With 50 lawyers and a total of 60 additional legal and non-legal support personnel, Facio & Cañas, founded in 1942, is one of the largest and most prestigious law firms in Costa Rica.
Most of its lawyers have complemented their legal training with post-graduate degrees from universities and other prestigious higher education institutions in the United States and Europe.
Facio & Cañas has been ranked consistently over decades by Chamber’s, The Legal 500 and Latin Lawyer, as well as other legal directories, as a leading firm in the Costa Rican legal market, for in-depth analyses of business issues, and the excellent quality of counseling and support by its lawyers.
Antitrust
The firm assists foreign and local companies in compliance issues with local antitrust regulations as well as industry related administrative and judicial proceedings. Assistance also includes proceedings before the Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (SUTEL), the Insurance Regulatory Agency (SUGESE) and the Competition Promotion Agency (COPROCOM).
Arbitration & Mediation
Our lawyers efficiently apply the latest trends in negotiation, mediation, arbitration and other mechanisms for alternative dispute resolution and maintain close links with the main organizations offering these services at a global level, such as ICSID and AAA.
Banking and Finance
Facio & Cañas provides sophisticated services in matters related to local commercial banking, wealth management, asset protection and project finance, including all related regulatory matters.
Corporate Law
This area has been, and still is, a fundamental part of our practice throughout our history. Our advice has had an impact in a wide variety of economic areas of the greatest importance for Costa Rica and the Central American region for the past 75 years, during which we have assisted local and foreign clients in structuring their corporate structures to facilitate their business and/or investment activities in Costa Rica.
Employment
We are characterized for providing effective and agile legal solutions for all clients’ needs in matters of employment, with a business oriented focus.
Government Affairs and Public Law
The firm centers on administrative law and government legal issues. It is actively involved in a vast range of public related transactions and services, constitutional and regulatory matters, government litigation, government procurement contracts, and public concessions, among others.
Immigration
Facio & Cañas provides full legal services in immigration law, aiming to facilitate to clients the relocation of expatriates within the country or abroad.
Insurance
Costa Rican insurance and reinsurance business is becoming a more dynamic sector with the establishment of new private operators. Facio & Cañas’ expertise in regulatory and insurance matters is a valuable asset for those companies with an interest in participating in this industry.
Intellectual Property
The firm specializes for over 30 years in all intellectual property legal issues, particularly in the protection of trademarks, copyrights and patents for domestic and foreign clients. Solicitation of national and international rights in propriety concepts is included, as well as renewal and transfer of rights. The department has an extensive experience in litigation, as well as the representation of foreign and national franchisers, licensors, distributors and clients engaged in merchandising ventures, trademarks and product licensing
Litigation
For over 76 years our litigation lawyers have successfully represented local and international companies in the most complex cases of civil, commercial, administrative and criminal law litigation.
Mergers & Acquisitions, International Business and Cross-Border Transactions
Facio & Cañas has been an active part to some of the largest capital transactions that have taken place in Costa Rica in recent years. The firm regularly represents clients in cross-border transactions.
Real Estate
Facio & Cañas engages regularly in the real estate area, assisting clients to develop new business opportunities and offering solutions in favor of foreign and national clients. Its experts deal with residential, tourism, industrial and commercial projects and transactions.
Taxation
The firm’s Tax Department is headed by renowned specialists, some of whom have been appointed to the highest offices of the Costa Rican Tax Administration. Its practice includes all aspects of legal counseling, including tax planning and litigation. We are also responsible for the first tax community on line with “Taxation ABC", available for all kind of queries. This site includes and identifies upcoming tax calendar deadlines to pay declarations and taxes. It is used as mandatory reference to companies, government and others law firms.
Technology, Media and Telecommunications
TMT issues are addressed through two different areas: Innovation & Technology, and Telecommunications & Media. Services offered include: Digital Business, Privacy & Personal Data, Software & Entrepreneurship, Cybersecurity and Digital Transformation. We also assist clients in obtaining licenses and permits, and fulfilling other compliance matters.
