Raful Sicard & Asociados

Managing Partners: Ernesto Raful and Sara V. Sicard

Partners: Ernesto Raful, Sara V. Sicard, Ney de la Rosa, Elizabeth Pedemonte

Number of partners: 4

Number of other lawyers: 9

Languages: Spanish, English, French and German

Firm Overview:

RAFUL SICARD & ASOCIADOS ‘RS’ was founded in 2003 with the primary goal of providing its clients with a legal service of the highest quality with a personalised touch. The firm is made up of four partners and four associate attorneys. It is a vanguard firm, able to manage basic as well as complex legal transactions, litigations and legal counsel in general, with the same ease, effectiveness and professionalism. This is a full service law firm with a ‘boutique’ perspective where members of staff are able to work in four languages (Spanish, English, French and German). RS stands out in the local market for the quality of its work as well as its continuous striving for the highest ethical standards. In addition to the usual work done by law firms in the Dominican Republic, RS has throughout its 21 years of incorporation been able to develop a niche and special recognition in specific industry sectors such as transportation (with special emphasis in maritime matters), telecommunications, energy, labour, tax, business and finance.

Main Areas Of Practice:

Corporate:

RS has significant experience within the full scope of corporate work, advising a diverse base of public and private clients on transactional works including M&A, joint ventures and spinoffs.

Labour:

RS has vast experience in labor matters, including the provision of labor consultations, advice on labor processes and litigation related to labor matters.

Shipping & Maritime:

RS is of counsel to one of the biggest local shipping agencies. RS also handles cargo claims, environmental claims and other claims in general, on behalf of maritime claims adjusters, shipping lines and their P&I Clubs, either directly or through the local agent of the major P&I Clubs.

Business:

RS clients include important and representative corporations, state/local agencies and foreign governments. The firm aims to achieve solutions for clients that often exceed their expectations by providing lawyers and professionals with an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit in addition to the experience in all areas of Dominican business law.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution:

The RS litigation team focuses its practice in resolving disputes through strategic avoidance, negotiation and trial. The firm also provides consultation and advises clients on transactional matters. RS has played a central role in significant disputes and complex litigation; several of these represent key industry precedent. The firm handles any litigation challenge, but the majority of its work is for corporate clients in different areas, with domestic and international scope.

Government:

RS offers advice to domestic and international government contractors on all stages of the process for the acquisition of goods and services. The firm also provides legal assistance on government regulatory issues and defends clients in a wide range of civil and administrative matters.

Tax:

RS helps businesses to familiarise themselves with tax rules and, where necessary, to adapt their business model accordingly, with special focus in special tax regimes. The firm is playing an increasing role in tax related legal disputes with the tax and judicial authorities.

Industrial Free Zone:

RS is of counsel to important industry leaders as well as important Industrial Free Zone Companies regarding incorporation and permit process, labour matters, commercial and contractual matters, restructuring and expansion of business, closing procedure and free zone matters in general.

Telecommunications:

RS handles telecom user claims as well as litigation stemming from the same. The firm also specialises in telecommunications regulation matters,

Agency & Distribution:

RS has substantial experience in supporting businesses with their agency and distribution relationships and agreements, both internationally and domestically.

Real Estate:

RS has handled and/or is of counsel to important local real estate transactions on behalf of clients in the health sector, industrial free zone sector, institutional sector, among others.

Energy: RS has significant experience participating in the development of renewable energy projects in the Dominican Republic, with the participation of local and international investors.

Intellectual Property:

Clients:

Codetel, ECOLAB, Convatec, Edwards Lifesciences, Johnson & Johnson, Wartsila Dominicana,Grupo TDN, PNC Bank, Ageport, Frederic Schad, North of England P&I Club, Marsh-Franco Acra, Dre Repair Services, Ambev, Industrias Nacionales, Xerox Business Services D.R., Zona Franca Las Americas.