Mayora & Mayora, S.C. > Guatemala, Guatemala > Firm Profile

Mayora & Mayora, S.C. Offices

Mayora & Mayora, S.C.
15 CALLE, 1-04 ZONA 10, 3RD FLOOR
OFFICE 301
GUATEMALA CITY, CA 01010
Guatemala
Visit website 502 222 368 68 502 236 625 40

Mayora & Mayora, S.C. > The Legal 500 Rankings

Guatemala > Banking and finance Tier 1

Claudia Pereira and Sandra Castillo head the strong four-partner team at Mayora & Mayora, S.C., which has extensive experience in foreign investments, notes issuances, banking and finance regulation, and project finance, particularly in the real estate, energy, natural resources and infrastructure sectors. The Central American firm, which has additional offices in El Salvador and Honduras, is also active in multi-jurisdictional transactions, acting for major local and international banks and financial institutions. Pereira has wide-ranging expertise in project finance, secured lending and trusts, among other matters, while Castillo is noted for her strength in project and infrastructure finance in particular. Other key members of the team are senior partner Eduardo Mayora, whose extensive client base includes the Guatemalan Stock Exchange, and banking regulation expert María Fernanda Morales Pellecer.

Practice head(s):

Sandra Castillo; Claudia Pereira

Key clients

Banco Industrial

Banco Azteca

Banco Internacional de Costa Rica (Bicsa)

Banco Compartamos

Bolsa de Valores Nacional

Citibank

Banco Davivienda

Banco G&T Continental

Banco de Occidente Panama

Sucden Americas Corp / Sucden Geneva

Work highlights

  • Advised Industrial DPR Funding (Banco Industrial) on its $200m issuance of series 2020-1 fixed rate notes to the US International Development Finance Corporation to support women-operated enterprises in Guatemala during the pandemic.
  • Advised Sucden Americas Corporation on the drafting and issuance of promissory notes and the constitution of guarantees.
  • Providing ongoing advice to a number of financial institutions, including Banco Azteca, Banco Industrial, Citibank and Banco Compartamos.

Guatemala > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Mayora & Mayora, S.C. has 'a lot of experience' in corporate and M&A matters; the firm frequently works with its offices in El Salvador and Honduras to advise on large multi-jurisdictional mergers and joint ventures in Central America. In addition, the team advises on day-to-day corporate matters and governance, as well as corporate restructurings and the establishment of new operations. Energy and pharmaceuticals are notable sectors of expertise for the firm, which has a strong track record of acting for major domestic and international clients. Claudia Pereira and Sandra Castillo, who are experienced in M&A and corporate restructurings, lead the team, supported by senior partners Eduardo Mayora and Rafael Briz, a specialist in the energy sector. Pereira and Castillo are also active members of the board of Fundación Pro Bono Guatemala, which provides free legal services, particularly to refugees and migrants. Senior associates María de la Concepción Villeda, who stands out for her corporate governance expertise, and María José Nájera are also noted.

Practice head(s):

Claudia Pereira; Sandra Castillo

Testimonials

‘What makes the difference at Mayora & Mayora is that the lawyers are not just specialists in their subjects, but they also understand the needs of the client, so they can give personalised and tailored advice. The firm, in our opinion, stands out from all the others.’

‘They have established personal relationships with clients and the dedication of the team is outstanding, which is a very important difference compared to other competitors.’

‘The team has a lot of experience in corporate and M&A matters. We are pleased with the advice, follow-up and response times we have received. Their client service adds value.’

‘Always ready to help and to get to know in detail the requirements of the client.’

‘Their responses are agile and tailored to the needs of the business. In addition, they have an excellent understanding of the industry in which we operate.’

‘Their responses are always focused on what we are asking for, without digressing, and are within the applicable legal framework.’

‘The difference with other competitors is that they give clear answers, based on the existing legal framework, with short response times and good knowledge of our business.’

Key clients

Diageo North America

Chevron

GBM (an IBM Alliance company)

Marriott International

Pantaleon Commodities

Banco Inbursa

Payless Shoesource

Operadora de Terminales

Fresenius Medical Care

Belcorp

Work highlights

  • Advised Pantaleon Commodities, one of the largest regional producers of sugar cane, on its distribution contracts with customers in the US.
  • Advising regional packaging company Grupo Emasal on the execution of commercial contracts and on day-to-day corporate matters.
  • Advised agribusiness Grupo Montañesa with the acquisition of the assets of one of the largest agricultural production companies in Guatemala for $7.2m.

