WWL Central America 2022 by lbresearch

Central America

2022

THOUGHT LEADERS

Our WWL Thought Leader Q&A series brings together the insight, expertise and wisdom of some of the world’s foremost lawyers and experts, to discuss a range of issues about their careers, their areas of expertise and their plans for the future.

VIEW THE LATEST Q&AS WWW.WHOSWHOLEGAL.COM/ THOUGHT-LEADERS

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Head of research: US Penelope Williams Deputy head of research Charlotte Riley charlotte.riley@whosewholegal.com

CONTENTS 2

Leading Firms

Professional Notice

Administrative & Public Law

Asset Recovery

Content production manager Robert Harris

Banking, Finance & Projects

Senior production editors Katie Adams William Holt Harry Turner

Competition

Corporate

Production editors Ellen Desmond

Corporate Tax

Head of business development Adam Landes

Data, Telecoms & Media

Business development manager Frank Green

Dispute Resolution

Account managers Nick Townsend Bilikis Olowolekomoh Sam Limbu Leon Hartley Hadassah Maitaram

Environment, Energy & Natural Resources

Franchise & Distribution

Insurance & Reinsurance

Intellectual Property

Labour, Employment & Immigration

Private Client

Head of analytics Rupert Wilson

Real Estate & Construction

Publisher Tom Barnes

Transport - Aviation

Transport - Shipping

Research analysts Conor Manders Ammara Saleem Alex Bottomley Tabia Lui Olivia Harrison Diana Diaz Valdes Teran Kirsty Carvalho

Sales development representative Kiteria Yiu Customer service executive Harry Marloe Sales and admin assistant Samantha Wong

Published by Law Business Research Ltd Meridian House 34-35 Farringdon Street London, EC4A 4HL United Kingdom Tel: +44 20 7908 1178 Printed and distributed by Encompass Print Solutions Tel: 0844 2480 112 © 2022 Law Business Research Ltd

The information provided in this report is general and may not apply in a specific situation, nor does it necessarily represent the views of authors’ firms or their clients. Legal advice should always be sought before taking any legal action based on the information provided. The publishers accept no responsibility for any acts or omissions contained herein. Although the information in this report is accurate as at April 2022, be advised this is a developing area. Enquiries concerning reproduction should be sent to Law Business Research, at the address shown. Enquiries concerning editorial content should be directed to the Publisher, Tom Barnes, at tom. barnes@whoswholegal.com

ISSN 2398-7987

Leading Firms

LEADING FIRMS This year we list individuals from more than 140 law firms throughout Central America. However, eight prominent regional outfits achieve almost 40 per cent of the total listings this year. In the following pages, we profile the leading firms across the Central American market.

MOST LISTINGS IN WWL: CENTRAL AMERICA 2022

CONSORTIUM LEGAL Practice Area Breakdown Total listings in WWL: Central America - 57

Administrative & Public Law

Dispute Resolution

Banking, Finance & Projects

Franchise & Distribution

Competition

Intellectual Property

Corporate

Labour, Employment & Immigration

Corporate Tax

Real Estate & Construction

Data, Telecoms & Media

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Leading Firms

With offices located throughout the region, Consortium Legal commands a strong presence in the Central American market. The firm demonstrates the breadth of its expertise with 57 individuals listed across 11 chapters. The firm stands out for its first-rate corporate practice, which sees 15 practitioners highlighted for exceptional work handling a range of matters, from anti-trust and M&A to litigation proceedings.

Banking is a further area of strength for the firm with 14 practitioners listed in our corresponding chapter. They are recognised for their expertise in project financing, acquisitions and securitisation transactions. The firm also excels in dispute resolution, where seven of its top-notch lawyers are noted for their representation of domestic and international clients. Standout lawyers at the firm include Rolando Laclé Zúñiga who has extensive

expertise in both corporate and banking matters. Rolando Laclé Castro maintains a market-leading practice in franchise and distribution, while Alvaro Rodrigo Castellanos Howell is a top name in Guatemala for complex commercial dispute resolution. Ninoshka Urrutia is a highly respected practitioner when it comes to advising high-profile clients on all aspects of intellectual property law.

