Linealaw

Team
“We focus on being agile and provide a tailored service. We are proud of our work because we have built trusting, long-term relationships with our clients, where word of mouth has been our best advertising.” 

Roberto Batalla, Founding Partner.

Roberto Batalla

Founding Partner

rbatalla@linealaw.com

Roberto has more than 40 years of experience in the business world, being part of dozens of negotiations. Coming from a traditional Costa Rican family, linked to the business world for generations, he demonstrates his negotiating capacity and solid professional ethic. He approaches law from a multidisciplinary point of view since he has an Engineering Degree and a Master’s in Business Administration. Besides his career, he is passionate about technology, reading, spending time with his family, and in his spiritual growth.

  • Tecnológico de Costa Rica (Specialist in Tax Law, 2015)
  • El Instituto Panamericano de Alta Dirección de Empresas y la Escuela Superior de Dirección de Empresas (IPade's Senior Company Management Program, 2013)
  • Centro de Conciliación y Arbitraje, Cámara de Comercio de Costa Rica (Conciliator and mediator, 2008)
  • Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School (Program for Negotiation for Senior Executives: Dealing with Difficult People and Problems and Negotiating Complex Business Deals, 2008)
  • Universidad Internacional de las Américas (Degree in Law, 1998 y Notary Public, 1998).
  • Colegio de Abogados de la República de Costa Rica (1999).
  • Oklahoma State University (Bachelor in Agricultural Science, 1982).

Ricardo Batalla

Partner

rabatalla@linealaw.com

Ricardo has 20 years of work experience, focusing on complex real estate transactions, taking care of family offices and foreign clients. He has specialized in Corporate and Commercial Law and actively participates in prestigious real estate and tourist projects, transactions in the Golfo de Papagayo Tourism Development and the Maritime Land Zone. In his free time Ricardo likes to read, watch documentaries, and play golf.

  • New York University School of Law (Master’s in Corporate Law LL.M., 2015). 
  • Universidad Latina (Specialist in Notarial and Registry Law, 2013). 
  • Colegio de Abogados de la República de Costa Rica (2011). 
  • Universidad de Costa Rica (Degree in Law, Graduated with honors, 2010). 

Mariela Céspedes

Lawyer

mcespedes@linealaw.com

Mariela has more than 17 years of experience in international movility processes in Latin America and the Caribbean, and more than 15 years focused on Costa Rican and international migratory law. Her career has allowed her to obtain wide knowledge about the international migration reality, its challenges, and more importantly, the human side of a migration process, taking into consideration the needs and wishes of each foreign client to fit them into the most appropriate migratory category. Mariela likes knitting, going to the beach, and spending time with her family during her free time. 

  • Universidad de Costa Rica. (Degree in Law, 2010)
  • Universidad Latina de Costa Rica (Specialist in Notarial and Registry Law, 2014)
  • Colegio de Abogados de la República de Costa Rica (2011). 

Anthony Bassey

Lawyer

abassey@linealaw.com

Anthony has extensive experience in legally guiding and assisting hundreds of foreigners with migratory needs in Costa Rica, mainly those interested in living and working in the country. He is characterized for being proactive, conciliatory, and a team player, offering high standards in his customer service. Besides his career, he enjoys playing the guitar and going to the beach. 

  • Universidad Interamericana de Costa Rica (Specialist in Notarial and Registry Law, San José, 2008).
  • Colegio de Abogados de la República de Costa Rica (2006). 
  • Universidad de Costa Rica (Degree in Law, San José, 2006).

Ricardo Badilla

Lawyer

rbadilla@linealaw.com

Ricardo is a legal scholar. His role in the litigation area is to guide to a successful conclusion of labor and criminal trials, and contentious administrative and civil procedures. He has 21 years of experience as lawyer and specializes in Procedural Law, Commercial Law, and Labor Law. Ricardo loves to travel and ride his motorcycle in his free time. 