Guatemala > Energy and natural resources/projects Tier 1

Highlighted for its 'strong knowledge' of energy and projects matters - and particularly for its 'extensive understanding of the electricity sector' - Mayora & Mayora, S.C. has experience in the financing and development of infrastructure for power plants, PPAs and government bids, energy regulation, and energy-related litigation. The team acts for major local and international energy companies, with a growing number of clients in the renewable energy sector, and provides its client base with services across Central America, often working alongside its offices in El Salvador and Honduras. Rafael Briz, who has significant experience in energy and natural resources matters, leads the team, supported by senior associate Juan Carlos Foncea, a specialist in tax and administrative law who frequently advises energy distributors on challenging fines imposed by the government regulator.

Practice head(s):

Rafael Briz

Testimonials

‘They have a strong knowledge of the subject, with an extensive understanding of the electricity sector and its laws and regulations. They also have a wide knowledge of the history of the companies involved and their different lawsuits.’

‘The team stands out for its knowledge of the sector, specifically in the area of electric power distribution, and its great availability when required.’

Key clients

Arroyo Energy Group

Deocsa-Deorsa (Energuate)

Grupo Cobra

Grupo Ortiz

Cox Energy

Inkia Energy

Ingenio San Diego

Isagen

Grupo Liztex

Obrascón Huarte Lain

Work highlights

  • Assisting Cox Energy with the constitution of local entities in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras in order to initiate solar energy operations in the region.
  • Representing Energuate in administrative actions filed against the local regulator relating to energy distribution rates.
  • Acting for Energuate in an arbitration against the National Institute of Electricity (INDE) relating to compensation for infrastructure costs incurred by the client while fulfilling its government contract for the electrification of the Guatemalan countryside.

Guatemala > Intellectual property Tier 1

The IP arm of Mayora & Mayora, S.C., Mayora IP, S.A. is highlighted for its ‘extensive knowledge‘ of trade mark, patent, copyright, domain name and trade secrets matters. The team is particularly active in the management of trade mark portfolios, including for a number of international household names, and regularly advises on IP protection in the Northern Triangle region of Central America, drawing on the support of its offices in Honduras and El Salvador. IP litigation is also a notable area of expertise for the team, which regularly handles infringement, nullity and cancellation actions. ‘Well-respected‘ managing partner Eduardo Mayora and administrative partner Santiago Mayora lead the practice. At the senior associate level, Hugo Rivas leads the patent department, regularly handling international PCT filings for local clients, and Byron Deulofeu is experienced in contentious IP matters.

Practice head(s):

Eduardo Mayora; Santiago Mayora

Testimonials

‘What makes this firm unique is the comprehensive service it provides to clients in each area of law, with an emphasis on intellectual property. Santiago Mayora, Eduardo Mayora and Hugo Rivas are standout individuals.’

‘Mayora IP was key to our success when launching our company. We are very satisfied with the service provided to us by the firm and will continue working with them in the future.’

‘All team members are always very accessible and quick to answer and attend to different issues. They provide customised solutions and have the ability to understand our needs and objectives as a company. They provide confidence and security, which is very valuable because they have the ability to guide us, understanding the business and accompanying us every step of the way to achieve what we need. They have connections in Latin America as members of Lex Mundi, which is very important to us.’

‘They have extensive knowledge in intellectual property – as well as in other branches of the law – which helps to provide an excellent service. There is excellent teamwork, transparency and they act quickly to resolve conflicts. Eduardo Mayora and Santiago Mayora are very well-respected lawyers, with a broad practice which shows a vast amount of knowledge, offering clients excellent quality.’

Key clients

McDonald’s Corporation

Diageo

Claro

Honda Motor Company

Ferrari

Banco Cuscatlán

Cargill

Gucci

Amazon

Laboratorios Vijosa

Work highlights

  • Advised Vinoteca on a copyright assignment agreement relating to the creation of a digital menu service.
  • Advised US firm McCarter English on patent matters for a phamaceutical client.
  • Acting for a multinational corporation in a series of infringement cases.

