Through our membership in Lawyers Associated Worldwide (LAW), we are pleased to welcome Chilean attorney José Fontaine of Fontaine y Cía. Abogados to our Seattle office for a six-month foreign trainee program. José brings more than six years of legal experience and is working closely with our Real Estate and Corporate teams, gaining insight into U.S. legal practice while sharing his perspective on the Chilean legal and business landscape.
This exchange reflects one of the many benefits of the LAW network, which connects independent law firms around the world, fostering professional collaboration, strengthening client service capabilities, and creating valuable opportunities for attorneys and clients alike. Since joining LAW in 2017, Stokes Lawrence has developed meaningful relationships with member firms across the globe, enhancing our ability to serve clients internationally while creating unique professional development opportunities like José’s visit to our Seattle office.
We recently sat down with José to learn more about his background, practice, and goals for this international experience.
Tell us a little about yourself and your legal practice. What drew you to the legal profession?
I come from a family of lawyers and am proud to be part of the fifth generation of them. Law has always been present in my life. My father and grandfather founded a well-known law firm in Chile, so from an early age I was able to see the important role lawyers play in helping people solve problems and achieve their goals.
That environment inspired me to pursue a legal career. I have been practicing law since 2019 and joined Fontaine & Cía. in 2020 as part of the litigation team.
There, I learned different dispute resolution strategies and developed a deeper understanding of how legal conflicts arise and how they can be prevented. That experience helped me approach contracts and commercial relationships from a risk management perspective, focusing on avoiding future disputes and fostering stronger business relationships between parties.
After three years in litigation, I transitioned to the firm’s real estate practice. In that role, I have participated in some of the largest real estate transactions in Chile and have gained valuable experience supporting clients through complex negotiations. This work has reinforced my belief in the importance of legal counsel as a tool for finding practical solutions and helping parties reach mutually beneficial agreements.
How long have you been practicing law, and what has been the most rewarding part of your career so far?
Although I have been licensed to practice law in Chile since 2020, my professional journey began much earlier. From the time I started law school, I actively sought internships and part-time positions at law firms to gain practical exposure to the profession and learn from experienced attorneys.
I have now been practicing law for nearly six years, and the most rewarding part of my career has been seeing how legal advice can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Whether it involves helping someone navigate a challenging personal situation or guiding clients through a complex commercial or real estate transaction, I find great satisfaction in helping people protect their interests and achieve their personal goals.
What are you most excited to learn about U.S. law and legal practice?
The United States is home to some of the world’s largest and most sophisticated commercial transactions, making it an exceptional environment to learn and grow as a lawyer.
Having already worked on major real estate and commercial transactions in Chile, I am particularly interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the legal structures, negotiation strategies, and market practices that drive large-scale deals in the U.S. I would like to learn how attorneys add value to their clients throughout the transaction process, from structuring deals and allocating risk to facilitating negotiations among multiple stakeholders.
I am especially interested in cross-border transactions and international business relationships. Understanding how U.S. lawyers navigate complex commercial matters will allow me to broaden my perspective and better advise clients involved in international investments and transactions. I believe this experience will help me develop a more global approach to legal practice and strengthen my ability to support clients operating across different jurisdictions.
What do you hope to bring back to your clients and colleagues after this experience?
My goal is to bring back not only new legal knowledge, but also a broader international perspective on how complex transactions are structured, negotiated, and executed.
Through my LL.M. at UCLA and my experience at Stokes Lawrence, I have been exposed to legal and business practices that are widely used in global markets. I hope to apply those insights in Chile to help clients navigate increasingly in complex national and international transactions, while also sharing best practices with my colleagues.
I am particularly interested in strengthening the connection between legal markets in Chile and the United States. As cross-border investment continues to grow, I believe there are valuable opportunities to facilitate collaboration, create stronger professional relationships, and help clients operate more effectively in both jurisdictions.
Ultimately, I hope this experience will allow me to provide more strategic and internationally oriented advice, benefiting both my clients and the firms that have made this opportunity possible.
What are your first impressions of our city, office, and team?
My experience so far at Stokes Lawrence has been truly outstanding. The firm has an exceptional team of professionals who are committed to finding practical and efficient solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs. At the same time, they maintain a close and collaborative relationship with clients, which allows them to provide comprehensive support and trusted advice.
On a personal level, everyone has been incredibly welcoming and supportive. My family and I have felt very comfortable from the moment we arrived, and the kindness of the people here has made the transition to a new city much easier.
Living in Seattle has also been a wonderful experience. It is an incredibly family-friendly city with fantastic restaurants, coffee shops and attractions. What has impressed me most, however, is the access to nature. We love exploring the lakes and hiking trails throughout the region, which has made our time here even more memorable.
Outside of work, what are some of your favorite hobbies or activities?
I enjoy staying active and spending time outdoors. Since arriving in Seattle, I have spent a lot of time running and cycling, both of which have been great ways to explore the city and its surroundings. I also enjoy attending sporting events. One of the highlights of my stay has been watching the Seattle Mariners play, which was an incredible experience and gave me the opportunity to experience American sports culture firsthand.
On weekends, my wife, daughter, and I love going hiking and exploring new places. So far, we have visited several beautiful destinations that have been some of the highlights of our time here.
Outside of sports, I like to read historical fiction and biographies of exceptional individuals, as well as listening to podcasts about entrepreneurship and business. I enjoy learning from the experiences and achievements of people who have made a meaningful impact in their fields.
What is a favorite place in your home country that you would recommend everyone visit?
Chile is a remarkably diverse country. Much like the United States, it has an extensive network of national parks and an incredible variety of landscapes. Because of its long geography, you can experience deserts in the north and forests, lakes, and mountains in the south.
If I had to recommend a few places, I would start with Santiago. It is a vibrant city with excellent restaurants and nightlife, thriving cultural scene, and world-class ski resorts located less than an hour away.
I would also recommend San Pedro de Atacama, a small town in the middle of the Atacama Desert. It offers breathtaking landscapes, unique outdoor experiences, and exceptional hospitality, making it one of the most memorable destinations in the country.
Finally, Torres del Paine National Park and the Chilean Patagonia are must-see destinations. The region offers some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, including glaciers, lakes, rivers, forests, and mountains. For me, Patagonia is the most impressive place I have ever visited and a destination that everyone should go at least once.
What American experience are you hoping to check off your bucket list during your stay?
I have already had the opportunity to enjoy some classic American experiences, including celebrating the Fourth of July, attending baseball and basketball games, an RV road trip to Yellowstone National Park, and, of course, enjoying plenty of American food.
Before returning home, however, I would love to attend a Seattle Seahawks game and experience the energy and passion of NFL football in person and visiting a traditional American rodeo or county fair.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I would like to sincerely thank everyone at Stokes Lawrence, Fontaine & Cía., and LAW for making this experience possible. I know that hosting an international attorney for an extended period requires a significant investment of time, effort, and resources, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity.
This experience has been both professionally and personally enriching, and I will always appreciate the trust and support that has been shown to me. I hope that, in return, I can contribute my own experience, perspective and assistance whenever needed.
I would also love to see this experience strengthen the relationship between Stokes Lawrence and Fontaine & Cía., creating opportunities to work together on international matters and better support clients with cross-border needs. More broadly, I hope it helps build stronger connections across the LAW network and opens the door to future collaboration between member firms.
