Specialist firm BDS Asesores is renowned for the depth and breath of its offering, drawing on its 'extensive knowledge of the region' to advise leading regional and international companies on all aspects of labour law in Costa Rica and across Central America. Thanks to the firm’s association with international labour practice Littler Global, clients also benefit from extensive technological resources, including tools to track past matters and assist with calculating severance and other payments. The firm’s busy workload reflects its particularly strong record in litigation, as well as advice on compensation, dismissals, compliance with local labour regulations and the employment aspects of M&A. Marco Durante and Francisco Salas, both of whom are widely regarded as leaders in the Costa Rican market, oversee the practice. Other key names in the sizeable team include Alejandro Trejos, an expert in technology issues in the workplace; Efraín Zapata, who heads the litigation department; Ronald Gutiérrez, who focuses on advising public sector clients; Rebeca Artavia, who specialises in litigation and mediation; and Lucía Solórzano Salazar, who was promoted to the partnership in 2024 and focuses on corporate labour law.

BLP houses a comprehensive labour and employment practice which ranges from representing clients in labour litigation and administrative proceedings before the Ministry of Labour to assistance with regulatory compliance and advice on disciplinary procedures and compensation schemes. Acting as a ‘true business partner’ to an enviable roster of regional and international clients, the team is also skilled in the employment aspects of complex M&A deals and restructurings. Randall González, who is frequently called upon to advise on organisational planning and structuring, labour policies, executive compensation and litigation, steers the practice. The firm also fields a deep bench of junior lawyers, including directors Alexandra Aguilar and Juan José Montero, who are experienced in advising international companies on labour due diligence, compensation and litigation, and senior associate Carla Sánchez, who has a strong background in contentious labour matters.

ECIJA's ‘deep knowledge of the Costa Rican labour environment’ and its extensive footprint in Latin America and strategic partnership with international firm Taylor Wessing LLP are significant assets for its multinational client base, which includes prominent names from the tech, telecoms, agroindustry, pharmaceuticals, retail, services and tourism sectors. In particular, the team has in-depth expertise in the new technologies space, enabling it to advise on employment issues relating to social networks and information security tools. The firm is also well equipped to assist with the standardisation of regional policies and compliance with labour laws in jurisdictions across Central America and the Caribbean, in addition to handling labour due diligence on M&A transactions, complex labour litigation and social security investigations. Practice head Daniel Valverde, a specialist in labour and human rights law, provides clients with ‘outstanding support’ on matters ranging from employment discrimination consultation and litigation and the termination and adjustment of employment contracts to work-from-home schemes and technology issues in the workplace.

Aguilar Castillo Love's labour practice is singled out for its ‘combination of technical excellence, regional strategic vision and a genuinely client-oriented approach’. The firm’s core strengths lie in labour compliance and investigations, disputes and audits in the context of M&A and reorganisations, with a client base that includes prominent regional and international companies. In particular, the team is skilled in post-M&A workforce restructurings, including handling sensitive issues such as mass layoffs, in addition to high-profile labour litigation and conciliation proceedings involving high-level executives. Regional practice head Álvaro Aguilar, who attracts strong praise for his ‘sound legal judgement and strategic approach’, enjoys a strong reputation for labour compliance issues, including executive dismissals. Other key names at top-level are Andrea Sáenz, an expert in mass terminations and in the free trade zone regime, seasoned labour litigator Eric Romero, and Mary Ann Drake, who focuses on labour consultancy and non-contentious administrative processes. Associate Gloriana Lara Ramos provides capable support.

Litigation is the cornerstone of the practice at labour law boutique Bufete Godinez y Asociados, which stands out for its ability to act as a ‘strategic ally’ to both prominent national and multinational companies and high-profile individuals. Recent highlights demonstrate the firm’s skill in complex cases (including class actions) relating to issues from overtime pay and severance calculations to workplace harassment and discriminatory dismissals. In addition, the team provides comprehensive advice on non-contentious labour matters. Founding partner Alexander Godínez Vargas remains the first port of call for key players in the retail, banking, insurance, telecoms, and food and beverages sectors. At associate level, José Miguel Granados oversees the litigation department, Isabel Jaramillo coordinates the counselling and advisory division and Francisco Bolaños assists on the disputes side.