  • La Salle University (Notary and Registry Law Professor, 2020 - to date). 
  • University of Costa Rica (Commercial Law Degree, 2019).
  • Universidad Internacional de las Américas (Degree in Law, 2001, Notary Public, 2011)
  • Colegio de Abogados de la República de Costa Rica (2001). 

Karen Ulate

Lawyer

kulate@linealaw.com

Karen has been part of multiple legal and business transactions for more than 12 years, focusing on Corporate, Banking, and Real Estate Law. She outstands for her ability in conflict resolution, verbal communication, order, proactivity, and teamwork. Besides her career, Karen enjoys playing board games and practicing yoga and pilates; she also loves animals. 

  • Tecnológico de Costa Rica (Master’s in Business Administration with emphasis in Finance, 2024). 
  • Dirección Nacional de Notariado (Authorization as Notary Public, 2018). 
  • ULACIT (Honorable mention Magna Cum Laude Probatus in the Specialization in Notarial and Registry Law, 2018). 
  • Colegio de Abogados de la República de Costa Rica (Incorporation as Lawyer, 2016). 
  • Universidad Latina de Costa Rica (Degree in Law, 2015). 

Edmond Macluf

Lawyer

emacluf@linealaw.com

With more than 10 years of experiences, Edmond has specialized in Corporate Law, Real Estate, Planning, and development of project in the textile, real estate, and commercial sectors in Costa Rica. He characterizes for his ability to communicate, great energy, and positive attitute to advice national and international clients. In his free time, Edmond enjoys running and spending time with his family. 

  • EAE Business School (Master’s in Business Administration - MBA, Business Administration and Management, 2018). 
  • Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho (Law Degree Graduate, 2017). 
  • Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho (Bachelor Degree in Law, 2015). 

Valery Corrales

Lawyer

vcorrales@linealaw.com

Valery is a professional with five years of experience and a strong background in completing state, real estate, migration, and labor procedures. Her experience has been focused on legal, regulatory, and administrative processes. She characterizes for her ability to work as a team and to communicate effectively with the interested parties. Valery loves reading, doing sports, and baking in her free time. 

  • Universidad de Costa Rica, Sede Regional Guanacaste (Degree in Law, 2023).
  • Universidad de Costa Rica, Sede Regional Guanacaste (Bachelor in Law, 2019).
  • Colegio de Abogados de la República de Costa Rica (2024). 

Zelene Oviedo

Lawyer

zoviedo@linealaw.com

Zelene specializes in Administrative, Labor, Contract, and Corporate Law. She has more than eight years of experience in public law, social action, research, and Corporate Law. She characterizes for being result and detail oriented. Some of the activities she does in her free time are being a barista, doing physical activity, drawing, and traveling. 

  • Universidad de Costa Rica (Degree in Law, 2019)
  • Universidad Fidélitas (Specialization in Notarial and Registry Law – in progress)
  • Colegio de Abogados de la República de Costa Rica (2023). 

Manfred Castro

Lawyer

mcastro@linealaw.com

For more than 11 years, Manfred has focused on Real Estate Law, Corporate and Commercial Law, as well as in Mergers and Acquisitions. Besides his career, Manfred is passionate about animals, gastronomy, and exercising. 

  • Universidad Libre de Derecho (Degree in Law, 2018) 

Administrative Staff

Paula Meléndez

Legal Assistant

pmelendez@linealaw.com

César Mora

Legal Assistant

dmora@linealaw.com

Alexis Mejías

Administrative and Financial Manager

amejias@linealaw.com

Joseline Murillo

Customer Service and Public Relations

jmurillo@linealaw.com

Laura Arias

Compliance and Customer Service

larias@linealaw.com

Fedra Allard

Administrative Assistant

fallard@linealaw.com

Gloriana Leitón

Administrative Assistant

gleiton@linealaw.com

Marcela Segura

Administrative Assistant

msegura@linealaw.com

Fiorella Espinach

Accountant

fespinach@linealaw.com

Milena Piedra

Recepcionist

recepcion@linealaw.com

Stephanie Velez

Recepcionist

recepcion@linealaw.com

David Garro

Legal Assistant

dgarro@linealaw.com

Contact

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