De La Peña Group, P.A. is a law firm providing the highest quality of professional services and personal attention to individuals, their families and their businesses regardless of size, status or complexity of their particular matter.

As a business-minded law firm, our mission is to offer more than just solutions. We provide a collaborative team of legal professionals who share a personal interest in our clients’ successes. We are committed to providing the highest and most efficient level of service to all firm clients, regardless of the size or complexity of the matter. This undertaking demands the personal involvement and immediate responsiveness of our multi-cultural lawyers to assure a comprehensive and strategic understanding of the facts and circumstances of each and every case. The firm has been effectively serving clients throughout Latin and Central America, Eastern and Western Europe, the Middle East and Asia, as well as American corporations dealing with foreign jurisdictions. As international disputes increase due to business expansion in foreign markets, we have combined legal, business and political skills to provide integrated solutions for clients worldwide. At De La Peña Group, clients will find the legal sophistication, experience, and standards of a large, multi-national firm with the flexibility and personal attention of a smaller practice. It is this consistent high level of personal care and professionalism that allows us to provide top-quality legal representation.

Leoncio E. de la PeñaFounder/CEO

The Mission

De La Peña Group is a full-service law firm possessing substantial experience in the most complex legal matters in a manner that is both effective and efficient. The firm, headed by Leoncio E. de la Peña, is located in the prestigious Brickell World Plaza. The firm’s lawyers have diverse backgrounds and skills which provide for a well-rounded mid-sized law firm. Three vital elements highlight the approach that the professionals assembled at De La Peña Group utilize on their clients’ behalf: understanding facts, minimizing risks, and providing solutions.

The firm diligently represents clients with this approach in mind in the belief that such a focus, combined with cost-effective research and timely and accurate advice, provides its clients with the best possible legal representation.

The Firm

The Principal

Leoncio E. de la Peña, was born in Cuba. He earned his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Florida, with high honors and went on to receive his Juris Doctor from Shepard Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern University. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1984.  De la Peña has extensive experience representing clients in litigation involving a wide range of complex problems. His practice includes dispute resolution arising in such contexts as mergers and acquisitions, shareholder relationships, venture capital, trademark infringement and other financing and securities transactions, partnership dissolutions, real estate transactions, construction projects, as well as a broad range of commercial litigation matters concerning banking issues, securities, business torts, patent infringement, breach of contract, insurance and fidelity-bond coverage. His client list consists of the “who’s who” of Latin America. De la Peña has a history of active involvement in social, charitable, corporate, and political organizations. He is currently a board member for Voices for Children and remains an active member of the Republican Party of Florida Team 100, chairing many political campaigns. He was instrumental in arranging the attendance of President Aznar of Spain at the U.S.-Spain Chamber of Commerce Gala to receive the “2003 Hombre del Año” award.

De la Peña was honored as a recipient of the Ronald McDonald House “Twelve Good Men” distinction in 2004. In 2006 he was one of the finalists for the Daily Business Reviews “Most Effective Lawyers,” and in 2009 he was selected as an AV-Rated Attorney—the Highest Rating in Legal Ability & Ethical Standards by Martindale-Hubbell. De la Peña was listed in the 2011 edition of the most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession, Best Lawyers in America.

Otto C. de Córdoba, was born in Cuba and immigrated with his family to the United States in 1960. He grew up in Queens, New York. He received his undergraduate degree from Columbia University in 1980 and his law degree from Columbia University in 1984. After he was admitted to the New York Bar in 1985, he worked at a prestigious law firm for several years before he decided to move to Miami, Florida. Over the greater part of fifteen years, De Córdoba has been partner at several prestigious firms where he has represented several Fortune 500 Companies including, State Farm, Chevron, Ford Motor Company, Teacher Pension and Annuity Fund and the Florida Department of Insurance in both state and federal court. De Córdoba has expertise in handling complex commercial litigation, class action, product liability and employment discrimination suits. De Córdoba has served as South East Regional President of the Hispanic National Bar from 1995-1997 and as Director of the Cuban American Bar Association from 1998-2000. He is the recipient of the Cuban American Bar Association’s “Pro-Bono Award,” and is an active member of the Cuban Chapter of the Knights of Malta, a Catholic organization that engages in charitable works around the World.