ARIAS Practice Area Breakdown Total listings in WWL: Central America - 51 Administrative & Public Law

Enviornment, Energy & Natural Resources

Banking, Finance & Projects

Franchise & Distribution

Competition

Intellectual Property

Corporate

Labour, employment & Immigration

Corporate Tax

Real Estate & Construction

Data, Telecoms & Media

Transport - Aviation

Dispute Resolution

Transport - Shipping

Central American powerhouse Arias is renowned for its first-class corporate law offering. The firm demonstrates its broad expertise with 51 listings across 14 different practice areas. The firm excels in corporate law, where it advises multinational corporations on a variety of matters, including franchising and corporate governance. The firm achieves an impressive 12 listings in this space.

The firm is highlighted as a strong contender in the banking space, where nine of its top-notch specialists are listed in this year’s research. They come recommended for their work advising clients on project finance, assets and insurance matters. Administrative and public law is another area of strength for the firm. The team is well equipped to advise foreign and domestic clients on public services, concessions and administrative contracting.

Key individuals at the firm include Vicente Lines and Victor MI. Garita, who are leading figures in the corporate law practice area and are highlighted in our research for their expertise in contractual matters. Roberta Gallardo excels in mergers, acquisitions and projects financings, while Carlo Ubico is singled out for his top-tier administrative and public law practice.

BLP Practice Area Breakdown Total listings in WWL: Central America - 47 Administrative & Public Law

Enviornment, Energy & Natural Resources

Banking, Finance & Projects

Insurance & Reinsurance

Competition

Intellectual Property

Corporate

Labour, Employment & Immigration

Corporate Tax

Private Client

Data, Telecoms & Media

Real Estate & Construction

Dispute Resolution

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Leading Firms

Full-service firm BLP stands out as a prominent player in the region with an impressive 47 listings across 13 practice areas. Ten practitioners are listed within our corporate chapter thanks to their in-depth knowledge and experience in anti-trust and horizontal and vertical M&A transactions. Banking is a further area of strength for BLP, where it receives eight listings in our corresponding chapter. These practitioners

are lauded for their work in project finance, asset management and complex deals with high-profile clients and banking institutions across Central America. The firm also excels in the public law space, with a total of five lawyers listed in our research. Their practice involves complex administrative work for domestic and international courts and tribunals, government relations and policy advocacy.

Key names at the firm include Luis Ortiz and Zygmunt Brett who stand out for their handling of a diverse range of corporate matters. Adriana Castro and Luis Castro are highlighted for their work in all aspects of public law, while Andrés López receives widespread plaudits for his work in financing for multilateral and institutional organisations.

MORGAN & MORGAN Practice Area Breakdown Total listings in WWL: Central America - 25 Banking, Finance & Projects

Insurance & Reinsurance

Corporate

Labour, Employment & Immigration

Corporate Tax

Private Client

Dispute Resolution

Real Estate & Construction

Environment, Energy & Natural Resources

Transport - Shipping

Renowned Central American firm Morgan & Morgan is a dominant force in the region. It sees 25 of its first-rate practitioners listed for their outstanding work across 10 different practice areas. The firm excels in banking and corporate matters, with four of its top individuals listed in each chapter. The teams are well versed in financing transactions, debt insurance and mergers, as well as assisting clients in

corporate secretarial matters. The firm also demonstrates its expertise in dispute resolution, labour and employment, private client and shipping matters, where it achieves three listings in each corresponding chapter, further demonstrating the breadth of the firm’s expertise. Standout individuals at the firm include Ricardo Alemán and Maria Teresa Mendoza who advise domestic and multinational

clients on all aspects of labour law. Albalira Montúfar ranks highly in our research for her expertise in immigration matters. Jose Carrizo and Luis Vallarino are highlighted for their skilful handling of a broad range of disputes, while Francisco Arias excels in capital markets and banking-related services.

ALEMÁN CORDERO GALINDO & LEE Practice Area Breakdown Total listings in WWL: Central America - 20

Administrative & Public Law

Dispute Resolution

Banking, Finance & Projects

Private Client

Corporate

Real Estate & Construction

Data, Telecoms & Media

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Leading Firms

Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee stands out as a prominent player in the Central American market. With a total of 20 leading practitioners listed in seven different practice areas, the firm showcases its strengths across a broad range of legal matters. The firm performs particularly well in our corporate chapter, where six of its lawyers are highlighted for their outstanding work advising public and private organisations on deal structuring, joint ventures and both horizontal and vertical mergers.

