it has
expanded to include 30 offices in 16
countries across the western hemisphere,
in addition to maintaining
an international China desk.
Its Dominican Republic outfit is in Santo Domingo.
The firm’s Dominican Republic branch is active in the areas of capital markets,
finance, M&A, investment funds, real estate and restructuring.
The firm’s capital markets involvement encompasses both the debt and equity
sides, including
bond issuances, IPO’s and secondary share offerings.
In finance, the
firm is offers both lender and borrower-side representation, though it
centralizes the lender side.
The firm’s real estate team is active in both development and finance roles.
Among the firm’s key clients are the Atlanta Braves,
Costa Farms, DHL,
Inter-American Investment Bank and
Pfizer Central America & Caribbean.
Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
Bank lending: lender side
“The team has shown itself to be very knowledgeable and provides creative solutions to complex challenges.”
“Knowledge of the sector and its regulations; high level of negotiation skill.
“
Jiménez Peña
Jiménez Peña is a full-service firm in the Dominican Republic established in 2003.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm covers a wide range of corporate matters with experience representing multinational corporations and banks on cross-border transactions. The firm has expertise in banking, real estate, infrastructure, energy and hospitality.
Key clients
Key clients include Citibank, United Renewable Energy and Acciona.
Client feedback: 31st edition (2020/2021)
Bank lending: Borrower side
"Excellent service. Quick and effective responses. Their expertise in the energy sector is notable."
M&A
"Deep knowledge of local energy regulation. Experience in project development, good understanding of the industry, customs and practices in the country."
"Good recommendations in all areas."
López Grullón Abogados & Consultores
López
Grullón Abogados & Consultores
was founded in 2009 and operates out of Santo Domingo.
The firm
emphasises capital markets transactions pertaining to structured finance and securitisation,
representing clients in such roles as obligor, issuer, depository and others.
Among the firm’s key clients are
Cevaldom, Constructora Armando
Toros and
Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores.
Pellerano & Herrera
Founded in 1952, Pellerano & Herrera is one of the Dominican Republic’s top tier firms for financial and corporate law. It is headquartered in Santo Domingo and has an international presence through its alliance with Lex Mundi.
In addition to having a strong financial and corporate practice, the firm also does work in project development. In the financial and corporate practice, the team advises high profile clients in project financing, bond offerings, cross-border financing, acquisition financing and acquisitions.
In project development, the firm represents a variety of clients in numerous industries including mining and energy.
Key clients include
JP Morgan, DR Cruise Port, Swissport, Procter & Gamble and Expedia.com.
Research
period review:
33rd edition
(2022/2023)
During the research period the firm was active in financial and corporate and project development.
The banking team worked on sovereign bond issuances, acquisition and merger
financings, project
financings and various financial regulatory matters.
In financial and corporate the firm worked on acquisitions, divestments, corporate restructurings, investments and high-yield bond issuances. The firm worked
mainly with underwriters and acquirers but also some sellers and lenders.
In project development, the team advised on various projects in both the energy and infrastructure spaces.
Deal highlights:
33rd edition (2022/2023)
Dominican Republic
$1.3 billion sovereign bond issuance
Grupo Gilinsky’s
$2.2 billion hostile takeover of Grupo
Nutresa
Squared Capital’s
$1 billion acquisition of Kio Networks
Client
feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
“They are always reachable and gave us timely responses to our inquiries.”
“She is always available and open to hear our requests.”
Squire Patton Boggs
Full-service firm Squire Patton Boggs was founded in the UK in 1886. Over 135 years later, the firm has expanded to 44 offices
on four continents. The firm’s Dominican Republic outfit is found in the capital city of Santo Domingo.
The firm is noted for its activity in the spheres of capital markets, finance, M&A and project development
In
capital markets, the firm is active on both the debt and equity sides and demonstrates
a particular fluency as to IPO’s.
The finance group’s
ability encompasses a diversity
of roles, though its practice emphasizes lender-side asset acquisition financing
in the construction sector.
In M&A, the firm similarly emphasizes construction and infrastructure asset acquisition, in addition to offering exhaustive M&A services to meet a variety of client needs.
In the project development space, the firm places particular focus on the energy
sector including such green development deals as
the implementation of photovoltaic energy plants.
The firm’s key clients include AraJet,
Caterpillar Financial Services,
Frontclear Management, Goldman Sachs Specialty Lending Group and Medtronic.
Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
“Rapid response. Experience in the subject matter. Very good people skills.”
