Corporate Lawyer — Costa Rica

Job Title: Corporate Lawyer — Costa Rica
Location: Costa Rica (San José preferred)
Type of Contract: Independent Contractor — Monthly payments, Full-Time 
Salary Range: Market Rates
Language Requirements: Fluent Spanish and professional-level English, written and spoken

Our client is seeking a skilled Corporate Lawyer with strong experience in Costa Rican corporate law, entity formation, and statutory compliance to support their international clients operating in Costa Rica. You will play a key role in entity formation, ongoing corporate compliance, legal representation, and client advisory services. Your work will directly impact clients’ ability to establish and maintain compliant Costa Rican entities efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the incorporation of Costa Rican legal entities, including S.A. and S.R.L. structures, by preparing incorporation documents and coordinating registration with the Registro Nacional.
• Coordinate initial tax registration with the Ministerio de Hacienda and obtain cédulas jurídicas for newly established entities.
• Act as, or coordinate the appointment of, local legal representatives and resident agents as required for client entities.
• Draft and review powers of attorney, including poderes generalísimos and especiales, as well as board and shareholder resolutions.
• Manage ongoing corporate compliance, including corporate books, annual shareholder meetings, personerías jurídicas, and other statutory requirements.
• Prepare and file annual Registro de Transparencia y Beneficiarios Finales (RTBF) declarations, coordinate updates, and monitor annual corporate tax obligations to maintain entities in good standing.
• Liaise with international clients, referral partners, notaries, the Registro Nacional, Ministerio de Hacienda, and other authorities regarding entity structuring, filings, documentation, and compliance timelines.

Must-Have Qualifications

• Licenciatura en Derecho from an accredited Costa Rican university.
• Active registration with the Colegio de Abogados y Abogadas de Costa Rica.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in corporate or commercial law, preferably supporting foreign-owned entities or international clients.
• Strong working knowledge of Costa Rican corporate law, Registro Nacional procedures, and RTBF beneficial ownership requirements.
• Demonstrated experience drafting incorporation documents, powers of attorney, and corporate resolutions.
• Fluent Spanish and professional-level English, with the ability to communicate clearly with international clients and referral partners.
• Strong understanding of corporate compliance requirements and the ability to manage multiple client entities, deadlines, and government filings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Notario Público license, particularly given the notarial requirements associated with Costa Rican corporate practice.
• Experience supporting global EOR, PEO, or multi-country expansion providers.
• Familiarity with immigration and work permit processes before the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería.
• Experience with free zone regime applications and related incentive structures.
• Experience coordinating registered office and domiciliation arrangements, dormant entity maintenance, and entity dissolution.
• Exposure to employment law, commercial contracts, or broader corporate structuring matters.