Guatemala > Tax Tier 1

The Guatemalan member of Lataxnet, a network of Latin American firms focused on tax and transfer pricing, and with additional offices in El Salvador and Honduras, Mayora & Mayora, S.C. is well placed to handle Central America-wide tax issues. The ‘exceptional‘ team advises on tax planning, transfer pricing, customs issues, indirect taxation and tax-related disputes. Its clients include a wide range of companies from the banking, construction, food and beverages, technology, energy and telecoms sectors. Led by the highly regarded Eduardo Mayora, the team includes ‘standout‘ partner Juan Carlos Casellas, who has notable expertise in tax litigation, and senior associate Juan Carlos Foncea, who is experienced in advising Guatemalan and international companies on tax planning and cross-border tax issues.

Practice head(s):

Eduardo Mayora

Testimonials

‘Mayora & Mayora’s expertise in aeronautical tax matters makes it exceptional.’

‘Juan Carlos Casellas is always aware of the different legislative changes and the possible effects that they may have on our industry. In addition, he is very available and expresses himself fluently.’

‘Both the client service and the performance of the lawyers in our tax lawsuits has been brilliant. Juan Carlos Casellas is truly an exceptional guy and very knowledgeable on the subject. They are far above the rest of the offices we have worked with.’

‘They stand out for their attention to clients and knowledge of the issues. Juan Carlos Casellas is a standout.’

‘What makes the firm stand out is that the lawyers are not only specialists in tax matters, but also have knowledge of the needs of their clients, so they can give personalised and tailored advice. This firm, in our opinion, stands out above others.’

‘They establish personal relationships with clients and the commitment of the team is outstanding. This makes a very important difference in relation to other competitors. The firm’s main qualities are the deep knowledge of the subject, leadership, commitment, customer service, and the passion demonstrated by partners such as Eduardo Mayora and Juan Carlos Casellas.’

‘Juan Carlos Casellas stands out for his knowledge of tax law in administrative and judicial processes.’

Key clients

Banco Industrial

Cindu de Guatemala

Ingenio Palo Gordo

GBM de Guatemala (IBM)

Bolsa de Valores Nacional de Guatemala

Gas Natural Fenosa Telecomunicaciones Guatemala (UFINET)

Anixter International

Euro-Funding Multilateral Projects

Isotron

Guatemala > Dispute resolution Tier 2

The ‘ideal ally and strategic adviser‘, Mayora & Mayora, S.C.‘s strength in litigation encompasses administrative, labour, civil, commercial and constitutional disputes, with the team skilled in cross-border matters. Arbitration – particularly in relation to foreign investments and disputes in the energy and telecoms sectors – is also a key area of expertise. Leading the practice, Paola Galich has extensive litigation experience, particularly in labour law, and Rafael Briz is noted for his strength in arbitration, as well as administrative, labour, and energy and telecoms-sector litigation. They receive strong support at the senior associate level from Luis Fernando Méndez, José Ramos and Byron Deulofeu, experts in labour, civil and commercial, and IP litigation, respectively.

Practice head(s):

Paola Galich; Rafael Briz

Testimonials

‘I think there are various factors that make this firm the ideal ally and strategic adviser. The lawyers always have the most up-to-date knowledge, and this allows them to advise us and resolve issues promptly. Their team work is excellent and they have very good internal communications. The whole team is very accessible, and they are always available to assist us. The lawyers are proactive in sharing updates on our cases and they have good follow-up.’

‘The lawyers at Mayora & Mayora know how to listen, and that allows them to give good advice. They are very respectful and professional.’

Key clients

Orion

Deorsa-Deocsa (Energuate)

Tadegua

E&Co

Work highlights

  • Representing Orion in civil, constitutional and criminal claims by third parties over the client’s property rights.
  • Acted for Tedagua in the resolution of a potential dispute over an administrative contract with the Institute of Municipal Promotion (INFOM).
  • Representing Energuate (DEORSA and DEOCSA) in arbitration against the National Institute for Electrification (INDE) regarding non-compliance with the Rural Electrification Plan (PER).

Guatemala > Labour Tier 2

Mayora & Mayora, S.C.'s 'very accessible' and 'well-rounded' team advises on a wide range of labour matters, including labour disputes, employee terminations, employment contracts, occupational health and safety regulations, immigration issues and internal employment policies. Through his position as president of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Guatemala, practice head Rafael Briz is able to offer advice to a number of Spanish companies with a presence in Guatemala on matters including work and residency permits and local labour regulations. Other key clients include multinational and local companies from the healthcare, retail, pharmaceutical, technology and hotel sectors. Briz is supported by experienced senior associates Suzel Obiols and Carmen Escobar, who specialises in immigration issues.

