Messina International

Partner

Head of IP Operations

With over 18 years of experience that encompasses all aspects of IP, from legal counsel to registration and maintenance of IP Rights to IP litigation, to the rendering of legal support in the initial process of research and project planning, as well as assessing and coordinating commercial strategies regarding IP Rights, Regulatory Affairs and Compliance locally and for the Caribbean region, while managing renowned local and international companies' portfolios through firms recognized by the World Trademark Review, Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500, to name a few; she is a skilled professional in international Legal investigation and audits (within the analysis of the economics of law and compensation), regarding Consumer Rights within Hospitality sectors, and the protection of Intellectual Property Rights.

Attorney-at-law and legal counsel specialized and best known for her professional practice focused on trademark, inventions and copyright development, prosecution, protection and litigation, as well as maintenance of Intellectual Property Rights; rendering legal support in the initial process of research and project planning, as well as assessing, coordinating and assisting in commercial strategies for such.

Her practice in matters of Regulatory Affairs and Compliance includes, among others, legal assistance on Sanitary & Health Regulation Compliance;  legal proceedings before the Customs Directorate (DGA) in relation to trademark counterfeiting and proceedings before the Intellectual Property Department; Privacy and Data Protection; Consumer Protection and Advertising regulation; Telecommunications; Time-Sharing; Cartel Law & unfair competition in relation to Intellectual Property Rights; Franchising; Agency, Representation and Distribution Agreements. With extensive experience in Legal Research & analysis; Contractual affairs and Due Diligence in Intellectual Property matters related to corporate transactions; licensing and assignment of IP rights; use and exploitation of images and likeliness of/and related to persons; legal counseling and representation in contractual affairs related to artistic contracts, talent recruitment, artistic representation contracts, licensing contracts and transfer of scripts, novels and artistic stories; Non-Compete & Confidentiality Agreements.

Specialties: IP Law; International Law; Legal Research; Project Management; Regulatory Affairs and Compliance; Consumer Rights; Time-Sharing; Contractual affairs, Franchising, Distribution, Agency Representation, Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreements; Privacy and Data Protection; Unfair Competition.

Adelin Villalobos' professional career includes having headed the Privacy and Data Protection division of a law firm ranked Top Tier, locally and internationally, acting in her capacity of Director of the Intellectual Property, Regulatory Affairs and Compliance Department; also ranked within the corporate division as an active participant in the negotiation, structuring and due diligence assessment for corporate transactions in the Dominican Republic.

Her expertise in the industry is focused on Commercial & Professional Services; Consumer Discretionary: Retail; Product Manufacturing; Consumer Rights; Food & Drink Producers; Health Care: Medical Equipment & Devices; Health Care Supplies; Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences; Hospitality; Entertainment; Software & Computer Services; and Telecommunications.

Served (in 2015) -within the financial private sector- as Project Coordinator and Legal Researcher, in the initial phase of a 'Financial Hardship' plan, to examine international public policies and foreign government experiences, and structure the implementation of an economic rescue policy plan in favor of individuals in conditions of financial vulnerability in the DR. (Non-publishable)

Member of the Working Committee on Inventions of the Dominican Association of Intellectual Property (ADOPI), since 2017, acting as the Committee Secretary for the 2017-2019 period; member of the Entertainment Law Committee of the Inter-American Association of Intellectual Property (ASIPI); author of the Dominican Republic´s Intellectual Property Chapter for Wolters Kluwer ́s IP Law International publication (2017-2018-2019-2020-2021-2022-2023).

Adelin Villalobos has the distinction of her colleagues, clients and collaborators both national and international, who after being consulted by directories have described her as:

"..probably one of the most capable professionals in the area of Industrial Property and Regulatory Affairs, there is no consultation that escapes her and we can always count on favorable results."

"...working with the Dominican Republic, which is one of the most efficient desks we handle, it is always a pleasure to work with her, not only for her capacity, but also for the intelligence and fearlessness she possesses when it comes to transactional strategies."

"...extremely well versed in the subject matter, sharp and deep in her analysis and not measured by words, she is a consulting attorney who leaves very few concerns unaddressed. From the moment she gives the first assessment, we are reassured and confident that we are working with a real professional."

"Adelin is one of the few professionals I know who puts her money where her mouth is, she happens to be overqualified for the market, and I would love to have her move to her second homeland to work with us."

"A gold mine"

"There is not a capability or experience on her resume untrue, we have seen all kinds of legal matters with her, with absolute success."

"...wherever she is you will find the best Dominican IP law firm."

“Think of her as the IP whisperer or better yet, the good type of Michael Clayton you would like on your team.”

“She’s not in the business of being liked, she’s in the business of being a terrific lawyer, but she manages to be both. I feel extremely comfortable working with her, personally and professionally. Lawyers are not particularly known to have the best of both worlds and she does.”

“One thing we have come to understand throughout the years is that, if she worked with you or for you and she’s no longer there, you dropped the ball, missed the mark and we are taking our business elsewhere. We do not care about big names, we care about the bigger talent.”

Are some excerpts from insight reviews from 2016-2023, issued by Legal Directories.

Latest ranks:

Tier 4, The Legal 500 (2017) Intellectual Property DMK Abogados Central Law

Chambers and Partners Latin America Associate to Watch Intellectual Property (2021)

Chambers and Partners Global Associate to Watch Intellectual Property (2021)

Chambers and Partners Latin America Associate to Watch Intellectual Property (2022)

Chambers and Partners Global Associate to Watch Intellectual Property (2022)

International Advisory Experts Leading Lawyer in IP Dominican Republic IAE Awards (2022)

2022 World Trademark Review (WTR) 1000, Recommended Individual

Chambers and Partners Latin America Star Associate (2023)

Chambers and Partners Global Star Associate (2023)

Chambers and Partners Latin America Star Associate (2023)

Chambers and Partners Global Star Associate (2023)

Chambers and Partners Latin America Associate to Watch Intellectual Property (2024)

 

Spanish, English

International Trade Council International Trademark Association (INTA) Inter-American Association of Intellectual Property (ASIPI) Dominican Association of Intellectual Property (ADOPI) Dominican Republic’s Bar Association (CARD)

Adelin Villalobos received her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) (2007), with diplomas and courses in Competition Law, Intellectual Property Law, Corporate Law, and Notarial Law.