Flavio Dario Espinal is managing partner and founder of FDE Legal, a law firm offering a wide range of legal services in the Dominican Republic. With over 40 years of experience, he concentrates his legal practice in corporate and business law, administrative law, constitutional law, financial and banking law, regulation and compliance, corporate governance, and foreign investment, and alternative dispute resolution.
Dr. Espinal has served as legal counsel to the President (2016-2020), Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the United States (2004-2009) and Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the Organization of American States (OAS) (1996-2000). In his professional career he has combined private law practice with consulting and national and international public service. He has also worked both in private practice and public service in the preparation and drafting of legislation, regulations, international agreements and reports on relevant legal issues.
Flavio Darío Espinal was a member of the commission of jurists appointed by the Executive Branch to draft the preliminary draft that served as the basis for the 2010 Constitution, as well as the commission of jurists appointed to draft a set of laws to complement said Constitution. The prestigious governmental positions and appointments in which he has served have had a significant influence in the development and modernization of the legal system of the Dominican Republic.
He has been one of the most influential and respected law professors in the country and is a prolific writer with numerous articles and books, with a regular presence in the country's media with important analyses and opinions on local and international legal, political and economic issues.
He obtained his law degree (summa cum laude) from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), Dominican Republic, an M.A. in Government from the University of Essex, England, and a PhD in Government from the University of Virginia.
He is founder member and member of the Board of Directors of Fundación Institucionalidad y Justicia (FINJUS), the leading non-governmental institution in the Dominican Republic for judicial and institutional reform; as well as member of the International Advisory Counsel (IAC) of Global Americans.
