Specializing in Costa Rican Real Estate, Corporate, Estate Planning & Immigration Law
A Tradition of Trust
The law experts at Shanahan Legal have been helping people just like you realize their dreams in Costa Rica. Whether you are looking to buy real estate in Costa Rica, move to the country, purchase a house, start a corporation, protect your investments through a will or simply apply for residency, our skilled lawyers have decades of experience. Contact our specialized legal team today for expert advice and guidance on your next project in Costa Rica.
Our Firm’s founder, Daniel Shanahan, obtained his degree from Fordham University Law School in 1970, after which he practiced law in the State of New York for 23 years before permanently relocating to Costa Rica. During his time in New York, Mr. Shanahan specialized in the areas of real estate, corporate law, commercial law, wills and estates, criminal law and litigation. After moving to Costa Rica, he obtained a degree from the University of Costa Rica Law School in 1999. He opened a law office in Quepos that same year and began what has become a very successful legal practice, serving primarily foreign clientele, advising in real estate, corporate law, wills and estates, as well as immigration law. His extensive experience in working with both Anglo-Saxon based law (the United States, Canada and United Kingdom) and Napoleonic based law (Costa Rica, Western Europe and the rest of Latin America) has enabled him to be more effective in assisting clients from Anglo Saxon based legal systems.
As Costa Rica continued to attract more national and international investment, Mr. Shanahan began to expand his business with the support of attorneys that were primarily based around the capitol, in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. The professionals that would end up being Mr. Shanahan's dedicated colleagues have been educated from the leading universities in the country, combining with over 60 years of experience in the legal market. Thus, managing to successfully incorporate areas of expertise to the business such as mergers and acquisitions, arbitration, and compliance and regulation.
KNOWLEDGE & PERSPECTIVE
Our professionals have studied in the best law schools in Costa Rica and abroad, becoming specialists in multiple fields, including but not limited to: Real Estate Law, Corporate and Commercial Law, Migratory Law, Wills and Estates, Condominium Law, and Compliance and Regulation.
Areas of Expertise
Structuring, negotiation, and completion of real estate transactions, including without limitation, investigation of property titles and, if appropriate, corporate ownership, due diligence procedures, acquisitions, sales, liens, financing, condominiums, subdivisions and urban development and planning.
COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE & CONDOMINIUM LAW
Incorporation of Costa Rican entities such as a Sociedad Anónima (S.A.) or a Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (S.R.L.), as well as amendments to the bylaws of the corporations. Our firm addresses all types of venture capital transactions, shareholder agreements, company reorganizations, capital restructuring, and share transfers.
CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL LAW;
MERGER & ACQUISITIONS
If you are looking to migrate to Costa Rica, our practice in immigration law provides individual, personalized attention to determine the needs of our clients regarding their immigration status. We process and renew temporary and permanent residencies, work permits and advise our clients in all aspects of immigration laws in Costa Rica.
MIGRATORY LAW
At present, corporations and other legal entities are being subjected to greater regulation by various governmental entities, with fines and penalties being imposed for noncompliance. Careful management of regulatory compliance is important to avoid not only the fines and penalties, but also to avoid the inconvenience and expense of resuming compliance.
COMPLIANCE & REGULATION
Drafting of labor agreements and professional service agreements, as well as advice in connection with the rights and obligations of employers and workers, and counseling and drafting of employment policies and internal work regulations are among services our Firm provides.
LABOR LAW
We have extensive experience in obtaining and protecting the intellectual property rights of our clients´ businesses. We offer intellectual property services in Costa Rica, such as the registration of trademark registrations and trade names, as well as all other procedures related to intellectual property.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Preparation of Last Will and Testaments as well as Estate Procedures in both Notarial and Judicial instances.
ESTATE PLANNING
Marriage ceremonies for both Costa Rican nationals and foreigners.
MARRIAGES
Our Team
LAWRENCE
SHANAHAN
In 2019, Lawrence Shanahan Lobo Esq. Attorney and Notary Public, was the latest addition to the Firm. Lawrence, who is extremely detail and goal oriented, brings a unique experience having worked in one of Costa Rica’s top law firms for over 4 years. Lawrence has been an excellent resource for the Firm and has quickly exceeded our clients´ needs and expectations, conducting complex transactions in a timely and detailed manner. Lawrence’s additional added value to the Firm relies on his determination to remain as approachable and reachable to clients, managing to continue to expand the Firm’s client portfolio. His expertise includes, Corporate and Commercial Law, Mergers and Acquisitions, Real Estate Transactions, and Compliance and Regulation.
EMILY
SHANAHAN
Emily Shanahan brings a wealth of foreign experience. Emily currently leads the corporate and real estate due diligence responsibilities for the firm along with business development. After graduating from the Lincoln High School in Costa Rica, and then earning her Bachelor's Degree at Lake Forest College near Chicago, Emily went on to earn a Master's Degree in International Business Administration at the prestigious Peking University in Beijing, China. After living, studying and working as an aviation finance specialist at a major Chinese bank, she returned to Costa Rica to earn a Juris Doctorate in Law from the Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho in San Jose. Within Shanahan Legal, Emily provides an organized and disciplined approach to ongoing legal matters, and her multinational background better enables her to assist international clients to more smoothly transition into the cultural, social and business customs of living in Costa Rica.
SCOPE OF SERVICES & COMPLIANCE
The Firm will provide the Client any legal services necessary regarding the compliance of Costa Rican Laws.
Please reach out to the Shanahan Legal Team for more details, we look forward to guiding and assisting you.
Are you looking to purchase a house or invest in real estate in Costa Rica? Our expert attorneys are standing by. Let our law team help you get started on your project in Costa Rica. With over 20 years of legal experience in the country, the team at Shanahan Legal can assist in all areas of real estate transactions, estate planning, corporate and immigration law. Contact Shanahan Legal online to see how we can help make your dream a reality.
CONTACT:
emily@shanahanlegal.com
US: (929) 352-3943
CR: +(506) 8583 1658