Hall Of Fame

Next Generation Partners

Administrative law in Paraguay

BKM | Berkemeyer

The administrative law team at BKM | Berkemeyer has extensive experience providing legal advice on infrastructure projects, primarily in the road, transportation, energy and sanitation sectors. The firm demonstrates expertise in public private partnerships, advising the private investor on the project finance aspect of the first PPP in Paraguay. The group is also made up of public procurement experts, with experience in government tenders, from medical supplies and management software to traditional public works tenders. The team is co-led by Hugo Berkemeyer, whose main focus is investments and the set-up of corporate structures. He leads the team alongside Martín Carlevaro, who has extensive experience advising on infrastructure projects, project finance, public contracts and regulatory issues. At the associate level, Adriana Ocampos has experience advising on PPP and turnkey projects, and Dahiana Acosta has a thorough knowledge of international public tenders and public contracts. Vivian Maldonado and Milena Sljivich are also names to note.

Practice head(s):

Hugo Berkemeyer; Martín Carlevaro


Testimonials

The lawyers have vast experience in administrative law, having practiced in public institutions, which makes them familiar with how public institutions work. It is an interdisciplinary team that works well together advising on cases.

Adriana Ocampos has extensive doctrinal and jurisprudential knowledge in the application of local law and administrative procedures, and good precision when writing letters.

Dahiana Acosta is good at advising on public tenders and administrative procedures.

The Berkemeyer team, in addition to the quality of its legal advisory, is very accessible and is always very present in accompanying the client.

I would like to name Martín Carlevaro for his excellent ability to bring together the best quality of advisory with the follow-up of the strategy defined by the client. The experience in different markets of the region would be another factor that would stand out.

It has specific knowledge and previous experience in matters of interest to the client in the local and regional markets Availability, quality of service and adequate response time.

Key clients

Rutas del Este


Sacyr Concesiones


Consorcio Corredor Vial Bioceanico


Itacamba Cemento


Somarco Paraguay


Sacyr Construcción Paraguay


Enpasa Paraguay


Consorcio Asi Paraguay


Acciona Agua Sucursal Paraguay


Consorcio Rutas 2 y 7


Stiler


Consorcio DC Stiler


Información de Negocios y Procesos (INP)


Ocho A


BTD


Soundata


Prourbe Medios


Queiroz Galvao


Mota Engil


NeoGreen


Siemens


Rieder & Cia.


JCDecaux


Work highlights


  • Advising Rutas del Este on regulatory and administrative law matters during the concession term, including the negotiation of amendments to the PPP contract.
  • Assisted Consorcio Corredor Vial Bioceanico and sponsors with negotiations with public sector officials and all regulatory and administrative law matters during the construction phase.
  • Advised Acciona Agua on the construction and operation of Bella Vista water treatment plant in Asunción.

Parquet & Asociados

Parquet & Asociados specialises in administrative law, with a team that has helped a number of institutions to find solutions to various challenges within the public sector. The team advises public authorities, public and private institutions and multinational companies looking to enter into relations with the public sector. The firm is actively involved in the drafting of bills and reform legislation, as well as laws, decrees and resolutions for various public institutions. The group has experience in infrastructure, in the presentation of PPP by private initiative to the Paraguayan state. The team is led by Javier Parquet Villagra, who has worked extensively with the Paraguayan state and collaborated on the drafting of various statutes and laws. Lucas Corrales specialises in administrative law and has also advised several entities of the Paraguayan state. Associate David Dominguez assists with drafting and advising on major projects, including PPP.

Practice head(s):

Javier Parquet Villagra


Testimonials

The firm compares in terms of people, billing and collaboration.

Javier Parquet has a detailed knowledge of the legislation, a lot of experience and is adept at negotiating.

Lucas Corrales demonstrates knowledge and organisation in the procedural part.

Key clients

Ministry of Finance


Ferrocarriles del Paraguay (FEPASA)


Banco Nacional de Fomento (BNF)


Agencia Financiera de Desarrollo (AFD)


Camara Paraguaya de Desarrolladores Inmobiliarios (Capadei)


Altamira Group


Congress of Paraguay


Gambling – B-Gaming Consortium


National Secretary of Sports / Paraguayan Olympic Committee


Secretaria Nacional de Turismo


Fundación Parque Tecnológico Itaipú – Paraguay (FPTI)


Lindea


Work highlights


  • Provides daily advice to the Ministry of Finance regarding administrative law matters, and has been appointed as the local counsel for the issuer consistently since 2013, providing legal counsel to the Republic of Paraguay.
  • Drafted the Administrative Procedures Act, which aims to regulate the legal regime of administrative acts and administrative procedure, in order to make it possible to carry out administrative procedures and actions by electronic means.
  • Advised the Paraguayan Olympic Committee and the National Secretary of Sports on the realisation of the XII South American Games Asuncion 2022.

Ferrere

The team at Ferrere advises clients on all aspects of administrative law and also offers a specific public procurement practice. Clients come from a wide range of sectors, including energy, construction and pharmaceuticals, advising private companies, as well as public entities. The team handles a variety matters, from preparing private initiative proposals for public concessions and competitive bid processes, to designing and negotiating strategies for agreements with the state. The firm also represents clients in administrative litigation and other disputes. The team consists of experts in challenge and guarantee instruments, administrative appeals, actions for unconstitutionality, relief and other effective protections. Practice co-head Carlos Codas leads judicial processes, focusing on commercial and administrative litigation, and leads the team alongside associate Maurizio De Oliveira, who specialises in administrative and regulatory law, administrative disputes and disciplinary procedures and inquiries. Fellow associate Dario Capurro leads the firm’s public procurement practice, advising clients on all kinds of tenders and other procedures involving contracts with government entities.

