Recognized for our unmatched depth of experience in this critical field, we are Puerto Rico’s leading Distribution & Franchising Practice Team.
Because Puerto Rico imports the majority of its consumer goods from the United States and abroad, manufacturers and suppliers rely heavily on local dealers and sales representatives to effectively reach the Puerto Rican market.
To protect these commercial relationships, Puerto Rico has enacted two key public policy statutes: Act 75 and Act 21. These laws provide strong protections for distributors and sales representatives by prohibiting non‑renewal, termination, or impairment of contractual relationships without just cause. They also offer powerful remedies, including preliminary injunctive relief and a robust damages framework.
Our team provides comprehensive counsel under both statutes—from negotiating and drafting distribution and sales representation agreements to litigating claims under Act 75 and Act 21. We also advise franchisors and franchisees seeking to establish or expand their franchise operations on the Island.
Our Distribution & Franchising group brings together seasoned corporate attorneys and litigators who are widely recognized by clients, peers, and judges for their leadership in franchise and distribution law. Many members of the team are ranked by Legal 500, Chambers and Partners, and selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers of Puerto Rico guide.
What We Do
Our Distribution & Franchising Practice Team regularly:
- Advise on negotiations to modify or terminate relationships.
- Counsel on and draft distribution, sales representation and franchise agreements.
- Defend claims arising from distribution, franchise and sales representation agreements.
Representative Clients & Matters
Representative Clients & Matters
- Representation of global manufacturer and seller of package and fresh pork products in federal multimillion-dollar action under Act 75 stemming from the manufacturer’s implementation of a global rationalization process.
- Representation of global tequila manufacturer with termination of local sales representative and negotiation of termination agreement.
- Representation of global manufacturer of dairy beverage, food and related products with termination of distributor and counseling on and drafting of new distribution agreement.
- Representation of global manufacturer of portable power and renewable energy products in federal multimillion-dollar collection action against its former distributor and defense of multimillion-dollar counterclaim under Act 75.
- Representation of global medical device manufacturer in federal multimillion-dollar action stemming from manufacturer’s withdrawal from the Puerto Rican market.
