Biography

María Cristina represents corporate clients in complex civil and commercial disputes before both local and federal courts. Her practice includes defending companies in consumer-protection and regulatory matters before Puerto Rico’s Department of Consumer Affairs (DACO), where she advises on compliance with local consumer-protection laws and handles administrative claims arising from consumer complaints.

She also counsels and litigates in disputes governed by Puerto Rico’s Dealer’s Contracts Act (Law 75), representing both local and international manufacturers and suppliers in cases involving termination, nonrenewal, and impairment of distribution agreements. Her work in this area focuses on safeguarding her clients’ commercial interests while navigating the intricate statutory protections afforded to dealers under Puerto Rico law.

She has gained substantial courtroom experience early in her career, contributing to trials—including jury proceedings in federal court—that have sharpened her advocacy and strategic litigation skills.

María Cristina obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, Faculty of Law, graduating Summa Cum Laude. During law school, she was an active member of the Mock Trial Team, ranked among the Top 30 Trial Advocacy Programs in the United States, and was selected to receive the Copa Presidente Scholarship in recognition of her outstanding academic performance.

Before joining O’Neill & Borges, María Cristina interned at the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Washington, D.C., and at the Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the Organization of American States.