Thomas is an experienced litigator who represents clients before both state and federal courts at the trial and appellate level. His practice areas include civil and commercial litigation, and torts defense.

He has appeared as counsel in hundreds of cases, of which approximately 65% have been litigated before federal court.  Cases have included: torts (general tort defense and complex class action cases), commercial litigation (including contract disputes, collections and distribution law Act 75 cases), constitutional issues (regulatory taking, equal protection, commerce clause and First Amendment), employment discrimination (Title VII, A.D.E.A. and sexual harassment), false claims act, Civil Rights (§1983), civil R.I.C.O., civil forfeiture and federal white collar criminal defense.

Before co-founding Trebilcock & Rovira, he served a two-year term as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, in the chambers of Honorable Gustavo A. Gelpi.  Upon completing that term, he worked for two major law firms in San Juan and subsequently spent 5½ years working between the trial and appellate divisions of the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico.

Education

• Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico Law School, J.D., 2001
• Marquette University, B.A., 1997

Bar Admissions

• Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (2002)

Other Court Admissions

• U.S. District Court of the District of Puerto Rico (2003)
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Puerto Rico (2007)
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (2002)

Rafael is an experienced Corporate and Estate Planning attorney and prior to founding Trebilcock & Rovira worked at two major corporate firms in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Rafael’s practice is primarily focused on Corporate, Estate Planning and Wealth Preservation matters.  Rafael advises and counsels established businesses and companies commencing operations in the areas of financing, corporate structuring, governance and general corporate matters (including real estate and mergers and acquisitions).

Rafael further advises and counsels individuals on issues of wealth preservation and estate planning, with a focus on reducing the client’s potential estate tax exposure and the protection of assets through mechanisms such as the constitution of Trusts.  The practice also encompasses the preparation of last wills and testaments, health care directives and durable powers of attorney.

Education

• Suffolk University Law School, LL.M., 2010
• Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico Law School, J.D., 2009
• Boston College,  B.A., 2006

Bar Admissions

• Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Court Admissions

• United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico
• United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Puerto Rico