Leĝa Abogados' corporate practice frequently handles high-profile transactions in the Venezuelan market, standing out for its expertise in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. With four offices across Venezuela, the firm is well placed to advise on both domestic and cross-border M&A, spin-offs and joint ventures. In addition, the team advises on company incorporation, exchange control regulation, corporate governance and the divestiture and winding-up of foreign clients' Venezuelan branches. Other notable sectors of expertise include telecoms, IT, energy, insurance, financial services and logistics. Well known for its advice to leading multinationals, the firm also has an entrepreneurship practice which advises local and foreign start-ups. Luis Eduardo López-Durán, who also leads the life sciences practice group, heads the team with Pedro Urdaneta. Energy and financial sector expert José Alberto Ramírez and Fernando Sanquirico are other key contacts.

Altum Abogados, S.C. stands out for its advice to multinational clients from sectors including entertainment, automotive and financial services. The team handles the incorporation of Venezuelan entities, corporate structuring for investment and asset protection purposes, M&A, corporate restructuring and advice on foreign investments, including real estate and infrastructure projects. The 'very clear' María Eugenia Reyes, who specialises in corporate and real estate matters, heads the team with Álvaro Posada Sessarego, who has particular expertise in cross-border transactions, and Alfonso Porras Machado, an expert in corporate finance and M&A. Froila Eugenia Pimentel provides key support at associate level.

Highlighted for its 'technical knowledge and availability', the team at Baker & McKenzie, S.C. has extensive experience in corporate and M&A transactions, drawing on its global network to advise on cross-border matters. The practice is particularly experienced in advising multinational clients on divestments and corporate reorganisations, and frequently works alongside the firm's tax, finance and real estate departments. Practice co-head Jesús Dávila advises on the full range of corporate and compliance matters, with an emphasis on corporate reorganisations, and fellow co-head María Celis is noted for her complementary expertise in telecoms, real estate and antitrust issues.

The 'diligent' Dentons' team has a strong track record of handling high-profile M&A, both advising on transactions in the Venezuelan market and cross-border matters, thanks to its global expertise. The team also assists with day-to-day corporate matters, corporate restructurings and the establishment of new businesses in the jurisdiction. Its wide-ranging client portfolio includes major local and multinational companies from the pharmaceutical, technology (including the cryptocurrency and streaming spaces), aviation and energy sectors, among others. The experienced quartet of Sergio Casinelli, Daniela Jaimes, who has particular expertise in highly regulated industries, Natalija Vojvodic and Rubén Eduardo Luján, who also co-heads the regional banking and finance group, leads the team.

Based across several jurisdictions, the ‘exemplary‘ corporate team at InterJuris Abogados advises on M&A, divestitures, corporate restructurings and joint ventures, with experience acting for local and foreign clients. The team also assists international investors with the day-to-day operation of businesses in Venezuela and on restructuring holding companies outside Venezuela under bilateral investment and double taxation treaties. Clients are drawn from a range of sectors, including pharmaceuticals, energy, hospitality and construction, with the firm particularly noted for its expertise in the crypto and blockchain space. Senior legal adviser Carlos Delgado leads the team from Caracas, alongside Juan José Delgado, who splits his time between the Madrid and Miami offices, and Miami-based María Cecilia Rachadell. Maria Leticia Perera and Fernando Ríos Morillo are also key contacts.

The corporate practice at Mendoza, Palacios, Acedo, Borjas, Paez Pumar & Cia. has considerable expertise in the private equity space, advising leading Venezuelan private equity firm Miranda Capital on transactions and investment mechanisms. The team’s workload also covers advising national and international companies on M&A, corporate governance, foreign investment, exchange controls and economic sanctions, with an emphasis on cross-border matters. The practice is co-led by a trio of partners: Manuel Acedo Sucre is an expert in corporate finance; Luisa Acedo specialises in company law and corporate governance regulations as well as handling M&A and associated due diligence; and Diego Lepervanche stands out for his expertise in private equity, as well as M&A and sanctions. Carlos Eduardo Acedo is also noted for commercial issues.

