Legalsa > Guatemala, Guatemala > Firm Profile

Legalsa > The Legal 500 Rankings

Guatemala > Dispute resolution Tier 1

A highly regarded domestic firm, Legalsa is well known for its strong litigation practice, with experience in administrative, civil, commercial, criminal and constitutional cases that range from procurement-related litigation to shareholders’ disputes and white-collar crime defence. The team is also active in national and international arbitration and has represented multinational companies in arbitration proceedings against Guatemalan government entities. Founding partner Henry Comte has vast experience in complex litigation and arbitration and is one of three practice heads, alongside Alejandro Penados, whose areas of specialism include shareholder, inheritance and concessions-related disputes, and Marisol Fión, an expert in administrative, civil and commercial litigation. The strong cohort of associates includes Julia González, who focuses on criminal litigation (including tax, environmental and white-collar crime cases), and corporate litigation specialist Andrés Dubón.

Guatemala > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

Legalsa advises domestic companies and international investors on a wide range of corporate matters, including M&A, joint ventures and the launch of operations in Guatemala. Drawing on the firm’s powerhouse litigation practice, the team also assists companies engaged in shareholder litigation with corporate governance matters. The department has a strong practice focused on fintech and mobile apps, which advises investors on the rollout of new technology platforms, and acts for a number of local start-ups in the food and technology sectors. The practice is led by David Font, who is experienced in M&A, with notable expertise in the fintech and real estate sectors, and Johann Hartleben, whose fortes include the design of corporate structures in national and international jurisdictions, corporate governance structures, and shareholder agreements.

Guatemala > Intellectual property Tier 2

Benefitting from the firm’s highly regarded litigation department, Legalsa‘s IP practice is a strong choice for unfair competition and anti-counterfeiting disputes. The team is also skilled in non-contentious matters, particularly in the management of IP portfolios for regional clients and assisting with IP protection strategies in the financial services and IT sectors. Advising artists on copyright matters is a niche area of expertise for the practice, and the firm also has dedicated e-commerce and start-up programmes that assist with IP issues. Practice co-head Karina Calderón has extensive experience in the prosecution, enforcement and transfer of IP rights, as well as e-commerce and unfair competition matters. Co-heads Henry Comte and Alejandro Penados are noted for IP litigation.

Guatemala > Real estate Tier 2

Legalsa has notable expertise in advising major domestic developers on the construction of luxury residential and high-rise office buildings in Guatemala. The practice covers project financing, lease agreement negotiation (particularly for shopping centres and office complexes), and property-related dispute resolution, drawing on the firm’s powerhouse litigation department. Founding partner David Font, who has considerable strength in the financing, sale and acquisition of real estate, co-leads the group with Johann Hartleben, who acts in the range of the firm's real estate mandates. Associate Mónica Linares is also noted for her advice on commercial and residential developments.

Guatemala > Banking and finance Tier 3

Advising foreign investors on setting up new financial services operations in Guatemala is the focus of the team at Legalsa, which also assists domestic financial services companies with the regulatory issues relating to international expansion. Founding partner David Font and Johann Hartleben, a specialist in advising local and foreign investors, lead the team.