Next Generation Partners

Firms To Watch: Public law

Regulatory affairs are a core area of expertise for Pi360 Legal, which is particularly active in import/export matters and permitting issues relating to the movement and sale of products.

Public law in Venezuela

Altum Abogados, S.C.

Altum Abogados, S.C. offers a wide range of services in public law, including advice on the negotiation, preparation and execution of contracts with public entities, administrative concessions, permits and authorisations. On the environmental side, the firm also assists with the preparation of due diligence reports, compliance and regulatory and environmental permits. Martha Cohen is the main contact in the team and has experience in advising on sanctions procedures, and consumer and price protection, alongside antitrust and anti-corruption issues.

Araquereyna

Araquereyna is noted for its experience in administrative and judicial proceedings in the public sector, frequently handling disputes with the Venezuelan state and state bodies and agencies, alongside providing continuous advice to clients in highly regulated sectors regarding compliance with new regulations. In particular, the team is active in regulatory matters in the commercial aviation sector and in relation to anti-money laundering. The practice is led by Juan Carlos Balzán, who is well versed in handling compliance audits, and Antonio Canova, who advises on administrative and regulatory matters (with standout expertise in cryptoassets).

Practice head(s):

Antonio Canova; Juan Carlos Balzán


Key clients

Turkish Airlines (Turkish Airlines Sucursal Venezuela)


General Motors (General Motors Venezolana)


Microsoft (Microsoft Corporation y Microsoft Venezuela)


Industrias Alimenticias Hermo de Venezuela


Phillip Morris International


KPMG


GMAC (GMAC de Venezuela)


Bancrecer, Banco Microfinanciero


Nokia (Nokia Solutions and Networks de Venezuela)


Work highlights


  • Overseeing all administrative and judicial procedures in which Turkish Airlines is involved.

Ayala, Dillon, Fernández, Linares Consultores Jurídicos

Ayala, Dillon, Fernández, Linares Consultores Jurídicos' team specialises in administrative law, offering advice to domestic and international companies on relations with government entities alongside defending clients in regulatory proceedings. Led by Carlos Ayala Corao, the group also has extensive experience in litigation before the Supreme Court of Justice and Venezuela's contentious-administrative courts.

Badell & Grau Legal Consultants

International firm Badell & Grau Legal Consultants operates from offices in Caracas and Miami, with experience in tax, administrative and constitutional matters, including tenders, banking regulation, exchange control and expropriations. Rafael Badell Madrid is a key contact in the firm, and has expertise in sectors such as telecoms, mining and hydrocarbons.

Baker & McKenzie, S.C.

Baker & McKenzie, S.C.'s public law practice is renowned for its ‘outstanding intellectual and practical ability‘ in the field. The team advises clients on public procurement and government contracts for goods, services and works, in addition to regulatory matters relating to fintech and healthcare. The firm acts for a large number of multinational clients, aided by the ability to access a wide range of instructions from the firm's other offices around the globe. The TMT sector is also a notable area of expertise. The team is led by Eugenio Hernández-Bretón, who is head of the government contracts and business, energy and natural resources, and dispute resolution groups in Venezuela, and María Eugenia Salazar, who plays a prominent role in negotiations between PDVSA and its subsidiaries. Senior associate Héctor Martínez stands out for his advice to key players in the pharmaceuticals, mining, and oil and gas sectors.

Practice head(s):

Eugenio Hernández-Bretón; María Eugenia Salazar


Testimonials

My experience with the Baker McKenzie legal team has been superior to my experience with other firms in Venezuela.

Prompt and specific answers, 24/7 service, outstanding intellectual and practical ability.

Key clients

Sucesión Heemsen


IVC Networks Latin America


Facebook


Anglo American


Inversiones Venovu 2023


HealthySouth


Mundo Ole Venezuela


Eni


Halliburton


Reposol


HBO


Avon Products


Apple


Inversiones Venovu


PedidosYa


Grupo Parawa


Work highlights


  • Advising Anglo American regarding its environmental obligations in Venezuela, and on the potential risks and mitigation strategies in relation to any alleged environmental breach.
  • Advised Inversiones Venovu 2023 on the purchase of a cosmetic and skin care company in Venezuela, including sanitary registration of products and health authorities’ supervision.
  • Advising HealthySouth on the sanitary registration of its health products in Venezuela and Chile.