Practice head(s):

Carlos Codas; Maurizio De Oliveira


Testimonials

Immediate communication of the status of files.

Personalised and cordial attention.

A very competent office that responds to queries quickly and with technical quality. It is a proactive office and supports our company in the search for creative solutions aligned with the business.

Dario Capurro is very clear in his legal orientations and answers the company’s queries very quickly.

Key clients

Mare


TK Elevator


Electropar


Air Liquide


Sika


Farmacéutica Paraguaya (Fapasa)


Cementos Artigas


Castleton Commodities


Siemens


Logicalis


Global Exchange


Equifax


Regional Seguros


La Independencia de Seguros


El Sol del Paraguay Compañía de Seguros y Reaseguros


Banco Itaú


Credicentro


Financiera Solar


Moderna


UENO


Solventa


Terminal Occidental


Marfrig Global Foods


Industrias Citrícolas del Paraguay


Casa Boller


Work highlights


  • Advised Terminal Occidental on its approval as the first free trade zone in services in Paraguay.
  • Assisted Financiera UENO with obtaining authorisation from the Paraguayan Central Bank to change its license and operate as a bank in the Paraguayan market.
  • Acted for TK Elevator on several summaries before the public procurement national directorate.

Vouga Abogados

Vouga Abogados advises national and international clients on complex procedures before public authorities. The firm acts as legal counsel to public entities and international institutions in the drafting of bills and regulations, and is often retained to advise public offices on the development of new regulations. The team works with international clients in highly-regulated areas, such as mining, agribusiness and health. A strong administrative litigation team regularly assists clients with administrative contentious procedures at both the administrative and judicial stages. The team is led by four lawyers; Rodolfo Guillermo Vouga, Rodrigo Fernández, Mirtha Dos Santos and senior associate Manuel Acevedo. Fernández has dealt with a range of administrative law cases, particularly in regulated business sectors such as oil and gas, pharmaceuticals and food and tobacco. Acevedo is engaged in complex procedures and negotiations with public offices. Associate Silvia Benítez has extensive experience in administrative and civil litigation, and represents clients in both administrative and court proceedings. Since publication, Acevedo has been raised to the partnership - effective as of February 2024.

Practice head(s):

Rodrigo Fernández


Testimonials

Vouga has an in-depth understanding of our company’s corporate structure and subsequent mining exploration business, providing legal counsel, assistance in setting up branches, and tax declaration requirements. Vouga has been entrusted with assisting the mining area’s legal advisors and collecting related materials. The firm has established a good communication channel with the company’s operators and other service providers.

Estudio Vouga offers comprehensive quality legal advice, with trained, responsible and committed professionals. We have always received efficient, fast advice that meets our needs. We trust the work of the firm and we highlight the quality of the lawyers and the personalised attention we receive, which is precisely what makes Estudio Vouga one of the most prestigious and recognised firms in Paraguay. We noticed a very good organisation, with defined teams that work collaboratively. The lawyers specialising in our matters acted immediately and gave us a clear overview of the situation, with clear suggestions and recommendations for the course to follow.

Silvia Benítez provides personalised, efficient, fast advice, demonstrating solidity and knowledge on the subject, giving us her vision and suggestions for the course to follow in the most convenient way for the company. Mirtha Dos Santos, who is the partner of the litigation department, is also supporting this issue due to the magnitude of the issues discussed.

In particular, I worked with Manuel Acevedo. He is a highly trained person, always available, and even after the date that the work has been completed, he continues to support with queries that arise.

The team of professionals is the best – the subsequent service in legal advice is guaranteed. Our experience with the implementation of a new EAS law, which required regulation, was extremely satisfactory due to the support throughout the implementation process.

Vouga is made up of a team of professionals with a lot of technical capacity, who complement each other by respecting each other in their area of best performance, so that every demand we need always has a professional for the case. They are different in terms of updating information, always available and always looking for the best result of their actions. They are distinguished by their technical competence, and they are extremely proactive.

The lawyers handle everything, with the ability to work in a team, with empathy and communication skills, as well as the ability to handle technology, including new information technologies. The lawyers have negotiation skills. In general, continuous training, passion and commitment to an excellent service are noted.

Vouga Abogados has given us unique advice in Paraguay on administrative law issues, since, unlike other firms, it has both the required technical experience and the contact with the regulatory authorities.

Key clients

Paracel


CPC Corporation Taiwán


Quincy Energy


Centelsa


World Bank Group


Prosegur


Iridium Satellite


Nextar (Petrobas)


Paresa (Coca Cola)


Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)


Work highlights


  • Advised pulp mill project Paracel on the obtention of an electricity cogeneration license.
  • Acted for a European multinational client in proceedings involving three public offices regarding payment of indispensable services rendered to government during Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Advised the Ministry of Industry and Commerce on the elaboration of regulations needed to implement the law regarding a new form of business entity named Empresa por Acciones Simplificadas (EAS).