Consortium Legal counts some of the largest banks in Guatemala among its clients, in addition to acting as local counsel to a number of major US financial institutions. The team stands out for its expertise in financial regulatory matters and has further developed its fintech practice, forming part of a dedicated fintech group across the firm’s offices in Central America that advises new entrants to the region, as well as local companies seeking to offer payment platform services. Other areas of strength include syndicated loans and bond issuances, with the team recently advising on the regional market’s largest green bond issuance. The ‘outstanding' Álvaro Castellanos leads the team, which was joined in January 2022 by experienced senior associate Melissa Morán; her expertise spans syndicated loans, international debt issuances and project finance.
‘The team stands out for its availability, kindness, high ethical standards, quality advice and reasonable fees for the service provided.’
‘The attention to the client is personalised, and they treat the needs of their clients as their own – they are very empathetic.’
‘Consortium has an extraordinary banking and finance practice. Their experience, knowledge and vocation to serve clients is unsurpassed.’
‘Álvaro Castellanos has outstanding leadership skills, ample knowledge and an understanding of what the client needs and expects.’
Key clients
Citibank
Bank of America
JP Morgan & Chase
IDB and IDB Invest
Deutsche Bank
Banco Azteca
Banco de América Central
Credit Suisse
Bupa Global and Bupa Guatemala
Bancolombia
Banco Agromercantil de Guatemala
Work highlights
Advised Citigroup Global Markets, Credit Suisse Securities, JP Morgan Securities and Santander Investment Securities as the initial purchasers on the issuance of $380m in senior notes by San Miguel Industrias PET.
Acted as local counsel in Guatemala and El Salvador to a group of borrowers, including PDC Comercial El Salvador, on a financing to restructure existing debt and fund the acquisition of a dairy production and distribution business.
Advised BofA Securities, as the initial purchaser, global coordinator and sole book-running manager, on a $1bn two-tranche notes offering by the Republic of Guatemala.
The ‘highly efficient, experienced’ team at Consortium Legal has seen increased activity in M&A recently, handling a series of high-profile transactions in the Guatemalan market, as well as advising on regional deals with the support of its fellow offices in Central America. The practice also has notable strength in advising on the corporate aspects of major projects, where Rafael Alvarado Riedel is particularly experienced. Moreover, in 2021 the department launched a new practice focused on the incorporation of new companies and local branches, as well as day-to-day corporate issues, headed by senior associate Maria Fernanda Morales. Alvarado leads the team alongside Alfredo Rodríguez, Álvaro Castellanos and Sofía Escribá, whose practice concentrates on M&A. The department was also bolstered by the addition of associate Roxana Sandoval from Alegalis in May 2021.
Alfredo Rodríguez; Álvaro Castellanos; Rafael Alvarado Riedel; Sofía Escribá
Testimonials
‘The team is very available and attentive to our requirements. In general, they respond quickly, with highly technical advice, and always consider the different angles of the problem in question, which helps in decision making.’
‘Rafael Alvarado is very available and accessible.’
‘Excellent client service, with a highly experienced, efficient team with a high level of technical knowledge. Excellent price-quality ratio.’
‘Sofía Escribá is undoubtedly one of the main pluses that make Consortium stand out and make the firm a true ally in all our different transactions. The ability to offer agile and practical solutions distinguishes the team.’
‘In general, Consortium is the firm that offers the greatest availability, both of partners and associates, maintains fluid communication with the client, and knows how to anticipate the problems that are going to arise in the operation and has a very commercial vision of the deal. They are flexible when collaborating with other firms. They meet the deadlines to which they commit. I would like to highlight Sofía Escribá within the firm.’
‘Consortium has a highly technically trained team to deal with different and diverse corporate issues, an area of practice in which a high degree of expertise is needed and in which Consortium stands out from other firms that have provided services to us. Their response times are efficient and the quality of service is excellent.’
‘Maria Fernanda Morales attends to all our requirements personally, and it is a plus for us that Maria Fernanda is directly involved in handling all our queries, in addition to continuous monitoring the case until the issue is resolved. On several occasions they have attended to our concerns in a very short time frame, which has shown a high degree of efficiency.’
Key clients
Tigo Guatemala
Grupo PDC
Inchcape
CMI Alimentos
Global Farma
Absortex
Elevar Resources
Idea Guatemala
Unipharm
Walmart
Whirlpool
Citibank
Telxius Cable Guatemala
AT&T
Enel Green Power
Lácteos Álgil
Inversiones de Guatemala
Millicom
Sucafina
Work highlights
Advised Millicom on the acquisition of 45% of the shares owned by its local partner in Guatemala for $2.2bn.
Assisted CMI Alimentos with the acquisition of the assets of Guatemalan company Cantonesa, which operates a factory that produces soups, noodles and condiments.
Advised Faes Farma on the acquisition of the shares of Guatemalan company Global Farma.