The Attorneys

Tracy Pérez graduated Cum Laude from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center in 2004 with a Juris Doctor degree. Pérez was a member of the rigorous and distinct circle of Nova Law Review and served as an Articles Editor on the 2003-2004 Editorial Board. During her studies at Nova, she was the recipient of several honors including an MPLE scholarship, a Goodwin scholarship, Dean’s List, Pre-Trial Practice Book Award, and a Pro Bono Award for over 125 hours of service. Pérez received her Bachelor of Arts from Florida International University in 2000 with a degree in Political Science and a certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Pérez is a member of the Florida Bar and the Cuban American Bar Association. Prior to becoming a member of the Florida Bar, she attained valuable experiences in the legal field. In the summer of 2002, she was a judicial intern for the Third District Court of Appeal. In 2003, she worked for the Miami law firm of Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A., specializing in insurance-defense matters. Pérez has been with De La Peña Group since 2004 and brings a tremendous amount of dynamic energy and a will to serve clients with the best legal advice possible. Her fields of concentration include commercial litigation, business transactions, and real estate matters. In June 2010, Florida Super Lawyers selected Pérez as a “Rising Star” in Florida.

The Attorneys

Arturo Alvarez is Of Counsel to De La Peña Group. Alvarez was born in Havana, Cuba. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science in 1970 from the University of Florida as well as his Juris Doctor in 1972.

After law school, Alvarez became an Assistant State Attorney for Miami-Dade County, Eleventh Judicial Circuit from 1973 until 1977. He joined the Office of the City Attorney, City of Miami in 1977 as an Assistant City Attorney, where he headed the Litigation (Torts) division. From the time he left government employment, Alvarez has had a litigation practice that has included both criminal defense and a broad spectrum of complex-civil litigation.

In addition to his legal career, Alvarez was appointed by the Florida Supreme Court as a member of the Article V Task Force in 1994, the committee responsible for suggesting revisions to Article V of the Florida Constitution. He has also been appointed to the Eleventh Judicial Circuit JNC (by Governor Lawton Chiles), the Third District Court of Appeal JNC (by the Florida Bar) and two terms to the Supreme Court JNC (by Governor Jeb Bush).

Alvarez was one of the founding members of the Cuban American Bar Association (“CABA”). He was President of CABA in 1994, and remains actively involved with the organization and its present leadership. Most recently, Alvarez was inducted into the City of North Miami Hall of Fame, as part of the city’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations.

The Attorneys

Attilio M. Costabel, Of Counsel to De La Peña Group, graduated summa cum laude from the University Of Genoa School Of Law in 1962. In 1987, he attended University of Miami School of Law, graduating with cum laude honors. From 1974 to 1985 he was a correspondent of Lloyd’s Maritime and Commercial Law Quarterly for Italy and France. Costabel co-authored the Klower book series on Admiralty law, printed for the International Bar Association. He published highly acclaimed articles such as “Maritime law uniformity and federalism after Yamaha V and DOHSA amendment: For whom the bell tolls?” in the St. Thomas Law Review, “Himalaya Strain?” Forensic Examinations of Norfolk Southern Railway Co. vs. James N. Kirby, Pty LTD and Doe v. Celebrity Cruises Inc published in Tulane Maritime Law Journal, The “Himalaya” Clause Crosses Privity’s Far Frontier. Costabel is a member of Maritime Law Association of the USA, Southeaster Admiralty Law Institute and the American Arbitration Association. Being the co-founder of the Miami Maritime Arbitration Board, Founding Member and Director of Italy-America Chamber of Commerce, and having served in various court cases as an expert witness on Italian Law has given him great knowledge to become an Adjunct Professor at St. Thomas University, School of Law in Miami teaching Comparative Law, International Business Transactions, and Transnational Litigation.

The Attorneys

Robert G. Ricco is Of Counsel to De La Peña Group. Ricco received his undergraduate degree from Columbia College in 1985 and his Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law in 1988.  Ricco started his legal career with the New York-based firm Carter Ledyard & Milburn and thereafter practiced with Kardaras & Kelleher LLP where he became a member in 2001.  In 2005, Ricco opened his own New Jersey based practice while serving as Of Counsel to De La Peña Group. Ricco’s fields of concentration include insurance coverage, business, product liability, and admiralty litigation.

The Attorneys

Litigation The firm specializes in complex commercial litigation with emphasis in the field of telecommunication, securities, construction, banking and real estate related matters. The firm also handles litigation matters in the following areas: • Corporate and Partnership• Class-Action Defense• Professional Malpractice• Insurance• Environmental• Construction With significant clients throughout Latin America, our litigation team is adept at managing all forms of international disputes including international arbitration and mediation, and other alternative dispute resolution methods. Our resources include a network of correspondent offices throughout Central and South America, as well as in Spain.

