Corporate Lawyer – Costa Rica (Independent Contractor)

About the role

Our client is looking for a Corporate Lawyer to support international clients operating in Costa Rica. The role focuses on entity formation, statutory compliance and legal advisory services, working directly with foreign‑owned companies.

Key responsibilities

• Incorporate Costa Rican legal entities (S.A. and S.R.L.), draft the escritura constitutiva and coordinate registration with the Registro Nacional.
• Handle initial tax registration with the Ministerio de Hacienda and obtain the entity’s cédula jurídica.
• Appoint and coordinate local legal representatives and resident agents for client entities.
• Draft and review powers of attorney, board and shareholder resolutions.
• Manage annual corporate compliance, including custody of corporate books, annual shareholders’ meetings and filing the Registro de Transparencia y Beneficiarios Finales (RTBF) declaration.
• Monitor and coordinate payment of the annual corporate tax and maintain entities in good standing.
• Liaise with international clients and referral partners in English on structuring, compliance timelines and documentation.
• Coordinate with notaries, the Registro Nacional and government authorities to progress incorporation and compliance filings.
• Provide ad‑hoc legal advice on employment law, commercial contracts and corporate structuring, including dormant entity maintenance and dissolution.

Required profile

• Law degree (Licenciatura en Derecho) from an accredited Costa Rican university and active registration with the Colegio de Abogados y Abogadas de Costa Rica.
• Minimum three years of experience in corporate/commercial law, preferably supporting foreign‑owned entities.
• Strong knowledge of Costa Rican corporate law, Registro Nacional procedures and RTBF beneficial‑ownership obligations.
• Fluent Spanish and professional‑level English, both written and spoken.
• Experience drafting incorporation documents, powers of attorney and corporate resolutions.
• Preferred: active notarial licence, experience with global EOR/PEO providers, familiarity with immigration work‑permit processes and free‑zone regime applications.