Consortium Legal frequently advises major multinational clients on the management of their trade mark portfolios in Guatemala and throughout Central and Latin America, often drawing on the support of the firm’s regional offices. The team also regularly advises on the IP aspects of cross-border acquisitions. Other key areas of strength include IP infringement; cancellation and unfair competition actions; domain name, patent and copyright issues; and both domestic and regional health registrations. Pharmaceuticals and the food and beverage space see healthy representation in the practice’s client base, where it is well versed in international portfolio management. Practice head Ninoshka Urrutia has extensive experience in contentious and non-contentious IP matters, while at the associate level, Stephanie Arévalo heads the international department that specialises in the registration of trade marks worldwide, and Santiago Morales assists with opposition, objections and copyright matters.
The ‘exemplary’ team at Consortium Legal stands out for its expertise in labour litigation, in addition to its advice on regulatory compliance and conflict prevention. With numerous multinationals among its clients, the team is also experienced in advising on the employment aspects of M&A, collective bargaining processes, and social security and immigration matters, including contracts for foreign workers. The practice is led by Lionel Aguilar, who is highly regarded for his experience in labour litigation. Federico Zelada was promoted to partner in December 2021 and is known for his expertise in collective labour disputes and collective bargaining, clients noting that his ‘experience and practical knowledge of employer regulations is extraordinary’. Senior associate Cristina Sandoval focuses on immigration and occupational health and safety matters.
‘The experience of the labour team makes it unique.’
‘Federico Zelada stands out for his experience and passion for what he does.’
‘They have good knowledge of the subject and their advice is successful.’
‘They provide concrete and direct analyses of our matters.’
‘Few law firms in Guatemala have the same experience and knowledge in labour matters as Consortium. The labour team is exemplary – it provides advice on all sorts of labour-related inquiries, which has been extremely important during the pandemic. The team’s availability and response times were never affected.’
‘Cristina Sandoval constantly surprises us with her diligence, knowledge and availability to answer questions on such varied topics as health and occupational safety and immigration issues for ex-pats.’
‘Federico Zelada has supported and advised us on general labour issues for many years now. His experience and practical knowledge of employer regulations is extraordinary.’
Key clients
PepsiCo
Corporación Multi Inversiones
Industrias Alimenticias Kern’s (FIFCO)
Ternium Internacional Guatemala
Novoswiss (Luminova)
Asofarma
Walmart
Inchcape Guatemala
Global Farma
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Banco de América Central (BAC)
Excel Automotriz
Enel Green Power
Samsung Electronics Latinoamerica (Zona Libre)
Standard Fruit (Dole)
Citibank
United Airlines
Work highlights
Assisted PepsiCo in negotiations with the union of a food factory in Guatemala relating to a new model of remuneration based on productivity and the regularisation of employees’ work schedules.
Advised Spanish pharmaceutical group Faes Farma on the labour issues relating to its acquisition of Guatemalan company Global Farma.
Assisted Corporación Multi Inversiones with the preparation of a digital questionnaire and related electronic platform to review compliance with labour legislation across the client’s companies.
Consortium Legal stands out for its expertise in tax litigation, where the practice was further strengthened in June 2021 with the arrival of highly experienced litigator Mario Estuardo Archila from tax boutique Archila & Asociados. In addition to handling administrative and judicial tax disputes, the team advises regional and multinational companies on the tax aspects of international transactions and tax structuring. Co-heading the practice with Archila are the ‘highly respected’ Alfredo Rodríguez, who has expertise in advising individuals and family groups on estate and succession planning; Olga María Meléndez, a renowned advisor in the banking, aviation, mining, telecoms and food and beverages sectors; and litigation specialist David Erales, who is singled out by clients for his ‘extensive knowledge of Guatemalan jurisprudence and tax issues’. Associate Alejandra Fuentes-Pieruccini frequently supports in international and local tax matters.
Alfredo Rodríguez; Olga Meléndez; Mario Archila; David Erales
Testimonials
‘Constant updates and a personalised service from the partners.’
‘David Erales stands out for his extensive knowledge of Guatemalan jurisprudence and tax issues.’
‘Alfredo Rodríguez’s real expertise in various fields of law makes him a highly respected figure in both the public and private sectors, and it is difficult to find a lawyer with a similar profile.’
‘The strength of the team lies in the ability to understand the client’s needs and provide advice based on the law applicable to their specific case.’
‘The firm’s attorneys possess a high degree of integrity. They carry out their work based on what is legal and what is correct.’
Key clients
Citibank
Colgate-Palmolive
Banco de los Trabajadores
Lancasco
Banco Industrial
CMI
Grupo Cofiño Stahl
Tigo
United Airlines
Grupo Tecún
Pepsico
Radio Televisión Guatemala
Televisiete
Desarrollos San Jose
Asociación de Azucareros de Guatemala
Asociación de Importadores de Vehículos
Inversiones y Bienes del Atlántico
Spectrum
Asociación de Importadores de Motocicletas
Fresh del Monte
Work highlights
Adviced Millicom on the tax issues relating to its acquisition of 45% of the shares of Tigo Guatemala to gain total control of the company and its operations.
