Tessie Leal-Garabís

Trial Lawyer in Puerto Rico’s Federal and State Courts

Tessie Leal-Garabís is a trial attorney with more than 25 years of experience in Puerto Rico’s state and federal courts. Her practice spans general civil and commercial litigation, employment and labor law, civil rights, construction disputes (including payment and performance bonds), lender’s liability, and breach of contract cases.

Ms. Leal-Garabís represents a broad range of clients in both the private and government sectors, from multinational corporations and national brands to local businesses and individuals. She is a seasoned trial lawyer with deep experience managing employment matters through Puerto Rico’s summary labor procedure (Law 2), which demands expedited preparation and aggressive advocacy from the moment a complaint is filed.

Clerkship and Academic Background

She clerked at the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico for the Honorable Chief Magistrate Judge Justo Arenas and the Honorable (former) Chief Judge José A. Fusté, and graduated magna cum laude from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico School of Law, where she was a member of the Law Review.

Representative Matters

Ms. Leal-Garabís has represented national employers and multinational corporations in unjust dismissal, retaliation, and discrimination defense before Puerto Rico’s labor courts, the U.S. District Court, and the First Circuit; construction companies and bonding companies in payment and performance bond disputes; lenders in liability and foreclosure matters; and private and government sector clients in civil rights litigation. She has obtained complete reversals on appeal of adverse trial verdicts in employment matters.