Boutique firm Solver Law has a standout reputation for white-collar crime cases, defending major domestic and international companies against allegations of tax evasion, fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, IP offences, and environmental and industrial contamination. The firm’s expertise further extends to constitutional, civil and regulatory proceedings running parallel to criminal litigation, criminal medical negligence claims, and crisis response to serious industrial incidents. The practice is jointly led by Julio García-Merlos, a highly regarded litigator with long experience in high-stakes criminal cases, and Andrea Cabrera, a key name for environmental crime and medical liability litigation. Senior associate Gabriel Chávez brings valuable expertise in financial crime and cybercrime litigation, while Vivian Díaz focuses on constitutional and criminal cases.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • Clearly, the leader and key figure at this firm is Julio García-Merlos. He maintains leadership over matters, directly attends to clients, and possesses in-depth knowledge of the Guatemalan justice system. He is an exceptionally astute and practical lawyer, adept at resolving his clients' issues and objectives. They are adept at guiding clients through negotiations and analyzing situations and potential solutions within a conflict. When litigating before the Guatemalan justice system, they also demonstrate remarkable competence. Although a boutique firm of relatively small size, they have efficient administrative and billing practices. Definitely, Julio's client relationships and personalized, direct approach are what truly set them apart.
  • The firm's greatest asset is its people. The team is clearly aligned, with clear criteria and a consistent approach to cases. Julio García-Merlos stands out for his ability to lead complex matters with a highly strategic focus. Gabriel Chávez brings a very solid technical profile, with outstanding analytical skills.
  • The service is impeccable. Having Julio García-Merlos as our litigator was a great help to us, not only because of his procedural and technical skills, but also because he is a strategist who presented us with a comprehensive overview and clear solutions.
  • Julio is a great person. Finding lawyers who are not only dedicated but also capable of understanding the client's needs makes the firm a true partner. The other lawyers see him as a great leader, and that's evident in everything they do.
  • I believe it's important to highlight that the Solver Law team is innovative and dynamic, applying technological tools to improve results. The point of comparison with other firms lies in the practical and academic knowledge possessed by the members of Solver Law. I also emphasize their use of technological tools to maintain and improve communication. The team is constantly updating itself on new laws and jurisprudential developments.
  • In my experience as a client of several law firms, I can highlight the following strengths: excellent customer service, 24/7 availability, in-depth knowledge of national regulations, strategic thinking in proposing solutions, and a commitment to always resolving cases through conciliation first, only recommending more aggressive action once this phase has been exhausted. This type of attention is crucial for a company as unique as the one I manage because every contract is completely different, requiring strategic thinking and alignment of incentives to handle each dispute. This firm provides this entirely satisfactorily. Furthermore, I would like to emphasize their personalized service and, at the same time, their efficiency.

Key clients

  • Banco Agromercantil de Guatemala (BAM)
  • Banco de los Trabajadores
  • Claro Guatemala
  • Grupo Alta
  • Uno – Grupo Terra
  • Panamerican Silver Guatemala
  • Asociación Española de Beneficencia (Hospital El Pilar)
  • Grupo Hospitalario La Paz
  • Hospital Centro Médico
  • Productive Business Solutions
  • Saint Gobain Cemix Centroamérica
  • Jaguar Energy

Lawyers

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

Julio García-Merlos; Andrea Cabrera