Hulbert Volio Montero

Hulbert Volio Montero Abogados believes in challenging the status quo, in thinking differently, to provide the best services and solutions to its clients. The firm was born as a Dispute Resolution Boutique Law Firm, providing the country with specialized services in complex judicial and arbitration cases in civil and commercial law. With time, multi-national clients approached the firm with diverse needs which allowed the growth and opening of the following areas of work: (i) Banking Law & Finance, (ii) Competition & Antitrust, (iii) Corporate/M&A, (iv) Dispute Resolution, (v) Energy Law & Renewables, (vi) Intellectual Property, (vii) Litigation & Arbitration, (viii) Public Law, Public Procurement and Regulation, (ix) Real Estate Investment and Development, (x) Telecommunications, Media & Technologies.

The combination of our practices provides an integral service with an outstanding good risk control in every transaction. In addition, the firm provides a personal, innovative and affordable service.

In addition, the firm is a partner of Pragma International, an international network of law and consulting firms established in 2001, to help our clients in the process of internationalization through the highest quality legal services and with more than 30 offices opened around the world.

MAIN AREAS OF PRACTICE:

Dispute Resolution: The Civil, Public & Commercial Litigation and Arbitration Division, has a vast experience in complex cases in Courts and domestic and international Arbitration. We have our settlement record since 65% of our cases are resolved out of Court. The team members have held positions in significant Judicial Branches, Universities and Law Training Academies. Our team litigates as a routine in almost all courts and arbitral institutions of the country and is very familiar with Latin American Law practice.

Andrea Hulbert, MCIArb the founding and managing partner is one of the best dispute resolution lawyers in the country. She is also a national and international certified arbitrator and mediator; one of the first female lawyers who started her practice in ADR and who is regularly nominated as an arbitrator.

The Mergers & Acquisitions/Corporate Division has guided many investments in Costa Rica, advising national and cross-border deals. Current clients range from multinational heavyweights to local entrepreneurs. We advise both buyers and sellers involved in M&A deals, including commercial and service enterprises, private equity funds, guiding on regulatory matters at national and municipal levels.  Our team has a strong experience in structuring complex financial transactions across all industries.

The Public Law, Public Procurement and Regulation Division, assists private companies, state and non-state public entities, assuming different roles as legal practitioners, preparing private initiative proposals for public concessions and competitive bid processes, as well as designing negotiating and renegotiating strategies for agreements with the State.

William Villalobos partner was recognized as a one of the 100 highlighting most influential in-house lawyers in Energy & TMT practice in Central America by The Legal 500 GC Powerlist: Central America 2018. Also, in 2019 he was included as a LACCA Member.

Energy and Renewables Division. assists clients in all stages of the electricity chain, including generation, transmission, distribution and commercialization. We work with national and international clients active in hydro, wind, solar, biogas and geothermal sector. As well, we advise the two most important organizations in Solar Energy: Cámara Costarricense de Generación Distribuida (CCGD) y Asociación Costarricense de Energía Solar (ACESOLAR). Also, we have experience in government privatizations, bids, concession, and contract renegotiations.

Our Telecommunications, Media, and Technology (TMT) Division serves a broad range of players, including software and technology developers, infrastructure and service providers, content developers, and media and entertainment companies. We work with national and international clients active in the mobile, satellite, broadcasting, digital media, fintech, and e-commerce sectors, among others. Also, we provide strategies and advice on issues such as ISP liability and data protection; as well, we advise on many regulatory issues.

Wealth Preservation & Probate Has become a specialized field in which the firm helps its clients to organize their own wealth, their assets and businesses according to their will. The firm can use different mechanisms to guarantee the true implementation of the client instructions; if necessary, the firm also assumes the responsibility to manage the probate proceedings before a Notary or The Court in an efficient manner.

Our Intellectual Property Division provides strategic advice for IP law enforcement, including data protection and privacy. Our expertise in contract negotiation and drafting includes work for hire, assignment of IP rights, trademarks and patents licenses, software licenses, outsourcing and ancillary agreements, know-how and industrial secrets licenses, attachment of trademarks, confidentiality, distribution, manufacturing, agency, publishing, use of image, advertising, downloading of content and multimedia.

Criminal Law, Fraud & Asset Recovery:

The firm has a broad practice in fraud prosecution and asset recovery, including all types of financial crimes. The firm also has a global network with the most sophisticated advisors in Latin America on white-collar crime.

International Cooperation:

Notifications, Service of Process, injunctions, en- forcements of foreign injunctions, judgments or awards, assets securement, etc.

International Work:

The firm has an important international work advising and implementing international transac- tions on a daily basis.

Languages:

English, Spanish.

Clients:

Hulbert Volio Montero represents multinational clients and transnational corporations as well as national corporations and persons; the firm also has an important percentage of work with attorneys and Courts from other jurisdictions. The firm has multicultural staff and 75% of its clients come from abroad.