Practices
Tax Law
MHSJ has highly skilled attorneys with extensive business and tax backgrounds. Our team, many of whom come from leading international accounting firms, exhibit the strong business acumen needed to counsel companies looking to do business in Puerto Rico. From U.S. companies wishing to do business on the island to local clients trying to maximize their tax benefits, our attorneys provide the expertise needed for complex tax issues. MHSJ handles all our clients’ needs, including tax deficiencies, dealings with administrative agencies, as well as IRS charges and investigations. Our Tax Law practice specializes and offers services in areas such as Tax Planning, Compliance and Consulting, Tax Litigation, Tax Exemption, and Tax Incentives.
New + Start Up Businesses
Puerto Rico governmental and administrative structure may be considered extremely challenging for local and foreign investors, or entrepreneurs who aim to establish or expand their business in Puerto Rico. Our firm has the experience and resources to guide new business founders to trace and materialize their business plan and objectives in Puerto Rico. We provide non-resident entities or new business counseling on the most convenient legal vehicle to conduct operations, including legal and tax implications.
Real Estate Law
Our real estate practice focuses primarily in assisting residential, commercial and industrial developers, landowners and contractors with the regulatory, permitting, governance and other aspects of real estate development, construction and ownership in Puerto Rico. Our firm also has successfully structured and closed multi-million dollar real estate transactions representing both buyers and sellers. We have also assisted developers and other entities to navigate the Puerto Rico Horizontal Property Act with respect to both residential and mixed commercial/office condominiums.
Corporate Law
Since 1988, MHSJ has offered our clients skilled advice in the formation of business entities and and business relationships of members, partners, stockholders and/or other owners of legal entities. We provide both procedural and substantive advice to officers and directors on governance issues. We have also represented clients in multi-million dollar mergers and acquisitions transactions, on both the buyer and seller side. MHSJ is experienced in negotiating, drafting, and reviewing agreements of all types, including, shareholder, purchase and sale, financing/loan and capital agreements. Our firm provides assistance in business due diligence, drafting documents for capitalization of business entities and documenting the relationship among shareholders and partners, among others. Our corporate practice includes counseling on reorganization and restructuring of corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships and other business structures.
Estate Law + Notary Services
MHSJ provides its clients with the tools to complete an Estate Planning, including assessing federal and local tax, corporate, and real estate alternatives. We prepare comprehensive last wills and testaments, which may include testamentary trusts to provide for different situations. The planning also includes other instruments such as durable powers of attorneys and living wills/health care proxies, and may include the creation of limited liability companies. MHSJ works with any probate process needed post mortem in order to complete the Division of the Estate. We take care of filing petitions in court, filing estate returns, and drafting and filing documents for transfer of property titles with the corresponding agencies. MHSJ also works with any real estate aspect involved in the division of the estate, whether it be drafting deeds of adjunction of estate, purchase sale, or others. We also offer Notary Services, which involves the preparation and notarization of Deeds, Wills, Living Trust and other Trusts, Durable, General and Special Powers of Attorney, Assignment and Affidavit.
Employment Law
MHSJ works hand in hand with clients who do business in Puerto Rico to comply with local laws and U.S. policies. Our attorneys guide clients through the employer/employee relationship to minimize any future liability that may occur. MHSJ is dedicated to navigating its clients through all aspects of the employment process, including thorough understanding of employee handbooks, manuals, procedures and legal documentation. In the occurrence of a lawsuit, MHSJ offers one-on- one counseling through the entire process in federal, administrative or state court, in areas such as wrongful termination, sexual harassment and discrimination, employment arbitration, worker’s compensation defense litigation, and other employment claims.
Litigation
MHSJ has a long history of representing a wide array of clients before the Courts of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as before the United States Courts, both at the trial and appellate levels, as well as both arbitration and mediation proceedings. MHSJ’s litigation practice also extends to administrative forums at the municipal, state and federal levels. Our attorneys provide the expertise needed for complex litigation matters. The Firm’s litigation practice comprises General Litigation, Banking and Lenders, Construction Law, Tax Litigation, Damages, Labor and Employment, Dairy Industry and PROMESA.