Get to know José
José Fernando Rovira-Rullán is a Capital Member of Ferraiuoli, Chair of its Commercial Lending Practice Group and member of its Recruiting Committee. José’s principal areas of practice include commercial lending, financial restructuring, real estate, corporate governance and general corporate law. As a transactional attorney, José principally concentrates his practice in the representation of foreign and domestic commercial lenders, real estate developers and other business entities. He is also a Public Notary.
Prior to joining Ferraiuoli, José worked for Puerto Rico’s Thirteenth (13th) Legislative Assembly as Special Advisor to the Director of the Office of Legislative Services where he collaborated closely with lawmakers and other executive personnel and was actively involved in the legislative process. He was also appointed for four consecutive years to the Presidential Summer Internship Program at the Government Development Bank of Puerto Rico.
On the community front, José currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Casa La Providencia, a long-standing local non–profit offering a residential treatment program for women addicted to drugs or alcohol which includes group therapy, spiritual counseling, work therapy, life skills training and educational upgrading.
Why Ferraiuoli?
Ferraiuoli has a blend of cutting-edge legal knowledge, business savvy, unparalleled service and practicality very rarely seen in our market. Our results-oriented practice focuses on adding value to our client base on a daily basis.
Why do your clients come to you?
Having spent my entire legal career at Ferraiuoli, I have grown my own practice to be consistent with the firm’s values, reputation and particular blend. I strive to provide top notch legal advice with a practical results-oriented approach and with a particular emphasis on client service.
What do you find most rewarding?
Adding value to our clients on a daily basis is by far and beyond the most rewarding part of the job. We strive to become not just our clients’ legal advisors, but even more importantly, their business partner for the long haul.
Looking forward, what you see?
Where others see challenges we see opportunities. We are very excited going forward and hope to continue to contribute decisively to the legal and business landscape not only here in Puerto Rico, but in the continental United States and worldwide.
- Acted as local counsel to the secured parties in Puerto Rico’s first Public Private Partnership (P3) transaction relating to Puerto Rico’s International Airport, specifically involving: (i) the re-financing of a portion of the leasehold fee and certain other costs and expenditures associated with the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport Lease Agreement, through the issuance and sale of senior secured notes in the aggregate principal amount of $350,000,000; and (ii) the financing of certain other costs and expenditures (including capital expenditures) associated with the P3 transaction through a senior secured term loan commitment in the aggregate principal amount $50,000,000 and revolving facility of $10,000,000.
- Acted as local counsel to a leading international commodities trading and logistics company and a multinational petroleum company and its local subsidiaries in connection with the financing of receivables with two global banking networks under several fuel purchase government contracts in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $1,000,000,000.00.
- Represented an international real estate conglomerate in connection with the restructuring of credit facilities with a local financial institution in an aggregate amount of $89,000,000.00 related to three local major to mid-size shopping centers located across Puerto Rico.
- Represented Lone Star Funds in the due diligence, bid process, negotiation and closing of a Loan Portfolio and Real Estate Purchase Agreement whereby Lone Star acquired a commercial real estate loan and REO portfolio from one of Puerto Rico’s local banks with an aggregate value in excess of $350,000,00.00.
- Represented the State Workers Compensation Insurance Fund in the refinancing of its $250,000,000.00 debt with the Government Development Bank and Banco Santander.
- Acted as local counsel to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in the 2010 consolidation of three failed Puerto Rico banks, including the constitution and perfection of the security interest in favor of the FDIC, including promissory notes with face value in excess of $10,000,000,000.00.
- The International Comparative Legal Guide to Lending & Secured Finance, Puerto Rico Chapter, 2015 Edition, published by the Global Legal Group London.
Education
- Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, School of Law, J.D., 2003
- University of Puerto Rico, B.S. in Political Science, 2000
Bar Admissions
- Puerto Rico Bar
- Puerto Rico Notarial Bar
Affiliations
- Puerto Rico Bar Association (Colegio de Abogados de Puerto Rico)
- Puerto Rico Notary Association (Asociación de Notarios de Puerto Rico)
Professional Recognition
- José has been recognized in the 2015 Latin America Edition of Chambers & Partners as an Up and Coming Individual for Corporate/Commercial Law. The commentary notes that, “José Rovira-Rullán has impressed market sources with his skilled practice. Among other areas he handles secured transactions, commercial finance, and M&A. He recently formed part of the team acting for the Hotel Development Corporation on a high-value investment in the former Diamond Palace Hotel.”
