Team
Empowering Excellence:
Led by Walter Brenes, well known as an environmental activist.
Empowering Excellence:
Led by Walter Brenes, well known as an environmental activist.
Guided by founder and solo partner Walter Brenes, our team at ELAWF is driven by a shared mission to defend wildlife and pursue positive change in Costa Rica. Fostering diversity and unity, our firm brings together female leadership committed to excellence and integrity. Walter’s leadership and our collective expertise offers results, we fearlessly tackle even the most intimidating legal challenges, offering exceptional support and guidance to our clients.
Guided by founder and solo partner Walter Brenes, our team at ELAWF is driven by a shared mission to defend wildlife and pursue positive change in Costa Rica. Fostering diversity and unity, our firm brings together female leadership committed to excellence and integrity. Walter’s leadership and our collective expertise offers results, we fearlessly tackle even the most intimidating legal challenges, offering exceptional support and guidance to our clients.
Walter Brenes
Founding Partner“We fight for the ones who can’t spread their voice.”
Walter Brenes holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and has completed two master’s degrees: one in Environmental Law and another in Procedural Law and Litigation, from the University of Costa Rica and the University of Montevideo, Uruguay. This strong educational background provides a solid foundation in various legal disciplines.
With over 18 years of experience in Costa Rica’s legal industry and 12 years of specific legal practice, he specializes in Public Law, Environmental Law, Criminal Law, and Entertainment Law. His expertise lies in high-stakes litigation and crafting comprehensive legal strategies, making him a seasoned professional in his field.
Experience: Public Law, Enviromental Law, Criminal and Entertaiment Law.
Languages: English and Spanish
Contact: wbrenes@elawf.com
Ana Vásquez
Litigation Attorney and Public Notary“Your duty is to fight for the Law, but the day that you find the Law in conflict with Justice, fight for Justice”
Eduardo Juan Couture
Ana is a Law graduate from the Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho. She has a specialization in Notarial and Registry Law from Universidad de La Salle. She is responsible of the Notarial, Civil and Commercial Law Litigation departments at the firm. She also has experience in real estate development, corporate, business, and inheritance law.
Languages: English and Spanish.
Practice Areas: Civil and Commercial Law.
Contact: avasquez@elawf.com
Diana Marín
Criminal Law Specialist“Order, responsibility, and firmness.”
Diana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Costa Rica with a focus on Forensic Sciences. She was incorporated into the Costa Rican Bar Association in 2021. Subsequently, she became certified as a Conciliator and Mediator by the Arbitration and Mediation Center of the same entity.
She currently serves as the head of the Criminal Law department at the firm. She possesses extensive experience in both judicial and extrajudicial processes in this field. Her expertise lies in conflict resolution, consultancy, and litigation within the realm of Criminal Law, representing both victims and defendants, covering a wide range of offenses for individuals and legal entities.
Languages: English and Spanish
Practice Areas: Criminal law, criminal procedural law, litigation, conflict resolution.
Contact: dmarin@elawf.com
Thais Mena
Environmental and Administrative Law“May I never be indifferent to what is unjust.”
Mercedes Sosa
Thais has a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Costa Rica, with a specialization in Environmental Law. She has a comprehensive background in Public Law, including experience in administrative and contentious-administrative matters, Municipal Law, Public Procurement, and issues related to Regulatory Plans. Her professional experience encompasses working in Public Law from both the private sector and public institutions.
She approaches legal practice with empathy and constructive criticism, aiming to incorporate a socio-environmental perspective. Currently, she supports the Environmental and Administrative Law area.
Languages: English and Spanish.
Practice Areas: Environmental Law, and Administrative Law.
Contact: tmena@elawf.com
Keysha Salazar
Paralegal“Treat others as we would like to be treated.”
Keysha has a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho, with a full empathetic approach towards clients and colleagues, and commitment to respect and empathy in all her professional interactions.
Reliable, professional, and ethical individual, dedicated to work and always striving to give her best.
Languages: English and Spanish.
Practice Areas: Labor Law, Family Law, Civil Law.
Contact: ksalazar@elawf.com
Gabriel González
Special counsel in public law“Resilience turns challenges into opportunities.”
Gabriel González has worked as a legal assistant and attorney specialized in litigation related to Public Law and Public Procurement. Throughout his career, he has been involved in various contentious proceedings, administrative procedures, expropriations, and municipal matters.
Currently, he holds a prominent role in the areas of Public Law and Public Procurement.
Languages: English and Spanish.
Practice Areas: Public Law, Public Procurement.
Contact: ggonzalez@elawf.com