Hall Of Fame

Firms To Watch: Dispute resolution

Mario Guadrón heads the dispute resolution department at GT Legal, a litigation, corporate and IP-focused firm established in 2019.

Dispute resolution in Guatemala

Alta QIL+4 Abogados

The litigation team at regional powerhouse Alta QIL+4 Abogados is renowned for its expertise in litigation in the energy and mining sectors, with a strong track record of defending the operators of Guatemala’s largest hydroelectric power plants in constitutional disputes. More recently, the team has been increasingly active in representing clients in the oil industry and in handling civil and criminal litigation on behalf of major domestic banks. The firm is also noted for the strength of its growing arbitration practice, which has significant expertise in international disputes in the energy sector. Alejandro Solares Morales leads the team, focusing on complex commercial litigation and international arbitration. At associate level, Luis Pedro Martínez leads the criminal litigation department, and Estuardo Marchena is skilled in arbitration. Senior partners Marcos Ibargüen and José Quiñones are also key figures in the market.

Practice head(s):

Alejandro Solares Morales

Testimonials

I’d highlight the firm’s 24/7 availability to serve the client; the experience and efficient consultations of its lawyers, especially Alejandro Solares.

Alejandro Solares is an excellent litigator.

The Alta QIL+4 team is highly qualified to respond to the needs of its clients. They are supremely efficient in time management, are always available to answer questions, and handle Guatemalan law and the particularities of international arbitrations perfectly. Invoicing is clear and transparent, they have great technology skills and work very well with international lawyers.

Dr Alejandro Solares stands out in the team; he is an excellent litigation and arbitration lawyer who knows Guatemalan law perfectly and handles the concepts of international arbitration very well; associate Estuardo Marchena also stands out – despite his young age, he is already revealed as a future star for litigation in Guatemala and international arbitration. I particularly highlight his excellent work in disputes in the electricity sector and complex construction arbitrations.

The arbitration practice at ALTA Guatemala is getting stronger. Great integration of the team. Their writing skills are very high.

Their knowledge of the Guatemalan market and abilities to integrate the right team to conduct the matter stand out.

Key clients

Pan American Silver

Lacteos De Honduras (Lacthosa)

Aceros De Guatemala

British American Tobacco

Banco G&T Continental

Industrias Lácteas

Ingenio Magdalena

Empresa Guatemalteca De Combustible

Renace

CMI Alimentos

Grupo Disagro

Energía Limpia De Guatemala (Grupo Terra)

Uno Guatemala (Grupo Terra)

Ternium Internacional Guatemala

Banco Agromercantil De Guatemala (Bancolombia)

Grupo Frito Lay (Pesico)

Colegio Americano De Guatemala

Universidad Del Valle De Guatemala

WPP Group

Iruña

Belluno (Taco-Bell)

Créditos Centroamericanos Aktúa

Universidad Galileo

IDC Asesores Financieros

Calidad Inmobiliaria

Asociación De Generadores Renovables (Ager)

Grupo Secacao

Anacapri (Grupo Onyx)

Viento Blanco

Jaguar Energy Guatemala

Maquinas Exactas (Maxa)

Naturaceites

Tenneco

Daimler

Transactel (Grupo Tellus)

Cadefarma

Ronald A Chisholm

Grupo Rosul

Asociación Nacional De Generadores

Work highlights

  • Acting for Renace in an amparo action brought by a representative of the indigenous community against the Ministry of Energy and Mines, seeking to revoke the client’s licence to operate four hydroelectric power plants under ILO Convention 169.
  • Representing Minera San Rafael (owned by Pan American Silver) in an amparo action brought by environmental organisations against the Ministry of Energy and Mines, seeking to revoke the client’s licence to operate the world’s second largest silver mine.
  • Acting for Banco Agromercantil in a series of complex debt and asset recovery cases totalling over $17m.