Ponte Andrade & Casanova ‘s corporate practice is highly regarded for its expertise in the entertainment sector, where it advises key media, digital streaming and broadcasting players, including The Walt Disney Company. The team has a significant track record of advising multinational companies and their local subsidiaries across a range of industries, as well as Venezuelan start-ups; other areas of strength include technology, pharmaceuticals and financial services. The practice is experienced in M&A and restructurings, as well as advising on various commercial contracts. The ‘amazing‘ Ignacio Andrade Monagas , who has complementary expertise in labour matters, and Francisco Casanova  head the team. Associate Ignacio Andrade Cifuentes  is also a key contact.

Torres, Plaz & Araujo‘s multi-disciplinary team advises on a range of corporate transactions and commercial issues, with notable expertise in the negotiation of franchise, agency and distribution contracts. On the transactional side, the team is particularly experienced in the structuring of investments, corporate restructurings and M&A, with experience in both local and cross-border matters. The firm also advises a roster of private clients and family offices on structuring and relocation issues. Managing partner Guillermo De La Rosa Stolk, who has longstanding experience in M&A, joint ventures and contractual issues, heads the team with Juan Carlos Garantón-Blanco and Valentina Cabrera Medina, who co-coordinate the firm’s corporate, tax and energy practices. Domingo Piscitelli Nevola is also a name to note for corporate and compliance matters, and senior associate José Antonio De Sousa stands out for his experience in the energy, oil and gas, and maritime sectors, among others.

Part of an international network, BNM ONTIER is experienced in advising local and multinational companies that provide goods and services to Venezuelan consumers. Key contacts include José Rafael Bermúdez, who advises on M&A and corporate restructurings, and Carlos Nevett Gimón, who is recommended for his advice on foreign investments, currency exchange rules and contracts with the public sector.

With experience in cross-border M&A and investments and particular expertise in the energy sector, LEC Abogados acts for a wide-ranging roster of local and international clients. The team also handles the structuring of new businesses, corporate finance and restructuring, and regulatory issues. Practice co-head Rodolfo Belloso advises on investment and divestment projects, M&A and restructurings, and fellow co-head Jorge Paúl stands out for international corporate transactions. Gastón Lazzari is noted for compliance and procurement matters, and associate Arturo Jáuregui has expertise in corporate and energy matters.

The ‘knowledgeable‘ corporate team at Palacios, Torres & Korody advises a roster of leading domestic and international corporations, with a particular emphasis on assisting the local subsidiaries of international companies in the petrochemicals, telecoms and mining sectors. Carlos Plaza, who is experienced in M&A and the structuring of investments, leads the practice with Juan Korody, a specialist in tax and regulatory law, corporate finance and M&A.

Raffalli de Lemos Halvorssen Ortega y Ortiz handles a wide range of corporate matters, from the incorporation of local subsidiaries and domiciling of branches of foreign companies through to advising on commercial activities and contracts. The practice has notable expertise in the e-commerce sector and in drafting and negotiating agency and distribution agreements. Andrés Halvorssen, Jose Manuel Ortega Sosa, Rafael De Lemos Matheus and associate Andrea Rondon are all names to note.

Rodríguez & Mendoza‘s corporate department advises clients on day-to-day issues as well as both domestic and cross-border M&A and foreign investment. Sectors of expertise include oil and gas and telecoms. Francisco Utrera, who is experienced in corporate, M&A and antitrust matters, and Reinaldo Hellmund are key contacts, along with Cristóbal Mendoza.

Tinoco, Travieso, Planchart & Núñez advises on corporate restructurings, M&A and foreign investments, in addition to assisting with the preparation of commercial agreements. The team has particular experience in real estate and insurance-related matters. René Lepervanche Orellana, Hans Sydow Guevara, who has expertise in M&A and oil and gas transactions, and César Lepervanche Mendoza are among the key contacts.

Travieso Evans Arria Rengel & Paz has a focus on advising multinational clients and is particularly experienced in cross-border transactions. The team frequently handles M&A, with an emphasis on the acquisition of businesses in Venezuela by foreign investors. Simón Guevara Camacho, who has longstanding expertise in transactions in the energy, oil and gas sectors, leads the corporate team with Olga Nass De Massiani, an expert in M&A and foreign investments. The practice was further strengthened at partnership level by the promotion of Daniela Del Vecchio in January 2021.