Practice head(s):

Rafael Briz

Testimonials

‘I believe that this firm makes the ideal ally and strategic adviser. The lawyers always demonstrate that they have the most up-to-date knowledge, and that allows them to promptly advise clients and resolve doubts. Mayora’s lawyers work very well as a team, and have great internal communication. The entire team is very accessible, and they are always available to assist us.’

‘The lawyers at Mayora know how to listen, and that allows them to fully understand the requirements of each case and provide adequate advice. They are very respectful and professional.’

‘The labour lawyers at Mayora & Mayora, particularly Suzel Obois, are very well rounded and always consider the labour aspects of any situation, advising in a holistic way on the possible internal repercussions that any actions could involve. Having Suzel’s advice on the day-to-day workings of the company is a great added value.’

‘Extensive knowledge of the law, a very ethical approach, personalised client service.’

Key clients

AC Marriott (Marriott International)

Applus Norcontrol de Guatemala

Elevadores Otis of Mexico and Central America

Ogilvy & Mather

GBM Guatemala (an IBM Alliance Company)

Tydfil (Liztex)

Payless Shoesource de Guatemala

Productos Roche Guatemala

Rafractarios Nacionales (Grupo Morgan)

Grupo Proval Internacional (Prosegur)

Work highlights

  • Assisting AC Marriott (Marriott International) with the collective suspension of 29 employees during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as providing ongoing advice on labour disputes, the hiring and dismissal of employees, labour regulations and internal policies.
  • Advised Payless Shoesource de Guatemala on occupational health and safety regulations and the collective suspension of 250 employees due to the pandemic, as well as providing ongoing employment advice.
  • Advised GBM (an IBM Alliance Company) on regulations regarding biosecurity and workplace safety, as well as the suspension of employees during the pandemic.

Central America > Corporate and finance Tier 2

First established in Guatemala, Mayora & Mayora, S.C. has built up a strong presence in Central America's 'Northern Triangle', opening additional offices in Honduras and El Salvador. The firm is experienced in multi-jurisdictional M&A and financial transactions, with notable expertise in the energy sector. Among its areas of strength are debt issuances, debt restructuring, corporate finance and project finance. Its expertise in corporate and M&A matters extends to corporate governance, the establishment of businesses, corporate restructurings and compliance. In Guatemala, Claudia Pereira and senior partner Eduardo Mayora, who is also an expert in tax affairs, are among the key contacts for corporate and finance matters. The office in El Salvador is led by Manuel Telles, who is particularly skilled in banking and finance work, while Odín Guillén Leíva heads the Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula offices in Honduras.

Mayora & Mayora, S.C. > Firm Profile

Mayora & Mayora, S.C. is a leading law firm in Central America for international business transactions and finance. The firm has existed for more than 50 years and has four offices in every country in the Northern Triangle: Guatemala (Guatemala City), Honduras (Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula) and El Salvador (San Salvador). These offices work together seamlessly to provide the best possible service to the client. The firm has a team of over 38 lawyers to assist clients in a wide spectrum of legal matters. Mayora & Mayora believes in a client-centric approach, assigning specialists to each case so that the client is in the best hands imaginable. More than half of the attorneys and staff that are part of Mayora & Mayora’s dynamic team are women, including four partners and the CEO. Mayora & Mayora offers to its clients a single, entirely integrated firm, with one of the longest trajectories in the region. It is one single point of contact across multiple jurisdictions, providing the client with seamless, efficient, and robust legal services.

The firm assists clients in the following main practice areas:

Banking and finance: The firm handles all areas of bank and finance law including loan financing, insurance and reinsurance, financial transactions and guaranties, structured finance, project finance and regulation. The firm has experts Claudia Pereira, Manuel Telles, Sandra Castillo and María Fernanda Morales Pellecer on its roster. The firm represents some of the largest financial institutions such as, Banco Industrial, Citibank, and JP Morgan Chase. For years, the firm and its lawyers have been recognized by LACCA, Chambers & Partners, IFLR1000, The Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal for this practice area.

Civil: The firm handles all types of cases dealing with contract law, torts, estates and trusts, as well as real estate. In this practice area, Sandra Castillo guides clients with her expertise.

