Carrillo & Asociados > Guatemala, Guatemala > Firm Profile

Carrillo & Asociados > The Legal 500 Rankings

Guatemala > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Full-service domestic firm Carrillo & Asociados has seen a recent growth in distressed M&A work as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and has particular experience advising on M&A transactions (distressed or otherwise) in the energy, retail, agroindustrial, real estate, telecoms and banking sectors. Other areas of strength include incorporations, reorganisations, joint ventures and commercial agreements. The team is jointly led by Rodolfo Alegria, who has experience in M&A throughout Central America, with a focus on the telecoms and energy sectors, and Rodrigo Callejas, while founding partner Alfonso Carrillo is also a key figure in the practice. At senior associate level, Mélida Pineda has notable expertise in corporate restructurings and cross-border M&A (particularly in the energy sector) and Sara Santacruz adds key experience in competition and labour issues to the team. Since publication, Alegría has left the firm after more than 30 years, moving to Estudio Chávez Bosque S.A. as of March 2022, as has Pineda.

Guatemala > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Constitutional litigation is a key area of expertise for Carrillo & Asociados, which is particularly well known for representing international organisations operating in Guatemala in public interest actions. However, the firm’s broad litigation experience also spans civil, commercial, administrative and criminal cases, and it is highly active in arbitration involving energy, telecoms, construction and distribution contracts. While the practice saw the departure of founding partner Francisco Chávez in August 2020, it remains a sizeable team. At senior level, Alfonso Carrillo focuses on public interest litigation (including pro bono cases defending the rule of law), Rodrigo Callejas specialises in asset recovery and insolvency cases, and Luis Mazariegos has extensive experience in civil, criminal, commercial and labour litigation. Senior associates Emanuel Callejas, Ricardo Recinos and Fernando Mendizábal have expertise in fraud, civil and constitutional, and criminal litigation, respectively.

Guatemala > Energy and natural resources/projects Tier 1

Carrillo & Asociados has significant strength in disputes, corporate and commercial matters, project finance and regulatory issues in the energy and mining sectors, including advising on permits to operate in the energy market and acting in commercial, regulatory and constitutional litigation and arbitration in these sectors. Practice head Rodolfo Alegria has extensive experience in the financing of high-profile telecoms, energy and natural resources projects, acting on behalf of major multinationals; he also handles related arbitration proceedings. Senior associate Mélida Pineda is also a key member of the team, with experience in project finance, M&A and insurance cases in the energy sector, as well as in advising on power-purchase agreements (PPAs). Since publication, Alegría has left the firm after more than 30 years, moving to Estudio Chávez Bosque S.A. as of March 2022, as has Pineda.

Guatemala > Banking and finance Tier 2

Full-service domestic firm Carrillo & Asociados particularly stands out for its strength in insolvency matters and asset recovery actions for international banks and financial institutions, as well as in advising foreign investors on regulatory compliance. However, the team has experience in a wide range of banking and finance matters, including commercial lending, debt restructuring, and aviation and project finance. At the head of the practice, Rodolfo Alegria focuses on commercial lending and project finance, particularly in the energy sector, Rodrigo Callejas specialises in cross-border insolvencies and banking regulation, and the experienced Alfonso Carrillo has expertise in multi-jurisdictional transactions. Senior associates Emanuel Callejas and Mélida Pineda are noted for their strength in asset recovery and project finance, respectively. Since publication, Alegría has left the firm after more than 30 years, moving to Estudio Chávez Bosque as of March 2022.

Guatemala > Tax Tier 2

Advising multinationals with operations in Guatemala on tax planning is a key area of strength for the team at Carrillo & Asociados, which also advises on the tax aspects of corporate transactions and customs and import tariff issues, and assists foreign and Guatemalan ultra-high-net-worth clients with estate planning and international tax matters. On the contentious side, senior associates Ricardo Recinos and Fernando Mendizábal have expertise in tax disputes. Founding partner Alfonso Carrillo, who has experience in complex, cross-border tax matters, and Rodolfo Alegria, who advises major Central American companies on tax planning and the tax aspects of M&A and restructurings, lead the team. Senior associate María de Lourdes Villanueva brings additional expertise in customs and international trade issues and cross-border tax structures to the team. Since publication, Alegría has left the firm after more than 30 years, moving to Estudio Chávez Bosque as of March 2022.

Guatemala > Intellectual property Tier 3

Carrillo & Asociados handles a high volume of trade mark registrations, both in Guatemala and internationally, as well as advising on patents, utility models and industrial designs. The team is skilled in contentious IP matters, most notably anti-counterfeiting litigation, where practice heads Luis Mazariegos and Rodrigo Callejas are particularly active. The cosmetics, pharmaceutical, fashion, food and beverage, and communications sectors are areas of particular strength. Associates Alfaro López, who focuses on the management of clients' IP portfolios in Guatemala, and Carlos Meza, who also advises on health registrations, are also key contacts.