Adelina Villalobos is a Partner at BLP in San José, Costa Rica, with over 20 years of experience in Business Law. She specializes in leading foreign direct investment projects and Free Trade Zones in Costa Rica from a legal perspective. Adelina excels on the establishment and expansion of operations under the Free Trade Zone regime in Costa Rica. She is an active member of the Legal and Fiscal Affairs Committee of AZOFRAS and the author of multiple specialized articles. She has advised national and transnational companies on mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructurings. Adelina’s expertise includes Business Law, commercial and international contracting, and distribution agreements. She began at BLP as a Legal Assistant in 2003, was promoted to Associate in 2005, Director in 2012, and became a Partner in 2018.

Education
Master with distinction in Legal Advice of Companies, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (U3CM), Spain, 2012.
Specialization in Notary and Registry Law summa cum laude, Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho, Costa Rica, 2007.
Law degree, distinction, Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica, 2005.

Significant Accomplishments
Laboratorios Saval’s entry into the pharmaceutical market in Costa Rica. BLP advised Saval throughout the acquisition process of Laboratorios Stein’s operations in Costa Rica, including the performance of due diligence, the structuring of the transaction, the negotiation of the purchase agreement and ancillary contracts, and the entry of Saval into the Costa Rican market through the obtention of the applicable permits and the hiring of 170 employees.
Joby Aviation acquired Avionyx. Joby Aviation acquired Avionyx, a Costa Rica-based aerospace software engineering company, to support its aircraft type certification program with the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). BLP advised its client, Joby Aviation, on all aspects of the transaction.
Amazon Web Services in Central America. BLP advised Amazon Web Services (AWS) on launching its first operation in Central America, based in Costa Rica. The firm’s services included configuration of the corporate structure, application to the Free Zone Regime, advice on labor matters, and obtaining all licenses needed for operation in the Latin American market.    
Manufacturing Operation of Lutron Electronics in Costa Rica. BLP advised Lutron Electronics, a leading company in lighting devices manufacturing, in establishing its manufacturing plant and service operation in Costa Rica. BLP’s advice covered all aspects of the project and its corporate structure.
Manufacturing Plant of Edwards Lifesciences. BLP advised Edwards Lifesciences in establishing its plant in Costa Rica and expanding its operation in the country.
Coloplast´s first factory in the region. BLP advised Coloplast in the opening of its first factory in Central America to support the global growth of the company, which produces medical devices, including ostomy pouches and catheters, for people with intimate healthcare needs.
Medtronic’s Operations in Costa Rica. BLP provided counsel on the acquisition of a supplier’s manufacturing plant in the country and Medtronic’s subsequent expansion to new facilities in the Coyol Free Trade Zone.
Purchase of Rawlings in Costa Rica. BLP advised Seidler Equity Partners VI, L.P. on the acquisition of a baseball manufacturing plant in Costa Rica. Baseballs manufactured in Costa Rica are used in the Major and minor leagues and sold commercially.

Professional Associations

• Association of Free Trade Zone Companies of Costa Rica (AZOFRAS): Member of the Legal and Fiscal Affairs Free Trade Zone Committee
• Member of the Latin America and Caribbean Leadership Committee of MERITAS
• Costa Rican Bar Association
• International Bar Association: Member