Ronald Lachner

Ronald is based at the San José office. He specializes in the areas of Business Law, Foreign Direct Investment and Free Trade Zones.

In his more than 25 years of experience, he has advised a variety of national and international companies in different commercial aspects as well as in mergers and acquisitions.

Ronald is a recognized expert in the Free Trade Zone, foreign direct investment and export industry. He has advised the most prestigious international companies in the establishment of their operations in Costa Rica under the Free Trade Zone Regime, providing them with sophisticated advice on the strategy, procedure and structure to obtain the FTZ benefits. He currently advises the largest and most renowned investment projects in the country.  Clients appreciate his ability to provide innovative and agile solutions, according to the business model they require.  He provides personalized support to clients, both on their daily needs, as well as on incentives renewal processes (20 bis), additional FTZ activities and categories, expansion of FTZ premises, support and counseling in FTZ audits, defense in administrative procedures, and FTZresignation processes, among others. Being the FTZ sector very active in mergers and acquisitions, Ronald has participated in the most relevant transactions in the Free Trade Zone industry.

He is Vice Chair of the Chamber of Exporters of Costa Rica (CADEXCO) and Vice Chair of the Association of Free Trade Zone Companies of Costa Rica (AZOFRAS). He also belongs to the Free Trade Zone Committee of CADEXCO, heads the Legal and Tax Committee of AZOFRAS and belongs to the AmCham Free Trade Zones Subcommittee. He represents AZOFRAS in the Association of Free Trade Zones of the Americas (AZFA). He has also been Director of Meritas Law Firms Worldwide, a participant in the negotiation process of the Free Trade Agreement between the United States and Central America (DR-CAFTA), and a member of the International Section of the American Bar Association (ABA).