García & Bodán > Tegucigalpa, Honduras > Firm Profile

García & Bodán > The Legal 500 Rankings

Honduras > Intellectual property Tier 2

Garnering praise for its ‘availability, coordination and responsibility‘, the Honduras IP team of García & Bodán routinely joins up with its counterparts in the firm’s offices across Central America to assist clients with the management of their regional IP and health registration portfolios. Acting for a host of major multinationals in the media, food and beverages, retail and pharmaceutical sectors – to name but a few – the firm demonstrates strength in trade mark, patent and copyright matters, including administrative and criminal litigation. The ‘knowledgeable, responsible and reliable‘ Graciela Cruz heads the team in Honduras, while Julio Vargas, who is based in the El Salvador office, leads the regional IP practice.

Honduras > Tax Tier 2

García & Bodán‘s ‘agile and totally competent‘ tax team supplements the firm’s busy corporate and finance practices when advising on the tax planning of major transactions, and also assists multinational corporations with the tax implications of their expansion into Honduras, including obtaining exemptions under the country’s various tax regimes. In addition, the team advises on compliance and recent changes to the law governing free trade zones, and handles a steady stream of disputes with the tax authority. Office managing partner and practice head Vanessa Oquelí focuses on tax planning and the structuring of transactions, while Godofredo Siercke takes the lead in litigation. Recently promoted senior associate Gabriela Aguirre, whose areas of expertise include advising on tax exemptions, is also a key contact.

Honduras > Banking and finance Tier 3

The banking and finance team at García & Bodán takes advantage of the firm’s regional presence to advise on cross-border financing transactions, including syndicated loans and project finance. The team also has a strong track record in capital markets matters, advising on notes issuances on the international markets, and brings to bear significant experience in regulatory issues in the fintech space. Honduras managing partner Vanessa Oquelí steers the practice, contributing additional expertise in corporate, energy, tax and aviation matters. Godofredo Siercke is particularly well versed in advising on syndicated loans and project finance in the energy sector.

Honduras > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

The corporate practice at García & Bodán, which is highlighted as ‘one of the most prestigious firms‘ in Honduras, has robust experience in complex cross-border transactions, frequently teaming up with the firm’s offices throughout Central America on regional deals. The department is well versed in corporate matters across the full range of industry segments, but has a particular emphasis on heavily regulated sectors including energy, infrastructure, insurance and telecoms, with growing strength in the fintech space. Office managing partner Vanessa Oquelí ‘brings a lot of experience‘, particularly in M&A and related tax matters. Other key names include Godofredo Siercke, a specialist in the energy sector, and capable senior associates Gabriela Aguirre, Astrid Villeda and San Pedro Sula-based Melissa Ayala, who contribute complementary tax, real estate and labour expertise.

Central America > Corporate and finance

The first Nicaraguan firm to expand into Central America, García & Bodán now fields teams in Honduras (from branches in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula), El Salvador, Guatemala and Costa Rica; it has also grown its presence in Nicaragua with offices in San Juan del Sur and Tola (led by Eduardo Cabrales, who focuses on real estate and tourism-related transactions in the area) in addition to its original headquarters in Managua. Under the leadership of regional managing partner Terencio García in Nicaragua, the firm is well versed in advising investors into Central America on cross-border acquisitions, while its financing expertise extends to syndicated loans and project finance. Federico Gurdián, who was appointed as regional director of the corporate and transactional practice in May 2022, is also a key contact in Nicaragua. In Honduras, where the firm is noted for its strength in sovereign bond issuances, Vanessa Oquelí handles the full range of corporate and finance matters. Oscar Torres, who also directs the regional labour practice, takes the lead on transactional mandates in El Salvador.