Alta QIL+4 Abogados > Guatemala, Guatemala > Firm Profile

Alta QIL+4 Abogados > The Legal 500 Rankings

Guatemala > Banking and finance Tier 1

With a presence across four Central American jurisdictions following its merger in May 2021, Alta QIL+4 Abogados has further strengthened its expertise in cross-border transactions, handling a number of significant regional matters. The team is particularly renowned for its experience in syndicated loans, project finance and capital markets matters, including high-profile sovereign bond issuances, and recently advised on the largest green bond issuance of its kind in Central America and the Caribbean. At the head of the team is the experienced quartet of Alejandro Cofiño, managing partner Marcos Ibargüen, José Quiñones (a specialist in tax issues) and Andrés Lowenthal, who is particularly noted for his expertise in the financing of hydroelectric and mining projects. The strong cohort of senior associates includes Melissa Echeverría, Santiago Granados and project finance specialist Ignacio Grazioso. Since publication, Echeverría has been raised to the partnership - effective as of February 2023.

Guatemala > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Following its merger in May 2021, Alta QIL+4 Abogados has been increasingly active in handling regional deals alongside its other offices in Central America, building on its existing strength in multi-jurisdictional transactions. The team stands out for its prowess in mergers, acquisitions and divestments, but its advice also covers corporate governance, tax structuring and compliance issues. Its blue-chip client base includes domestic and international companies from a diverse range of sectors, among them fintech, pharmaceuticals, telecoms and agroindustry. Managing partner Marcos Ibargüen and María Isabel Luján, who also heads the firm’s pro bono practice, lead the team. Other key partners are José Quiñones, who frequently advises on high-profile M&A, with an emphasis on the tax implications, Andrés Lowenthal, whose expertise spans M&A, joint ventures and shareholders’ agreements, and Alejandro Cofiño. At senior associate level, Melissa Echeverría and Santiago Granados are active in cross-border matters. Since publication, Echeverría has been raised to the partnership - effective as of February 2023.

Guatemala > Dispute resolution Tier 1

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.

Guatemala > Labour Tier 1

Alta QIL+4 Abogados‘s broad labour practice spans contentious and non-contentious matters, with the team advising on the employment aspects of corporate transactions and assisting with the termination of employment contracts. On the litigation side, the department is particularly renowned for its counsel to clients in the BPO industry. Another key area of activity has been advising employers on workplace issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and vaccination rollout. Practice head Evelyn Rebuli is highly experienced in labour matters ranging from disputes to compliance and labour audits, counting many major multinationals among her clients. Also noted are senior associate Javier Castellán, who has 11 years of labour law experience, and associate Ingrid Fuentes, who advises on social security and immigration issues. Since publication, Castellán has been raised to the partnership - effective as of February 2023.

Guatemala > Real estate Tier 1

An impressive client base of major developers looks to the multi-disciplinary team at Alta QIL+4 Abogados for assistance with all stages of residential, commercial and industrial projects, from the acquisition of land to the sale and lease of units. The department is highly experienced in the development of real estate projects, and also regularly advises on related corporate, commercial and tax issues (with particular expertise in co-ownership regimes). Practice head Eva Cacacho is noted for her advice on the incorporation of real estate funds to invest in the development and construction of projects in Guatemala. Associates Karen Tzoc and Ana Mariela De Léon, who joined the team in 2021 from an in-house role with a local developer, are also key contacts. Former associate Maria Fernanda Ovalle left for an in-house position in September 2021. Since publication, De Léon has also left the firm.

Guatemala > Tax Tier 1

Alta QIL+4 Abogados’s strengths lie in advising major multinational clients on the tax aspects of cross-border transactions, in addition to handling high-profile tax litigation, drawing on the experience of the firm’s considerable corporate and dispute resolution departments. In the latter respect, the team is well versed in litigation against the tax authority regarding a variety of issues. Key areas of expertise include transfer pricing, capital gains on international transactions, compliance issues and sensitive tax investigations. Experienced practice head José Quiñones advises on tax issues stemming from international corporate and financial transactions, as well as compliance matters. Associate Otto Ardón has expertise in assisting regional conglomerates with tax issues relating to restructuring and expansion into new markets, as well as transfer pricing and fintech tax matters.

Guatemala > Energy and natural resources/projects Tier 2

Alta QIL+4 Abogados stands out for its strength in financing matters, advising major energy companies on project finance and investments, and in high-profile constitutional litigation relating to the development of energy projects. The team is also highly experienced in advising on public contracting and bidding processes and on regulatory issues in both the Guatemalan and Central American energy markets. Following the departure of Gabriela Roca to an in-house role in March 2021, Alejandro Cofiño leads the practice, with a focus on finance matters. Alejandro Solares is also noted for his expertise in energy-related litigation, as is associate Ignacio Grazioso for his advice on PPP projects.

Guatemala > Intellectual property Tier 3

Now part of a regional firm, Alta QIL+4 Abogados works with its offices in El Salvador, Costa Rica and Honduras to advise on the protection of IP across Central America. The team is particularly noted for its strength in both civil and criminal IP litigation, but also provides counsel on patent, copyright and trade mark registration to a broad domestic and multinational client base that spans sectors from financial services and technology, to pharmaceuticals and food and beverages. Managing partner Marcos Ibargüen leads the practice with senior associate Alejandro del Valle, who is experienced in IP portfolio management and litigation.

Central America > Corporate and finance Tier 2

Formed by a merger of strong domestic practices in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras and El Salvador in May 2021, Alta QIL+4 Abogados is the newest regional firm in Central America. The firm advises local and international financial institutions and corporations on M&A, bond issuances, project finance, and private equity and venture capital transactions, including complex, cross-border deals. In Guatemala, office managing partner Marcos Ibargüen and Maria Isabel Luján have extensive expertise in corporate and M&A transactions, while Alejandro Cofiño specialises in financial matters, and José Quiñones provides additional strength in tax. Venture capital specialist Rodrigo Zelaya leads the corporate team in Costa Rica, which recently brought in Mariana Castro (the former president of the Costa Rican competition authority) as senior counsel, boosting its competition law expertise. Julio Valdés, who has longstanding experience in international M&A and banking transactions, leads the practice in El Salvador, while Oscar Melara is the name to note in Honduras.