Mr Mario René Archila > Arias > Guatemala, Guatemala > Lawyer Profile

Highlighted for its willingness to ‘take the time to individually analyse each case‘, Arias houses a broad dispute resolution practice with signature strengths in civil, administrative and labour litigation and arbitration. The team represents major local companies and multinationals, and continues to expand the scope of its practice to act for individuals in sensitive family law and human rights cases. Other growing areas of focus include tax litigation and public procurement disputes. Mario René Archila, who also acts as an arbitrator, leads the team; between them, Archila and senior counsel Luis Fernando Zelada bring almost six decades of experience to the practice, handling a vast array of civil, commercial, constitutional and criminal cases. The strong cohort of junior lawyers includes senior associate Mónica Medrano (who focuses on anti-corruption, money laundering and white-collar criminal cases, drawing on her previous experience as a district attorney), and associates Alvaro Reyes (who mainly handles civil litigation) and Karla Gómez (a specialist in labour disputes). Since publication, Zelada has moved to BLP.

The IP practice at Arias leverages the firm’s full-service model and wide regional network to offer clients comprehensive advice on trademarks, patents, geographical indications, domain names and copyright, both in Guatemala and internationally. Frequently acting alongside its counterparts in Central America, the team advises on trademark and patent prosecutions and coordinates the management of IP portfolios for an impressive roster of multinational clients, with a focus on the pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and automotive sectors. Other notable areas of expertise include advertising, software licensing and royalties. Drawing on the skill of experienced litigator Mario René Archila, the practice is also well equipped to handle civil and criminal litigation, including anti-piracy claims. Senior counsel Ivón Hernández, who has extensive experience in contentious and non-contentious IP matters, leads the team with office managing partner Liz Gordillo.

Arias has a full-service offering and network of offices across Central America, making it a strong choice to advise foreign investors in the region on the gamut of tax issues. The team acts as local counsel to an array of prominent multinationals on cross-border M&A transactions, as well as assisting with restructurings and compliance, and it is also a standout in customs matters. The firm is equally active in tax litigation, leaning on the vast expertise of dispute resolution head Mario René Archila to handle complex contentious-administrative cases against the SAT. At the helm of the practice, Ximena Tercero is well versed in transfer pricing, tax structuring and litigation. She is supported by a capable pool of junior lawyers, including senior associates Elisa Lacs, a specialist in customs tax, and the recently promoted Claudia Vega, and associate Estaymer Mendoza, who joined the firm from an in-house role at Grupo CFE in June 2022.