Tessie Leal-Garabís

Twenty-Five Years at Trial. From the First Day of a Complaint to the Last Word on Appeal.

Narrative

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 employment and labor law defense, general civil and commercial litigation, civil rights, construction disputes — including payment and performance bonds — lender’s liability, and breach of contract cases.

She represents a broad range of clients in both the private and public sectors, from multinational corporations and national brands to local businesses and individuals. Her particular depth is in employment defense, where she manages disputes through Puerto Rico’s summary labor procedure under Law 2 — a framework that compresses the timeline and demands complete, aggressive preparation from the moment a complaint is filed. There is no adjustment period. Clients facing a Law 2 action need counsel who is ready on day one.

Ms. Leal-Garabís has tried cases to verdict in both Puerto Rico’s labor courts and the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, and has argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. She graduated magna cum laude from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico School of Law, where she was a member of the Law Review.

Federal Clerkships

Ms. Leal-Garabís 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 — two of the most consequential federal judicial positions in Puerto Rico. That experience shaped her understanding of how federal courts think, what they expect, and what moves them.

Representative Matters

Secured the dismissal of two co-defendants at trial in a five-day employment retaliation and disability discrimination case brought under Law 115 and Law 44, then obtained a complete reversal of the remaining adverse verdict on appeal before the First Circuit — a full-cycle result requiring trial precision and appellate strategy.

Defended national employers and multinational corporations in unjust dismissal, retaliation, and discrimination claims across Puerto Rico’s labor courts, the U.S. District Court, and the First Circuit — including matters filed under Law 80, Law 115, Law 44, Title VII, the ADA, and the ADEA.

Represented construction companies and bonding companies in payment and performance bond disputes involving large-scale development projects in Puerto Rico.

Represented lenders in liability and foreclosure matters before Puerto Rico’s Commonwealth and federal courts.

Represented private and government sector clients in civil rights litigation in federal court.