Every foreign buyer deserves at least one person in the room whose only job is to tell them the truth.
That's why CanaLaw exists. Independent legal due diligence for foreign real estate buyers in the Dominican Republic — since 2015.
Why Gonzalo started CanaLaw.
The pattern was always the same. A foreign buyer would contact a Dominican attorney after finding a property they loved. The attorney would review the paperwork, collect a fee at closing, and the transaction would proceed. Everyone got paid. Everyone was happy.
Until something went wrong.
A title with unresolved liens. A developer without construction permits. A contract that made the buyer responsible for delays they didn't cause. These weren't rare problems — they were structural ones. And they kept happening because every professional involved in the deal had a financial incentive for it to close.
The developer's attorney works for the developer. The agent earns a commission at closing. The closing lawyer gets paid when the deal completes. CanaLaw earns a flat fee for an honest legal opinion — the same whether you buy or walk away.
Gonzalo Sánchez founded CanaLaw in 2015 to give foreign buyers something that didn't exist in the Dominican Republic real estate market: a legal opinion from someone who doesn't benefit from the transaction closing. Not a service. A structural guarantee of honesty.
Since then, CanaLaw has reviewed over $80M in real estate transactions for more than 1,000 clients from 19+ countries. Some of those transactions closed — because the property was safe. Some didn't — because it wasn't. Both outcomes are the same to us. That's the point.
Independence isn't a marketing line. It's the business model.
Three decisions that define how CanaLaw operates.
No commissions. No referral fees.
CanaLaw does not receive compensation from developers, agents, or any third party. The client is the only source of revenue. That eliminates the structural conflict that affects most legal professionals in this market.
Flat fee. Same outcome either way.
Whether the recommendation is GO or NO-GO, the fee is the same. There is no financial incentive for CanaLaw to push a deal forward or hold one back. The opinion reflects the facts, not a desired outcome.
Every report signed by Gonzalo personally.
Your Property Check isn't delegated to a junior associate or paralegal. Gonzalo handles every engagement directly — reviews the documents, signs the legal opinion, and is your point of contact throughout the process.
Your direct point of contact, supported by a dedicated team.
While Gonzalo handles every legal engagement personally, CanaLaw's operations are supported by a professional team across Santo Domingo and key investment regions.
Lead Attorney
Gonzalo Sánchez — direct point of contact for every Property Check™, contract review, and closing engagement. Licensed in the Dominican Republic with 10+ years advising foreign investors.
Client Relations & Operations
Keila coordinates scheduling, document management, and client communication. She ensures every engagement runs on schedule and nothing falls through the cracks. Contact: generalmanager@cana.law
Legal Research & Registry Coordination
Our research team handles title searches, registry filings, permit verification, and cadastral cross-checks across multiple provinces — including Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, Las Terrenas, and Samaná.
Regional Support Network
Local contacts in key investment areas who facilitate in-person verifications, property inspections, and coordination with local registries when remote verification isn't sufficient.
What clients say about working with Gonzalo.
Real reviews from foreign buyers who trusted CanaLaw with their investment.
"Gonzalo Sanchez is a rare gem. He is trustworthy, polite, patient, pleasant and easy to work with. My husband and I have implicit trust in him. Gonzalo has gone beyond his duties as a lawyer, helping us to complete a most difficult transaction with extreme patience and efficiency."
— Leela Sitahal, Canada
"Gonzalo always did an incredible job outlining the process clearly, navigating 'the system' with professionalism and being honest about red flags. He's as honest and trusting as they come."
— Karyn Olsson, United States
"Cana Law offers a personalised superior service and they make you feel like one of the family. Gonzalo who I mainly deal with, he always goes that extra mile to help and I really appreciate his expertise, support and advice."
— Stephen Henderson, United Kingdom
What CanaLaw does for foreign buyers.
From pre-purchase protection to exit negotiation, every service is delivered with the same structural independence.
Pre-Purchase Property Check™
The flagship service. A documented legal opinion covering title, permits, developer, and contract — delivered in 5 business days with a clear GO, GO WITH CONDITIONS, or NO-GO recommendation.
Learn about the Property Check →Contract Review
Focused legal analysis of your purchase agreement. We identify unfavorable clauses, explain their real-world implications, and tell you what to negotiate before you sign.
Learn about Contract Review →Closing & Title Transfer
Full legal coordination from final review through title registration. We verify that what was promised is what you receive — and handle the process remotely if you can't be present.
Learn about Closing Services →Full Service (Ready Properties)
Buying a property that already exists and has a transferable title? Due diligence, contract review, negotiation, closing, and title transfer handled under one engagement.
Learn about Full Service →Exit Strategy Review
Already invested and facing problems with your developer? Independent evaluation of your legal position, a written strategy, and direct negotiation on your behalf.
Learn about the Exit Strategy Review →Have a question about a property? Talk to Gonzalo.
A 15-minute conversation about your situation — no obligation, no pressure. Just an honest assessment from an attorney who doesn't earn more if you buy.
Schedule a Free Consultation Or learn about the Pre-Purchase Property Check™ →