Who we are

Founded in 1993 and headquartered in San Juan, Mellado & Mellado-Villarreal operates at the intersection of Puerto Rico’s civil law tradition and the U.S. federal legal system — a practice environment that demands fluency in both frameworks. The firm’s attorneys are admitted before the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, and the Puerto Rico courts at all levels.

The firm is litigation-ready across federal and Commonwealth courts, administrative agencies, and arbitral forums. It offers bilingual representation in English and Spanish and has served as local counsel for prominent national firms — including Am Law 100 institutions — in matters requiring both federal sophistication and deep knowledge of Puerto Rico law.

What We Have Done

Secured a $28.5 million settlement in a professional liability action against former directors and officers of a failed Puerto Rico bank — representing the federal receiver.

Obtained a full judgment in a $55 million loss-share arbitration on behalf of a federal banking agency against a major financial institution represented by one of the largest law firms in the country.

Secured a Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction, and Permanent Injunction under the Anti-Injunction Act, producing a 46-page federal order finding a Commonwealth court ruling to be in direct defiance of federal authority. The property sold at auction for $5.5 million.

Achieved a complete reversal on appeal in a five-day employment retaliation and disability discrimination trial — securing dismissal of two co-defendants at the trial level and overturning the remaining adverse verdict before the First Circuit.