The powerhouse environment law team at BLP remains a market leader, taking a multidisciplinary approach to advising major multinationals like Uber, Kraft Heinz and Medtronic, across a diverse spectrum of industries. The group’s comprehensive service ranges from compliance auditing and environmental dispute resolution to the proposing and drafting of new legislation and green finance initiatives. Led by Mauricio Salas, who is experienced in representing clients before regulatory bodies, and corporate structure expert Alexandra Aguilar, the team’s client base spans the food and beverages, healthcare, tech, life sciences, banking and tobacco sectors. Associate Luis Palacios assists companies with obtaining applications to access mining extraction and water concessions.

Formed by former COLBS Estudio Legal partner Javier Escalante after he and Sebastián Jiménez split their practices in September 2021, Tactic Estudio Legal advises government agencies, including the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica, as part of a United Nations initiative, corporates in the manufacturing, construction and agriculture sectors, real estate developers and NGOs on a comprehensive range of issues across the practice area. Led by Javier Escalante, a former trade negotiator and chief of staff in the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Trade, and associate Fernanda Jimenez, an environmental regulatory specialist who joined the firm with Escalante, the team assists clients with biodiversity law, water allocation, forest management, land use restrictions and tourism infrastructure development.

The environmental law practice at Arias coordinates with offices throughout the region to advise national and multinational corporates and developers across such sectors as events, food, chemicals, agriculture, energy and tech. The team is led by project finance and administrative procedures expert Carlos Ubico, energy and infrastructure specialist Vicente Lines, foreign investment adviser Carlos Camacho and Roberto Cordero, who joined in February 2022 from EY Law Central America (where he headed the environmental law group) and brings over 20 years of experience to the practice. Supported by senior counsel Luis Diego Obando and associates Mónica Espinoza and Gabriela Delgado , the group’s full service extends to environmental litigation, due diligence, regulatory compliance, public relations strategy, and urban zoning and planning.

Combining regional strength with the expertise of its members (all certified quality, environmental, and health and food safety auditors), the team at EY Law Central America assists industrial plants, construction and land planning developments, and fruit plantations with navigating complex environmental litigation and procedural matters. In additional, the practice develops risk assessment strategies and provides support on the environmental health and safety aspects of M&A transactions across sectors ranging from energy, food and beverages, and agribusiness to government, medical devices and electronics. The team is led by manager Marco Quesada, who has experience of representing clients before the courts and the Environmental Administrative Tribunal, with support from senior associate Jessica Castro, an environmental compliance specialist. Previous department head Roberto Cordero departed in February 2022.