When choosing an attorney for your case in Puerto Rico, experience and reputation are crucial. You’ll want to find an attorney that has a good reputation and has handled similar cases in the past. There are also some additional factors to consider, such as cost, to ensure you get the right attorney for your case. Use these tips to find the right attorney for you and your case. In this article, we’ll cover the three most important aspects of hiring a Puerto Rico attorney.
Experience
An attorney with substantial experience in Puerto Rico’s legal system is invaluable to a business seeking to establish itself in this jurisdiction. Whether establishing a legal business or resolving a dispute involving a financial institution, an attorney with considerable experience can make a real difference in your case. The following information provides an overview of the different types of experience available to Puerto Rico attorneys. Experience is essential, and this article will provide you with an overview of some of the most common types of legal assistance.
One firm with extensive experience in the area is Goldman Antonetti & Cordova LLP. Its lawyers handle civil and commercial disputes, including construction litigation, bankruptcy, and administrative proceedings. Carlos Rodriguez-Vidal serves as the managing partner of the firm, while Solymar Castillo-Morales focuses on creditors’ rights and asset sales. The firm’s practice varies across various industries, but its main practice areas include commercial litigation, bankruptcy, and debt recovery.
Reputation
In terms of reputation, the legal market in Puerto Rico has seen an improvement since the recession. Although many large law firms reported negative results in the past year, there was also some good news for the region’s single practitioners and smaller firms. Large law firms, such as O’Neill & Borges, are usually more focused on corporate advisory work than litigation, and single practitioners make up the biggest segment of the market. Large firms have maintained their dominance over the legal market, however, with McConnell Valdes LLC and O’Neill & Borges respectively confirming their positions as the largest and most active Puerto Rican law firms.
In terms of legal representation, Puerto Rico has a unique legal system. Although the island is a U.S. territory, its laws are different from those of the continental U.S. Most laws are in Spanish and are based on Spanish Civil Law. The majority of U.S. laws are based on the Common Law of England. The government and state courts in Puerto Rico have Spanish language versions of many laws. Attorneys based in Puerto Rico are expected to be bilingual, so if you’re speaking Spanish, you’ll want to find someone with the same background.
Costs
If you are considering hiring a Puerto Rico attorney, you need to know what to expect. Although Puerto Rico does not have a formal data protection agency, its laws and courts are liberally construed in favor of employees. Puerto Rico’s Constitution enshrines several rights of employees, including the right to privacy, a dozen statutory leaves of absence, and protected classes such as veteran status. If you are concerned that your employer is violating one of these laws, you should consider consulting an attorney.
In Puerto Rico, the Workmen’s Compensation Law provides up to twelve months of leave with reservation of employment for conditions caused at work. Furthermore, all employees must be insured against work-related accidents, and failure to do so can result in severe penalties. Additionally, when an employer has insurance coverage, they are immune to lawsuits regarding work-related accidents. Small businesses in Puerto Rico can also take advantage of Law No 139, which allows employees to take up to six months off for qualifying illnesses.
Getting legal advice in Puerto Rico
Obtaining legal advice from a lawyer in Puerto Rico can be difficult, given the linguistic and cultural differences. The government and state courts are all Spanish-speaking, so finding an attorney can be difficult, but not impossible. If you need legal advice, you can find attorneys in Puerto Rico by checking online directories such as FindLaw. A search will yield listings of lawyers in Puerto Rico with contact information and their biography.
Regardless of the language of your communication, it is very important to find a Puerto Rico attorney who speaks your language. The local Puerto Rico Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service is made up of attorneys who are regularly admitted to the Bar. The service is funded by FEMA and the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. By providing legal advice to those in need, the Legal Assistance Hotline aims to help people recover from Hurricane Maria’s devastation.