Arias

The ‘excellent’ team at regional firm Arias has a wide-ranging dispute resolution practice that spans civil and commercial litigation, criminal cases, labour disputes and arbitration. In addition, the team is active in disputes relating to distribution agreements, tax issues and public procurement processes, as well as niche areas such as human rights and family law. Clients include major multinationals from sectors including retail, pharmaceuticals and energy. Heading the team is the vastly experienced Mario René Archila, who is noted for both his litigation expertise and his experience as an arbitrator. Senior counsel Luis Fernando Zelada focuses on civil and commercial litigation, as well as labour disputes, and senior associate Mónica Medrano is the key contact for anti-corruption, anti-money laundering and white-collar crime cases.

Practice head(s):

Mario René Archila

Testimonials

‘The trial lawyers at Arias in Guatemala stand out for being excellent professionals and very dedicated to satisfying the needs of our company.’

‘Mario Archila is without a doubt one of the best experts in procedural law and has proven experience in all of Guatemala.’

Carrillo & Asociados

Longstanding domestic firm Carrillo & Asociados is best known for its prowess in constitutional litigation, handling high-profile civil rights and public interest cases against government institutions. The team also has a strong reputation for financial services litigation; practice co-heads Rodrigo Callejas and Emanuel Callejas are highly active in cross-border asset recovery, insolvency and fraud investigation cases. Other areas of expertise include administrative disputes, particularly in relation to the energy sector and public procurement matters, criminal litigation, and arbitration, most notably in the energy, telecoms and construction sectors. Also co-heading the sizeable team are senior partner Alfonso CarrilloLuis Mazariegos, who has extensive experience in criminal, commercial, labour, constitutional and administrative disputes; Ricardo Recinos, who focuses on civil and constitutional litigation; and criminal litigation specialist Fernando Mendizábal.

Practice head(s):

Alfonso Carrillo; Rodrigo Callejas; Luis Mazariegos; Emanuel Callejas

Testimonials

‘Carrillo & Asociados, in addition to excellent legal advice, is very interested in the human side of cases and the positions of the parties. They focus on people first.’

‘The firm has two important qualities – the high professional level of its team and its genuine interest in its clients.’

Key clients

The George Lucas Educational Foundation

PricewaterhouseCoopers (as the custodian of Bancafe International Bank)

BMI Compañía de Seguros de Guatemala

Eduardo Toriello Aramburú Fundación

Universidad del Valle de Guatemala

Work highlights

  • Acting for the George Lucas Educational Foundation in a dispute with an individual in Guatemala over the registration of the trade mark EDUTOPIA.
  • Acting for PricewaterhouseCoopers, as the custodian of Bancafe International Bank, in a dispute with Financiera Rural over the payment of securities and damages.
  • Acting for BMI Compañía de Seguros de Guatemala in an appeal against the constitutional relief granted by the first-instance court in a dispute over insurance coverage for medical expenses.

Legalsa

A highly regarded domestic firm, Legalsa is well known for its strong litigation practice, with experience in administrative, civil, commercial, criminal and constitutional cases that range from procurement-related litigation to shareholders’ disputes and white-collar crime defence. The team is also active in national and international arbitration and has represented multinational companies in arbitration proceedings against Guatemalan government entities. Founding partner Henry Comte has vast experience in complex litigation and arbitration and is one of three practice heads, alongside Alejandro Penados, whose areas of specialism include shareholder, inheritance and concessions-related disputes, and Marisol Fión, an expert in administrative, civil and commercial litigation. The strong cohort of associates includes Julia González, who focuses on criminal litigation (including tax, environmental and white-collar crime cases), and corporate litigation specialist Andrés Dubón.

Practice head(s):

Henry Comte; Alejandro Penados; Marisol Fión

Key clients

Multiproyectos

CBC- Cabcorp

Vivibanco

Constructora del Sur

Cía Agrícola Industrial Santa Ana

Telecomunicaciones de Guatemala (Claro Guatemala)

Desarrollos los Manglares/Oceana Beach Resort

Hunter Warfield

América Móvil

Cocisa

Petróleos del Sur

Administrador de Mercado Mayorista

Aguilar Castillo Love

The ‘prestigious’ dispute resolution practice at Aguilar Castillo Love stands out for its strength in handling cases in the energy sector, with a particular focus on arbitration, where it frequently acts for major domestic electricity distribution companies in high-profile proceedings. The team is also experienced in litigation; its recent workload includes commercial, administrative and constitutional cases. Practice head René Vicente Rodriguez is skilled in both litigation and arbitration, and Guatemala managing partner Juan Carlos Castillo Chacón is widely known for his expertise in arbitration and energy-related disputes. Natalia Callejas Aquino is also a key contact for arbitration, and commercial and administrative litigation.

