IFLR1000

Nicaragua

Select tab

IFLR1000 Reviews

Financial and corporate
Arias

Founded in El Salvador, Arias has since expanded and added locations throughout Central America. The firm currently has offices in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Ana Teresa Rizo is the managing partner of the firm’s Nicaraguan office, located in Managua. The firm is a member of IBA, World Law Group and PRAC. The firm works across the financial and corporate and project development practice areas. It represents both strategic buyers and sellers in acquisition matters, as well as lenders in banking matters including credit facilities, loan agreements and project financing. The team has experience working across a variety of industries.    
 
 

Highlights  

The firm’s corporate department worked on transactions that required the approval of the antitrust authority. One  example is the firm’s representation of Grupo Bimbo as the seller in a significant sized acquisition of the client’s confectionary business called Ricolino, to Mondelez. This was a unique cross-border deal because it was governed by Mexican law but still had to comply with Nicaraguan authorities.  

The firm was active in finance, advising Banco Santander as lender in a cross-border loan granted to RANSA CORPORATION. This was a complex acquisition financing that involved several stakeholders and jurisdictions. 

 

Key clients  

The International Finance Corporation, Grupo Bimbo and Banco Santander  

 

Testimonials 

“Expertise and good quality communication. Whenever you need an answer, they provide.” (Banking client) 

“There is an Escrow fund pending for the next five years and Arias Law Nicaragua has been very diligent in negotiations for amendments in our benefit.” (M&A client) 

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. In the financial and corporate practice area, the firm advises local and international clients across all industries on M&A matters. It also regularly works on capital markets transactions including capital increases, bond issuances and investment fund matters. In the project development practice area, the firm represents developers and sponsors in a wide array of industries, especially construction.  
  

Highlights  

During the research period, some of the firm’s most notable work was in the capital markets space. In one matter, it advised Promerica Financial Corporation as issuer in a cross-border bond issuance. This matter was especially challenging due to the involvement of several intermediaries. 

The firm also provided counsel to Olam Group regarding establishing operations in Nicaragua. The firm has specifically been assisting with the client’s capital restructuring process.  

 

Key clients  

Promerica Financial Corporation, Pro Mujer, AHP Holdings, Grupo Monge and Rabobank

 

Testimonials 

“Expertise and comprehensive legal team.” (Financial services regulatory client) 

Alvarado & Asociados

Founded in 1990, domestic firm Alvarado & Asociados has become a highly regarded firm in Nicaragua. It is located in Managua but has an international presence through its Lex Mundi membership. 

  

Focusses / specialisms 

In the financial and corporate practice area the firm has experience representing clients in incorporations, financing, restructurings and other general corporate matters. 

The firm is especially known for its top-tier work in project development. It advises clients in mining and environmental industries. 

 

Key clients 

All key clients for the firm are confidential. 

 

Research period review: 32nd edition (2022/2023) 

Over the research period, the firm was active in financial and corporate and project development. 

The financial and corporate team worked on public tenders, loan agreement revisions, day-to-day operations and due diligence for a variety of cross-border and domestic clients. 

The project development team was active in mining projects and land acquisitions. 

 

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023) 

M&A 

"They are very proactive, well connected with the authorities, they have experience and are very diligent in their tasks." 

"They were competent in their advice, relationship with the authorities and feedback regarding the AT process in Nicaragua. They advise perfectly on the said process and provide us with accurate feedback." 

 

Claraliz Oviedo 

"She's very connected with the authorities in Nicaragua and is a very senior associate that has a very broad and specialized knowledge." 

"Great lawyer. Knows the sector. Knows the authorities. Great speaker, teamwork, accurate advice." 

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.   

  

Focusses / specialisms  

The corporate group at the firm advises on financial and corporate and project development complex and innovative transactions and assists in daily operations for local and international clients. The firm advises on mergers for corporate groups and banks, as well as complex restructurings.  

  

Key clients  

Key clients include Mastercard, Grupo Orbis (Pintuco), Royal Road Minerals, IDB Invest, SafetyPay, Plasencia Cigars, Allied Universal Security Services, Arturo Fuente, C&B Produtos Agrícolas and Grupo Volvo. 

García & Bodán

Garcia & Bodán was established in 2000. The law firm has six offices in Central America, in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador. The financial and corporate department at the firm is known for working on complex deals in Nicaragua. The team provides advise on daily legal matters for corporate clients, buy side M&A, corporate restructure and establishing international companies’ operations in Nicaragua. The project development team advises clients on regulatory issues, with particular details for energy, mining and environmental industries. The firm is highly experienced in assisting in financing for infrastructure and projects.    
 
   
 

Highlights  

The firm advised clients on confidential matters. 

 

Key clients  

Some of the firm’s key clients include Grupo Lala, Cargill, United Airlines, Truist Bank and Banco Atlántida. 

 

Testimonials  

“Their knowledge of the local environment and technical skills.” (M&A client)

 
Melvin Estrada 
“Great experience.” 
 
Terencio García Montenegro 

“He’s a fantastic lawyer!” 

“Very responsive and solution focused.” 


 
Federico Gurdian 
“Very well educated and knows his core business.” 


 
Carlos Tellez 
“He knows the regulations inside out.”

“Extremely committed to his work, brilliant at the moment of finding solutions, always available."“He is committed, extremely professional, well versed and responsible with any task you may trust him with. In addition to his legal skills, he also has a business-oriented mind, which allows him to rapidly understand our client’s point of viewE.” 

Latin Alliance

Latin Alliance is a full-service firm with a central American presence by way of offices in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. In addition, the firm has alliance with firms located in Spain, the United States, Mexico, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Ecuador and Chile. 

  

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm is active in financial and corporate work, with banking advice in loan agreements and credit agreements. In addition, the firm advises clients in restructuring work. 

  

Key clients 

Notable clients for the firm include La Casa de las Baterías, Rodio Swissboring, Grupo COINPRO, Selina Hotels, Alutech Nicaragua, Profil and SPC Internacional. 

Lexincorp

Lexincorp has offices throughout the Central American region, including El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Guatemala. 

 

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm stands out for its work with the government of Nicaragua on energy transmission infrastructure. The firm also advises on a wide variety of issues including M&A, day-today legal advice for local and international companies operating in Nicaragua, as well as due diligence of loan agreements. 

 

Key clients 

Key clients include, Sony, Banco General de Panamá, IMG Servicios Financiero and Group Atlas.