The Firm
Our substantive experience includes condominium law, gated communities and HOA law, contract and commercial law, general corporate matters, construction law, employment law, trial and appellate practice and procedure, and administrative law. In those and other related matters, we offer advice and draft legal documents, such as contracts, rules and regulations, bylaws and operaring agreements; and assist in the negotiation of contracts and settlement agreements. We also offer our clients legal representation in cases mainly before Puerto Rico state trial and appellate courts, and state government agencies. Our commitment to excellence and our diverse skill set position us as a reliable legal partner for clients seeking adept guidance and effective representation in a variety of legal matters.
ABOUT HERNÁNDEZ-GUTIÉRREZ
Mariana I. Hernández Gutiérrez obtained her Juris Doctor (J.D.) in 2007 from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law, with the distinction Magna Cum Laude. She passed the general bar exam with the second highest score in a group of more than 500. From 2007 to 2008 she clerked for Judge Germán Brau Ramírez at the Puerto Rico Court of Appeals. In 2010 she obtained a masters in law degree (LL.M.) from Columbia Law School in New York City, concentrating on commercial contracts and receiving the distinction of Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar.
From 2008 to 2012 Mariana worked in two law firms as associate and special counsel, respectively. Her practice concentrated mainly on litigation in trial and appellate courts, as well as on addressing non-adjudicative controversies related to surety bond contracts, indemnity agreements, construction law, insurance, condominiums and other commercial agreements. From 2008 to 2014 she also worked, as a volunteer, in the drafting and enacting of condominium regulations, and addressing complex property and condominium law issues as member of the transition committee and vice-president of the Board of Directors of a mixed condominium with more than 170 residential apartments, where the developer had filed for bankruptcy.
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Practice Areas
Our firm specializes in providing legal counsel, guidance, and representation to condominium associations, board members, administrators, and individual condominium owners across residential, commercial, and mixed condominiums concerning matters like condominium governance, board election and powers, assembly organization, decision making requirements and procedures, conflict resolution, obligations and rights of condominium owners and the condominium association.
We advise, negotiate and litigate matters relating to contracts, construction law, commercial and real estate matters, including but not limited to lease agreements, option agreements, settlement agreements, mediation and arbitration clauses, surety bond contracts, indemnity agreements, non-disclosure and non-compete agreements, collection claims, and insurance law matters, such as claims on insurance coverage.
We also assist, advice and represent our clients in the drafting and negotiation of agreements, regulations and bylaws.
Our firm provides comprehensive legal services in the field of employment law, serving both employers and employees. With a thorough understanding of federal, state, and local regulations, we offer strategic counsel and representation to navigate the complexities of the workplace. We provide advice and legal representation in matters like drafting, reviewing and negotiating employment contracts and agreements; discrimination and harassment claims; wage and hour disputes; leaves of absence and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) compliance; employment policies and best practices.
We provide counsel and representation to help our clients navigate issues of corporate operations and transactional matters, including corporate governance; entity formation and structuring; and contract drafting and negotiation.
Advise, negotiate and litigate construction law matters and related contracts. These include claims between the owner, surety company, contractor, suppliers, sub-contractors and creditors, as well as construction defect claims.
Our litigation services include representing represent clients in administrative hearings and proceedings before Puerto Rico state courts and administrating agencies in Puerto Rico. In addition to traditional litigation, we are experienced in alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation and arbitration. We work collaboratively with our clients to explore all available options for resolving disputes in a cost-effective and timely manner.