Dispute resolution is another area of strength for the firm, with four individuals listed this year for their exemplary handling of litigation and arbitration proceedings for a diverse range of clients. The firm also demonstrates its expertise in the banking and private client spaces with three top-tier practitioners listed in each corresponding chapter. These leading lawyers advise on a range of financial, securities and regulatory matters in Panama, and are sought after by private clients for their

knowledge of estate planning and succession matters. Key names at the firm include Anibal Galindo and Eloy Alfaro B, who come highly recommended for their work across the full spectrum of corporate matters. Mauricio Salas and Alejandro Arenales Farner are both highlighted this year as standout lawyers for their work in alternative dispute resolution.

AGUILAR CASTILLO LOVE Practice Area Breakdown Total listings in WWL: Central America - 18 Administrative & Public Law

Data, Telecoms & Media

Banking, Finance & Projects

Dispute Resolution

Competition

Enviornment, Energy & Natural Resources

Corporate

Franchise & Distribution

Aguilar Castillo Love is a well-established firm with a stellar reputation across the region. This year, it demonstrates its strengths in our research with 18 practitioners listed across eight different practice areas. The firm excels in corporate law, with five lawyers listed for their top-tier handling of corporate and M&A matters for domestic and international clients.

Aguilar Castillo Love sees three practitioners highlighted in our Banking, Finance & Projects chapter for their experience in financial regulation and high-value transactions. Three individuals are also recognised for their handling of administrative and constitutional law matters, including government procurement and complex public contracts. Outstanding individuals at the firm include John Aguilar-Quesada who

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maintains a first-class practice in corporate law, while Juan José Alcerro-Milla is highly sought after for his leading work in competition disputes and corporate M&A. Juan Carlos Castillo is recommended for his extensive work in the banking, corporate and energy fields. Rubén Zamora Castro is highlighted for his expertise in administrative and public law matters.

From its foundation, the firm has sought to distinguish itself by the excellence of the services provided. It has since then, steadily grown to become one of the most respected Law firms of Honduras and the whole Central-American region in the area of intellectual property, advertising, regulatory law and corporate law with clients ranging from individuals to some of the largest multinationals. Serving clients who sometimes are thousands of miles away from us is very demanding and prompt responses and fluent communications are very important. We understand that if a client in any capital or city of the world sends us a request or inquiry, it is because the matter is important and requires our immediate acknowledgement and attention. Given the unquestionable international nature of Intellectual Property, our partners and

associates attend to most of the International meetings, congresses and seminars organised by the leading organisations and associations oriented to this area of Law. We believe that personal contact is essential to build up longlasting relationships and provide an excellent opportunity to personally meet with clients, associates, correspondents and friends from all over the world. Each attorney at the firm takes pride in providing hands-on, personal service and finding sometimes unique, innovative and practical solutions to a wide range of legal issues. The rest of our staff shares this view and we have long been known to have one of the country’s highest loyalty records from our people. We recognise that welltrained, experienced and satisfied staff is essential to providing value with service.

Administrative & Public Law

ADMINISTRATIVE & PUBLIC LAW In this chapter, we recognise 40 lawyers for their outstanding work across a broad range of public law matters, including public-private partnerships, government contracts and public procurement.

Most Highly Regarded Alejandro Batalla Batalla San José

Manrique Jiménez Meza Corporación JIME San José

Aldo Milano Sánchez

Consultores en Derecho Público S.A San José

Luis Ortiz BLP San José

Costa Rica

The “excellent” Alejandro Batalla from Batalla is “one of the most traditional experts” in the market, regularly handling administrative law issues pertaining to financial markets, retail goods and construction. Aldo Milano Sánchez at Consultores en Derecho Público is held in high esteem by sources for his long-standing practice acting for clients in administrative litigation, constitutional law matters and arbitrations. Corporación JIME’s Manrique Jiménez Meza handles the full gamut of administrative disputes and is a well-regarded name in the market for his breadth of experience. Luis Ortiz at BLP receives effusive praise from commentators for his “quick response, impressive knowledge of the law and provision of brilliant and practical ideas”. Jose Enrique Rojas Franco at Rojas Franco & Asociados is recognised by peers as “one of the first public law experts” in Costa Rica and maintains a top-tier practice encompassing contentious administrative and constitutional law matters. Carlos Ubico of Arias is praised by sources for his substantial experience acting for public and private clients before the Costa Rican courts. DPI Legal’s Carlos Andrés Arguedas Vargas is highly sought after thanks to his strong

