The Ministry of Labor of the Dominican Republic announced the issuance of resolution number 23/2020 for the regulation of remote work as a special work modality, which will enter into force on December 12, 2020.
The Minister of Labor, Luis Miguel De Camps said that this resolution is issued within the context of searching for the best conditions in favor of workers and employers, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the country.
As senior counsel, Mr. Reyes-Sánchez will advise clients and develop relationships mainly in the areas of energy and hydrocarbons, mining and natural resources, compliance and permits and administrative law, among other areas of expertise.
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – Lawyer Alberto Reyes Sánchez, expert in mining, hydrocarbons, energy and natural resources joins the firm Guzmán Ariza to help strengthen these key practice areas.
As senior counsel, Mr. Reyes-Sánchez will advise clients and develop relationships with key players from the private and public sectors, in these industries. His practice at the firm will focus mainly in the areas of energy and hydrocarbons, mining and natural resources, compliance and permits and administrative law, as well as other areas of expertise.
Mr. Alberto Reyes brings his experience in the public administration to the firm, where he was the first Vice Minister of Hydrocarbons at the Ministry of Energy and Mines of the Dominican Republic (2014-2020) and served as the main advisor (honorary position) on mining and institutionalism.
He also created and directed the Extractive Industry Supervision Bureau, which coordinates the activities of the Ministry of Finance, Internal Tax Directorate, General Customs Directorate and the Central Bank, in matters of control of extractive activities in the country, and is responsible for the drafting of several important laws and regulations, including: the new general mining law that is being studied in Congress; drafted the Law for the Administration of the Mining Funds Trust and reviewed all the new regulations concerning the improvement of the administrative processes of the extractive industry in the country.
His private practice has revolved around contractual, administrative and business matters, excelling as a consultant for mergers and acquisitions in the energy sector.
Guzmán Ariza is honored to be featured by Latin Lawyer in their National 2020 directory as a recommended firm in the Dominican Republic.
Featured practice areas include real estate & tourism, corporate and M&A, and banking & finance, as well as and key partners, Fabio Guzmán-Ariza, Fabio Guzmán-Saladín and Alfredo Guzmán-Saladín.
In their analysis they go on to say that “Guzmán Ariza is one of the oldest law firms in this chapter, headquartered in Santo Domingo and present in key business and tourism centers in the Dominican Republic, it has a full service offering with a focus on corporate and finance work for international companies.”
We are delighted to announce that we have been named one of the top law firms in the Dominican Republic in The Legal 500’s Latin America 2021 edition, earning a Tier 1 ranking for our Real Estate and Tourism and Labour and Employment practice. The firm was also recognized as a Leading Firm in Corporate and Finance and Dispute Resolution.
Our managing partner, Fabio Guzmán Ariza, was honored with the elite Leading Individual ranking in Real Estate and Tourism. Mr. Guzman Ariza is also a recommended lawyer in Labour and Employment, Corporate and Finance and Dispute Resolution.
Partners Fabio Guzmán Saladín and Alfredo Guzmán Saladín were both ranked as Next Generation Partners in Corporate and Finance and Real Estate and Tourism, respectively. Fabio Guzmán Saladín is also a recommended lawyer in Real Estate and Tourism, whilst Alfredo Guzmán Saladín is recommended in Corporate and Finance and Labour and Employment.
Additionally, ten of our lawyers were recognized as Recommended Attorneys in this edition, including Rubén García in Real Estate and Tourism and Labour and Employment; Rhadaisis Espinal in Dispute Resolution and Labour and Employment; Julio Brea Guzmán in Real Estate and Tourism and Labour and Employment; Alberto Reyes in Corporate and Finance and Dispute Resolution; Marianne Olivares in Dispute Resolution; and Pamela Benzán in Corporate and Finance.
