Valerie M. Figueras-Mattei

Valerie M. Figueras-Mattei

Featured Founding Member 2026
Saldaña, Carvajal & Vélez-Rivé, P.S.C.

Verified August 2026

Serves all of Puerto Rico · Office in San Juan
Spanish English
AI summary

Valerie M. Figueras-Mattei is a legal professional based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, whose practice encompasses labor and employment law, contracts, administrative law, civil rights, and notary public services. Fluent in both Spanish and English, she is equipped to serve a diverse clientele across these areas of legal practice.

About

Ms. Figueras-Mattei is a defense attorney who focuses on labor and employment litigation in Puerto Rico state courts, as well as administrative forums such as the Anti-Discrimination Unit, the Mediation and Adjudication Office, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In so doing, Ms. Figueras-Mattei has represented employers in cases involving termination, breach of contract, sexual harassment, and discrimination. In one such case before an administrative agency, Ms. Figueras-Mattei obtained summary dismissal of the claims against her client by arguing that it had legal grounds for terminating an employee who knowingly and continuously violated the company’s rules of conduct. As part of her practice, Ms. Figueras-Mattei also assists clients with the creation and revision of company policies, protocols, and employee handbooks. Further, she has handled matters such as the obtention of restraining orders under the Puerto Rico Anti-Stalking Act, the registration of businesses in the Department of Labor and insurance policy transfers from the State Insurance Fund Corporation. Prior to starting her career as an attorney, Ms. Figueras-Mattei worked in the human resources departments of several companies, where she managed recruitment efforts, employee wellness programs, internship programs, and employee benefits. Ms. Figueras-Mattei mines this vast experience to provide her clients preventive consulting on matters related to human resources and labor laws. Ms. Figueras-Mattei is an Associate at SCVR. She joined the firm in 2023, after working as a labor & employment attorney at a full-service law firm in San Juan.

Sobre el Abogado

La Lcda. Figueras-Mattei es una abogada de defensa que se enfoca en litigio laboral y de empleo ante los tribunales estatales de Puerto Rico, así como ante foros administrativos tales como la Unidad Antidiscrimen, la Oficina de Mediación y Adjudicación, y la Comisión de Igualdad de Oportunidades en el Empleo (EEOC). En ese ejercicio, la Lcda. Figueras-Mattei ha representado a patronos en casos relacionados con despido, incumplimiento de contrato, hostigamiento sexual y discrimen. En uno de esos casos ante una agencia administrativa, la Lcda. Figueras-Mattei logró la desestimación sumaria de las reclamaciones contra su cliente al argumentar que este tenía fundamento legal para despedir a un empleado que violó, de manera consciente y continua, las normas de conducta de la compañía. Como parte de su práctica, la Lcda. Figueras-Mattei también asiste a clientes en la creación y revisión de políticas empresariales, protocolos y manuales del empleado. Además, ha manejado asuntos tales como la obtención de órdenes de protección bajo la Ley contra el Acecho de Puerto Rico, el registro de negocios en el Departamento del Trabajo y las transferencias de pólizas del Fondo del Seguro del Estado. Antes de comenzar su carrera como abogada, la Lcda. Figueras-Mattei trabajó en los departamentos de recursos humanos de varias compañías, donde manejó esfuerzos de reclutamiento, programas de bienestar de empleados, programas de pasantías y beneficios marginales. La Lcda. Figueras-Mattei aprovecha esta vasta experiencia para ofrecer a sus clientes asesoría preventiva en asuntos relacionados con los recursos humanos y las leyes laborales. La Lcda. Figueras-Mattei es Asociada (Associate) de SCVR. Se incorporó a la firma en el 2023, luego de trabajar como abogada de derecho laboral y de empleo en un bufete de servicio integral en San Juan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What protections do Puerto Rico labor laws give employees?
Puerto Rico has robust labor laws covering minimum wage, overtime, vacation and sick leave, the Christmas bonus, and protection against unjust dismissal, often exceeding federal requirements.
What is severance pay under Puerto Rico's unjust dismissal law?
Puerto Rico law provides statutory severance, commonly called "la mesada," to employees dismissed without just cause. The amount is based on salary and length of service.
What counts as wrongful termination in Puerto Rico?
An employee dismissed without just cause may be entitled to statutory severance. Terminations based on discrimination, retaliation, or protected activity may also be unlawful under local and federal law.
Am I protected against workplace discrimination in Puerto Rico?
Yes. Local and federal law prohibit discrimination based on age, sex, race, religion, disability, and national origin. You can file a complaint with the appropriate agency, and an attorney can guide the process.