D'Empaire

D'Empaire handles a wide range of matters within the public law field, including advising on freedom of speech issues for one of Venezuela’s largest telecoms players and on nationalisations and expropriations affecting major domestic companies. Alongside this, the firm has engaged in a number of matters in the pharmaceutical sector, providing regulatory advice to major clients including Pfizer and Bristol-Myers. The team is also well regarded for its experience in negotiations with the Venezuelan government (where associate Daniel Bustos is particularly active). José Valentín González represents clients in constitutional and administrative litigation, as well as regulatory matters, and is described as ‘always able to connect the dots between jurisdictions‘, while José Humberto Frías is knowledgeable in regulatory issues. Francisco Bolinaga, who focuses on advising multinationals and Venezuelan companies on environmental law, and associate Ornella Bernabei, who has expertise in communications and technology law, are also noted contacts.

Practice head(s):

José Valentín González; José Humberto Frías


Testimonials

Undoubtedly, D’Empaire is the leading firm in Venezuela, at least for client matters or those cases with cross-border implications. Regarding public law and compliance, José Valentín González stands out – he is recognised locally and internationally.

José Valentín González stands out for his ability to solve the most complex issues in a simple way.

The team is amazing. They are always on top of things and up to date on all aspects of public law.

José Valentín González is our go-to person there. Practical, always on point, and delivers excellent advice.

We always go to D’Empaire and to José Valentín González and we are always amazed by their quality! As a plus, José Valentín is always able to connect the dots between jurisdictions, which is not that easy to find.

José Valentín González is brilliant and provides outstanding advice.

The public law practice of ​​the firm is excellent, both in terms of its legal advice and its customer service.

Key clients

Google


Radio Caracas Television (RCTV), Radio Caracas Radio (RCR)


TI Sparkle Venezuela


JMF Consulting


Premeca


Work highlights


  • Advising Google on the regulatory implications of launching new services or features in Venezuela.
  • Providing regulatory advice to RCR on its operations as an online radio after the renewal of its broadcasting licence was denied by the Venezuelan government, as well as to RCTV on certain content matters.
  • Advising TI Sparkle on telecoms regulations and on information requests received from the Venezuelan telecoms authority.

Dentons

Dentons provides regulatory advice to clients on areas including pricing strategy in the complex economic climate, alongside assistance in reviewing contracts with state-owned entities. The firm also draws on its respected antitrust department to handle judicial proceedings that challenge decisions by the Venezuelan antitrust authority, and represents clients in administrative litigation. The practice is particularly noted for its advice to companies involved in the oil and gas and mining sectors. Practice head Luis Ernesto Andueza handles administrative litigation and regulatory matters.

Practice head(s):

Luis Ernesto Andueza


Testimonials

It is an international firm and they are managed by a team that has experience and expertise. They are accessible people and they offer in-depth legal analysis.

Luis Andueza stands out for his client service, empathy and close communication when advising us.

The firm’s experience is the most important thing, as well as the ability to perform legal analysis and understand the business aspects of a matter.

In-depth, responsive, timely assistance.

Key clients

Gold Reserve


Industria Venezolana de Gas (INVEGAS)


Work highlights


  • Advising Gold Reserve on administrative and corporate matters.
  • Advising INVEGAS on challenging the takeover of its facilities and operations by the Venezuelan government, including filing an appeal for the annulment of the decision before the Supreme Court of Justice.

InterJuris Abogados

InterJuris Abogados handles public law matters from offices in Miami, Caracas and Madrid, drawing on its international presence to advise on the implications of the US sanctions regime for its clients. Alongside this, the firm has expertise in energy law and in contentious matters, including representing public and private entities in appeals against administrative actions. Luis Ortiz Álvarez is the head of the international arbitration and public law practice, while Gonzalo Pérez Salazar is experienced in constitutional procedures and regulatory matters, and is a member of the risk committees for banking and money laundering.

Practice head(s):

Luis Ortiz-Alvarez


Testimonials

I have worked closely with InterJuris for many years. I hold their team in very high regard. They are very diligent and have deep experience in a variety of Venezuela-related matters.

