Tactic Legal is the latest firm in Central America to provide clients with a region-wide offering, following the merger of the Costa Rican firm of the same name with Guatemala’s AD Sosa & Soto (the new outfit also has offices in Honduras and El Salvador). The corporate practice advises large national and international companies on all aspects of their operations in Guatemala, including franchising, distribution and licensing agreements, corporate governance and compliance issues, joint ventures, corporate reorganisations, and domestic and cross-border M&A. The experienced leadership team is made up of Juan Sebastián Soto, who is skilled in advising on international transactions and commercial agreements, Einar Klanderud and Carlos Rafael Pellecer. Jacqueline Soto and Daniela Salas Vásquez provide key support at the associate level.
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Profile
Work Department
Corporate and M&A; Intellectual Property
Position
Partner
Career
Juan Sebastián Soto, Founder – TACTIC Legal Guatemala, formerly A.D. Sosa & Soto, where he has led the evolution of a modern, strategic, and regionally integrated legal practice in Central America for over two decades. He is a lawyer with recognized expertise in international business and transactional law, particularly in the structuring of complex contractual models, including franchise agreements, distribution contracts, and international sales.
He earned his law degree magna cum laude from Universidad Francisco Marroquín (2001) and obtained an LL.M. in International Business Law from Georgetown University Law Center, Washington D.C. (2002). He further enhanced his legal experience as a foreign associate at the global law firm Jones Day in Washington D.C. (2002–2003), where he worked in a demanding international legal environment.
Juan Sebastián combines a strategic vision with a deep understanding of legal risk management. He has advised corporate groups on governance assessments, restructuring of legal frameworks, and the strengthening of contractual models. He currently leads TACTIC Legal Elevate, a service focused on legal risk mapping and the implementation of tailored compliance programs for businesses.
He also founded and structured the firm’s Intellectual Property practice area — INNOVA IP — where he works closely with the specialized IP team in developing protection policies for intangible assets and enforcement strategies aligned with clients’ commercial objectives.
He was recognized as Person of the Year 2010 by AMCHAM Guatemala, where he also served as Chair of the Intellectual Property Committee. He currently serves as Chair of the National Intellectual Property Commission (ICC Guatemala Chapter), Vice President of the Guatemalan-Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CanCham), and is a Trustee of the Del Valle Educational Group, where he also chairs the Risk Committee. He is also a certified mediator by the International Mediation Chamber (CAMEX).
Languages
Spanish; English
Education
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Attorney and Notary Public, magna cum laude, Universidad Francisco Marroquín, Guatemala (2000)
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Master in International Law, Georgetown University Law Center, Washington DC (2002)
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Key clients
- Coca Cola FEMSA Danone de Guatemala DLocal/Demerge Guatemala Schenker Guatemala (Deutsche Bahn) Asa Pro, Sociedad Anónima (ASA Promotions) Arrocera los Corrales, Sociedad Anónima (ALCSA) MBMG (Multinational Brand Management Group) Compañía Procesadora de Níquel de Izabal (PRONICO) Compañía Guatemalteca de Níquel (CGN) (Solway Investment Group) Standard Fruit De Guatemala (Dole Food Company) PriceSmart (Guatemala) Alucaps Centroamericana Grupo PDC
Work highlights
Advised Danone de Guatemala on regularising its commercial relationships with its distributors and logistics operators in Guatemala.
Advised MBMG on the negotiation, drafting and renewal of franchise agreements with Parfois, ensuring the protection of the client’s rights as a franchisee.
Assisting Asa Pro, a concert and events organisation firm, with preparing software licensing agreements and inter-company contracts to support its operational and strategic needs.