News & Resources

Ignacio Alvarez, one of the six founding partners of the Firm, will join Popular, Inc. as its Chief Legal Officer and Executive Vice President. This appointment is expected to become effective on or about June 21, 2010. Recognized by Chambers Global as “one of the best lawyers in Puerto Rico,” Ignacio is a brilliant lawyer and practical problem solver who has been an integral part of the Firm’s success for the past 18 years. Ignacio has had a diverse corporate practice, with an emphasis on corporate finance, banking, and general corporate representations. Jaime E. Santos, the Firm’s Managing Partner, said “We are very excited for Nacho as he takes on this important position at Popular. We will miss his many talents and key contributions. We are certain that Popular has acquired a great asset in Nacho.”

During the Federal Bar Association’s National Mid-year Meeting held in Washington, DC on March 26-27, 2010, the Fellows of the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association held their annual Fellows Dinner. At the dinner, Foundation president Carl P. Gilmore gave Néstor Méndez a special recognition for his contribution and service to the Foundation’s Fellows Program and its Board of Directors.

Partner, Life Fellow and member of the board of directors of the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association (FFBA) Nestor M. Méndez recently participated in the forum: Economic Development and the Judicial Branch. The event was held on March 18, 2010 and was organized by the FFBA and the Historical Society of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico (HSSCPR). The panel was composed of the Honorable José A. Cabranes, Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, Dr. Diego Iribarren, David Lewis, Vice-President Global Taxes for Eli Lilly, and Mr. Méndez. The panel was moderated by Miguel A. Soto-Class, President of the Puerto Rico Center for the New Economy. The FFBA and HSSCPR have also organized a conference on Judicial Independence by Justice Stephen G. Breyer and various activities with Justice Sonia Sotomayor in her first trip outside the Continental United States after being sworn in as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

We are proud to announce that in its 2010 Global edition, PMA received a top Band 1 ranking in the Corporate Commercial and Dispute Resolution (Litigation) areas by Chambers and Partners.

Thomson Reuters issued its U.S. Municipals Review for the First Nine Months of 2009. In it, PMA was ranked seventh among US underwriters’ counsel firms for new issues of US Munis. In ranking the firms, Thomson Reuters takes into account proceeds of the issues, market share and number of deals.

Litigation Partner Jorge I. Peirats and Associate Giselle López Soler recently obtained a judgment from the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Puerto Rico dismissing with prejudice an adversary proceeding filed by debtor Life Flight of Puerto Rico, Inc. against Humana Health Plan of Puerto Rico, Inc. The Hon. Brian K. Tester, Bankruptcy Judge, agreed with defendant in that qualitative distinctions between air ambulance providers do not require payment of different rates under applicable law and regulations. Life Flight of Puerto Rico, Inc. v. Humana Health Plan of Puerto Rico, Inc., Case No. 08-08870 (BKT), Adversary No.09-00057.

Partner Nestor M. Mendez was part of the committee that organized the Hon. Sonia Sotomayor’s first visit to Puerto Rico after being sworn in as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, the first Latin American and third woman in our highest court. This visit was co-hosted by the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association (FFBA) and its Fellows Program, of which Néstor is a director and Life Fellow and by the Historical Society of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico (HSSCPR).

Litigation Partner Jorge I. Peirats and Associate María Dolores Trelles recently obtained a preliminary injunction barring defendants from infringing client Puerto Rico Coffee Roasters LLC’s Café Yaucono and Café Rico trademarks in the United States. The preliminary injunction was issued by the Honorable Gustavo A. Gelpí, United States District Judge for the District of Puerto Rico in the case Puerto Rico Coffee Roasters, LLC et al v. Coffee Partners International Corp., Civil No.09-2243 (GAG).

Litigation Partner Oreste R. Ramos and Associate Maritere Colon recently represented the University of Puerto Rico and its President in a preliminary injunction proceeding brought by two students claiming that the University’s decision to declare a five day recess constituted an unconstitutional prior restraint of speech. After an evidentiary hearing held the day after the case was filed, the Court denied the preliminary injunction and dismissed the complaint with prejudice.

Partner Donald E. Hull was recently inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys (ACMA). ACMA, founded in 1974, is comprised of a select group of attorneys in the United States and Canada who are experienced in lending transactions secured by real estate. ACMA’s Fellows include private practitioners, in-house counsel, government attorneys and members of the academic community. Fellowship in ACMA is by nomination only.