track-record “actively advising government entities on PPP projects and public bids”. Juan Carlos Castro Loría with Officium Lex garners plaudits as a “regular name in the field, known for his top-notch practice on public law with a concentration on tax litigations, audits and restructurings. Oller Abogados’ Rubén Hernández secures wide-ranging endorsements, not just for his “most renowned practice in constitutional law”, but also for his impressive academic background. Mauro Murillo Arias with Bufete Lic. Mauro Murillo Arias is a key name in the market who excels in resolving contentious and non-contentious procurement matters for corporations. Ruben Zamora Castro from Aguilar Castillo Love ranks highly among peers thanks to his extensive experience dealing with government contracts, public procurements and regulatory compliance.

El Salvador

BLP’s Zygmunt Brett draws widespread recommendations from peers and clients for his “sharp mind” and ability to untangle intricate administrative law matters in corporate transactions.

Guatemala

María Isabel Luján Zilbermann with QIL+4 Abogados is well regarded for her wealth

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of experience handling complex regulatory matters and transactions in the finance, retail and energy sectors. At Consortium Legal, Lionel Francisco Aguilar Salguero draws plaudits for his established tax and public law practice, with particular expertise in labour matters.

Honduras

Armando Manzanares from Consortium Legal possesses significant experience of administrative litigation, spanning disputes across a range of sectors including TMT and financial services.

Nicaragua

At Arias, Ana Teresa Rizo is highlighted for her first-rate work negotiating public and private procurement contracts and advising on privatisation structures for domestic and multinational companies.

Panama

Annette Bárcenas Olivardia from Alfaro Ferrer & Ramírez continues to impress clients from the telecoms, energy and public transportation sectors with her strong know-how and adept handling in regulatory and administrative law issues. Ivette Martinez of Ivette Martinez Attorneyat-Law is a top-drawer lawyer who frequently handles government procurement matters across an array of sectors, including energy, insurance, banking and capital markets.

Administrative & Public Law

Costa Rica

Guatemala

Honduras

Esteban Agüero Guier

Lionel Francisco Aguilar Salguero

Armando Manzanares

Lionel is a partner at Consortium Legal – Guatemala. With over 34 years of experience in the electric, sugar, banana, industrial and commercial sectors; he has experience in labour litigation and counselling. During his professional practice, he has been given the task of creating and directing new areas of work such as: criminal tax law, migration advisory to expatriates of multinational corporations, obtaining permits and licenses so that they can perform work in these territories. He has also been a promoter and director of the compliance area focused primarily on the criminal area, thus avoiding the linking of legal representatives to the criminal proceedings in question. During his career, he has elaborated the manual of labour inspectors sponsored by AID. In addition, he has negotiated collective agreements with unions, he has been a participant in labor justice commissions, representative of work organizations in national and international congresses. He has participated as an adviser in matters of work and social welfare to national and multinational groups, banks and local companies; and as a member of the examining panels of students in labour matters at the Law School of the Francisco Marroquín University and the Rafael Landívar University in Guatemala. He has a master’s in criminal law (closed curriculum) from the Faculty of Legal and Social Sciences, University of San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala (2006), and is an authorised lawyer and notary (1985). He speaks Spanish.

Armando is a partner at Consortium Legal – Honduras. With over 27 years of experience; he is a specialist in commercial and tax law. He also has an extensive experience in administrative law, intellectual property, arbitration, foreign investment and regulated sector. He is currently the director of the tax and administrative law practice. He is an adviser to important national and international companies and he has been featured in national and international publications for his knowledge and capacity in tax matters, corporate, civil and procedural law, but above all for his comprehensive management of the right in large financing projects, concessions, mergers and acquisitions of mercantile companies. He holds a juris doctor in commercial and tax law from the University of San Carlos of Guatemala, a master’s in business law from Suffolk Law School, Boston, United States, a postgraduate degree in international business from Georgetown, Washington, DC and INCAE Business School and a degree in Law from the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH), Honduras (1992). He speaks Spanish and English.