Key individuals who come to mind include Luis Ortiz. It is worth mentioning that they have weathered the very challenging times in Venezuela over the last decade. It is a testament to their strong team that they have kept key talent together.

Key clients

Valle Verde


Geohidra


Axalta


Transban


Merck


Zoetis


HES (Caribbean) International Holdings


Rafay Ingenieros & Asociados


Alumni San Ignacio (ALSI)


Work highlights


  • Advising ALSI regarding the Venezuela-related economic sanctions and the lawfulness of its activities in Venezuela.
  • Acting for Transban in an ICSID arbitration regarding the taking over and other exchange control issues of BMW in Venezuela.

Lega

Lega is a leading firm in applications for judicial review and claims against governmental entities, and also provides advice to foreign law firms in matters of public law related to international arbitration and litigation against the Venezuelan state and state-owned companies, including nationalisations and expropriations. Public procurement is also a core area of expertise; the firm handles every stage of the process from tendering to implementation, as well as handling negotiations. José Gregorio Torrealba, who specialises in administrative law, the protection of foreign investment and international arbitration, heads the team with Faustino Flamarique, who advises on public policies and issues in heavily regulated industries. Carlos García Soto provides support in administrative procedures before governmental authorities and the administrative courts, and Rosa Virginia Superlano stands out for her expertise in the health, pharmaceuticals and TMT sectors.

Practice head(s):

José Gregorio Torrealba; Faustino Flamarique


Testimonials

Lega is our key team to go to in Venezuela. They are top-notch!

José Torrealba is very knowledgeable and a key person to contact. He is a pleasure to work with.

The Lega team is highly qualified. In addition, we share the same vision of how to approach many problems.

Key clients

Consorcio OIV Tocoma


LS Cable & System


Webuild


Astaris


Surpass Commercial


OI European Group


Sumitomo


IBM


Coca-Cola Femsa


Royal IHC


Work highlights


  • Advised Consorcio OIV-Tocoma on the negotiations for the agreed termination of the contract for the construction of the Tocoma dam in Venezuela.
  • Acted for Consorcio Grupo de Empresas Italianas (Webuild, Astaldi, Ghella) and Consorcio Grupo Contuy (Webuild, Astaldi, Ghella, Otaola) in an international arbitration initiated against the Venezuelan state and the state railway institution (IFE) before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris.
  • Acted for LS Cable & System in a claim initiated against CORPOELEC, one of the largest state-owned companies in Venezuela, relating to a public procurement contract.

Mendoza, Palacios, Acedo, Borjas, Paez Pumar & Cia.

With a focus on advising on international sanctions and constitutional law, Mendoza, Palacios, Acedo, Borjas, Paez Pumar & Cia. assists both domestic and international clients from a range of industries, including financial services, oil and energy, and consumer goods. The team also has notable expertise in regulatory issues in the heavily regulated banking and insurance sectors, and in assisting foreign clients with projects with the Venezuelan state and state-owned companies. Diego Lepervanche and Luisa Lepervanche are experts in sanctions matters, Carlos Eduardo Acedo Sucre advises on banking and insurance regulations, Maria Genoveva Paez Pumar has strong expertise in administrative law and taxation (and is skilled in disputes before both the administrative authorities and the courts) and Esteban Palacios is noted for his knowledge of constitutional procedures.

Practice head(s):

Esteban Palacios; Luisa Lepervanche


Key clients

Miranda Capital Partners


Corporación Solsica


Corporación de Cemento Andino


Universidad Metropolitana (UNIMET)


MSD Farmacéutica


Industria Venezolana de Transporte Operativo (Ivento)


Coca-Cola Servicios


Munich Re, Munchener de Venezuela


Urbanizadora Jorfin


Aluminios Brito


Work highlights


  • Advised Corporación de Cemento Andino (a Grupo Argos subsidiary) on the expropriation procedure of a cement production complex in Valera.
  • Advising multinational companies, their local subsidiaries and distributors of international companies regarding currency exchange controls, international sanctions and foreign investment issues.
  • Advising several private sector organisations regarding new laws and regulations which are being issued to promote private sector investment.

