The powerhouse real estate department at McConnell Valdés LLC remains a market leader, drawing on the bench strength of its team to assist developers, domestic and multinational financial institutions such as Citibank, and corporates in the hospitality and tourism sectors with day-to-day matters and high-value transactions. The team is led by practice group chairman Jorge Ruiz-Montilla, who brings strength to planning and structuring resort communities and timeshares, and hotel and condominium projects, and vice-chair and resort development expert Patricia George-Iguina, who is the managing director of McV Consulting, an affiliate of the firm engaged in real estate and hospitality advisory services, and who also specialises in the structuring of tax concessions for tourism projects. Other key figures include Harry Cook, who advises clients on the structuring of real estate joint ventures, and the planning of timeshares, condominiums and lot development programmes, and Carla D’Almeida-Aracena, who manages matters involving mortgage law and commercial financing.

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Key clients

  • Alma Old San Juan Hotel
  • Citibank
  • Dorado Beach Resort
  • FirstBank Puerto Rico
  • Forbright Bank
  • Maxxam
  • Oriental Bank
  • Paulson Puerto Rico
  • Sonesta International Hotel Corporation
  • Taubman Properties
  • Toro Verde

Work highlights

  • Assisted Parcel F Hotel with the acquisition and financing of a project for two new hotels valued at $78m.
  • Acted as lead counsel to DBR West Point on the real estate and sales matters relating to the development of the West Point Ritz Reserve branded units at the Dorado Beach Resort.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Jorge Ruiz-Montilla, Patricia George-Iguina