In their editorial, the publication highlights our team and practice areas, and goes on to say that: “Guzmán Ariza’s real estate practice is ‘a market leader in the Dominican Republic in this area‘. The department is well known for its strong capabilities in handling condominium and hotel mandates, and is very experienced in real estate permits and project finance matters. In the Santo Domingo office, Fabio Guzmán Ariza is a highly regarded practitioner in the real estate sector, with notable expertise in condominium projects, while Fabio Guzmán Saladín is a key contact for project finance. La Romana-based Alfredo Guzmán assists multinational companies with transactions in the hospitality and tourism sectors; Julio Brea Guzmán, based in Puerto Plata, counts real estate litigation as a core area of strength; and Rubén García is a key contact in the Samaná office.”
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – October 12, 2020.
Fabio J. Guzmán Ariza, president of the firm Guzmán Ariza and founder and president of the Guzmán Ariza Foundation, announced the launch of the Guzmán Ariza Institute of Lexicography (IGALEX), a non-profit institution, whose mission will be the lexicographical research of Spanish in its Dominican, Antillean, American and general varieties.
The purpose of the institute will be to design, elaborate and publish linguistic corpus and dictionaries of the Spanish language, especially those aimed at recording the lexical reality of Spanish in the Dominican Republic and the linguistic areas in which this variety is registered (Antilles and America), as well as collaborating in the preparation of the Spanish dictionaries published by the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) and the Association of Academies of the Spanish Language (ASALE). In addition, the institute will cooperate with the Dominican Academy of Language (ADL) in academic training in lexicography and dissemination on the use and knowledge of the published dictionaries.
Lexicographer María José Rincón, a full member of the ADL, will lead the work team, which is completed by the corresponding members of the ADL Roberto Guzmán Silverio, Rita Evelin Díaz Blanco and Ruth J. Ruiz Pérez.
As a first task, the Guzmán Ariza Institute will revise and prepare a new edition of the Dictionary of Dominican Spanish, published by the ADL in 2013, which will be available online for free. This initiative will be financed by the Guzmán Ariza Foundation, and will complement other projects that the foundation promotes in favor of the good use of Spanish, which includes Fundéu Guzmán Ariza.
Congratulations to our tax team’s lead partners: Alfredo Guzmán-Saladín, Fabio Guzmán Saladín, Alberto Reyes Báez and their team.
Fabio Guzmán Saladín, partner at Guzmán Ariza, was elected as president of the Dominican-German Chamber of Commerce for the period 2020 – 2022, at its annual general assembly.
During his virtual speech at the assembly, he expressed his satisfaction for having been re-elected for a new term, thanking the Board of Directors and the members, and emphasized on how the Chamber is adapting to the new reality imposed by COVID 19 to “take advantage of opportunities and to leave a mark in this changing environment in which more than ever society needs our contributions as an organization to help boost the economy”, encouraging all members to“ find where the opportunities for new businesses are and pursue them. “
In addition, he expressed that his term will focus on:
We are proud to announce that we have been recognized again this year by Chambers and Partners in their Latin America Guide for 2021 as a top-ranked firm in the Dominican Republic, in the areas of Corporate/Commercial, Real Estate & Tourism and Dispute Resolution.
What do they say about our ranked practices?
On Corporate/Commercial they highlight our “noteworthy practice, [which] debuts in these rankings, (…) [and] handles company incorporations, restructuring and M&A transactions, in addition to corporate and acquisition finance. Also advises on free trade zone regulations and tax implications of transactions.” Clients appreciate that “the team are very communicative and always respond to emails and phone calls,” adding: “They are very knowledgeable and help us understand the law from the Dominican perspective. They are also reliable and a pleasure to work with.”
