ALTA QIL+4 Abogados
Founded in 2015, ALTA QIL+4 is a full-service firm that provides legal services to clients throughout the Central American region. The firm has one office located in Guatemala City. In 2021, the firm joined with 3 other firms throughout central America to form Alta Legal.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm has a strong energy focus, with its project development team advising on the development of over 1500MW of energy in Guatemala. The financial and corporate team advises on buy and sell-side transactions, as well as government loans.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include the Republic of Guatemala, Minera San Rafael, CIFI and Grupo Terra.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Over the research period, the team was active in project development transactions. The team worked mostly on PPA’s in renewable energy, social infrastructure and power industries, acting for project companies.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Cova PPA green energy purchase
Client Feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Banking
“The Alta Qil + 4 team is extremely knowledgeable on these types of transactions. They are very active in counseling and always willing to help and propose new solutions.”
“1. Good communication skills. 2. Good Judgement. 3. Analytical skills. 4. Knowledge of finance sector.”
“Experience, strategic thinking, financial knowledge.”
Financial restructuring
“Discusses and recommends efficient structures to implement the restructuring and guarantee our investment.”
Financial services regulatory
“Trustworthy and efficient.”
M&A
“Team with deep knowledge, great commitment and attention to detail.”
“Great team, with excellent service and attitude.”
“Excellent communications and attitude.”
Private equity
“Excellent knowledge and very efficient.”
Javier Castellan
“Knowledgeable, excellent service, friendly and proactive.”
Alejandro Cofiño
“Excellent service and attitude.”
“Excellent overall lawyer and excellent communication skills.”
Melissa Echeverria
“Responsive, knowledgeable, efficient.”
“Excellent knowledge and treatment.”
Carlos Garcia
“Efficient and good communicator.”
Santiago Granados
“1. Knowledgeable. 2. Trustworthy. 3. Analytical Skills. 4. Organized. 5. Clear and concise when communicating with us.”
“Experience, knowledge, empathy.”
Ignacio Grazioso
“Excellent lawyer.”
Marcos Ibarguen
“Great experience, very professional and trustworthy.”
Andrés Lowenthal
“He is an expert in banking and finance who understands client's needs and is extremely helpful in closing transactions.”
“Very smart and excellent knowledge and treatment.”
Arias
Arias is a standout Central American law firm, with its Guatemalan office located in Guatemala City. Founded in El Salvador, the firm has since expanded throughout Central America. It also has offices in El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm is top tier across the financial and corporate and project development practice areas. It represents both strategic buyers and sellers across a variety of industries in acquisition matters, as well as borrowers and lenders in banking matters including credit facilities and loan agreements. Occasionally, the firm partakes in capital markets work including securitizations and bond issuances. The project development team has experience in the oil and gas, telecommunications and energy industries.
Key clients
Arias maintains strong relationships with key clients including Equinor, SBA Communications, Hidroenergy de Nicaragua, Banpro, Cooke Central America Finance and Teléfonica.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Over the research period, the firm advised on banking and M&A matters. In the banking space, the team acted for borrowers and lenders in financing and refinancing arrangements as well as regulatory matters. It also worked on project financing deals in the real estate industry. M&A transactions include representing buyers and sellers in spinoffs and acquisitions.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Evertech Group $615 million financing
IMCD acquisition of Quelaris Internacional
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Asset finance
“They are very responsive, always reply back in a timely manner. Responses are clear but concise. Assessments are thorough and their advice trustworthy.”
Banking and finance
“Arias' expertise in the area of foreign reinsurance in Guatemala is evident in the quality of their work. Arias is attentive to detail, cognizant of deadlines, and very communicative and responsive.”
M&A
“I want to highlight their great responsive capacity to provide fast and accurate legal assessment in the different areas.”
Project development: Infrastructure
“Time management – excellent. Knowledge – excellent. Professionalism – excellent"
Restructuring: Corporate
“Excellent professionals.”
Luis Pedro Del Valle
“His responsiveness and the appropriate way to help navigate the firm for the different matters that we have to attend.”
Martin Montenegro Lou
“Martin is an excellent communicator and very easy to work with.”
Francisco Zuluaga
“Francisco is very responsive, always attentive to our emails and calls, he can easily respond almost any question. He has demonstrated good legal knowledge and understanding of the industry.”
“Realistic time management and highly knowledgeable.”
Consortium Legal
Full-service Central American
firm Consortium Legal has offices in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The Nicaraguan branch
is in Managua and is highly regarded by clients and peers alike.
The firm
is top tier across the board but has special expertise in the banking and capital markets practice area.
