Government Affairs and International Relations Aviation and Transportation International Trade, Foreign Investments and Free Trade Zones Public Infrastructure and Public Private Partnerships Technology, Media and Telecommunications Real Estate

Partner

Carlos joined Arias in 2008. He leads the practice areas of: International Trade & Foreign Investment, Government Affairs, Telecommunications and Real Estate.

He works with multinational companies in setting up their business, including those companies seeking to enter the free trade zone regime. He has advised investors in such industries as retailing, medical equipment manufacturing, telecommunications, infrastructure, real estate development and pharmaceuticals. He has extensive experience in customs matters and has advised local and foreign companies on exporting and importing. He has participated in resolving complex customs matters to the benefit of our clients. Moreover, he has advised clients on distribution contracts, foreign firm representation, commercial agreements and consumer issues.

Carlos has worked with companies with a global presence on passing the necessary laws for developing new business opportunities or addressing issues in laws or bills of law affecting certain industries. He has broad experience in the protection of foreign investment in Costa Rica under national law and international bilateral investment treaties, creating and executing action plans for defending investment and negotiating solutions with the government, also, he is well known for his knowledge in Public Private Partnerships for the development of infrastructure.

He has also worked in the administration and planning of real estate development projects and property acquisition processes. Together with his team, he has worked in obtaining permits for developments in both urban and coastal areas and in negotiations of leases in Industrial Parks.

He has been a career diplomat and was appointed consul for the Costa Rican Consulate General in New York (2005-2007), representing the country in that jurisdiction by both promoting Costa Rica and providing consular services. His experience also includes working as a legal assistant and Associate Attorney at KPMG Law (2000-2005), advising local and multinational firms on corporate law and real estate development.

Spanish  English Basic French

International BAr Association (IBA)

Law Degree from the University of Costa Rica (UCR). Masters in Latin American and International Law (LL.M.) at the University of Texas (UT) at Austin, Texas. Certificate in International Business and Corporate Finance from New York University (NYU).