In line with the firm’s signature strength in advising large multinationals with a presence in Costa Rica, particularly in the free trade zone, the labour practice at Lang & Asociados routinely assists with the employment aspects of restructurings, M&A transactions and the establishment of operations in the country. The team, which is praised for its ‘solid technical understanding, great agility in responses and a very client-oriented approach’, further advises on localising employment contracts and policies, structuring benefit and compensation packages, employment transfers and immigration issues. Software development, electronics, medical devices, manufacturing and support services are key sectors of expertise. Henry Lang, a seasoned adviser to international clients, and senior attorney Mónica Romero, who has expertise across the range of labour and immigration matters, head the team. Associate Noelia Cisneros is recommended for her assistance in corporate employment matters.

Arias leverages its full-service model to provide assistance to major multinational clients across the chemical, healthcare, agribusiness, software and shared services industries with a wide variety of labour issues. The team frequently works alongside the firm’s corporate department to advise on the labour law aspects of M&A, in addition to assisting with employment contracts and policies related to setting up operations in Costa Rica, compliance with local labour regulations, and disputes concerning issues such as wrongful dismissal, acquired rights and discrimination. Practice head Carolina Soto brings to bear significant experience of advising large employers on labour and social security issues, while senior counsel Luis Diego Obando is also a key name.

Consortium Legal predominantly advises large employers, including major clients in the banking, tourism, hospitality, transport, tech and food and beverages sectors. The team assists with labour due diligence in relation to M&A transactions, as well as providing day-to-day support with disciplinary actions, compensation packages, work schedules and compliance, and handling administrative and judicial disputes concerning miscalculated severance payments, unfair dismissals, workplace discrimination and other issues. Immigration and occupational health and safety are additional areas of expertise. Osvaldo Madriz, whose broad practice takes in both contentious and non-contentious matters, heads the team. Senior associate Gerardo Delgado, a specialist in labour litigation, and associate José Andrés Gutiérrez, who frequently assists with immigration issues, are also noted.

Benefitting from its strong global network and ‘extensive experience in labour and employment matters’, Dentons is well positioned to advise international clients on an array of issues in Costa Rica and Central America. Most notably, the firm’s recent caseload demonstrates its expertise in labour issues relating to the setting up and downsizing of operations in the country, from compliance with local regulations to workforce restructurings. The team also handles labour litigation, particularly in relation to severance payments and wrongful dismissals. The ‘extraordinary’ Anna Karina Jiménez, who has a wide range of experience in labour and immigration matters, leads the practice. She is ably supported by senior associate Adriana Fernández, who advises on risk prevention, compensation and social security compliance.

Facio & Cañas fields a diverse employment practice which spans preventive risk management, day-to-day employment issues, training for employers, and litigation. The team is skilled in labour due diligence, workplace regulations and internal policies, compensation structures and dismissals, including in relation to company executives. Internal investigations, union negotiations and labour litigation (with expertise in cases involving wrongful dismissals, acquired rights, sexual harassment, mobbing and discrimination) are also among the team’s core areas of strength. Senior associate Graciela Soto heads the practice, bringing to the table extensive experience across the full range of labour law matters. Fellow senior associate Mariela Castro and seasoned litigator Luis Sánchez lend further expertise to the team.

Highlighted for its ‘agility’ and ‘practical approach’, BG&A Abogados Corporativos‘ labour practice handles a steady stream of advisory and dispute resolution matters for clients ranging from entrepreneurs and local SMEs to multinationals. The team routinely assists with regulatory compliance and risk management issues, in addition to labour audits and workforce restructurings, and sensitive cases involving the dismissal of employees. In particular, the firm stands out for its expertise in labour law issues in the education sector. Experienced litigator Benjamín Gutiérrez leads the practice, with strong support from senior associate Gabriela Monge, an education and labour law specialist, and associate Nicole Damha, who assists in disputes, audits and internal investigations.

The labour practice at Quatro Legal spans day-to-day support with employment issues such as contracts and workplace policies, conflict resolution (delivered through QLCC, the firm’s conciliation centre) and labour disputes, and social security matters, in addition to providing training workshops. In particular, the team has recently been active in advising on the creation of internal regulations, as well as handling sensitive disciplinary proceedings, dismissals of employees and compliance issues, especially for large foreign companies. Practice head Marcela Acosta ‘knows labour law perfectly’, with extensive experience in individual and collective labour matters and social security issues.