In banking, the team represents lenders and borrowers in loan agreements, credit facilities and restructurings.
It also regularly works on capital markets transactions including derivatives, securitizations, public offerings, and investment fund matters.
Additionally, the
firm advises local and international clients across all industries on M&A matters.
The firm also does outstanding work in the project development practice area, representing developers and sponsors in a wide array of industries.
Key clients for the firm include many banking and financial institutions such as HSBC,
Fundenuse, Credit Suisse, Bank of Nova Scotia,
Banpro and Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior.
Research period review: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
Over the research period, the firm was active in
capital markets
and M&A.
The capital markets
practice advised initial purchasers and bookrunners in financing from high-yield and green bond issuances.
M&A activity included a very
high-profile acquisition in the telecommunications industry, as well as some more moderate private acquisitions and asset acquisitions in various sectors.
On October 7th of 2021, esteemed partner Diego Alejos passed away.
Deal highlights: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
Banco Industrial, Sociedad
Anónima $300 million 4.875% bond issuance
Faes Farma $30 million acquisition of Global Farma
Investment
Energy Resources Limited $700 million 6.25% green bond issuance
Millicom $2.2 trillion acquisition of Tigo Guatemala
Republic of Guatemala $1 billion 3.75, 4.65% bond issuance
Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
"Complete advice on fiscal,
labor and commercial matters. They provide a very close service, with a very open and fully available style."
"Very close to the client. Extremely responsive."
EY Law
EY Law has an office in Guatemala City. It has a wide network with more than 4000 lawyers in 150 countries
Focusses / specialisms
Known for its financial and corporate and project development work, the firm often works across borders with other Central American EY Law offices.
The firm is experience in M&A and represents both strategic buyers and sellers in acquisitions and other general corporate matters. The firm has expertise in the infrastructure sector.
Key clients
Key clients include the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, Fondo del Milenio II and the Government of El Salvador.
Research period review
During the research period, the firm worked on acquisitions, advising both strategic buyers and sellers. The firm also worked with clients in a wide variety of industries on acquisitions and other corporate matters.
On the project development side, the firm advised numerous clients on regulatory matters related to infrastructure developments.
Partner Enrique Moller departed the firm in July 2020.
Mayora & Mayora
Since its founding in 1966, Central American law firm Mayora & Mayora has expanded its physical presence to three countries: Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Its Guatemalan office is in Guatemala City. The firm is part of the LexMundi alliance.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm is highly regarded in the financial and corporate practice areas, especially in banking and finance and M&A matters. It is also active in project development.
In banking and finance, the firm advises mostly lenders on loan and credit agreements. It also does debt capital markets work and represents underwriters in bond issuances.
In M&A, the firm represents mostly strategic buyers in acquisitions and other corporate matters.
The project development team is active in the construction and energy industries.
Key clients
Key publishable clients for the firm include Banco Azteca, Capgemini, Sucden America, Grupo Cobra, Grupo Montañesa and Diageo.
Research period review: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
Throughout the research period, the financial and corporate team was active in banking and M&A transactions. Banking transactions include acting for borrowers and lenders in corporate financing and refinancing agreements. It also worked on project financings in the transport industry. On the M&A side, the team acted for companies in incorporations.
In project development, the team acted for companies in public tender processes in the renewable and infrastructure industries.
Alegalis
Alegalis is a Guatemalan law firm founded in 2002 and
based in Guatemala City.
The firm has a particular focus on financial and corporate matters.
Key clients of the firm include Grupo RV4, Grupo Capital Buró, Grupo
Amaranto,
Depósito Aduanero Incorporado,
Inteligencia Farmacéutica and Fundación Proyecto Esperanza.
Client Feedback:
32nd edition (2022/2023)
Project
development : Infrastructure
"Senior Partner and associates are very experienced and with attention to details."
BLP
BLP is a Costa Rican firm that was founded in 2003. It has a large regional footprint with offices in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua,
Spain and Honduras. The Guatemala practice has one office in Guatemala City.
The M&A practice is regarded for its work with local and international companies in
buy and sell-side transactions.
The banking and finance group has experience in cross border deals, project finance and debt restructuring.
Key clients for the firm
include, Samsung, Uber, Avianca, Banco
Promerica and H&M.
Central Law Guatemala
Central Law was established in 2003 as an international Central American firm. The firm has a large regional footprint, with offices in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. The Guatemala practice has one office located in Guatemala City.
Focusses / specialisms
The project development team at the firm advises clients on contracts, environmental regulation and legal compliance.
The financial and corporate team at the firm assists clients in restructuring, buying and selling shares and on compliance issues in Guatemala.
