BLP > Managua, Nicaragua > Firm Profile

BLP
Pista Jean Paul Genie, Edificio Escala, 4th floor
MANAGUA
Nicaragua

Email firm Visit website 505 2278 7004

Nicaragua > Corporate and finance Tier 2

The business law team at BLP harnesses the full bench strength of its offices in Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Guatemala to advise multinational corporates, financial institutions and international development banks on everything from day-to-day corporate and financial matters to complex, high-value, multi-jurisdictional transactions. The team's full-service offering covers M&A, corporate restructurings, distribution agreements, administrative matters, consumer rights issues, credit restructuring and retail banking transactions, with a diverse client base which spans such sectors as tobacco, finance, mining, motor vehicles and textiles. The practice is led by Ernesto Rizo, who brings over 20 years' experience to the practice space, and director Federico Barrios, who specialises in executing business cooperation agreements and handling the purchase and sale of shares or assets.

Practice head(s):

Ernesto Rizo

Testimonials

‘What makes the service provided unique is the team’s commitment and the quality of the documents they prepare.’

‘What makes Federico Barrios stand out is that he is proactive and constantly monitors the progress of the matter.’

‘BLP is a very professional firm. We had the opportunity to work with them on a financing in which they also gave us advice on corporate matters and we appreciate their professionalism and knowledge.’

‘Federico Barrios and Ernesto Rizo are both lawyers with excellent management of the case, and are always alert to point out any issue that could affect the transaction.’

‘BLP has demonstrated a high standard in terms of quality of service. The answers are clear, the team is responsive and efforts are made to meet the client’s needs.‘

‘Ernesto Rizo’s responsiveness is really something that stands out, as well as the top quality and clarity of the documents and communications that he issues.‘

Key clients

Grupo Teledolar

Arturo Fuente – FSM

Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI)

Desjardins Développement International

Royal Road Minerals

Bean & Co

Volvo Group -Volvo Trade Finance

Grupo Numar

Coralsa

SAGADSA

Work highlights

Acted for Teledolar Group, an electronic payment services company in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, in the sale of the company.
Advised Arturo Fuente – FSM on negotiating and preparing the construction contract for its tobacco factory in northern Nicaragua with Conamerica.
Advised the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) on the drafting, negotiation and review of a facility agreement with UK Export Finance (UKEF) and the Republic of Nicaragua, under which UKEF will provide a loan of up to $95m.

Nicaragua > Intellectual property Tier 3

The experienced team at BLP leverages the bench strength of its offices in Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica and Guatemala to advise national and multinational corporates, including Apple and Unilever, across such sectors as tech, pharmaceuticals, tobacco and consumer goods, on the safeguarding and management of their global IP portfolios. The group provides a full service, assisting with trade mark searches, registrations and renewals, anti-counterfeiting measures, patent prosecution, and administrative and judicial proceedings. Practice head Orlando Cardoza is an expert in sanitary registrations as well as IP law, frequently advising on the compliance of products with health regulations in the country.

Practice head(s):

Orlando Cardoza

Testimonials

‘What makes this practice unique is the comprehensive and personalised approach that the team offers to each client. The lawyers are highly competent in terms of legal knowledge and skills; they focus on thoroughly understanding the needs and objectives of each client to provide effective and efficient solutions.’

‘What makes the attorneys at this firm stand out is their client-focused approach and commitment to excellence. The attorneys at this firm have a passion for providing innovative and effective solutions to the legal challenges facing their clients.’

‘Centralised and coordinated client care.‘

‘The BLP Nicaragua team is highly efficient and provides timely monitoring of IP procedures.‘

‘Excellent relationship between fees and service. A comprehensive team at the LATAM level.‘

Key clients

Laboratorios PISA

Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores

Apple

Joya de Nicaragua

Unilever

MCG Consultores

Joint Stock Company BIOCAD

Troncoso y Cáceres

Work highlights

Conducted an analysis to provide accurate criteria for the content classification that would allow Apple to implement a new user experience called “Family22” for its Family accounts by reviewing Nicaragua’s regulations on content restrictions for children and advising on appropriate age ratings.
Advised on the transfer of Joya de Nicaragua’s entire trade mark portfolio to Country Universal.
Providing assistance to Unilever with the procurement of all of its sanitary registrations in Nicaragua, Guatemala and Costa Rica.

