Consortium Legal > Ciudad Guatemala, Guatemala > Firm Profile

Consortium Legal > The Legal 500 Rankings

Guatemala > Banking and finance Tier 1

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.

Guatemala > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

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.

Guatemala > Intellectual property Tier 1

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.

Guatemala > Labour Tier 1

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.

Guatemala > Tax Tier 1

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.

Guatemala > Dispute resolution Tier 2

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.

Guatemala > Real estate Tier 2

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.

Central America > Corporate and finance

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.

San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose, Costa Rica

San Jose, Costa Rica