Leading Individuals

Next Generation Partners

Environment in Paraguay

BKM | Berkemeyer

BKM | Berkemeyer‘s environment team is led by Yolanda Pereira, a recognised expert in environmental law, offering advice on environment, energy and natural resources projects. The team advises clients from a range of sectors, including agribusiness and energy, wherein the firm often assists clients with sustainable initiatives, from the production of biofuels and hydrogen to electric car incentives. The firm also handles litigation related to environment matters, at both the administrative and criminal levels. Pereira’s practice also covers environmental liability, regulatory matters, permits and licensing.

Practice head(s):

Yolanda Pereira


Testimonials

The company has specialist lawyers who work together as a team.

The individual lawyers we work with give our international group a complete service and understand our objectives.

Very professional, they respond quickly and clearly.

Attention and professionalism.

Key clients

ECB Group


Coca-Cola


Polygon


Dow AgroSciences Paraguay


Azar Internacional


TFG 616 Land


Dentons | Rattagan Macchiavello Arocena


SOE Rutas del Este


Syngenta Paraguay


Puma Energy Paraguay


Work highlights


  • Advising ECB on the environmental law elements of its investment in Paraguay, aimed at installing an industrial plant for the production of biodiesel.
  • Advising Coca-Cola on environmental matters and issues related to the impact of its activities on local communities, and on regulatory matters and natural resources regulation.
  • Assisting Puma Energy Paraguay with environment, health and safety, and product quality matters, related to the expansion of its downstream business in Paraguay.

SEA Abogados y Consultores Ambientales

Boutique firm SEA Abogados y Consultores Ambientales specialises in environmental law, with founding partner and director Daniel Kovacs as the main point of contact. The firm has over 15 years’ experience offering advice exclusively in the environment practice area, and has an established reputation in the Paraguayan market. The team of both lawyers and engineers assists clients with a range of environmental matters, including specialised advice to private sector clients on environmental impact assessments.

Work highlights


Vouga Abogados

Praised for its ‘professional experience and specific knowledge‘ of the sector, the environment team at Vouga Abogados evaluates the legal environmental contingencies of operations and offers advice on compliance with environmental laws. The firm is active in the drafting of and follow-up on environmental legislations and regulations, and handles a wide range of environmental matters, including advice on environmental licenses, due diligences, special environmental protection regimes, the certification of environmental assets and the generation of carbon credits. The firm also acts in environment litigation. The team is led by Rodrigo Fernández and Rodolfo Vouga, an experienced lawyer in the field, who participates in the drafting of environmental legislations. Rodolfo Guillermo Vouga takes a lead role in some of the group’s key cases. At the associate level, Manuel Acevedo advises international institutions and public entities, and has experience negotiating with public institutions for the obtention of licenses and permits. Walter Vera is highly experienced in administrative proceedings, assisting the team with administrative processes and regulatory issues related to environmental law. Alice Ferreira left the firm in January 2022.

Practice head(s):

Rodrigo Fernández; Rodolfo Vouga


Testimonials

Vouga’s business language is characterised by its ability to convey complex legal issues in simple terms. The firm is always quick to adapt to new legal landscapes in our ever-changing commercial projects, always keeping in mind our ethos and the necessities of our business and our stakeholders, and providing practical solutions, transparent billing, and a quick turn-around. We are always confident in Vouga’s thorough analysis of Paraguayan legislation to identify the most effective and cost-efficient road to achieve our objectives, acknowledging our key pillar of compliance.

Rodrigo Fernández and Manuel Acevedo communicate in a business-oriented language, streamlining their deep legal knowledge into easily applicable, practical reports and call-to-action plans, according to our commercial necessities. Manuel’s excellent people skills and general network of colleagues strengthen our engagement agenda and allow agile solutions.

The differential is their desire to understand the contractor’s business. They differ by performing to the greatest adequacy and providing as much detail possible, balancing between the parts. Their greatest qualities are the availability to understand the scope and negotiations, always with great participation and balance in joint decision-making. Main contacts: Rodrigo Fernández and Diego Marecos.

The interaction between the different areas of the team is very efficient. The required procedures are always answered in a timely manner to your complete satisfaction. Perfection is a constant in the team.

The most outstanding detail is the availability of people. They are always there, and if they can, they always respond in a timely manner. It is a pleasure to work with Rodrigo Fernández, Manuel Acevedo, Andres Vera and Rodolfo Vouga.

Vouga Abogados has, in our opinion, the best practice in environmental law in Paraguay, due to both professional experience and specific knowledge of this branch.

