JAVIER ESCALANTE MADRIGAL
Costa Rica

Partner

Javier is a Costa Rican attorney and international business advisor with more than 25 years of experience advising companies, investors, and organizations on complex legal, commercial, and cross-border matters. His practice combines extensive legal experience with a strong background in international trade, foreign investment, government relations, and international negotiations.

Throughout his career, Javier has advised national and international clients on corporate, commercial, contractual, real estate, regulatory, administrative, and international matters. His experience in both the private and public sectors gives him a broad understanding of the legal, commercial, and institutional considerations involved in doing business in Costa Rica and across international markets.

His international career includes serving as Costa Rica’s Ambassador to Qatar, where he led the establishment of the country’s first embassy in the Arabian Gulf, as well as Minister-Counsellor and General Consul in Singapore. He also served in Costa Rica’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and participated as a commercial negotiator in the Association Agreement between the European Union and Central America.

Javier’s practice is further supported by his experience in arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, as well as his involvement in international business and wealth-related matters. He is a Full Member (TEP) of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and serves on several professional and corporate boards.

His multidisciplinary background allows him to approach complex matters with a strategic and practical perspective, combining legal judgment with a clear understanding of business objectives, negotiations, and the broader institutional environment in which clients operate.

  • 2006. LL.M. in International Business Law. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
  • 2005. LL.M. in Economic Analysis of Law, with a concentration in the Economic Analysis of International Commercial Law. Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
  • 2003. Law Degree. Attorney-at-Law and Notary Public. Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
  • 2022 – Present. Founding Partner, TACTIC Legal, Costa Rica.
  • 2018 – 2022. Founding Partner, COLBS Legal Studio, Costa Rica.
  • 2014 – 2017. Partner, SFERA Legal, San José, Costa Rica.
  • 2012 – 2014. Partner, FH Legal, San José, Costa Rica.
  • 2010 – 2011. Ambassador of Costa Rica to the State of Qatar. Embassy of Costa Rica, Doha, Qatar.
  • 2008 – 2010. Minister Counsellor and Consul General of Costa Rica. Embassy of Costa Rica, Singapore.
  • 2007 – 2008. Chief of Staff to the Minister of Foreign Trade. Ministry of Foreign Trade (COMEX), San José, Costa Rica.
  • 2000 – 2004. Associate Attorney (began his career as a Legal Assistant). Facio Abogados, San José, Costa Rica.