Luis Antonio Aguilar
Strategic Legal Executive
Alajuela
Summary
- Strategic Legal & Business Executive with 18+ years of experience driving legal operational efficiency, risk mitigation, and business growth across Central America and the Caribbean.
- Proven ability to transform legal functions into high-impact business enablers by optimizing contracting processes, supporting procurement and vendor management, and leading complex cross-border transactions.
- Trusted advisor to C-suite and Boards, with strong expertise in regulated industries, shared services environments, and regional expansion strategies.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
Legal Manager
Cooperativa de Productores de Leche Dos Pinos, R.L.
Costa Rica
02.2021 - Current
- Serve as strategic legal advisor to C-suite and Board of Directors on high-impact legal, governance, and business risk matters.
- Lead and develop a team of 5 in-house attorneys, aligning legal support with business priorities and operational KPIs.
- Support procurement and commercial teams in structuring and negotiating vendor, supply, and distribution agreements.
- Negotiate and oversee high-value, multi-jurisdictional contracts including private label, and cobranding agreements across multiple jurisdictions.
- Streamlined contracting processes, reducing turnaround time by 35% and accelerating commercial deal execution.
- Manage external counsel across Central America, the Caribbean, and the United States, ensuring consistency and cost-efficiency.
- Represent the organization in litigation and administrative proceedings, safeguarding financial and reputational interests.
- Reduced contract turnaround time by streamlining legal workflows through the implementation of CLM software.
- Supported regional business restructuring across Central America and the Caribbean through legal structuring.
- Negotiated and managed high-value commercial agreements (SPAs, supply, distribution, private label, and cobranding) across multiple jurisdictions.
- Implemented scalable legal support models aligned with business KPIs and operational needs.
- Led and developed high-performing legal teams, improving service delivery and internal client satisfaction.
Senior Associate
Facio & Cañas (Pragma Legal merged with F&C in Feb. 2020)
Costa Rica
02.2020 - 02.2021
- Advised private equity and multinational clients on corporate structuring, regulatory compliance, and distribution frameworks.
- Led Free Trade Zone (FTZ) applications for multinational clients, enabling investment incentives and compliance.
- Provided legal support in regulated sectors including technology and commodities across multiple jurisdictions.
Senior Associate
Pragma Legal (formerly Rucavado & Rucavado)
Costa Rica
01.2013 - 01.2020
- Regional counsel for corporate clients operating across Central and South America and the Caribbean.
- Developed in-depth regional expertise in commercial transactions, compliance, and contract law.
- Coordinated legal services through a trusted network of local firms, ensuring seamless regional support.
Contracts Legal Manager - North America Partners
Oracle Corporation
Costa Rica
12.2011 - 12.2012
- Supported US and Canada partner teams with software licensing agreements and contract lifecycle management.
- Negotiated complex deals and customized agreements to align with business and legal goals.
- Recognized as '2012 Team Lead & Top Performer' for leadership, responsiveness, and cross-functional collaboration.
Associate Attorney
Facio & Cañas
Costa Rica
11.2006 - 08.2010
- Managed due diligence and transactional matters in hospitality, consumer goods, and medical devices sectors.
- Advised on mergers, regulatory matters, and franchise operations for clients such as McDonald's and Marriott.
Education
Master of Laws (LL.M.) - undefined
01.2011
JD - Law
01.2008
Postgraduate in Notary & Registry Law - undefined
01.2010
International Program in Business Administration for Lawyers (DANA) - Executive Management & Leadership Skills
01.2014
Skills
- Legal Operations & Process Optimization
- Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM)
- Procurement & Vendor Contracts
- Corporate Governance & Board Advisory
- Risk Management & Compliance
- Cross-Border Transactions & M&A
- Regulatory Affairs (Food Industry & Tech)
- Data Privacy & Technology Law
- Shared Services Support
- Team Leadership & Development
Languages
Spanish
English
Executive Education
International Program in Business Administration for Lawyers (DANA), INCAE Business School, 2014-01-01, Executive Management & Leadership Skills
Professional Memberships
Costa Rican Bar Association, 2008-01-01
Additional Value
- Experience supporting shared services and regional operations environments
- Strong cross-functional collaboration with procurement, finance, supply chain, and commercial teams
- Business-oriented mindset with focus on efficiency, scalability, and value creation
Timeline
Legal Manager - Cooperativa de Productores de Leche Dos Pinos, R.L.
02.2021 - Current
Senior Associate - Facio & Cañas (Pragma Legal merged with F&C in Feb. 2020)
02.2020 - 02.2021
Senior Associate - Pragma Legal (formerly Rucavado & Rucavado)
01.2013 - 01.2020
Contracts Legal Manager - North America Partners - Oracle Corporation
12.2011 - 12.2012
Associate Attorney - Facio & Cañas
11.2006 - 08.2010
McGill University - Master of Laws (LL.M.),
Universidad de Costa Rica - JD, Law
Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho - Postgraduate in Notary & Registry Law,
INCAE Business School - International Program in Business Administration for Lawyers (DANA), Executive Management & Leadership Skills