Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The law firm Ulises Cabrera has been recognized for the consecutive year as one of the leading firms in the Dominican Republic by the directory Legal 500 Latin America in its 2025 edition.
Ulises Cabrera differentiates itself by offering a service that goes beyond: it understands the client, adapts to its industry and provides empathetic, personalized, punctual and high-quality attention. This approach allows us to be recognized again by The Legal 500, standing out in various practice areas, thanks to the team’s efforts. This year, it has highlighted 7: Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions, Intellectual Property, Labour and Employment, Real Estate and Tourism, Tax, Dispute Resolution, and Environment.
Corporate and M&A
The Business and Corporate team has been recognized in Tier 3 for the Corporate and M&A practice. Additionally, the partners have been acknowledged: José Cruz Campillo, managing partner, as a “Leading Individual”; and Mónica Villafaña, partner, as a “Next Generation Partner.”
The Legal 500 reports that Ulises Cabrera advises on M&A transactions both in the Dominican Republic and internationally, often acting for foreign entities looking to invest in the country. The corporate group is jointly headed by Mónica Villafaña, a go-to practitioner who is sought after by foreign clients in relation to cross-border M&A and corporate restructurings, as well as general corporate advice; managing partner José Cruz Campillo; and firm founder Ulises Cabrera, who has a strong reputation in corporate matters in both the public and private spheres.
Clients have testified that “José Cruz and Monica Villafaña provide a unique and personalised service. Their greatest quality is their ability to appreciate situations that can affect the business, combining an ability to negotiate with legal expertise.”
“In our case we must highlight the work and dedication of Mónica Villafaña and her team. From the first moment, Mónica projects security, trust, technical mastery and empathy, immediately connects with the client’s needs and has the outstanding ability to design and articulate effective solutions to precisely adapt the client’s specific needs to the regulatory framework that applies to them. All this means an extremely personalised treatment and impeccable quality.”
“In such a competitive market, Ulises Cabrera is distinguished by its exceptional technical level and a marked commitment to customer satisfaction. They have a philosophy of teamwork and a results-oriented approach. These are the differentiating factors of this formidable team. It certainly exceeds expectations.”
Intellectual Property
In that same vein, The IP and new technologies department at Ulises Cabrera predominantly advises on trademark registrations, but the team is also skilled in handling opposition, cancellation and nullity actions, anti-counterfeiting cases and unfair competition claims. Its broad client base of both local and international clients continues to expand, with the team recently adding new clients such as Hersheys International. Group head Magdalena Almonte stands out for IP work in the consumer goods, food and beverages, life science and technology sectors. Managing partner José Cruz Campillo is another notable team member.
Clients comment that “Magdalena Almonte was always aware of the processes and sought to offer practical and pragmatic solutions for our needs.” Also, “Great job in helping us navigate the Dominican procedures so that as a US firm, we could complete the necessary procedures.”
Labour and Employment
For this practice area, Legal 500 noted that Ulises Cabrera stands out for its assistance to clients in negotiations with workers’ unions and with HR management work and immigration issues, acting from clients across a wide range of sectors, from energy to aviation. Experienced practitioner and firm founder Ulises Cabrera and José Cruz Campillo, who is particularly strong in the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, head up the practice. Elsewhere in the team, Mónica Villafaña is a go-to lawyer for advice on the employment aspects of M&A.
Real estate and tourism
Jeanny Aristy Santana, partner and head of the department, has been recognized as a “Next Generation Partner.”
The British directory highlights that Ulises Cabrera has experience of handling litigation in the real estate sector, and also frequently advises on tourist developments, environmental and permitting issues, and real estate due diligence and acquisitions. Jeanny Aristy Santana, who was promoted to partner in January 2024 and stands out for her ‘theoretical and technical knowledge in real estate matters’, leads the team alongside Ulises Cabrera, a veteran adviser on private and government projects, and Leslie Cabrera, who is key to the group’s advice on the acquisition of land for tourist developments.
Clients are highly satisfied. Some of their testimonials are:
“Jeanny Aristy shows extensive theoretical and technical knowledge in real estate matters, with timely responses as well as practical and simple solutions.”
“The team is exceptional. All procedures are attended to as a priority and with an exhaustive level of detail.”
“Their lawyers are always available to answer our questions on real estate transactions. The timely responses make a difference.”
“The Ulises Cabrera team stands out for the great technical and professional level of the team. The lawyers of this firm are always in the best position to guide us step by step through the cases they work on with us, which is significantly appreciated.”
“It is worth mentioning and highlighting the work of Jeanny Aristy who, on more than one occasion, has helped us to avoid unnecessary risks.”
Tax
Lauded for its ‘great negotiation skills and ability to understand the business perspective’, the directory classified that Ulises Cabrera‘s business, corporate and compliance team is well established in the financial services industry. The team is often engaged to represent clients in administrative and judicial tax cases. Practice heads José Cruz Campillo and Mónica Villafaña regularly advise on the tax elements of foreign investments and corporate transactions.
A client reports that at the firm they are ‘Very business-oriented. Excellent service and value for money.’ Another client expressed ‘Great negotiation skills and the ability to understand the business perspective.’
Dispute Resolution
The Litigation team has been ranked in Tier 4 for Dispute Resolution. Legal 500 highlights that Ulises Cabrera offers a broad litigation practice, but has particular expertise in contentious corporate matters, in addition to developing a niche in assisting domestic shipping firms and foreign insurers in civil liability claims. Firm founder Ulises Cabrera is a key name in the team, with a strength in family law disputes, and practice head José Cruz Campillo is well versed in labour law disputes.
Environment
To close the series of distinguished practices, the directory highlighted that Ulises Cabrera represents an array of major companies in the Dominican Republic, advising clients on obtaining environmental and tourism permits from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and working on the environmental aspects of real estate projects. Heiddy Moronta is a core part of the group’s transactional work, having been involved in large investment transactions in the Dominican Republic, and also has a strong knowledge of environmental law. Practice head José Cruz Campillo is also adept at handling matters concerning environmental issues stemming from corporate transactions, including assisting clients with reducing environmental risk. Ministry for the Environment and Natural Resources.
- ‘Ulises Cabrera provides a high level of analysis and communication when interacting with our company on high-impact environmental issues.’
- ‘Ulises Cabrera is the only firm we go to for environmental legal services.’
- ‘José Cruz has great analytical skills, which allows him to offer appropriate strategies for our environmental legal issues.’
- ‘José Cruz guides us to making the best decisions.’