Consortium Legal has a strong track record in civil, commercial, constitutional, and administrative litigation, and is increasingly active in both institutional and ad hoc arbitration, handling a series of cases relating to breaches of contract in the banking and energy sectors, among others. The firm also has a strong criminal law practice, with a focus on environmental and tax fraud cases. The practice is jointly led by Elías Arriaza, whose broad workload spans arbitration and civil, commercial and administrative litigation, and criminal law-focused litigator Lionel Aguilar. Associate Erick Efrén Pérez provides experienced support.
Consortium Legal's recent workload has seen a notable volume of advice on the development of commercial and mixed-use real estate projects, where the practice has expertise in project planning, development, and related administrative issues. Another key area of growth in the practice has been advising developers on the construction of social and sustainable housing projects – currently a key issue in Guatemala. Sandra García de Zedan was promoted to partner in January 2022 and leads the practice, drawing on extensive experience in real estate developments and transactions. Tax and corporate law partner Alfredo Rodríguez is also frequently involved in highlight real estate matters, while Jaminie Recinos and Mario Pivaral are the associate level contacts to note.
Consortium Legal further expanded its presence in Central America in December 2021 with the opening of a third Costa Rican office in the northeastern region of Guanacaste, seeking to take advantage of the development of tourist and residential projects in the area; real estate partners Juan Manuel Cordero and David Reuben are the key contacts. The firm also has branches in Guatemala, Honduras (in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula), El Salvador and Nicaragua, allowing it to advise major multinationals on a wide range of international transactions, including M&A, syndicated loans and bond issuances. It also has a region-wide fintech practice. In Costa Rica (where the firm also has offices in Escazú and San José), Rolando Laclé Zúñiga, who has extensive experience in cross-border M&A and foreign investment, project finance expert Randall Barquero and Mario Quesada-Bianchini are among the names to note. Firm president Álvaro Castellanos handles finance matters in Guatemala, while Alfredo Rodríguez and Rafael Alvarado Riedel focus on corporate transactions. In El Salvador, Óscar Samour (who also leads the finance practice), Diego Martín and Maria Alejandra Tulipano jointly lead the corporate team; while Rodrigo Taboada, an authority in foreign investment matters, and Olga Barreto, are the key names in Nicaragua. In Honduras, office managing partner José Ramón Paz Padilla, along with José Ramón Paz Morales, Gustavo León-Gómez and José Rafael Rivera, handle the full spectrum of corporate and finance matters.
Consortium Legal >
Firm Profile
We provide legal solutions for your business in Central America.
We are a law firm with specialized lawyers dedicated exclusively to their practice areas in the five countries of the Central American region, guaranteeing the highest standard of technical quality for our clients. We have the largest team in the Central American region with +200 lawyers located in 8 offices in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica; which gives us the ability to offer personalized attention in high volume regional matters through a single point of contact for your regional needs, providing you with an agile and efficient coordination that results in a standardized and effective final product.
Banking and finance: Having 15 years of regional experience, with both leading local and international banks, our clients’ excellent references prove we are undeniable leaders in banking and finance. Our long history of financial transactions has resulted in a deep practical knowledge of the regulatory landscape, making us the firm of choice for premium advice in the financial industry. Advising investment projects, our multi-disciplinary team flexibly covers all phases of your projects across a spectrum of legal areas (labor, corporate, criminal, and tax). Our M&A, corporate, and regulatory teams advise our clients together, saving them weeks in the negotiation of M&A transactions by addressing the legal issues concurrently.
Corporate law: We advise on the most important and complex corporate transactions in the region, covering all your legal needs with one of the largest teams of over 40 corporate lawyers. Our corporate specialists can quickly develop optimal structures for your investment projects, with flexibility, efficiency and transparency to meet your needs in the region. We combine our reach, with team members having previous in-house industry experience, allowing us to practically overcome your business challenges.
Intellectual property: Our regional IP team is led by women with more than 15 years of experience in the field and that today leverage technology to offer the best standard of service in Central America. We show our clients how to add value to their intellectual property assets, managing an innovative advisory, both in the identification of protectable intangible assets (know-how, technology, domains, trade dress), as well as in the structuring of franchises and licenses of the same. We avoid costly and time-consuming disputes over priority rights, through a strong and timely protection of your intangible assets.
Tax law: We specialize in local and international tax advice, and we have defended significant cases that have even established judicial criteria and precedents. We have unique experts specializing in tax matters (customs, municipal, litigation, auditing, and accounting) distinguishing us in Central America to provide comprehensive advice in client legal defense cases. We have generated major client savings through tax efficiencies, and through a high success rate in tax litigation, our advice is always within the legal framework, guaranteeing client legal security before the state.
Labor: The Labor law team in all our offices has more than 15 years of experience and preparation in the development of processes and products aimed at preventive and proactive advice on labor legal matters. We provide labor advice to many industries with differing compliance requirements yet always with an eye toward growing the company and making it more competitive.
Firmwide managing contact: Valeria Di Palma (vdipalma@consortiumlegal.com) Number of partners worldwide: 54 Number of other lawyers worldwide: +200 Website:www.consortiumlegal.com