Inspiring Conversations with Laura Castillo of Innventiva

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Castillo.

Hi Laura, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m an intellectual property and corporate lawyer originally from the Dominican Republic, where I co-lead a law firm focused on helping businesses protect and grow their brands. My career started with a strong academic foundation in law, but very early on I realized I wanted to work closely with people building real businesses and needing practical, strategic legal support.

That led me to focus on trademarks and brand protection, and eventually expand into the U.S. market. I pursued an LL.M. at Emory University in Atlanta and passed the Georgia Bar, which allowed me to bridge both jurisdictions and support clients as they grow internationally.

Today, I operate between the Dominican Republic and the United States, advising companies on how to protect, scale, and monetize their intellectual property.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been building across two jurisdictions at the same time, navigating different legal systems, expectations, and networks while essentially starting from zero again in the U.S.

There’s also been a constant balance between running a growing firm in the Dominican Republic and investing in my own development abroad. That meant long hours, uncertainty, and making decisions without always having a clear roadmap.

On a more personal level, stepping into new spaces, academically and professionally, required a lot of resilience and confidence, especially when results weren’t immediate. But those challenges shaped how I approach my work today: more strategic, more intentional, and with a deeper understanding of what it takes to build something that lasts.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Innventiva is a boutique law firm focused on intellectual property and corporate law. We work primarily with business owners, growing brands, and international companies that are expanding into new markets and need legal strategies that go beyond just filing.

We provide comprehensive legal support across intellectual property and corporate law, including trademarks, copyrights, regulatory strategy, commercial contracts, and business structuring for companies operating locally and internationally. We work closely with clients at every stage, from early formation to expansion, helping them navigate legal, operational, and market-entry challenges.

What we’re known for is how we connect legal protection with real business strategy. We don’t approach intellectual property as a standalone legal task, but as part of a bigger picture where every decision supports growth, positioning, and long-term value.

What truly sets us apart is our cross-border perspective combined with a very hands on approach. We understand not only the legal frameworks but also the operational challenges that come with expanding into new markets. Many of our clients come to us while they are already growing, and we help them bring clarity, structure, and protection to what they’ve built so they can scale with confidence.

Brand wise, I’m most proud of how we’ve grown from a small, founder led firm into a trusted partner for businesses expanding into and operating in the United States, while maintaining a close, strategic, and highly personalized approach. We’ve been intentional about building a brand that is both accessible and high level, focused not only on solving immediate legal needs but on supporting our clients’ long term growth.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
I’ve been fortunate to have strong support both personally and professionally. My sister and business partner has been a key part of the journey, especially in building and growing the firm from the ground up. Having someone who shares the same vision and level of commitment has made a huge difference.

I’ve also had mentors and colleagues within the intellectual property community who have guided me, particularly as I expanded into the U.S. market. In addition, my professors at Emory played an important role in shaping how I think and practice law. They challenged me to approach legal issues with depth and strategy, and helped me build the confidence to operate in a new jurisdiction.

And of course, our clients deserve a lot of credit. Many of them have trusted us from early stages of their businesses and have grown alongside us. That trust has allowed us to evolve, refine our approach, and build a practice that is truly aligned with the needs of the businesses we serve.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://innventivalegal.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innventivalegal/?hl=es
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innventivalegal/?originalSubdomain=do