Palacios, Torres & Korody

Palacios, Torres & Korody has a growing focus on economic regulation, particularly in industry sectors such as oil and gas, mining and telecoms. The team also addresses matters related to fintech, pricing control and consumer protection, and monetary and foreign exchange policy, alongside handling negotiations between the state and private enterprises. Leonardo Palacios, who has experience in regulatory law in both the private and public sectors, having participated in the restructuring of companies and privatisation processes. Juan Korody, Daniel Betancourt, who has expertise in designing regulatory compliance strategies for clients in highly regulated sectors such as securities and consumer protection, and associate Henrique Castillo are standout names in the team.

Practice head(s):

Leonardo Palacios; Juan Korody; Daniel Betancourt


Key clients

Pideyummy


Summabit


Person to Person Análisis


BBVA Banco Provincial


Desarrollos Tecnológicos Ridery


Telefónica Venezolana


Alimentos Heinz


Alimentos Polar


Work highlights


  • Advising Pideyummy on the regulatory framework governing the provision of fintech services.
  • Advising Summabit on the regulatory framework applicable to the sale and distribution of point of sale terminals under Venezuelan Banking and Consumer Protection Law, as well as fintech regulation.
  • Assisting Person to Person Análisis with all regulatory matters concerning the acquisition of a licensed payment services provider.

Tinoco, Travieso, Planchart & Núñez

The constitutional and administrative law department at Tinoco, Travieso, Planchart & Núñez provides advice on clients' interactions with various Venezuelan government entities, at national, state and municipal levels. The team represents clients in administrative and judicial proceedings, including in relation to constitutional protection from governmental acts, and advises clients on obtaining permits and licences to conduct their operations in Venezuela. Alongside this, the firm assists victims of human rights violations. Margarita Escudero León is the key contact in the practice.

Torres, Plaz & Araujo

Torres, Plaz & Araujo is recognised for advising clients on administrative matters regarding contracts, regulatory issues, permits and concessions. Moreover, the department has expertise in handling public external debt and public bids. Juan Domingo Alfonzo leads the practice and covers foreign exchange matters, antitrust law and consumer protection issues. Domingo Piscitelli Nevola and Juan Andres Miralles, who is noted for his advice on regulatory matters including authorisations, concessions, licences and public contracts, are also key contacts.

Practice head(s):

Juan Domingo Alfonzo


Key clients

Pepsico Alimentos


Polar Group (Alimentos Polar Comercial and Cervecería Polar)


Astillas Nacionales (Anca)


Toyota De Venezuela


Cargill De Venezuela


Masisa Venezuela


Sanofi


Compañía Panameña De Aviacion (Copa)


Bacardi International


Air Europa Líneas Aéreas


Work highlights


  • Acting for Cargill de Venezuela/Productora de Sal (PRODUSAL) in a claim for nullity of the Salinas Law of the state of Zulia before the Constitutional Chamber of the Venezuelan Supreme Court of Justice.
  • Representing Astillas Nacionales (ANCA) in a dispute over the illegal intervention and occupancy of ANCA’s industrial plant and premises by the National Superintendency for the Defence of Socio-Economic Rights (SUNDDE).
  • Advising Masisa Venezuela regarding national and municipal tax regulations, as well as customs regulations and their application to the company’s activities.

Travieso Evans Arria Rengel & Paz

Within the public law field, Travieso Evans Arria Rengel & Paz has broad experience in constitutional and administrative law and regulatory matters, including antitrust and anti-dumping regulations, pharmaceutical law, consumer protection and environmental law. Group head Karla Peña García stands out for her advice to companies from highly regulated sectors including energy, medicine, food and telecoms.

Practice head(s):

Karla Peña García


Key clients

American Express


Productos Snack & Plus


Lloyd’s of London


Del Monte de Venezuela


MercadoLibre Venezuela


Galería Ávila


Orica


Janssen Cilag


Ford Motor de Venezuela


Work highlights


  • Advising American Express on its obligations as a payment systems administrator in Venezuela.
  • Advising Lloyd’s of London on the annual preparation and filing with the National Superintendence of Insurance Activity (SUDEASEG) of the renewal of the registry of reinsurers in Venezuela.
  • Representing Galerías Ávila in a contentious-administrative action for annulment filed against an administrative act issued by Superintendence for the Defense of Socioeconomic Rights (SUNDDE).