Commercial and securities: The firm deals with commercial contracts, unfair competition, and other commercial matters. Furthermore, it advises clients on law pertaining to investment funds, securities and derivatives. It also assists investment firms to structure and license their operations. Renowned experts, Eduardo Mayora A. and Claudia Pereira, assist clients in this area of practice.

Corporate and M&A: The firm is renowned as one of the best corporate firms in the region. It provides legal services for a variety of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and corporate governance and restructurings. Partners, Claudia Pereira, Sandra Castillo and Odín Guillén are all experts in this practice group. For years, the firm and its lawyers have been awarded by LACCA, Chambers and Partners, IFLR1000, The Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal for this practice area.

Administrative, energy and telecommunications: The firm represents national and international companies in the transportation, commercialization, distribution and generation of energy with some of the most significant players in the energy industry, having one of the area’s foremost experts as partner, Rafael Briz. The firm is renowned in telecommunications law and has been for decades, having both Rafael and Eduardo Mayora A. at the forefront of this practice area. The firm stands alone in the highest tier for this practice area in Chambers & Partners.

Intellectual property: This practice area is exclusively handled by sister firm, Mayora IP, S.A. They specialize in the registration and protection of marks, patents and other intellectual property rights. Its counterpart, Mayora Domains, focuses on domain name registration, management and recovery of the client’s domain name.

Labour and immigration: The firm practices frequently in labor related matters including but not limited to, drafting and reviewing labor contracts, applying for labor permits, filing documents with the labor authorities, negotiating collective bargaining agreements, and preparing internal procedure manuals. The firm also assists in filing temporary and permanent resident applications and applying for work permits for foreigners. The firm has expert, Rafael Briz, leading this practice group with star associates, Suzel Obiols and Jennifer Mejía, a certified specialist in occupational safety law.

Litigation and arbitration: The firm is responsible for some of the most important commercial suits and arbitrations in the region in this practice area led by partner and expert, Paola Galich. The team has had experience litigating in courts, as well as arbitrating locally and abroad. The lawyers can be seen in all levels of the national judiciary, defending clients in the Constitutional Supreme Court as well as in the lower level trial and appellate courts. We are well-versed in the arbitral rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), among others.

Taxation and trade: The firm is renowned for its tax work in planning and negotiating with the authorities, as well as representing clients in front of the tax authorities and courts. Many of our lawyers have had specialist training in tax or have worked for the national tax authority in the past, including recognised experts Eduardo Mayora A. (who was a member of the Board of Directors of the national tax authority from 1998 until 2000) and Juan Carlos Casellas. The firm has much experience in trade regulation and international trade matters.

Representative clients: Avianca; Banco Industrial; Beiersdorf de Centroamérica, S.A.; BICSA; Bolsa de Valores Nacional; Cementos Progreso; Chevron Guatemala, Inc.; Citibank; CLARO; Cofiño Stahl; Crowley; Desarrollos MIR; DIAGEO; Dos Pinos; Energuate; First Cash Financial; Fresenius Medical Care; Gas Natural Fenosa; GBM (an IBM alliance company); Grupo Terra; Hoffmann-La Roche; Ingenio Palo Gordo; Interjet; International Finance Corporation; JP Morgan; Kimberly-Clark; Kraft; Laboratorios Vijosa; Marriott International, Inc.; Mega Pharma; Millicom International; Monsanto Company; Neon Energy; Obrascon Huarte Lainn (OHL Group); Papa John’s Pizza, Pasmo de Guatemala; Payless Shoe Source; Philip Morris, Inc.; Productos Roche; Santander Sugar; Telus; Texaco; The Kellogg Company; UFINET.

Associations and memberships: In addition to proudly being Guatemala’s exclusive Lex Mundi member, the firm belongs to other well-known associations such as the International Bar Association, Lataxnet, WTS, Euro Latam Lex and the International Fiscal Association.

Main Contacts

DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
Managing Partner Eduardo A. Mayoraemayora@mayora-mayora.com+502 2223-6868
Partner Rafael Brizrbriz@mayora-mayora.com+502 2223-6868

Staff Figures

Partners : 7
Associates : 16
Staff : 34

Languages

English
Spanish
Portugese
Italian
German
French

Memberships

AMCHAM
WTS Alliance
Lex Mundi
IBA (International Bar Association)
IFA (International Fiscal Association)