Practice head(s):

René Vicente Rodríguez

Testimonials

‘It is a well-recognised and prestigious firm in this area of law. The team is composed of professionals with knowledge of a variety of subjects.’

‘High-level professionals. The firm’s reputation is its biggest plus.’

Key clients

Empresa Eléctrica de Guatemala (EEGSA)

Distribuidora de Electricidad de Oriente and Distribuidora de Electricidad de Occidente (Energuate)

Jaguar Energy

Transelec

Work highlights

  • Acting for Energuate in disputes with the municipality of Río Hondo and Asunción Mita over the imposition of regulations for the construction and installation of power towers.

Alegalis

Alegalis’s broad dispute resolution practice ranges from representing household-name fashion and consumer goods brands in IP litigation, to handling real estate and energy-related disputes for major developers and hydroelectric companies. Other notable sectors of expertise include food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, banking and telecoms. ‘Brilliant analyst’ Carlos Gustavo Palacios leads the civil litigation department, while ‘respected litigator’ and director Cristian Rojas heads the criminal law side of the practice. The ‘excellent’ Juan Antonio Mazariegos is also highly regarded for his experience in civil, commercial, criminal and constitutional cases.

Practice head(s):

Carlos Gustavo Palacios Morales; Cristian Rojas

Testimonials

‘They have a lot of people in the team, so they always respond promptly to clients’ issues.’

‘They stand out for the availability they always show, the promptness with which they attend to the client’s issues and the way they get involved with each one of them – especially Juan Antonio Mazariegos and Carlos Palacios.’

‘I have been using this firm in Guatemala for the last 28 years or so – I would not use any other law firm in this country. I work directly with Cristian Rojas and Juan Antonio Mazariegos, who are both excellent and responsible attorneys.’

Key clients

Hospital Herrera Llerandi

Nike Innovate

Converse All Star

Levi Strauss

Fox Head

Grupo Enel

Spectrum

Multi Proyectos

BLP

BLP‘s litigation practice counts among its clients well-known domestic and multinational companies from a range of sectors, including technology, pharmaceuticals, transport and agriculture. The team is experienced in civil, commercial and constitutional litigation, with additional strengths in labour, IP, environmental and white-collar crime cases. Practice head Rodolfo Salazar is highly experienced in arbitration proceedings, and has expertise in disputes relating to public law and procurement, the energy sector and environmental issues.

Consortium Legal

Consortium Legal has a strong track record in civil, commercial, constitutional, and administrative litigation, and is increasingly active in both institutional and ad hoc arbitration, handling a series of cases relating to breaches of contract in the banking and energy sectors, among others. The firm also has a strong criminal law practice, with a focus on environmental and tax fraud cases. The practice is jointly led by Elías Arriaza, whose broad workload spans arbitration and civil, commercial and administrative litigation, and criminal law-focused litigator Lionel Aguilar. Associate Erick Efrén Pérez provides experienced support.

Practice head(s):

Elías Arriaza; Lionel Aguilar

Key clients

Agro Insumos

Banco Internacional (InterBanco)

Nestlé Guatemala

Industria Nacional Alimenticia

Banco Agromercantil de Guatemala

Gerber Agri International

Renace

CMI

Pollo Campero

Banco de los Trabajadores (Bantrab)

Centro Comercial La Pradera – Tahoe

Intertechne Consultores

Centro Industrial Para la Exportación

Work highlights

  • Represented a client in an international arbitration case relating to the breach of a technology contract.
  • Represented a client in a civil trial relating to a 30-year lease contract.
  • Acting for various banks in debt recovery actions.

Mayora & Mayora, S.C.

