López has more than 20 years’ professional experience and is recognized as a leading name in the Costa Rican intellectual-property sphere. She has advised important clients in matters pertaining to industrial property registrations, appeals and administrative oppositions, sanitary registrations and trademarks.

"At Arias we continue to build an intellectual property practice that, in addition to being robust and specialized, is the strategic ally of innovators who seek to take the country to the next level of development. The incorporation of Pilar is a fundamental ingredient in this project," said Luis Diego Castro, partner and head of IP at Arias Costa Rica.

Maria del Pilar has also been responsible for IP enforcement strategies and actions and has collaborated with the litigation departments in legal disputes. During the last few years she has focused her work in the life sciences and privacy practice, in line with developing trends and new client - requirements.

The new partner has a law degree from the Universidad Escuela Libre de Derecho and is currently studying for a master's degree in notarial law. She actively participates in organizations which specialize in intellectual property such as INTA (International Trademark Association), ASIPI (Inter American Association of Industrial Property), APPICR (Association of National Professionals in Intellectual Property in Costa Rica) and the Brazilian Association of Intellectual Property (ABPI).

"Pilar's arrival fills us with great joy and optimism, and allows us to continue focusing on our growth and regional projection. At Arias we have a vision of teamwork and we are pleased to incorporate people that we know will contribute to our dynamics with their experience and charisma, as we know Pilar and her team will," said Carolina Flores, managing partner of Arias in Costa Rica.

Arias is a unique law firm in Central America, with more than 78 years of experience. It has  offices in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. It has become, today, not only a solid, but also an innovative legal firm that continues to spread its influence throughout the region. The firm is a one-step, one-stop law firm offering clients the benefits and demonstrated advantages that come from having all their regional businesses served from one, fully integrated base.