John R. O’Connor

Lloyd Isgut-Rivera is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor and Employment Law and Litigation. Lloyd, who practices law in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lloyd is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Novoa-Rodríguez’s main areas of practice include land use regulation, environmental permitting, enforcement and compliance under local and federal statutes and regulations promulgated under the CAA, CWA, NEPA, RCRA and CERCLA. He has represented clients before federal and local administrative procedures regarding permit applications, compliance orders, administrative fines and other matters before federal and local governmental entities, among them the Environmental Protectio...

Katherine González-Valentín is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor and Employment Law and Litigation. Katherine, who practices law in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Katherine is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gilberto Gutiérrez-Teissonniere is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Gilberto, who practices law in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gilberto is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Denisse Ortiz-Torres is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Denisse, who practices law in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Denisse is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Bengoa has developed a general practice concentrating in Puerto Rico tax incentive issues for manufacturing entities, and the negotiation of tax incentives grants and infrastructure and location incentives agreements with the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company. Mr. Bengoa also specializes in negotiating tax incentives for companies engaged in recycling and renewable energy projects. He also emphasizes in general corporate, real estate, employee benefits and health care law practic...

She concentrates her practice in intellectual property and commercial litigation cases. Ms. Peñagarícano was part of the State Department Committee that drafted the new Trademarks Act of Puerto Rico and the Regulation for the Registration of Trademarks in Puerto Rico. She was the President of the Intellectual Property Committee of the PR Bar Association and, under her presidency, the Committee drafted the Right of Publicity bill, the Trade Secrets bill, and the Moral Rights bill...

Carolina Velaz Rivero is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Carolina, who practices law in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carolina is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gustavo A. Chico-Barris is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Gustavo A., who practices law in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gustavo A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Fernández-Lugo Chairs McConnell Valdés' Environmental, Energy & Land Use Practice Group. He represents clients before local and federal agencies with jurisdiction over environmental, energy and land use matters, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Environmental Quality Board, the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, the Solid Waste Management Authority, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, the State E...