What makes the professionals with whom we have worked (partners and associates) stand out, is the good treatment and willingness to give an immediate response to specific queries in our sector.

Key clients

Paraguayan Industrial Guild (UIP)


Sistema B


ADM Paraguay


Paracel


Nextar


Paresa


Tigo


Copetrol


British-American Tobacco


Lesaffre


Work highlights


  • Advising Paracel on all environmental matters related to a substantial investment project.
  • Assisting a biofuel company on a project to reshape its plant to produce biofuel, a transaction which includes environment checks in order to secure investors.

Ebro - Firma Jurídica

The environmental team at Ebro - Firma Jurídica supports clients on environmental law, energy law and occupational health and safety laws and regulations. The group advises companies and corporations on compliance with environmental and health and safety regulations and has experience advising on the development of the national policy on climate change, and the creation of public regulations. Founding partner and director Fredy Génez leads the team, with a focus on issues related to sustainable development. He is supported by Emilce Ruiz Díaz, who also heads the litigation practice, and Abel Fleitas, who has significant experience in environmental law. Luis Alfredo Mendoza Giménez is another name to note, along with Monserrat Závan who specialises in sustainable development.

Practice head(s):

Fredy Génez


Testimonials

The firm stands out for its research capacity and desire for knowledge.

Fredy Génez is an excellent leader and analytical.

Key clients

Bayer Paraguay


Tetra Pak Southern Cone


CIE


Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development


La Paraguaya Inmobiliaria


PNUD


Investigación para el Desarrollo


FAO


Electropar


Asociación Paraguaya para la Calidad


Work highlights


  • Assists with consultancies for the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development.

Ferrere

Guillermo Jover rejoined Ferrere in 2021 as counsel in order to head the firm’s environment team, which is now a standalone practice. The team has an in-depth knowledge of environmental legislation and regulations in Paraguay, and advises clients on environmental licenses, due diligence and compliance audits. The firm assists clients with the environmental aspects of corporate and commercial transactions, as well as handling complex environmental issues in litigation. The team operates at a national and international level, assisting clients with the potential installation of green hydrogen and ammonia production facilities, the issuance of green bonds and sustainable finance products. Jover is an environment law specialist, with experience assisting multilateral organisations, local and foreign companies and investment funds from the construction, forestry and agriculture, and energy and hydrocarbons industries. He has also led the team into the voluntary carbon space, advising carbon credit buyers, developers, and sellers, and collaborating on proposals and legislations. Senior associate Marcelo Rodríguez has specific experience in environmental litigation, and advises clients on environmental regulations and compliance, as well as M&A due diligence processes.

Practice head(s):

Guillermo Jover


Key clients

MSU Agro


BXR Agro


Interbarge


Vale


Archer


Impala Terminals


Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF)


International Development Bank (IDB)


Navíos Logistics


Blink Bioscience


Grupo Bimbo


Amazon Web Services


Air Liquide


Siemens


Mosaic


Marfrig Global Foods


Hidrovias Do Brasil


Trafigura PTE


Atome Energy PCL


Valmet


Consorcio Costanera Sur


Leoni


Agri Terra


Darling Ingredients


Heinzel Group


Nyne Waters


Work highlights


  • Advised Heinzel Holding on its equity investment in Paracel, on applicable environmental regulations, development of carbon offset projects, and environmental compliance of the target company.
  • Advised Darling Ingredients on its $1.2bn acquisition of Gelnex, a Brazilian partnership operating in the gelatin and collagen industry, with presence in Brazil and Paraguay.
  • Advised Nyne Waters on its acquisition of various assets from Indusur, a local water bottling company, as part of a water extraction, treatment, and bottling plant.

Peroni Sosa Tellechea Burt & Narvaja

The environment team at Peroni Sosa Tellechea Burt & Narvaja advises clients on environmental liability issues, environmental plans, licensing, and permissions and authorisations from various authorities, particularly in acquisition transactions. Practice co-head José Sosa Fracchia has over 20 years as a litigator, and the team regularly assists with environmental disputes, including civil and administrative proceedings and environmental litigation. He leads the team alongside Juan Carlos Boggino, who has extensive experience in disputes and regulatory issues and often represents clients in complex environmental controversies. Senior associate Horacio Peroni advises on regulatory issues and disputes in the practice area.

Practice head(s):

José Sosa Fracchia; Juan Carlos Boggino


Testimonials

Immediate attention and very good results.

 

Key clients

El Precursor


Work highlights


  • Assisting El Precursor with a $6.5m land sale agreement, which involved solving and carrying out administrative procedures before the environmental authority.