Aguilar Castillo Love

Esteban Aguero Guier is Partner of Aguilar Castillo Love since 2010 and is the managing partner of the firm in El Salvador since 2021. He is the head of the international litigation and arbitration department at ACL. Esteban is admitted to practice law in Costa Rica and New York and is in the process of admission in El Salvador. Mr Aguero is one of the lawyers in Central America who has participated in more investor-State arbitration cases. He has a broad experience working in the Corporate M&A transactions in the region. Before joining the firm, Mr Agüero was director in the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica, where he negotiated several Free Trade Agreements, including the FTAs with Europe and the United States. Mr Agüero holds an LLM from Georgetown University, a postgraduate diploma from the University of Barcelona and a JD from the University of Costa Rica.

San José, Escazú Centro Corporativo Plaza Roble San José Tel: +506 256-7261 eag@aguilarcastillolove.com www.aguilarcastillolove.com

WWL says: Esteban López Moreno is reognised as a top name in the Central American market for dispute resolution in commercial and civil law, both nationally and internationally. 8

Consortium Legal

Diagonal 6 10-01 zona 10 Centro Gerencial Las Margaritas Torre II Oficina 1402 Ciudad Guatemala City, 01010 Tel: +502 2279 3939 laguilar@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Lionel Augilar has over 30 years of experience in public law and litigation, where he has acted on complex collective agreements across a range of sectors. whoswholegal.com

Consortium Legal

Primera Calle # 304 Torre Consortium I. Colonia La Estancia Final del Bulevar Morazán. Tegucigalpa Tel: +504 2221 1002 amanzanares@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Armando Manzanares possesses significant experience of administrative litigation, spanning disputes across a range of sectors including TMT and financial services.

Administrative & Public Law

Panama

DIRECTORY An asterisk denotes practitioners who have profiles in the preceding pages. Nominees have been selected based on comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practitioners worldwide. Only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed.

Anibal Galindo

Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee Aníbal Galindo joined Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee in 1985 as one of its founding partners. Before this, he worked at law firm Rosas & Rosas (1982– 1985) and Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones SA (Bladex) (1978–1982). Since joining Alcogal, Mr Galindo’s professional practice has concentrated on corporate and M&A, real estate, banking, finance and capital markets, maritime and port facilities and tax law. Mr Galindo has advised Panamanian and international clients with their most pressing corporate needs, including: Ideal Living, Corp in connection with the master plan and development of Panama City’s largest and most exclusive mixed golf and residential development; First Quantum Minerals Ltd on its estimated US$5.1 billion acquisition of Toronto-based Inmet Mining Corp, which owns Minera Panama SA; Ingenieros Civiles Asociados (ICA) with all matters related to the construction of a ring road around Panama City; and Evergreen International in regards to all its shipping and ports needs in Panama. Mr Galindo has served in the board of directors of the National Banking Commission and the National Savings Bank. Mr Galindo has a Master of Laws (LLM) from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana (1979), and a Bachelor of Law and Political Science from the University of Panama (1978). He is a member of the National Bar Association of Panama, the Inter-Pacific Bar Association and the Banking Law Institute. He is fluent in Spanish and English.

Humboldt Tower, 2nd Floor East 53rd Street Panama City, PO Box 0819-09132 Tel: +507 269 2620 agalindo@alcogal.com www.alcogal.com

WWL says: Anibal Galindo excels as a go-to adviser for domestic and international clients in complex public law matters.

Belize

Pricilla J Banner Courtenay Coye LLP pbanner@courtenaycoye.com Iliana Swift Courtenay Coye LLP iswift@courtenaycoye.com

Costa Rica

Esteban Agüero Guier* Aguilar Castillo Love eag@aguilarcastillolove.com Carlos Andrés Arguedas Vargas DPI Legal carguedas@dpilegal.com Alejandro Batalla Batalla abatalla@batalla.cr Juan Carlos Castro Loría Officium Lex jccastro@officiumlex.net Luis Chacon BLP lchacon@blplegal.com Marvin Céspedes M EY Law marvin.cespedes@pachecocoto.com David Gutiérrez BLP dgutierrez@blpabogados.com Rubén Hernández Oller Abogados info@ollerabogados.com Manrique Jiménez Meza Corporación JIME manriquejimenez@corporacionjime.com Alfonso Liao Facio & Cañas aliao@fayca.com Enrique Lopez Dentons enrique.lopez@dentons.com Aldo Milano Sánchez Consultores en Derecho Público S.A consultas@cdp.co.cr Mauro Murillo Arias Bufete Lic. Mauro Murillo Arias Francisco Obando BLP fobando@blplegal.com Luis Ortiz BLP lortiz@blplegal.com

