Firm Overview

McConnell Valdés was founded in Puerto Rico by attorneys Herbert McConnell and Adolfo "Wally" Valdés in 1946, when Puerto Rico was embarked on an industrialization process that would bring to the island the giants of manufacturing, as well as creators of new industrial technologies. Many of these businesses were venturing outside of the United States for the first time.

McConnell Valdés operates as a Limited Liability Company (LLC). Administratively, the firm is managed by the Managing Director, and a Policy Committee. Each of our six practice groups has a chairman: Samuel T. Cespedes, Jr. (Corporate); Silvestre Miranda (Real Estate & Commercial Financing); Carlos Fernandez-Lugo (Environmental & Land Use); Alfredo Hopgood-Jovet (Labor & Employment Law); Francisco G. Bruno (Litigation), and Carlos E. Serrano (Tax), in charge of all the administrative affairs of that particular group. In addition to the Policy Committee, the firm has a Practice Management Committee; Marketing & Business Committee; Recruiting Committee; Professional Development Committee; Conflict of Interest Committee; and Pro Bono Committee.

Our evolution has always been parallel to the evolution of Puerto Rico. What started as a law firm dedicated to representing financial institutions and manufacturers is now a full service law firm with practice areas covering virtually any aspect of business law in Puerto Rico. We were one of the first firms to understand the need for, and develop an Environmental and Land Use Practice Group. McConnell Valdés created a Hospitality Practice Area as the tourism industry and hotel development grew on the Island. Furthermore, our partners were instrumental in developing the Tourism Act of 1993, which propelled the growth and expansion of Puerto Rico's hotel industry.

As the world and Puerto Rico change, and as the way businesses have become truly international and more reliant than ever on state-of-the-art technology, our firm also continues to evolve, developing new practice areas and meeting head-on the challenges presented in this rapidly changing environment. We enjoy an extensive international practice and are the exclusive member firm for Puerto Rico of Lex Mundi, the world's leading association of independent law firms (http://www.lexmundi.com/). We are also members of the Iberoamerican association Club de Abogados (http://www.clubdeabogadosibero.com/)

Today, as in the years since its creation, McConnell Valdés is committed to providing top quality client service, technology and resources. By maintaining this core philosophy, McConnell Valdés is able to offer legal services that reflect today's complex business reality.