Sharlene Malavé Vallines

Sharlene Malavé Vallines represents clients in complex commercial, civil and bankruptcy litigation, with particular emphasis on creditor’s rights, trademarks, securities, construction law, bankruptcy, administrative agencies, appellate and trial practice. During her 15-year career, she has successfully represented clients in high-profile matters and has served as counsel in many litigation matters, including trials on the merits. Counsel of ADSUAR’s Litigation Practice Group, she counsels clients in every stage of the litigation cycle.

While her practice cuts across many industries, and subject matters, Sharlene has broad experience in different areas of civil and commercial litigation practice with a focus on commercial lending litigation, bankruptcy litigation, automotive industry litigation and administrative litigation. Sharlene has experience in advising and representing public and private clients on construction claims (including extended overhead, wrongful default and construction defects claims), torts and commercial damages actions, creditor’s rights and financial workouts, Law 75, Law 21, ERISA claims, breach of contract, insurance claims, property taxes challenges, fraud, collection of monies and bid challenges.

Sharlene is admitted to the Puerto Rico Supreme Court and the Puerto Rico Notary Bar, US District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, and the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

Focus Areas

• Civil and Commercial Litigation
• Bankruptcy Litigation and Adversary Claims
• Distribution, Franchising and Sales Representation
• Administrative Litigation before the Department of Consumer Affairs
• ERISA Claims Litigation before the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Puerto Rico
• Automotive Industry Disputes
• Facility and Construction Disputes
• Financial Services Litigation
• Immigration

Education

• JD-MBA, cum laude, University of Puerto Rico, School of Law (2008).
• B.B.A. with majors in Accounting and Industrial Management, magna cum laude, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus (2004).

Experience

• Representing Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, Westernbank de Puerto Rico, among other financial institutions on a range of insolvency and creditor/debtor rights issues arising in reorganizations, bankruptcy proceedings, foreclosure and collection actions and commercial litigation. She has also litigated multiple cases relating to lender liability, fraud, distress, and insolvency-related issues. 
• Representing a various client in avoidance actions litigation before the US District Court for the District of Puerto Rico in the bankruptcy petition of the Government of Puerto Rico.
• Representing various clients, i.e. Catholics School Pension Plan, National Promoters Pension Plan, before the US Bankruptcy Court in connection with ERISA claims.
• National Public Finance as local counsel in Puerto Rico’s debt restructuring process and several related adversary proceedings, which is the largest public sector bankruptcy in U.S. history.
• Niagara as counsel in trademark infringement litigation.
• Philips Medical Systems as counsel in various lawsuits by distributors and sales representatives alleging impairment or termination, without just cause, of dealership or sales representative agreements.
• Representing a wide variety of clients before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services on visa petitions, response to special requests and the corresponding appeal process.
• Representing various clients before the Puerto Rico Financial Institutions Commissioner in connection with the liquidation process of certain internation financial institutions.