Lexincorp > Managua, Nicaragua > Firm Profile

Lexincorp
KM 5 CARRETERA A MASAYA PLANES DE ALTAMIRA
EMBAJADA DE TAIWAN, 2 CUADRAS AL SUR NO 39
MANAGUA
Nicaragua

Nicaragua > Corporate and finance Tier 2

The experienced corporate and finance team at Central American firm Lexincorp assists household-name multinationals and regional financial institutions with complex, cross-border transactions. With an active client base which encompasses the tech, food, financial services, chemicals and manufacturing sectors, the firm advises on matters ranging from company incorporations, corporate governance, franchise agreements and the drafting and execution of contracts to joint ventures, M&A and distribution, licensing and agency agreements. On the finance front, the firm advises on loan agreements, supplier credit agreements and project financing. Roberto Rodríguez, who brings considerable expertise to contractual issues, asset and securities titling, and portfolio recovery, leads the team. Managing partner Claudia Vivas brings to bear extensive experience in the energy and hydrocarbons space, benefitting from a background as a former senior legal adviser to the Economic Section of the United States Embassy in Nicaragua. Key support is provided by associate Linda Barquero, a banking and finance specialist.

Practice head(s):

Roberto Rodríguez

Testimonials

The team at Lexincorp Nicaragua are always thinking of the client. Our experience with them has been gratifying as they always support us in looking for a solution to our concerns.

Key clients

Banco General de Panamá

Sony

Grupo Sacos de Nicaragua

Cargill

Spectrum

Banco Ficohsa Panama

IMG Servicios Financieros

GSQ Nicaragua

Casa Del Empeño RTV

Cathay Home Group

Work highlights

  • Advised Banco General de Panamá on negotiating terms and conditions in lending contracts that would allow them to be enforced without any physical presence in Nicaragua.
  • Advising Sony on the consumer rights, antitrust and customs regulations relating to the import, distribution and commercialisation of its products in Nicaragua.
  • Assisted Cargill with performing an in-depth due diligence of wholesale distributors that included a review of corporate documents.

Nicaragua > Dispute resolution

Led by the experienced Roberto Rodríguez, the litigation and arbitration practice at regional firm Lexincorp has a wealth of expertise in trade mark infringement and debt collection actions and complex mediation proceedings, acting for local and international clients in the chemicals, financial services, construction and banking sectors.

Central America > Corporate and finance

Originally founded 20 years ago by partners in Guatemala and El Salvador, Lexincorp has built a strong presence in Central America, with further offices in Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Counting a host of leading international and regional banks, financial institutions and corporations among its clients, the firm routinely advises on multi-jurisdictional M&A, syndicated loans and refinancings, with a growing offering in the fintech space. In El Salvador, Antonio Guirola, a specialist in international transactions; Adriana Portillo, who also handles related tax and competition issues; and Enrique Escobar, a standout name in the energy and financial fields, are the key figures. Roberto Rodríguez, who has a notable track record in advising international clients in the banking sector, takes the lead on corporate and finance matters in Nicaragua, while Julio Aparicio, who has a niche in advising restaurant clients on franchising agreements in Central America, is the go-to contact in Guatemala. Engels Zelaya, a specialist in the energy and public sectors, heads the corporate team in Honduras, where the firm has offices in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula.

Work highlights

A leading Central American law firm with five offices located in the major cities throughout the region, Lexincorp specializes in providing legal advice to its domestic and international clientele. The firm’s regional practice has evolved to integrate processes, services, knowledge, business, values and solutions to provide the highest quality results, operating as a single, fully integrated Central American firm, rather than separate firms with international networking.

Although each of the firm’s five offices serves its jurisdiction, Lexincorp’s integration offers all of its clients, in any country, the ability to access all the resources of the regional offices and lawyers to the extent their matters require. The firm’s clients include domestic and multinational corporations and international financial institutions.

With over 50 lawyers spread across the Central American region, Lexincorp offers high levels of excellence and expertise in all of its practices and specialties, which has awarded the firm with rankings as a leading and recommended firm by Chambers & Partners, IFLR 1000 and Latin Lawyer.

Main areas of practice
Corporate, mergers and acquisitions: due diligence of all towers located in El Salvador purchased by Peppertree Capital Management Inc. Led the merger of Matallana SA and Laboramos SA, consolidating the operation in Guatemala of these subsidiaries of Colombia’s leading company in the paper industry, and was involved in Dispapeles SA’s assistance to SunEdison in the acquisition of two solar energy projects in Honduras – these projects were the first renewable solar energy plants in the country.

Financial and banking: counseled Balboa Bank and Trust on securing a loan for US$1.5m as working capital of the Entre Rios energy company in Guatemala. Legal counsel for Banco Industrial and Westrust Bank (International) Limited on the structuring of a loan for the construction of a mall in Costa Rica. Assistance for Banco General in Costa Rica on the structuring of a loan for the opening of a new department store of the Central American trademark SIMAN.

Intellectual property: negotiations between Millicom International Cellular SA and Telemovil El Salvador, for the registration of well-known trademark TIGO and its different variations in El Salvador. Legal managers of the trademark portfolio of Samsung Gear Blink and its official advisors in El Salvador. Samsung, according to Forbes, is in the top ten most famous trademarks in the world.

Real estate and property: legal counsel for Grupo Apolo on a real estate project of apartments in Guatemala. Assistance of a local client in Costa Rica on the purchase of 104 properties of plantations (teak trees) from another Costa Rican corporation. Lexincorp served as the firm in charge of performing the corresponding public deed to be submitted before the National Registry for the registration of the properties under the name of the client.

Tax: Lexincorp Honduras obtained a first instance court ruling in which the closure of duty free stores by the executive director of revenue was declared illegal. This statement allowed the client to claim damages in the order. It was the only contributor to get a favorable judgment.

Arbitration: Lexincorp El Salvador represented a client in an executive judgment derived from an assignment of receivables, in which the judge resolved in favor of the counterparty. This decision was appealed and the judge resolved in favor of the client. Representation of Intermoda El Salvador in an administrative litigation lawsuit against the National Registration Center for refusing the registration of the trademark Pepe Jeans P. Representation of L’oreal Guatemala in El Salvador, in an administrative litigation lawsuit against the General Directorate of Customs, which did not recognize certificates of origin in importing goods from the client and imposed fines of 300%.

Department Name Email Telephone
Senior partners Enrique Rodolfo Escobar López (El Salvador)
Senior partners Gonzalo Menéndez Park (Guatemala)
Senior partners Arnoldo André-Tinoco (Costa Rica)
Senior partners Fernando Midence-Mantilla (Nicaragua)
Senior partners Benito Zelaya (Honduras)
Corporate, mergers and acquisitions Enrique Escobar López
Corporate, mergers and acquisitions Arnoldo André-Tinoco
Tax Enrique Escobar López
Tax Gonzalo Menéndez Park
Real estate Arnoldo André-Tinoco
Real estate José Andrés Fuxet
Intellectual property Gonzalo Menéndez Gonzalez
Intellectual property Camila Escobar
Environmental Engels Zelaya
Litigation, arbitration and ADR Alonso Vargas
Litigation, arbitration and ADR Benito Zelaya
Administrative Claudia Vivas
Energy Leslie Henry
Transport and maritime Sylvia Nadesda Zelaya
Other fee-earners : 55
Partners : 11