Mr Luis Diego Obando > Arias > San Jose, Costa Rica > Lawyer Profile

With locations in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Panama and Costa Rica, the team at Arias utilises its regional footprint to advise investors, government agencies, NGOs and multinationals on a diverse spectrum of matters, ranging from administrative procedures, lawsuits against the government and government procurement proceedings to public works, infrastructure concessions, public project financing and claims before the Costa Rican Constitutional Court. The practice’s active client base spans such sectors as manufacturing, construction, energy, healthcare, hospitality and tech. The practice is headed by Carlos Ubico, who brings experience to project finance, administrative procedures and work concessions. Other key figures include Vicente Lines, an expert in energy and infrastructure; Carlos Camacho, who manages complex free trade zone matters; M&A specialist Andrey Dorado; Diego Gallegos, who brings expertise to asset finance transactions; and senior counsel Luis Diego Obando, a seasoned litigator.

The team at Arias leverages the strength of locations in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Panama and Costa Rica to advise energy investment groups, generators and developers on major energy projects at every phase – from initial investment to operations. The practice’s full service covers regulatory compliance issues, bidding processes and advisory services to large energy consumers in relation to the development of contracts of sale or supply. The team is headed by project finance expert Carlos Ubico, who brings strength to administrative procedures and litigation proceedings, the creation of public-private partnerships, public works concessions and challenges before the Constitutional Court. Other key figures include Vicente Lines, who draws on over 25 years of experience in regulated industry matters, and senior counsel Luis Diego Obando, an administrative law specialist with both national and international experience.

The environmental group at Arias employs regional strength to advise national and international corporates and developers on a wide spectrum of matters across the practice area. With a client base spanning such sectors as pharmaceuticals, education, construction, food and beverages, agriculture and chemicals, the firm’s full offering covers matters ranging from environmental litigation and alternative dispute resolution, expansion planning and legal permits and licences to ESG services, regulatory compliance, renewable projects and environmental due diligence. Carlos Ubico brings extensive experience in advising on matters involving project finance, public works concessions, administrative litigation and constitutional claims before the Costa Rican Constitutional Court. Key support is provided by senior counsel Luis Diego Obando, who has handled international environmental litigation before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

The labour team at Arias harnesses the bench strength of seven offices in six countries across Central America, to advise financial institutions, regional corporates and major multinationals (including 3M and Mondelez) on day-to-day operations, and in high-stakes litigation. With an active client base spanning industries ranging from consumer goods, IT and healthcare, chemicals, hospitality and food and beverages, the firm’s extensive offering extends to HR management, labour and human rights, business changes and corporate restructuring, in-house training, internal investigations and alternative dispute resolution. The practice is headed by Carolina Soto, who specialises in conciliation processes and draws on experience of appearing before the Supreme Court of Justice. Other key figures include senior counsel and seasoned litigator Luis Diego Obando and associate Paola Rojas.