Dispute resolution in Guatemala

Offering ‘a comprehensive service of the highest quality‘, Alta QIL+4 Abogados has in-depth experience in civil, commercial, criminal and constitutional litigation, as well as a growing arbitration practice. Over the last few years, the team has been particularly active in high-profile and sensitive constitutional disputes in the mining and energy sectors, and in local and international energy-related arbitrations. As part of its pro bono practice, the firm also works with the Vance Centre in New York on immigration cases. Alejandro Solares, who was promoted to partner in January 2021, leads the department, supported by senior partners Marcos Ibargüen and José Quiñones (who has notable strength in tax disputes). Among the associates, Paola Haase is a standout for her experience in amparo actions regarding mining and energy projects, while Luis Pedro Martinez has expertise in white-collar crime and financial criminal litigation. Since publication, Haase has departed the firm for Dentons Muñoz.

Arias has ‘great experience‘ in litigation, with a broad practice spanning real estate, IP, labour, tax and telecoms-related disputes. The team has also been highly active recently in arbitration, both national and international, particularly in relation to commercial disputes and international investment cases. A major regional player, the firm counts multinational companies, government entities, financial institutions and high-profile individuals among its clients. Mario René Archila, whose extensive dispute resolution experience includes acting as an arbitrator, leads the team; Luis Fernando Zelada, who was promoted to senior counsel in April 2021, is also a key contact for civil, commercial, criminal and constitutional litigation. They are supported by a strong cohort of associates, including Mónica Medrano, a former assistant district attorney with significant expertise in white-collar criminal cases, and Marco Castro. Since publication, Medrano has been promoted to senior associate - effective as of March 2022.

Constitutional litigation is a key area of expertise for Carrillo & Asociados, which is particularly well known for representing international organisations operating in Guatemala in public interest actions. However, the firm’s broad litigation experience also spans civil, commercial, administrative and criminal cases, and it is highly active in arbitration involving energy, telecoms, construction and distribution contracts. While the practice saw the departure of founding partner Francisco Chávez in August 2020, it remains a sizeable team. At senior level, Alfonso Carrillo focuses on public interest litigation (including pro bono cases defending the rule of law), Rodrigo Callejas specialises in asset recovery and insolvency cases, and Luis Mazariegos has extensive experience in civil, criminal, commercial and labour litigation. Senior associates Emanuel Callejas, Ricardo Recinos and Fernando Mendizábal have expertise in fraud, civil and constitutional, and criminal litigation, respectively.

The ‘ideal team of legal advisers‘ at dispute resolution powerhouse Legalsa has expertise in civil, commercial, constitutional and criminal litigation, as well as in both domestic and international arbitration. Areas of strength include tax, labour, IP, public procurement and shareholders’ disputes. Founding partner Henry Comte is noted for his ‘significant experience‘ before the courts at all levels; he also serves part-time as an alternative magistrate of the Guatemalan Constitutional Court. Comte leads the team with Marisol Fión, whose practice spans administrative, civil and commercial litigation and arbitration, and Alejandro Penados, who specialises in shareholders’ and inheritance disputes, and also has notable experience in IP and unfair competition cases. The ‘first-rate' team of associates includes Julia González, a specialist in criminal litigation, particularly environmental, tax and white-collar criminal cases, and Andrés Dubón.

Regional firm Aguilar Castillo Love is well regarded for its expertise in arbitration, a field where Guatemala managing partner Juan Carlos Castillo-Chacón stands out for his longstanding experience, both as counsel and as an arbitrator. The team also handles a broad range of civil, commercial, constitutional and labour litigation, and has particular strength in acting for clients in the energy sector, representing major players in the Guatemalan market (most significantly Energuate, Guatemala's largest power distribution company). René Vicente Rodriguez, who is experienced in both litigation and arbitration, leads the practice. Natalia Callejas Aquino and associate María Lilian Franco are particularly active in energy sector disputes.

Highlighted for its ‘excellent knowledge‘ of local and international arbitration proceedings, Central American firm BLP is also active in civil, commercial, criminal and constitutional litigation. The team has notable expertise in IP disputes, including anti-counterfeiting claims, as well as in energy and environmental cases. Practice head Rodolfo Salazar is experienced in dispute resolution in the public and private sectors, while senior counsel Alejandro Arenales has extensive arbitration experience (including acting as an arbitrator). Associate Rubén Fuentes has expertise in public law, procurement and environmental law.

Consortium Legal‘s ‘dedicated‘ and ‘responsible‘ team handles civil, commercial and constitutional litigation, with a specialist tax litigation practice led by David Erales; it has also been increasingly active in arbitration. The team acts for large regional and international clients from diverse sectors including technology, energy, financial services and hospitality. Practice head Elías Arriaza, who has broad experience, including in shareholder, labour and administrative disputes, and associate Paulina Rodríguez, who has significant arbitration expertise, are considered 'excellent lawyers'. Other key members of the sizeable associate team include Alejandro Sánchez and Erick Efrén Pérez.

The ‘ideal ally and strategic adviser‘, Mayora & Mayora, S.C.‘s strength in litigation encompasses administrative, labour, civil, commercial and constitutional disputes, with the team skilled in cross-border matters. Arbitration – particularly in relation to foreign investments and disputes in the energy and telecoms sectors – is also a key area of expertise. Leading the practice, Paola Galich has extensive litigation experience, particularly in labour law, and Rafael Briz is noted for his strength in arbitration, as well as administrative, labour, and energy and telecoms-sector litigation. They receive strong support at the senior associate level from Luis Fernando Méndez, José Ramos and Byron Deulofeu, experts in labour, civil and commercial, and IP litigation, respectively.

A. D. Sosa & Soto has particular strength in commercial and civil litigation, including disputes relating to distribution agreements and asset recovery actions, and also has expertise in constitutional law and regulatory disputes. A dedicated criminal and white-collar criminal law practice is led by associate David Barrientos. Among the key contacts in the team are founding partner Rodolfo Sosa, Carlos Rafael Pellecer and Juan Sebastián Soto, who focuses particularly on IP litigation. The department is coordinated by associate Daniel Marroquín, whose strengths include civil and constitutional litigation; he also has niche expertise in acting as an arbitrator in sports-related disputes.

Formed by the merger of Ibero-American giant ECIJA with Guatemalan firm Integrum in November 2020, ECIJA Integrum stands out for its extensive experience in arbitration. Energy disputes are a key area of strength, but the firm also has growing expertise in disputes in the technology (including fintech) and pharmaceutical sectors. The 'excellent' team is led by senior partner Marcos Palma, who is skilled in energy and financial sector arbitration, the 'outstanding' Edson López, and director Rodrigo Castillo, a specialist in international arbitration.

As part of the legal arm of the Big Four consultancy, EY Law Central America has particular strength in contentious tax cases, but also handles criminal, administrative and commercial litigation for a broad range of regional clients. Following the departure of former practice head Enrique Möller Sánchez and Ruby Asturias to different firms, the team is now led by senior manager Fernando Rosales Gramajo, who specialises in tax litigation. He is supported by manager Elmer Vargas, who leads the life sciences department and is experienced in trade mark, patent and healthcare-related disputes.