Lizzie M. Portela-Fernández 

Her main areas of practice include general corporate matters, financial institutions, mergers and acquisitions in the insurance and banking industries, distribution and sales representative laws, insurance and healthcare services, regulatory matters and government and legislative affairs.

Before joining McConnell Valdés, Mrs. Portela concentrated in the practice of civil and commercial litigation in federal, state and administrative forums, including appellate practice. One of the main areas of her practice was in insurance matters being the outside counsel for the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico Health Insurance Administration. In addition, in 1993 she served as Assistant Legal Advisor to the Governor, on issues of public safety. In 1994, she served as the Legal Advisor to the Secretary of the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation. As such, she worked extensively on public policy issues and government affairs

Ms. Portela has advised on banking and insurance mergers and acquisitions. Recently she assisted in the asset purchase by and among Triple-S Salud, Inc. and La Cruz Azul de Puerto Rico, Inc. She regularly works in banking, financial, insurance and health care facilities regulatory matters for banks, other financial institutions (including international banking entities and coops), insurance companies, producers, service contract providers, and health care providers. She assists entities with the formation and establishment of operations in Puerto Rico, and with general corporate matters. Ms. Portela works with clients in the drafting and interpretation of distribution and sales representation agreements. She also participates in lobbying efforts on behalf of corporate clients.