80 Years of Legacy

McV was founded in 1946 by Herbert McConnell and Adolfo Valdés, just as a profound transformation of the Island's economy was beginning.

Citibank was McV's first cllient. Other clients included Caribair, Royal Crown Cola and the Caribe Hilton, which we represented for its opening in 1949.

Founded as a corporate law firm, McV expanded its practice in the early 1960s to encompass four departments: Corporate/Banking, Tax, Litigation, and Labor.

In 1967, McV underwent a transformative merger, emerging as McConnell Valdés, Kelley, Sifre, Griggs & Ruiz-Suria. This consolidation marked a defining moment in its history, establishing the firm as the largest law practice in Puerto Rico—a position it has steadfastly upheld ever since.

McV created an Environmental practice—the first of its kind in Puerto Rico. It has since evolved into one of the leading Practice Groups in Environmental, Energy & Land Use law.

The 90's brought important mergers: with Sweeting, González, Cestero & Bruno in 1993 and with Ledesma, Palou & Miranda in 1996. 

Also during the 1990s, the Firm reaffirms its heritage by returning to its original name, McConnell Valdés.

In 1996 McV became the first law firm in Puerto Rico to have a website.

Throughout the 80s and 90s, McConnell Valdés spearheads practically every tourism and large-scale hotel development in the Island. 

Iconic projects include the Teodoro Moscoso Bridge, Palmas del Mar, and the Coliseo José Miguel Agrelot, among many others.

McV has worked on the most significant laws directed at economic development: the Tourism Development laws of 1993, 2010 and 2016, the Industrial Incentives laws of 1998 and 2008, the Export and Individual Investor Acts of 2012 and the recent codification of these into Act 60, and the 2010 Renewable Energy Law.

The 1993 Tourism Law, which spurred the development of hotels such as the Ritz-Carlton, Westin Rio Mar, and El Conquistador was primarily drafted by McConnell Valdés.

Always at the forefront, in 1994 McV works on Puerto Rico's first public-private partnership project: the Teodoro Moscoso Bridge.

In 2011 McV represents Autopistas Metropolitanas de Puerto Rico LLC (“Metropistas”), an Abertis/Goldman Sachs consortium in a $1 billion transaction.

McV attorneys represent Metropistas in the largest public-private partnership in the history of Puerto Rico, a $2.85 billion Concession Agreement with the Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority. 

Our committment to serve and give back begins with a generous donation that makes possible the construction of the fountain at the Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferré.

McV sponsors an art exhibit and donates an oil painting of René Marqués painted by Jorge Rechany to the Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferré.

McV acquires a collection of Puerto Rican graphic works and publishes 45 Años de Expresión Gráfica Puertorriqueña, highlighting its contribution to the preservation of the arts.

McV makes a $50,000 contribution to the University of Puerto Rico’s endowment fund, designated for the School of Law. This donation serves as seed capital for the establishment of the Law School Trust, which has since grown to $1 million.

McV creates its groundbreaking Pro Bono Program in 2006. It has since provided the equivalent of over $5 million (21,000 hours) of legal assistance to +400 nonprofits.

Created in 2016, our Scholarship Program underscores the Firm’s long‑term commitment to supporting future generations of legal professionals.

McV joins forces with its attorneys, staff, and several Lex Mundi member firms, raising and distributing $90,000 to affected communities by Hurricanes Irma and María.

In 2021 McV establishes the McConnell Valdés Foundation, transforming decades of philanthropy into a permanent institutional commitment to social impact.

Once again uniting attorneys and staff in a generous collective effort, with the Firm matching contributions, thousands of dollars are directed to affected communities.

Launched in 2023, this Firm‑matched giving program has mobilized attorneys and employees to raise $64,000 for 30+ local nonprofit organizations.

McConnell Valdés was recognized as a Top 25 contributor to United Way of Puerto Rico. This achievement highlights McV's exceptional level of philanthropic commitment.

As we move forward, we renew our commitment to our clients and to Puerto Rico.

We commit to build a better Puerto Rico.

We comit to continue advancing our vision of social justice and community service.