About Us

Firm Overview

Castañer Law Offices can provide (bilingual – Spanish & English) legal advice and representation tailored to clients engaged in the maritime, air and land transportation of goods. We represent a broad range of clients in marine insurance claim cases; Seaman's injury and death cases; cargo carriage and storage disputes; vessel arrest and attachments; oil spills; water pollution claims; vessel repair, financing, operation, construction and re-building disputes; maritime liens; commercial/contractual claims (including charter parties); and a variety of other maritime disputes.

Our primary goal is to avoid litigation through regular review of claims, accurate accident reporting, investigation and notification procedures and, where possible, mediation. In cases where litigation is unavoidable, our attorneys represent clients' interests before regulatory, administrative and arbitral tribunals as well as state and federal courts.

The Island of Puerto Rico has a great deal of nautical activity. The construction of the Port of the Americas in Ponce, the renovation and improvement of existing ports, and the increasing pleasure boat activity in the Island, have created a higher demand for specialized maritime legal services.

Alberto J. Castañer-Padró, Esq

Attorney Alberto Castañer has a broad wealth of knowledge concerning the area of Maritime and Admiralty Law, including advanced degree from the top maritime law school in the world, and specialized maritime law designations.

Castañer is a graduate of University of Puerto Rico, (B.A., Cum Laude, Arts and Sciences,), Interamerican University School of Law (J.D., Cum Laude), and Tulane University Law School (Admiralty and Maritime LL.M.).

After obtaining his graduate degree in Maritime Law at New Orleans, Louisiana, Castañer formed his law firm to provide extensive commercial and corporate counseling and litigation representation to the transportation industry.

MEMBERSHIPS:

U.S. Court of International Trade
Supreme Court of Puerto Rico
United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico
United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Hernan Francisco Ayala-Rubio, Esq.

Attorney Ayala participates as Off-Counsel to Castañer Law Offices.

Since 1998, Attorney Ayala has served as Vice President of Operations for Puerto Rico's largest shipping agent and stevedoring company, Luis A. Ayala Colon Sucrs., Inc. based in San Juan's busy harbor. LAAC is the Caribbean 's exclusive agent for Hapag-Loyd and Dole Ocean Cargo Express. The company has multiple cargo terminal and warehousing facilities throughout the Island.

Mr. Ayala graduated from the University of New York, Maritime College with a Bachelor's degree in Science with concentration in Maritime Transportation Management. Continuing his post graduate studies, he earned a Masters Degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. He later graduated from the Interamerican University School of Law and the following year was admitted to the Puerto Bar by the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico.

MEMBERSHIPS:

Supreme Court of Puerto Rico
Puerto Shipping Association (President)
National Maritime Safety Association
Private Sector Coalition of Puerto Rico
Caribbean Shipping Association
Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association
Puerto Rico Port Authority Advisory Committee

Rafael O. Baella-Ors, Esq

Attorney Rafael Baella is a board certified appellate practice trial lawyer as designated by The Circuit Court of Appeals of Puerto Rico. He specializes in insurance, appellate and business litigation in both state and federal courts. Mr. Baella has represented many corporate clients in a wide variety of civil litigation, health law, labor and employment matters, contract claims, insurance coverage and reinsurance disputes.

Attorney Baella is a graduate of the University of Sacred Heart, with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing. He is a graduate of Interamerican University School of Law, where he graduated with highest honors.

MEMBERSHIPS:

U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico
Supreme Court of Puerto Rico
U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Puerto Rico

Jorge L. M. Cintrón Pabón, Esq.

Attorney Cintrón, actively participates in Federal, and State litigation at the District and Appeals levels in cases related to Labor Law, Corporate and Construction Law, Civil Rights, Bankruptcy representation for creditors or debtors, Contracts, Torts, monetary collections and special procedures such as Mandamus, among others.

Mr. Cintrón has litigation and appeals experience at the Supreme Court of the United States, First Circuit Court of Appeals, Supreme Court of Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico Court of Appeals. Additionally, he also provides general counsel and notary services to clients.

Mr. Cintrón graduated from Interamerican University with a Bachelor’s degree in Science, Microbiology. He later received his juris doctorate degree from Interamerican as well.

MEMBERSHIPS:

The Supreme Court of the United States
The U. S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
U. S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico
U. S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Puerto Rico
Supreme Court of Puerto Rico

Edgardo L. Santana, Esq.

Mr. Santana is an associate with Castañer Law advising our clients on compliance with environmental, federal and state commonwealth laws, defending prosecutions, tribunal hearings and litigation of environmental claims. He currently holds the position of Senior Biologist/Environmental Specialist for a leading Architectural & Engineering firm in Puerto Rico. His expertise includes environmental regulations, securing permits and Land Acquisition Management.

Santana is a graduate of University of Puerto Rico and holds a Bechelor’s degree in Natural Sciences, and later he earning a Masters degree, in the Environmental Health Sciences. He later earned his Juris Doctorate from the Interamerican University School of Law and was admitted to the Bar by the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,

MEMBERSHIPS:

Supreme Court of Puerto Rico
International Society of Arboriculture