Mayora & Mayora, S.C. is well known for its experience in disputes in the energy sector, counting Central America’s largest energy distribution company among its clients. The team has significant strength in commercial, administrative, labour and IP litigation, in addition to an arbitration practice with significant experience that stands out for its expertise in energy, telecoms and foreign investment-related cases. The team is led by Paola Galich, who also heads the litigation side of the firm’s labour practice. Rafael Briz is also noted for his extensive experience in cases in the energy sector. Senior associates José Ramos and Byron Deulofeu have specialist expertise in criminal and IP cases, respectively.

Practice head(s):

Paola Galich

Testimonials

‘Mayora & Mayora are usually proactive and are very aware of all the legal issues that are important to us, so they always keep us up to date. The lawyers in the team always go the extra mile in all their advisory services – they are very prepared and focused on resolving any matter that we consult on with them.’

‘The team who support us at Mayora & Mayora demonstrate their wonderful preparation, their experience, their values and their professionalism in every interaction with their clients.’

Key clients

Orion

Deorsa-Deocsa (Energuate)

Tedagua

E&CO

Work highlights

  • Defending Orion in civil, constitutional and criminal cases brought by third parties relating to the its rights to property along the Pacific coast.
  • Assisted Tedagua with the resolution of potential dispute over non-compliance with an administrative contract with the Institute of Municipal Promotion (Infom).
  • Acted for Energuate in arbitration proceedings against the National Electrification Institute (INDE) over non-compliance with the Rural Electrification Plan (PER).

A. D. Sosa & Soto

A. D. Sosa & Soto has significant expertise in a wide range of litigation, from administrative and constitutional cases to civil and commercial disputes (with a particular focus on cases relating to the termination of distribution agreements). The team also handles arbitration, IP litigation and white-collar crime cases, and is increasingly active in labour litigation following the launch of the firm’s new labour department. Associates Daniel Marroquín, whose practice spans civil, constitutional, commercial and criminal litigation, and David Barrientos, who focuses on white-collar crime, are the key contacts. They co-head the practice alongside Juan Sebastián Soto, Carlos Rafael Pellecer and Rodolfo Sosa.

Practice head(s):

Daniel Marroquín; David Barrientos; Carlos Rafael Pellecer; Juan Sebastián Soto; Rodolfo Sosa

Key clients

Comercializadora y Productora de Bebidas Los Volcanes (subsidiary of the Coca-Cola Company)

Cafcom Trading Company

Alimentos Corporativos Coralsa (Wendy’s, Little Caesars and Moe’s)

DeAlton (Finca Filadelfia Resort & Coffee Farm)

Grupo Asys (Aseguro, Agencia de Seguros Independiente)

Hoteles Decameron Guatemala

Grupo PDC (Compañia Distribuidora/Planta Indusrial de Guatemala)

Embotelladora Central (subsidiary of the Coca-Cola Company)

Grupo Disagro (Disagro de Guatemala, Distribuidora Agrícola)

Alorica (NCO Star Comunicaciones Guatemala)

Ecolab Guatemala

PriceSmart (Guatemala)

Standard Fruit De Guatemala (subsidiary of Dole Food Company)

Kimberly-Clark Guatemala

Bimbo De Centro America

Procter & Gamble

Unisuper (Supermercados La Torre)

Work highlights

  • Acting for Comercializadora y Productora de Bebidas Los Volcanes (a subsidiary of the Coca-Cola Company) in a dispute with a group of former commercial resellers of Coca-Cola products over a verbal distribution contract.
  • Acting for Cafcom Trading Company in seeking the recovery of an outstanding debt of $4m.
  • Acting for Alimentos Corporativos Coralsa (the operator of Wendy’s, Little Caesars and Moe’s restaurants in Guatemala) in a criminal complaint after a former company bookkeeper was found to have made unauthorised fund transfers from the company’s accounts.

Novales Abogados

The energy, environmental and infrastructure sectors are the pillars of expertise of the dispute resolution practice at Novales Abogados, which frequently handles constitutional litigation relating to the construction of electricity transmission networks and infrastructure projects. The firm also has a strong credit recovery practice. Alfonso Novales leads the department, while Cristián Novales and Javier Novales are also key contacts.

