Following its merger in May 2021, Alta QIL+4 Abogados has been increasingly active in handling regional deals alongside its other offices in Central America, building on its existing strength in multi-jurisdictional transactions. The team stands out for its prowess in mergers, acquisitions and divestments, but its advice also covers corporate governance, tax structuring and compliance issues. Its blue-chip client base includes domestic and international companies from a diverse range of sectors, among them fintech, pharmaceuticals, telecoms and agroindustry. Managing partner Marcos Ibargüen and María Isabel Luján, who also heads the firm’s pro bono practice, lead the team. Other key partners are José Quiñones, who frequently advises on high-profile M&A, with an emphasis on the tax implications, Andrés Lowenthal, whose expertise spans M&A, joint ventures and shareholders’ agreements, and Alejandro Cofiño. At senior associate level, Melissa Echeverría and Santiago Granados are active in cross-border matters. Since publication, Echeverría has been raised to the partnership - effective as of February 2023.

Arias is highlighted for its ‘extensive knowledge’ of corporate matters in Guatemala, with a broad practice that includes advising on M&A, divestments, the winding-up of companies, and foreign investment in local operations. In addition, the team assists with corporate governance and compliance, and has recently been more active in advising clients on meeting ESG requirements. Counting numerous high-profile multinationals among its clients, the team is well positioned to advise on cross-border transactions, often alongside the regional firm’s other offices in Central America. Sectors of expertise include retail, oil and gas, data, technology and pharmaceuticals. At the helm of the practice, Jorge Luis Arenales is noted for his strong track record in advising companies in the infrastructure, ports and construction industries, and Luis Pedro del Valle is highly experienced in M&A, corporate restructurings and venture capital transactions.

BLP stands out for its strength in cross-border transactions, frequently advising international clients on the acquisition of growing Guatemalan companies, in addition to assisting with spin-offs, agency and distribution agreements, and shareholders’ agreements. Thanks to the firm’s offices throughout Central America, the team is particularly well placed to handle region-wide deals. Sectors of expertise include logistics and transportation, technology, pharmaceuticals and agriculture. Practice head and ‘great dealmaker’ María Inés Arenales is highly experienced in M&A and corporate structuring in preparation for public offerings. Luis Ruiz, who brings complementary expertise in IP to the practice, is another key contact at partner level, while the team was strengthened in January 2022 by the addition of senior associate María Inés Arenales   from private practice.

The ‘highly efficient, experienced’ team at Consortium Legal has seen increased activity in M&A recently, handling a series of high-profile transactions in the Guatemalan market, as well as advising on regional deals with the support of its fellow offices in Central America. The practice also has notable strength in advising on the corporate aspects of major projects, where Rafael Alvarado Riedel is particularly experienced. Moreover, in 2021 the department launched a new practice focused on the incorporation of new companies and local branches, as well as day-to-day corporate issues, headed by senior associate Maria Fernanda Morales. Alvarado leads the team alongside Alfredo Rodríguez, Álvaro Castellanos and Sofía Escribá, whose practice concentrates on M&A. The department was also bolstered by the addition of associate Roxana Sandoval  from Alegalis in May 2021.

Mayora & Mayora, S.C. has longstanding experience in M&A in Central America, supported by its offices in El Salvador and Honduras. The practice assists international companies with the launch of branches in the region, corporate governance and regulatory issues. The team has strong expertise across the energy, agribusiness, pharmaceuticals, real estate and healthcare spaces, and at the head of the practice, Sandra Castillo focuses on company formation, M&A, and corporate restructurings. Claudia Pereira, who has notable experience in cross-border corporate transactions, and associate María de la Concepción Villeda, who focuses on corporate governance matters. The experienced Eduardo Mayora also remains a key figure in the team.

The ‘dynamic’ corporate practice at Aguilar Castillo Love focuses primarily on the Guatemalan market, advising on the acquisition of local companies by foreign investors, although the firm’s regional presence also allows it to handle deals involving multiple Central American jurisdictions. The team is well versed in advising international clients on commercial issues such as distribution agreements, in addition to corporate restructurings, joint ventures, spin-offs and compliance. As well as drawing on firm-wide expertise in the energy sector, the team has notable strength in the agribusiness, technology, healthcare and infrastructure industries. The ‘efficient and knowledgeable’ Natalia Callejas Aquino leads the team with Juan Carlos Castillo-Chacón. Associates Rudy Villatoro Molina and Daniel Viteri   are involved in a variety of corporate and commercial transactions.

Carrillo & Asociados is highly experienced in M&A in a wide range of sectors, including energy, retail, agribusiness, real estate, telecoms and banking. In addition, the team handles incorporations, joint ventures and reorganisations, and has recently been active in restructurings and distressed M&A arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. Another notable strength is assisting foreign investors with the drafting of agency, franchise and distribution agreements and the protection of investments. Following the departures of Rodolfo Alegría and Mélida Pineda to Estudio Chávez Bosque S.A. in early 2022, the team is led by Alfonso Carrillo, Rodrigo Callejas and new partner Sara Santacruz, who focuses on M&A, competition and labour law.

Legalsa advises domestic companies and international investors on a wide range of corporate matters, including M&A, joint ventures and the launch of operations in Guatemala. Drawing on the firm’s powerhouse litigation practice, the team also assists companies engaged in shareholder litigation with corporate governance matters. The department has a strong practice focused on fintech and mobile apps, which advises investors on the rollout of new technology platforms, and acts for a number of local start-ups in the food and technology sectors. The practice is led by David Font, who is experienced in M&A, with notable expertise in the fintech and real estate sectors, and Johann Hartleben, whose fortes include the design of corporate structures in national and international jurisdictions, corporate governance structures, and shareholder agreements.

Lexincorp has recently been highly active in advising clients in sectors including services and delivery, real estate, retail, food and beverages, hospitality and energy. The team stands out for its advice to multinationals seeking to launch operations in Guatemala; as part of a regional firm and as the exclusive Multilaw member for Guatemala, it is well placed to advise on regional transactions. The team also has notable expertise in corporate governance and planning. Practice head Gonzalo Menéndez González is experienced in cross-border M&A, while Julio Aparicio is noted for his strength in restructurings and buyouts.