The Practice

Real Estate The firm’s real estate transactional expertise is an integral part of the legal services available at De La Peña Group. Over the last decade of tremendous growth in Florida, the firm has developed a diversified and accomplished real estate practice.  The firm handles all levels of real estate transactions, from the sale of a private residence, to the land acquisition and development stages of the largest office buildings. The firm’s broad range of practice offers the in-depth experience, qualifications, and organization needed to handle the most demanding real estate matters including: • Permanent and Bridge Financing• Workouts and Restructuring• Developer Representation• Documentation• Acquisition• Disposition Exchange• Structuring of Real Estate Transactions• Homeowners and Condominium Documentation• Commercial Leasing• Title Matters and Closing Services The firm regularly advises clients in real estate transactions and values the opportunity to apply its expertise in this area on their behalf.

The Practice

International Law  From its inception, the firm has been actively involved in representing local, national, and foreign clients in many phases of commerce, investment, and industry. Its lawyers provide expert and cost-effective representation on issues that arise for United States entities or residents with international business. Our representation includes a wide array of matters relating to: • Formation and Management of Foreign Companies• Foreign Debt-Swap Transactions• Selection of Investment Vehicles for U.S. Assets• Tax Planning• Offshore Trusts and Financial Planning• Real Estates and Business Investment• Offshore Corporations The attorneys in the firm are continually involved in structuring transactions and resolving conflicts that cross national boundaries. The firm represents and counsels foreign clients in their commercial and personal activities, and assists clients in both inbound and outbound transactions. The firm has numerous multi-national and foreign corporations, foreign individuals, financial institutions and foreign governments among its clients.

To best serve its international clientele, the firm has established numerous correspondent relationships with law firms located throughout South and Central America, as well as in Spain. These foreign firms are available to assist the firm whenever the need arises.

The Practice

Financial Institutions In this arena, the firm represents both Florida-based financial institutions and foreign financial service providers that have a presence in the United States or are attempting to establish one. The firm’s expertise in this area is not limited to banks but extends to trust companies, brokerage firms, investment companies, consumer finance companies, federal banking regulators, and other members of the financial service industry. The firm’s lawyers have experience acting in various capacities in the following areas: • Lending and Financing Transactions• Asset Securitizations• Real Estate• Commercial and Asset Based Lending• Mortgage and Title Insurance• Banking Regulations• Loan Repayments• Project Sales• Bankruptcy Matters• Foreclosures Public FinanceThe firm has served as disclosure bond counsel for Miami-Dade County and its various authorities. In this capacity the firm has acted as disclosure bond counsel for the $248,890,000.00 Water and Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bonds, and for the $400,000,000.00 Miami-Dade County Aviation Bonds.

The Practice

Corporate  The firm acts as general counsel and special counsel for companies of all sizes. Our lawyers have extensive expertise in dealing with corporate matters. By effectively combining legal expertise, business insight and the estate planning goals of the client, the firm is able to provide advice on all phases of structuring a business. Our corporate practice has expertise in the following areas: • Non-Disclosure Agreements• Partnership Agreements• Limited Liability Company Operating Agreements• Shareholder Agreements• Non-Competition Agreements• Management Agreements• Disclosure Documents and Agency Reports• Employment Agreements• Stock-Purchase Agreements• Licensing Agreements• Merger and Acquisitions• Leverage Buyouts• Divestitures and Spin-offs• Combinations and Reorganizations The firm provides sophisticated corporate and business advice to its clients at all stages. The firm prides itself with its prompt, yet comprehensive advice to its clients on business matters.

The Practice

Internet Law  The firm works with start-up ventures and more established companies seeking to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the internet. The firm routinely advises its clients on a variety of issues involving or relating to the internet, including: • Defining Corporate and Business Structure• Introducing Sources of Capital• Protect and Exploit Trademarks• Patentable and Copyrightable Material• Trade Secrets• Intellectual Property• Licensing of Content and Software• Structuring and Documenting Stock Options Plans• Compensations and Incentive Arrangements• Negotiating and Documenting Contractual Arrangements• Designing Legal Aspects of Websites• Advising on Date Privacy Issues• Database Security Issues and Domain Name Disputes• Co-Branding and Advertising Agreements• Drafting and Negotiation Website Development In addition, the firm provides counseling with regards to online business liability issues by developing internal internet and site use policies.

The Practice

Government Relations

We have built a governmental and legislative relations practice in response to our clients’ needs before governmental agencies and the Florida legislature. The firm’s political expertise has positioned our attorneys to provide representation at all levels of government. We work closely with private sector clients and their in-house counsel to provide cost-effective legal services based on our understanding of governmental affairs and the governmental process.

The Practice

Brickell World PlazaSuite 1750

600 Brickell AvenueMiami, FL 33131

Telephone: 1-305-377-0909Facsimile: 1-305-377-1771

contact@dlp-law.comhttp//:www.dlp-law.com