Dispute resolution in El Salvador
Arias
The dispute resolution practice at regional heavyweight Arias puts an emphasis on out-of-court settlements, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, all the while remaining well equipped to represent clients in litigation. Clients range from local to international companies from numerous sectors, such as consumer goods, energy, hospitality and pharmaceuticals. The multi-disciplinary team also handles administrative antitrust procedures, anti-money laundering issues and customs obligations. Eduardo Ángel spearheads the department, and has a particular focus on labour disputes, competition and data privacy matters, among others. Damages claims, commercial disputes and consumer protection matters are frequently handled by key practitioner Jaime Rodríguez. Senior associate Fernando Montano has expertise in administrative procedures, antitrust matters and judicial intellectual property proceedings related to unfair competition; since publication, he has been raised to the partnership, effective as of January 2021.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘A very well-prepared team. Excellent command of trials and procedural matters.’
‘Eduardo Ángel is a lawyer with excellent theoretical and practical knowledge, both in labour and procedural matters, which allows him to take strategic positions in litigation. He also has great ability in oral arguments, with very clear but strategic expositions.’
‘Eduardo Ángel has a character that allows him, based on his experience, to give clients confidence in the decisions made, as well as helping the client to always act rationally.’
Key clients
Operadora del Sur (Walmart)
Tommy Hilfiger Licensing
Novartis Pharma (Logistics)
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Philip Morris El Salvador
US Embassy in El Salvador
Bank of America
Green Energy
KPMG
Criaves
Carvajal Empaques
Energía del Pacifico (Invenergy)
Marlins COnsolidators
Foreign Commerce Bank (Corporación Multi Inversiones)
International Stores Corporation and ISHOP El Salvador (Grupo Motta International)
YKK El Salvador
Banco Davivienda
Fruit Shippers
Sisa, Vida, Seguros de Personas
Banco Citibank de El Salvador (currently Banco Cuscatlán)
Distribuidora de Azúcar y Derivados (Dizucar)
Work highlights
- Represented Operadora del Sur in a damages claim brought by OD El Salvador
Sáenz & Asociados
The dispute resolution practice at regional firm Sáenz & Asociados is skilled in both litigation and arbitration. The team often advises on preventive measures pertaining to commercial and labour law. Key contacts include Humberto Sáenz Marinero, Mario Enrique Sáenz and Ana Guadalupe Sáenz de Hernández.
BLP
BLP advises local, regional and international clients on contentious matters, particularly relating to foreign investments and commercial transactions. Department head Harold Lantan has significant experience in litigation and arbitration of a commercial nature, as well as in unfair competition and shareholder disputes. Key support comes from associate Luis E Vega, who specialises in disputes concerning international distribution agreements, consumer protection and insurance.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
GBM El Salvador
Rodio Swissboring
Champions Lab
Aliaxis Dureco
Hidroeléctrica Juayúa
CENTRAL LAW El Salvador
The dispute resolution department at Central Law El Salvador handles a variety of contentious matters, including collection processes, the termination of distribution relationships and antitrust litigation. Founding partner and practice head Pablo Rusconi particularly excels in representing clients in administrative litigation against government authorities, in addition to his activity as an arbitrator. Martha Solís is also a key figure in the team, demonstrating a diverse set of specialisms including hydrocarbons, immigration, labour and procedural law. The firm entered into a collaboration agreement with Andersen Global in 2019, significantly increasing its reach beyond the Central American region.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
Daewoo El Salvador
Banco Internacional de Costa Rica
Nexsys de Centroamérica
Gano Itouch
C.Imberton
Salvatore Ferragamo
Neumann Gruppe
Excelentes Servicios a los Transportistas
Work highlights
- Represented Daewoo El Salvador in an administrative contentious proceeding against the General Directorate of Customs
- Represented Banco Internacional de Costa Rica (BICSA) in a commercial debt collection process
- Represented C Imberton in a horizontal agreements case
LatamLex | Guandique Segovia Quintanilla (GSQ)
Full-service regional firm LatamLex | Guandique Segovia Quintanilla (GSQ) assists clients with mediation and litigation, administrative actions and tort law. Oscar Hurtado leads the department and Carlos Guzmán is recommended for arbitration.
