Karena’s practice is focused on complex insurance recovery disputes on behalf of commercial and corporate policyholders. As a trial lawyer, Karena has helped clients secure millions of dollars in insurance proceeds on covered claims for hurricane losses. Karena regularly counsels clients on insurance recovery strategy and claim handling through the different stages, extrajudicially, through alternate dispute resolution proceedings, settlement and trial. Karena also regularly represents clients in matters related to civil and commercial litigation, including defamation claims, torts, trademark and copyright infringement and contract litigation. Karena is also involved in representing and advising financial institutions, private equity funds, purchasers of distressed debt or assets and creditors on insolvency matters, including collection of monies, foreclosures, bankruptcy and credit reporting.

MPM’s Commercial Litigation Department was ranked as Band 1 – the highest ranking possible – for Dispute Resolution in both the Latin America and Global Editions of Chambers & Partners. Karena is one of four MPM attorneys ranked as notable practitioners in Dispute Resolution.

Karena regularly lectures on the Federal Rules of Evidence, deposition and litigation strategy, and on insurance recovery matters. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Bar Association-Hon. Raymond L. Acosta Puerto Rico Chapter, as well as an editor for the association’s newsletter, “From the Bar”. In 2023, Karena acted as co-managing partner at MPM. In 2016, she was appointed to the Intellectual Property Commission of the Puerto Rico Bar Association.

Prior to joining Marini Pietrantoni Muñiz LLC, Karena was an associate attorney at a major firm in Puerto Rico from 2013 to 2018. Karena holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (BBA), with a major in Marketing, from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. She obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law. Karena is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (BBA), with a major in Marketing, from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Magna Cum Laude.
• Juris Doctor from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law, Cum Laude.

Bar Admissions:

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

Past Employment Experience:

• O’Neill & Borges, Associate, 2013-2018.

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Federal Bar Association – President-Elect and Editor of “From the Bar”

• Insurance
• Foreclosures, Collections & Transfer of Collateral
• Appellate Practice
• Construction
• First Amendment
• General Contract, Commercial and Business Disputes
• Intellectual Property
• Personal Injury

• “We have total confidence in Karena Montes Berríos and her business and legal knowledge. She has a friendly, open and service-oriented approach.”
  – Chambers & Partners, Latin America Guide, 2025

• “Karena Montes Berríos has a very strong commercial awareness, and is able to provide important advice and helps win cases.”
  – Chambers & Partners, Latin America Guide, 2023

• “Karena Montes Berríos is a smart and very professional lawyer.”
  – Chambers & Partners, Latin America Guide, 2024