Leveraging the experience of its team and the bench strength of a global network spanning the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia Pacific region, the dispute resolution team at DLA Piper Puerto Rico assists local authorities, financial institutions, individuals, and national and multinational corporates across such sectors as energy, financial services, technology and healthcare with complex, high-stakes arbitration and commercial litigation. The firm’s full service extends to claims related to breach of contract, damages, employment matters, distribution agreements, intellectual property and consumer rights. In addition, the firm has a dedicated white-collar crime and investigations group. The team is led by experienced litigator and arbitrator Margarita Mercado, who previously served as the Solicitor General for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and white-collar crime expert Nereida Melendez-Rivera, who joined the firm with Sonia Torres-Pabón, the other former founder of Meléndez Torres Law, PSC and a former Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, in July 2022. Another key figure is of counsel Mariana Muñiz-Lara, who brings strength to matters involving intellectual property and employment law.
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Key clients
- Luma Energy
- Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority
- Stericycle of Puerto Rico
Work highlights
- Represented Stericycle in a challenge to an award by the Puerto Rico Medical Services Administration of a contract for hauling and destruction services of regulated and non-regulated biomedical materials.
- Represented Luma Energy in a successful dismissal of a complaint for a preliminary and permanent injunction brought by a Puerto Rico Municipality to assert authority to repair elements of Puerto Rico’s power grid without participation by Luma, the grid's operator.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Margarita Mercado, Nereida Meléndez