Key clients
Key clients include, DISS Guatemala, Mabe Guatemala, ESINSA and Worldwide Cosmetics.
Client feedback: 31st edition (2020/2021)
Project development
"They are very knowledgeable of all legal services required on property legal matters, permits with the local government and advisory of various legal topics."
Restructuring: Corporate
"Good communication and explanations."
Comte & Font – Legalsa
Comte & Font –
Legalsa is a
Guatemalan law firm
founded by Henry Comte and David Font and
based in
Guatemala City.
The firm has a particular focus on
financial and corporate matters.
Key clients of the firm include América
Móvil, Claro Guatemala (Telgua), Grupo Ultramar, Zenziya,
Prolease, Prime Media & Entertainment, Norton Lilly,
Compañía Agrícola Industrial Santa Ana, Zuma Pagos and Super Auto Repuestos Acquaroni.
Client Feedback:
32nd edition (2022/2023)
"They provide accurate and practical advice to
achieve the client's objectives."
Deloitte Legal
Deloitte Legal, the legal arm of the global professional services firm Deloitte, has a country-wide presence in Guatemala with lawyers located in the firm’s office in
Guatemala City.
The firm has a particular focus on
financial and corporate.
Key clients of the firm include Mcafee,
Cementos Progreso,
Paypal,
ABT Associates,
OHLA,
Grupo Carso,
Megapharma,
Siemens,
Fox International Channels and
Evonik.
Dentons Muñoz
Dentons Muñoz is the Guatemalan presence of the international law
firm Dentons.
One of the world’s largest law firms, Dentons is truly a global law firm, with over 190 locations across over 75 countries.
The firm has a particular focus on
financial and corporate matters.
Key clients of the firm include Biesterfeld U.S., UBS,
Wells Fargo,
Axa France,
Rockwell,
Canadian Imperial Bank
of Commerce,
Rothshild & Co.,
Puma Energy,
GlaxoSmithKline and JCDecaux.
ECIJA
ECIJA is an
Ibero-American law firm with 800 professionals in offices in Europe and Latin America. The firm was founded more than 20 years ago and has continued to expand since then. ECIJA opened its Guatemala office in November 2020 by merging with 23-year-old local firm, Integrum.
The firm has a focus in oil and gas and frequently advises large multinational corporations in this area.
Key clients include Puma Energy,
Majuand Genepal.
Client Feedback:
32nd edition (2022/2023)
Project
development : Energy
"Timely advice for business."
Latin Alliance
Latin Alliance was founded in 1990. The firm has a presence throughout Central America, with offices in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador,
Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Ruth Olivares is the head of the corporate department in Guatemala.
The firm advises on corporate finance, loans, M&A, due
diligence and corporate incorporation.
Clients for the firm include,
Alutech Guatemala,
Yobel SCM Logistics and BANRURAL.
LegalPlus
LegalPlus is a Guatemalan law firm based in
Guatemala City
but with an external office in Hong Kong.
The firm has a particular focus on
financial and corporate matters.
Key clients of the firm include Osigu,
Vana,
Pacifiko.com,
Monkey Foods,
Hybrico,
Hydro Systems,
Mode Aviation,
Maspor Marine,
Zuntex Apparel
and Tedi Media.
Client Feedback:
32nd edition (2022/2023)
Financial services regulatory
"Extremely effective, time conscious and proactive with their work, great work ethics."
"Great work ethic, diligent and efficient with all matters. They resolve issues with creativity."
Lexincorp
Lexincorp has offices throughout the Central American region, including El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica and Guatemala.
Focusses / specialisms
The financial and corporate team at the firm advise both borrowers and lenders in the financial industry. The team advises clients on corporate governance and provides ongoing advice on loan structures.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include, Terrum Desarrollos, Thor Capital, Eólico San Antonio El Sitio and Ingenio La Unión.
Client feedback: 31st edition (2020/2021)
Restructuring: Corporate
"Keep up with work to be done, are very confidential."
Sfera
Sfera Legal was established in 2012. The firm is located throughout Central America, with offices in Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador,
Nicaragua and Guatemala. The firm also has a US office in New York.
The banking and finance team is known for its work with international finance
institution, and the firm is also strong in M&A.
Key clients include TIGO and Banco G&T Continental.
Client Feedback:
32nd edition (2022/2023)
"Experience in similar processes,
preventive vision about contingencies,
negotiation support"
Skinner-Klée & Asociados - LatamLex
Latamlex is a Central American firm with offices in Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala.
The firm advises both local and international companies on a range of corporate matters. It frequently advises lenders in banking transactions under Guatemala law.
Key clients include Banco Aliado and Comerzbank.
