Mr Zygmunt Brett > BLP > La Libertad, El Salvador > Lawyer Profile

The powerhouse practice at BLP remains at the forefront of banking and finance matters in El Salvador, providing a comprehensive service to major regional and international commercial banks, financial institutions, multilateral agencies (including key market players such as IDB Invest), private equity sponsors and corporate borrowers from sectors including life sciences, building materials, real estate and energy. The practice assists with securitisations, credit restructurings, loan agreements, bond issuances, regulatory compliance, and banking litigation and arbitration proceedings. Respected finance expert Zygmunt Brett heads the team, standing out for his strong suit in complex capital markets matters. Other names to note are Mariana Nóchez, who is active in high-value, multi-jurisdictional transactions, director Luis Vega, a specialist in financial disputes, and associate José Góchez, who advises on syndicated loans, project finance (including in the energy sector) and buy-outs.

Leveraging the bench strength of locations throughout Central America (in Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica and Guatemala), the Salvadoran business law practice at BLP advises major multinationals, banks and financial institutions, development agencies and insurers on day-to-day matters and complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions, with a client base spanning such sectors as energy, real estate, life sciences, building materials and financial services. The practice’s comprehensive service covers M&A, restructurings, contract drafting and negotiation, due diligence, regulatory compliance and corporate governance. Zygmunt Brett, who has over 20 years of experience in the practice area and is widely regarded as an authority in M&A, heads the team. Other key figures at senior level include Mariana Nóchez, who, in addition to major transactions, is an expert in due diligence and regulatory processes. The strong junior line-up includes director José Góchez, who has notable expertise in the telecoms and aviation sectors, and associates Luis Vega, Delmer Rodríguez, a specialist in both corporate matters and tax administrative procedures, and Julio Meléndez, who assists clients with entry into the region.

BLP has continued to expand its presence in Central America, launching its fourth Costa Rica office, which focuses on real estate transactions, in Marina Flamingo in January 2023, as well as providing environmental and immigration advisory services through two innovative companies: Zone and Moval. The firm houses comprehensive corporate and finance practices in the region, with standout expertise in infrastructure and energy-related transactions, and is widely recognised for its representation of Fortune 500 companies. Its strength in international transactions is reinforced by its representative office in Madrid, where David Gutiérrez is the key name. Gutiérrez, an expert in M&A and infrastructure financing, also heads the corporate practice in Costa Rica (where the firm has additional branches in San José, Marina Los Sueños and Las Catalinas), while Vivian Liberman and Andrés López lead the banking team. In Guatemala, the firm strengthened its practice with the hire of former Arias senior partner Jorge Luis Arenales, who has a wealth of experience in corporate and finance transactions, in June 2023; he joins the well-regarded duo of Luis Ruiz, who is also a skilled IP lawyer, and María Inés Arenales. Zygmunt Brett, an authority in financing, capital markets and M&A matters, is the name to note in El Salvador, and Ernesto Rizo, an expert in the mining and agribusiness spheres, leads the corporate and finance team in Nicaragua. In Honduras – where the firm has branches in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula – José Miguel Álvarez and energy specialist Karla Aguilar are the key contacts.