Practice head(s):

Alfonso Novales Aguirre

Dentons Munoz

The ‘dynamic, proactive’ team at global firm Dentons Muñoz was notably bolstered by the arrival of associate practice director Paola Haase from Alta QIL+4 Abogados in August 2021; she brings significant expertise in constitutional cases to the group, particularly with regard to the energy sector. The team is experienced in both litigation and arbitration, and is especially active in representing companies in the mining and hydrocarbons industries in high-profile disputes with local communities. Guatemala managing partner Luis Abundio Maldonado is also a key contact.

Practice head(s):

Paola Haase

Testimonials

‘A young, dynamic and proactive team with an interest in understanding the issues beyond the client’s conflict, which is willing to go the extra mile and contribute experiences and contacts in order to help. A hands-on team.’

Key clients

Puma Energy Bahamas/Puma Energy Guatemala

Neogen

Inter-American Development Bank

Grupo Portalis

Econopaca

International Finance Corporation

Asociación de Vecinos del Edificio Menorca

Plantaciones Nahualate/De La Costa

Tarjetas Cuscatlán

Schneider Electric

Dine Brands Global

Xerox Corp/Xerox Guatemala

Thyssen Krupp

Enel Green Power

Papelera Internacional

Novus de Guatemala

JC Decaux

Ferreteria De La Construcción

Cemix (Pegamorteros De Guatemala)

Alorica

Work highlights

  • Acted for Thyssen Krupp in a dispute between a client and a subcontractor relating to the turnkey construction of cement facility.
  • Acted for call centre operator Alorica in seeking to overturn the suspension of its operations by the Guatemalan government during the official state of emergency.
  • Acting for Asociación de Vecinos Menorca, which represents a group of 40 property owners of apartments in a building in Guatemala City, in a constitutional dispute over the ownership of the land.

ECIJA INTEGRUM

ECIJA Integrum‘s ‘excellent and extremely capable’ team stands out for its specialism in international arbitration, including investment arbitration, with a dedicated practice that has handled high-profile proceedings in the energy, mining, fintech, pharmaceutical and financial sectors. The team is also experienced in commercial, civil and constitutional litigation, and has drawn on the firm’s wider global network to handle multi-jurisdictional cases. Marcos Palma is a key contact for disputes in the energy and financial sectors. He co-heads the practice with Edson López, who is praised by clients for his ‘excellent command of the rules of international arbitration and extensive international experience’; associate Andrea Miranda, who focuses on civil litigation; and Rodrigo Castillo, who acts in a variety of international arbitrations. Since publication, Castillo has left the firm.

Practice head(s):

Edson López; Marcos Palma; Andrea Miranda; Rodrigo Castillo

Testimonials

‘Edson López is committed to the case and provides good service to his clients. It is a great comfort to know that he is available to answer questions.’

‘Excellent and extremely capable team.’

‘Edson López excels in this field. He provides a personalised service of the highest quality.’

‘ECIJA has a highly sophisticated team of multilingual lawyers who respond to the needs of companies and other clients for their international arbitration. Billing is clear and timely, there are no unapproved cost overruns, and the attorneys respond promptly to all of the client’s needs.’

‘Edson López stands out for his excellent command of the rules of international arbitration and extensive international experience.’

‘We have been working with the litigation and arbitration team of ECIJA Integrum in Guatemala for several years. They are excellent and at a very high level in terms of their knowledge and application of procedures and in terms of their dispute management strategies. The team’s advice is profound and highly relevant, always putting the client’s objective and interests first. I have worked with other firms and it is a fact that ECIJA’s case management is incomparable.’

‘They are reliable, transparent, educated in statutory law and natural rights, have vast experience in disputes, speak the truth and have a high sense of professional ethics. In addition to this, they always put themselves in the shoes of the in-house lawyers and share the sense of urgency and responsibility regarding the procedural actions to take. They always anticipate situations, which makes them exceptional.’