Romero Pineda
A well-established firm in the local market, Romero Pineda assists clients with resolving contentious matters and represents them before different entities and courts. Led by Roberto Romero, Carlos Castillo, Karla Patricia Alas and Feridee Alabi, the litigation department excels at handling anti-piracy and trade mark infringement cases in collaboration with the firm's strong intellectual property practice. Founding partner Romero focuses on arbitration agreements as well as dispute settlements and Castillo acts primarily at the nexus of intellectual property and litigation, while associate Alas also handles mediation and matters relating to new technologies, digital law and consumer protection, and Alabi specialises in labour disputes.
Practice head(s):
Roberto Romero; Carlos Castillo; Karla Patricia Alas; Feridee Alabi
Key clients
The Walt Disney Company
Mars
Sanrio
Caterpillar
Acon
Ebel and Esika
Novartis
Marvel
Victoria’s Secret
Consortium Legal
The 'trustworthy and professional' litigation and arbitration team at Consortium Legal covers contentious matters of a civil, commercial, administrative and constitutional nature. A core area of focus is the resolution of disputes in the construction sector. César Ramos, who leads the team, is also knowledgeable about alternative dispute resolution and economic crime matters. Associates Cristina Campos and Carlos Sibrián provide key support: Campos displays ample experience in litigation drafting and Sibrián specialises in consumer law and anti-money laundering issues.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘Trustworthy and professional.’
Key clients
Mexichem El Salvador
Sociedad de Ahorro y Crédito Apoyo Integral
Nestlé El Salvador
Corporación de Compañías Agroindustriales
La Central de Seguros y Finanzas
Banco Promerica
Urbanisa
ADM El Salvador
Aluma Systems El Salvador
Banco General
García & Bodán
The three pillars of García & Bodán's dispute resolution practice are labour, construction and intellectual property litigation. Department head Oscar Torres takes on the majority of a growing number of infrastructure and employment disputes, while his co-chair Julio Vargas focuses on intellectual property matters. The latter also acts as regional head of IP and has deep expertise in anti-piracy litigation.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
Crocs
Carnes Procesadas (Grupo Capsa)
Laca Laca/Anra
Sky International (The DirecTV Group)
Banco Procredit
Work highlights
- Advised Laca Laca on the coordination of litigation against infringers of its brands in El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica
- Acted as legal counsel to Sky International in administrative trade mark litigation in defence of the Sky trade mark
Lexincorp
Lexincorp represents clients in cases against the tax authorities and other government agencies as part of its contentious offering. A duo consisting of Enrique Escobar and associate Kevin Vargas takes the lead in litigation, arbitration and mediation processes. The department is particularly active in the energy sector and brought in associate Mauricio Guardado, an expert in civil and commercial court procedures, in July 2019.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
Fertilizantes Nordic
Hipotecaria San Miguel
PBS El Salvador
Livsmart
Banco Cuscatlán
Droguería Americana
Work highlights
- Assisting Fertilizantes Nordic with the collection of debt for unpaid merchandise
- Assisting Hipotecaria San Miguel with a lawsuit over the recognition of the deductibility of interest payments
- Filed a revision of a tender regarding the installation of x-ray security equipment at El Salvador International Airport for PBS El Salvador
LatinAlliance El Salvador
LatinAlliance El Salvador's litigation and arbitration department has key strengths in strategic prevention, consumer law and anti-corruption matters. Herbert Guerrero leads the practice and acts as the first point of contact.
Mayora & Mayora, S.C.
Offering a diverse array of litigation and arbitration support, Mayora & Mayora, S.C. is of particular note for contentious financial matters such as enforcing debt collection. Heading the practice are senior partner Manuel Telles and associate Nelson López, who has experience in civil and commercial procedural law as well as tax and customs administrative claims.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
Laboratorios Vijosa
Grupo Publimovil
Credi Q
Banco Promerica
Optima Servicios Financieros
Bridge Intermodal Transport
Drogueria Santa Lucia
Distra
Work highlights
- Managing the recovery portfolio of the commercial operations of automotive distributor Grupo Q
- Assisting Grupo Publimovil with the judicial recognition of a pecuniary obligation