Nicaragua > Real estate Tier 3

The real estate and hospitality practice at BLP advises local and international developers, investors and financial institutions on matters ranging from leasing contracts, project structuring and joint operations to project finance, condominiums, water availability analysis, construction contracts and due diligence procedures. Director Federico Barrios and associate Felipe Castillo are key contacts.

Central America > Corporate and finance

BLP has continued to expand its presence in Central America, launching its fourth Costa Rica office, which focuses on real estate transactions, in Marina Flamingo in January 2023, as well as providing environmental and immigration advisory services through two innovative companies: Zone and Moval. The firm houses comprehensive corporate and finance practices in the region, with standout expertise in infrastructure and energy-related transactions, and is widely recognised for its representation of Fortune 500 companies. Its strength in international transactions is reinforced by its representative office in Madrid, where David Gutiérrez is the key name. Gutiérrez, an expert in M&A and infrastructure financing, also heads the corporate practice in Costa Rica (where the firm has additional branches in San José, Marina Los Sueños and Las Catalinas), while Vivian Liberman and Andrés López lead the banking team. In Guatemala, the firm strengthened its practice with the hire of former Arias senior partner Jorge Luis Arenales

, who has a wealth of experience in corporate and finance transactions, in June 2023; he joins the well-regarded duo of Luis Ruiz, who is also a skilled IP lawyer, and María Inés Arenales. Zygmunt Brett, an authority in financing, capital markets and M&A matters, is the name to note in El Salvador, and Ernesto Rizo, an expert in the mining and agribusiness spheres, leads the corporate and finance team in Nicaragua. In Honduras - where the firm has branches in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula - José Miguel Álvarez and energy specialist Karla Aguilar are the key contacts.

Work highlights

BLP is consistently ranked as one of the top law firms in Central America by well-known legal and business rankings. They focus on the firm’s culture of client service, as well as the quality of its work. It is also one of the law firms that is referred to by the embassies of the world’s largest economies.

The firm’s international capabilities extend worldwide. BLP has developed a network of law firms around the world, not only through years of working with some of the leading lawyers in each country, but also through exclusive legal networks in which it actively participates: Meritas (www.meritas.com), the State Capital Law Firm Group (www.statecapitallaw.com) and Interlaw (www.interlaw.org) among other specialized networks. Today, BLP is one of the very few law firms in Central America that works with a true business structure, where all its professionals and staff work together towards a common goal: to satisfy the demands of its clients. BLP’s professionals do not simply share costs or a logo; they also share values and principles, all for the benefit of its clients. BLP operates under a series of guiding criteria, which allow it to pursue the total satisfaction of its clients. These are: commitment to quality; commitment to service; ethics; teamwork and cost-consciousness; commitment to leadership and development; talent; and pro bono work.

BLP was founded in March 2003 by a group of lawyers who shared the same view of the practice of law. They were convinced that legal advisors should become true business partners of their clients, especially by providing top legal advice with business sense. Hence the name: Business Law Partners.

Since its opening, the firm has remained loyal to this vision and understood that clients are not only seeking the best legal advice, but also efficiency and business-orientated advice. BLP defines efficient service as one provided with world-class quality, in a timely and cost-conscious manner, while being open to alternative fee arrangements with clients. Consequently, leading multinationals have retained BLP’s services, either for one or more transactions, or for their day-to-day needs.

The main international practice of BLP is focused on coordinating legal services in Latin America for its clients. The firm has offices in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua. BLP has formed a high-quality network of firms in other countries of the Latin American region and in different areas of law for the benefit of its clients.

Other offices

San Salvador – El Salvador; Ciudad de Guatemala – Guatemala; Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula – Honduras; San José, Guanacaste and Bahía Herradura – Costa Rica

Department	Name	Email	Telephone
Managing Partner	Ernesto Rizo	erizo@blplegal.com

Name	Position	Profile
Mrs Michelle Avilés	Senior Associate	View Profile
Mr Federico Barrios	Director	View Profile
Mr Orlando Cardoza	Partner	View Profile
Mr Juan Castillo	Special Counsel	View Profile
Mr Ernesto Rizo	Partner	View Profile