The Legal 500 > Latin America > Nicaragua > Corporate and finance

Arias' corporate and finance department shines thanks to its 'deep working knowledge of the local Nicaraguan laws across all sectors'. Ana Teresa Rizo and key associate Maryeling Guevara, who 'makes sure her client has the necessary protection in every deal', successfully obtained concentration authorisation from the Nicaraguan Competition Authority for the acquisition of Monsanto by the firm's client Bayer. Associate Rodrigo Ibarra and Gustavo-Adolfo Vargas are further key figures in the exceptionally strong team. In another recent work highlight, Bertha Argüello, who 'gives sound advice, is always available, prompt with work and professional', assisted DEG-Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft with the structuring and packaging of its long-term debt. Roger Pérez is also a key contact. Edgard Torres and Mario Novoa left the department to join Dentons Muñoz in the second half of 2018.

Consortium Legal's skilled team of corporate specialists acts for buyers and sellers in regional transactions. Its regional and international clients receive 'excellent advice in different areas'; Rodrigo Taboada, for instance, assisted Banpro with the preparation of the first issuance of bonds by its majority shareholder, Promérica Financial Corporation. Key figure Olga Barreto acted for Vuela Aviación, a Costa Rican subsidiary of Mexican low-cost airline Volaris, on the creation of its Nicaraguan branch, which required constant co-ordination with the authorities and other public and private entities to obtain all the necessary permits and authorisations. (However, due to the difficult socio-political situation in the country, the client has currently suspended its operations in Nicaragua.) Other names to note are the 'very experienced' Martha Lorena Icaza and associate Maria Lizeth Prado.

Alvarado y Asociados' corporate and commercial team is praised for its knowledge of local law in several industry sectors. The team is made up of key figures Gloria María de Alvarado, Luz Marina Espinoza and senior associate Claraliz Oviedo Maglione; they regularly handle matters such as distribution contracts, corporate restructurings, and obtaining licences and permits from government authorities. The firm's client list includes Grupo Bimbo and Cemex, as well as a number of airlines such as Aeroméxico and Delta.

The corporate practice at BLP is headed by Ernesto Rizo, who has acted as adviser to the Nicaraguan Stock Exchange for more than ten years. He is currently handling the first defaulted public offering in the history of the Nicaraguan capital markets for Invernic. In another highlight, Claudia Prado and associate Favio Josué Batres advised Credit Suisse's Cayman Islands Branch on the $4m financing of a wind energy project. Highly regarded associate Juan Castillo has left the firm.

In the early summer months of 2018, Spanish firm ECIJA was able to complete its entry into the Central American market by incorporating Expertis Castillo & Fiallos. Currently operating under the combined name ECIJA Castillo & Fiallos, María Antonieta Fiallos and Edmundo Castillo lead the practice, which has been co-ordinating all legal services in the region for DHL for more than a decade. Other corporate services include drafting shareholders' agreements, debt conversions and day-to-day legal advice.