EY Law

EY Law Central America’s ‘multidisciplinary, committed and experienced’ dispute resolution practice is well placed to handle tax disputes and financial services litigation, drawing on the strength of the firm’s global consultancy arm. Trade mark and environmental litigation are also notable areas of expertise, and with offices across Central America, the team is active in cross-border disputes. Costa Rica-based Hernán Pacheco leads the team with senior manager Fernando Rosales (Guatemala City), who focuses on tax litigation. Senior associate Jacqueline Montoya is also a key contact for civil, tax, administrative and constitutional litigation.

Practice head(s):

Hernán Pacheco; Fernando Rosales

Testimonials

‘It is a multidisciplinary, committed and experienced team.’

‘They are dedicated people who personalise their service and are professionally trained, highly experienced and willing to go the extra mile.’

García-Merlos & Asociados

Boutique firm García-Merlos & Asociados specialises in white-collar criminal litigation, with a wide range of experience in high-profile cases involving tax evasion, fraud, money laundering and illicit electoral financing, among others. The firm also has an active constitutional litigation practice. Its impressive client base includes multinationals from the energy, mining, telecoms and pharmaceutical sectors. Practice head Julio Roberto García-Merlos has broad extensive expertise in white-collar crime cases, representing major companies and high-level executives. Associate Andrea Cabrera is noted for environmental crime and intellectual property cases.

Practice head(s):

Julio Roberto García-Merlos

Testimonials

‘The main differences that I have noticed are: analytical skills, planning and strategy, preparation, attention to detail and a deep understanding of the underlying issues.’

‘Julio García-Merlos as Managing Partner directs and knows first-hand the strategies, and makes sure that his team understands the cases and the strategy, which makes the handling of the cases complete and impeccable, even in the most complex cases. His knowledge and expertise are unquestionable.’

‘We recommend Julio García-Merlos and Andrea Cabrera.’

Key clients

Panamerican Silver Guatemala

Jaguar Energy Guatemala

Corporación Multi Inversiones

Uno (Grupo Terra)

Global Forest Partners

Grupo Sermesa (Hospitales La Paz)

Banco de los Trabajadores

Millicom International Cellular

Productive Business Solutions

Grupo PDC

Puma Energy Guatemala

Sumedica Fresenius Medical Care

Work highlights

  • Acting for construction company Ingeniería Vertical in an investigation into an explosion in an apartment in the Santa María Las Charcas housing complex.

LatamLex | Skinner-Klée & Asociados

With a practice spanning the full spectrum of dispute resolution matters, LatamLex | Skinner-Klée & Asociados is experienced in civil, commercial, administrative and criminal litigation, and is also active in arbitration and mediation. Practice head Alfredo Skinner-Klée has a strong reputation for commercial and investment arbitration.

Practice head(s):

Alfredo Skinner-Klée

Sfera Legal

Sfera Legal has a broad litigation practice that encompasses civil, commercial, constitutional, labour, administrative and other disputes. The team is also highly active in arbitration, particularly in disputes relating to distribution agreements and in the telecoms and energy sectors. Managing partner Ignacio Andrade Aycinena leads the practice and is skilled in both litigation and arbitration. Virginia Servent Palmieri is a key contact for IP litigation, and the sizeable associate team includes Luis Enrique Solares, a specialist in tax and labour litigation, and Evelyn Chavarria, an experienced advisor in alternate dispute resolution. Since publication, Andrade and Servent have left the firm, as of October 2022.

Practice head(s):

Ignacio Andrade Aycinena

Key clients

Tigo – Telecomunicaciones Celulares

Inversiones Pasabien

Banco G&T Continental

Mcdermid

SBA Torres Guatemala

Inversiones Anvi

Cummins

Grupo Apolo

Work highlights

  • Acting for Tigo, the largest telecoms operator in Guatemala, in a dispute with Claro in the Constitutional Court relating to the award of the 4G frequency concession.
  • Acting for Inversiones Pasabien in a criminal proceeding filed against community leaders claiming ownership of the land that houses one of the client’s hydroelectric plants.
  • Advising SBA Torres Guatemala on negotiations with local communities at prospective sites for the client’s telecommunications infrastructure.