Mónica Villafaña is a Partner of the firm and leads the Business and Corporate practice.
Mónica Villafaña
Partner
PHONE
(809) 566 7111 Ext. 227
BIOGRAPHY
Monica has over 17 years of experience in the legal practice of business law. In addition, she assists clients in the areas of free trade zone, agency and distribution, energy, mining and public procurement.
She represents leading multinational and international companies in legal matters related to Corporate and Commercial Law, Contracts, Agency and Distribution, Free Trade Zones, Tax Law, Mining, Energy, Competition Law, Acquisitions, Mergers and Spin-offs, International Trade, Foreign Investment, Public Procurement and Non-Profit Organizations.
Mónica also played a relevant role in the process of implementation and modification of Law 479-08 on Corporations, a very important change of law in corporate law in the Dominican Republic.
She has been recognised internationally by directories such as Chambers & Partners Global, Chambers & Partners Latin America, The Legal 500 and Latin Lawyer. A client highlights in Chambers & Partners that Monica “offers a high quality service and is commercially aware, proactive and down to earth”.
Education
Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra. (PUCMM) Bachelor of Laws. 3.6 GPA. Santo Domingo, D. N. 2005
Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM). Master´s Degree in Corporate Law. -Santo Domingo, D. N. 2008
International Law Institute (ILI): U.S. Legal System: Common Law and International Lawyering Skills – (Sistema Legal de Estados Unidos – Derecho consuetudinario e Internacional). – DC.2008
“Ownership Structure, Corporate Governance & Conflicts between shareholders: The American Experience”.International Law and Business. Atlanta, GA. -2009
Harvard Law School: Harvard Law School Program on Negotiation
Practice Areas
Corporate and Commercial Law
Contracts
Agency and Distribution
Free Trade Zones
Tax Law
Mining
Energy
Competition Law
Acquisitions, mergers and spin-offs
International Trade Law
Foreign Investment
Public Procurement
Non-profit organisations
Memberships
International Bar Association (IBA)
Cámara de Comercio e Industria Franco-Dominicana, President of the Legal Comission (2022-2024).
Asociación Nacional de Jóvenes Empresarios (ANJE).
Dominican Bar Association.
Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA)
Active member of several commissions created by the Executive Branch and civil society organisations to study and implement the Companies Law, and propose its amendments (Law 31-11).
Active member of commissions created for the study and proposal of legislation for commercial restructuring, Civil Code, among other legislative initiatives.
Languages
Spanish
English
French (basic).
Recognitions
Awards and Recognition
Ranked as “Next Generation Partner” by The Legal 500. (2022)
Ranked in Band 4 by Chambers and Partners in Corporate/Commercial. (2022-2023)
Ranked in The Legal 500 as a “Key Individual” in corporate and financial law (2020)
Ranked in Chambers Partners as “Star Associate” in the “Corporate/Commercial” area (2017-2018-2019).
Ranked in CHAMBERS PARTNERS as “Associates to Watch: Leading Lawyer” in the area of “Corporate/Commercial” (2016).
Publications
Getting the Deal Through – Distribution & Agency
Dominican Republic Company Formation: A Practical Global Guide
The Mergers & Acquisitions Review (DR chapter)
Corporate Legal Audit: Legal blindage tool and good corporate management
Critical Comparative Study of the Simplified Joint Stock Company and its implementation in the Dominican Republic.
Corporate Governance Practices in Family Business Companies.
Typical clauses restricting the negotiability of shares in limited liability companies.
Study of new perspectives on the smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons: Advances and shortcomings of Law 137-03 and Comparative Law.
Teaching
Gaceta Judicial. Diploma in Business Law. Facilitator “Regulatory framework for commercial companies in the Dominican Republic”.
University of Chicago Law School. Annual guest lecturer in the context of the course “Cross-Border Transactions: Lending”. Prof. Richard Kohn.
Exhibitor
Keynote speaker at several seminars on the implementation of the new Commercial Companies Act (2008-2012).
Prevention of money laundering in the Dominican Republic.
Other members
SERVICES
OTHER
ENQUIRIES
This story began in 1966, many years devoted to the practice of law in the Dominican Republic, a time in which passion, ethics and commitment have prevailed.
Copyright © Ulises Cabrera 2023
