Rizek Abogados announced its strategic alliance with United States law firm Diaz, Reus & Targ, LLP during a reception at the Real Intercontinental Hotel of Santo Domingo on October 13, 2016, in the presence of prominent businessmen, judges, and important government officials. The alliance establishes just the second U.S. law rm with a local presence in the Dominican Republic.

Mr. José Alfredo Rizek, founding partner of Rizek Abogados, said the alliance will strengthen and expand services for both law firms, as they serve their clients in the Dominican Republic, the U.S., and other countries, worldwide. He said that everyone knows the need to innovate is undeniable. Innovation is a key prong for the rm’s strategic direction.

“The way we do business or resolve conflicts and controversies is now, more than ever, impacted by external agents, transnational legislation, or simply potential partners or competitors that are not within our same geographical boundaries,” he explained. “Attorneys therefore need the support of foreign offices to help in the management of a given case for specialization or knowledge of a particular legislation, and to understand the practices of other countries.”

Mr. Rizek initially established an informal commercial relationship with Miami- based Diaz Reus when he was contacted by the rm seven years ago in the representation of a group of investors that had been victims of fraud in four countries, including the Dominican Republic and the U.S. However, it wasn’t until this past year that the two firms began moving to a more formal alliance.