On Real Estate & Tourism, “Powerhouse practice group with a longstanding tradition advising on complex real estate transactions and the development of tourism projects. [its] Strong team of highly experienced lawyers stands out for their breadth of expertise, which ranges from counseling hotel groups on day-to-day operations to project financing and acquisition deals. Provides further counsel on permitting and licenses, as well as environmental compliance.” Clients report that Guzmán Ariza Abogados is the best law firm they have worked within this area, with one source further praising that “they remain in contact with us 24/7 and provide a high-quality legal service.” Another client is quick to highlight the firm’s multinational vision and “their experience in the wider tourism market, not just in the Dominican Republic.”
On Dispute Resolution, our “Experienced conflict resolution team (is) usually found representing real estate developers, as well as tourism and hospitality clients in civil and commercial litigation, as well as bankruptcy proceedings. A client highlights “the excellent quality service that they provide,” while another says: “I always obtain what I need accurately and on time.”
How about our ranked individuals?
Our top-ranked individuals include our managing partner, Fabio Guzmán Ariza, who was recognized again this year as a senior statesperson in Real Estate & Tourism for his “(…) longstanding career in the real state and tourism field”. One client simply comments: “He is brilliant.”
Partner Julio Brea Guzmán also in Real Estate & Tourism. Their editorial review points out that “(…) Brea-Guzmán offers broad experience advising on real estate transactions and disputes” A client comments: “He is very well qualified, proactive, detailed and straight to the point.”
Partner Fabio Guzmán Saladín was ranked in the Corporate/Commercial category, as an up-and-coming individual, for being “a brilliant lawyer: very intelligent and intuitive,” a client remarks. Guzmán Saladín is known for advising clients on free trade zone regulations, company incorporations and corporate restructuring.
And special counsel Giselle Pérez Reyes was ranked in the environment category, for her experience “(…) on the environmental aspects of real estate and tourism projects (…)”. A source reports that “she does a great job; she manages her work well and generates confidence in the client.”
The Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution of the Puerto Plata Chamber of Commerce and Production swore in its new executive office for the period 2020-2022, which will be presided by Dr. Julio Brea Guzmán, partner of the firm Guzmán Ariza.
During his inauguration, Brea Guzmán promised to work on strengthening the pillars that sustain the CRC as an alternative system of justice to resolve commercial disputes in a transparent and reliable manner.
He called on teamwork to lead the CRC to its full growth potential, adding that “being the first tourist destination to have these means to provide confidence to investors, we have a social obligation with the CRC and with the Puerto Plata Chamber of Commerce; hence, we will strive to do an impeccable job so that the province earns a greater legal standing through arbitration.”
Guzman Ariza announced its partnership with ISFIN, a global advisory organization active in 75 countries that acts as a business facilitator between the Americas’ emerging markets and the Middle East, African and Asian markets. Its members include the most innovative and highly regarded independent law, audit and accounting firms in the world.
Prof. Laurent Marlière, CEO of ISFIN said of this partnership that “Many of the Caribbean markets are in transition. They generally have been in the radar of the US, the UK and the European Union for being tax-incentive jurisdictions. Whilst these markets reinvent themselves, LatAm and the Caribbean are on the radar of South East Asian and Middle Eastern funds, and ISFIN, with its strong local partners, is best positioned to direct new foreign direct investments to the area.”
The Dominican Republic is among the main recipients of FDI in the Caribbean and Central America, increasing its inflow to USD 3 billion in 2019, up 19% from the previous year, with an ever-increasing participation of Chinese investments.
The firm stated that this partnership will be a great advantage for FDI in the Dominican Republic, as the country amplifies its efforts to attract new investors, adding that the Dominican government has taken the right approach towards FDI by providing logistical support for establishing operations in the country, as well as tax incentives for targeted industries including textiles, tourism, film and renewable energy; and by allowing foreign nationals accompanying their businesses and residing in the country to be covered by tax incentives as well. Furthermore, foreign investors can enjoy the same rights and obligations as local investors do.
FDI has played an important role in making the Dominican Republic a leading economic and tourist destination. Today, the country is the largest and fastest growing economy in Central America and the Caribbean and the most visited tourist destination in the area.