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Jose Enrique Rojas Franco Rojas Franco & Asociados info@rojasfranco.com Juan Jose Sobrado Chaves LLM Abogados jsobrado@llm.co.cr Carlos Ubico Arias carlos.ubico@ariaslaw.com Rubén Zamora Castro Aguilar Castillo Love rzc@aguilarcastillolove.com

El Salvador

Zygmunt Brett BLP zbrett@blplegal.com Eduardo Ángel Arias eduardo.angel@ariaslaw.com

Guatemala

Lionel Francisco Aguilar Salguero* Consortium Legal laguilar@consortiumlegal.com Rafael Briz Mayora & Mayora, SC rbriz@mayora-mayora.com Alejandro Cofiño QIL+4 Abogados acofino@qil4.com Liz Gordillo Arias liz.gordillo@ariaslaw.com María Isabel Luján Zilbermann QIL+4 Abogados mlujan@qil4.com Ana Gabriela Roca QIL+4 Abogados groca@4abogados.com.gt

Honduras

Armando Manzanares* Consortium Legal amanzanares@consortiumlegal.com Claribel Medina Central Law cmedina@central-law.com Fanny Rodríguez Arias fanny.rodriguez@ariaslaw.com Enrique Rodríguez-Burchard Aguilar Castillo Love erb@aguilarcastillolove.com

Nicaragua

Ana Teresa Rizo Arias ana.rizo@ariaslaw.com

Panama

Annette Bárcenas Olivardia Alfaro Ferrer & Ramírez abarcenas@afra.com Anibal Galindo* Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee agalindo@alcogal.com Gabriel González-Ruiz A Icaza González-Ruiz Alemán gabrielg@icazalaw.com Diego Herrera Dutari Galindo Arias y López dherrera@gala.com.pa

Administrative & Public Law

Siaska SSS Lorenzo Arias siaska.lorenzo@ariaslaw.com

Ivette Martinez Ivette Martinez Attorney-at-Law imartinez@ims.legal

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Asset Recovery

ASSET RECOVERY Here we present nine highly regarded lawyers, recognised for their impressive work in asset recovery, protection and tracing.

Most Highly Regarded Ashanti Arthurs Martin Balderamos Arthurs LLP Belize City

Rodrigo Callejas A Carrillo y Asociados Guatemala City

David M Mizrachi Fidanque MDU Legal Panama

Alejandro Pignataro Pignataro Abogados San José

Belize

Ashanti Arthurs Martin of Balderamos Arthurs comes highly recommended by sources as “a reliable and smart asset recovery lawyer” with deep expertise in multi-jurisdictional litigation. Fred Lumor at Fred Lumor & Co is held in high regard by his peers for his extensive knowledge on asset protection matters. Costa Rica The “outstanding” Alejandro Pignataro with Pignataro Abogados possesses over 20 years’ experience in corporate law and asset recovery.

DIRECTORY Nominees have been selected based on comprehensive, independent survey work with both general counsel and private practitioners worldwide. Only specialists who have met independent international research criteria are listed.

Dominican Republic

Prieto Cabrera & Asociados’ Aimee Prieto is celebrated by peers as “an outstanding asset recovery practitioner with a hands-on approach”. She is also applauded as “a pleasure to work with”.

Guatemala

Carrillo & Asociados enters three leading asset recovery lawyers into this year’s chapter. Rodrigo Callejas A is hailed by peers for his “deep cross border expertise” and international asset recovery practice. Alfonso Carrillo M is held in high esteem as a go-to lawyer for complex tax, asset recovery and fraud issues.

Belize

Ashanti Arthurs Martin Balderamos Arthurs LLP ashanti@balderamosarthurs.com Fred Lumor Fred Lumor & Co flumor_co@yahoo.com

Costa Rica

Alejandro Pignataro Pignataro Abogados apignataro@pignataroabogados.com

Dominican Republic Aimee Prieto Prieto Cabrera & Asociados SRL aprieto@prietocabrera.com

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Emanuel Callejas A comes highly regarded among interviewees for his technical approach to complex asset issues.

Panama

David Mizrachi Fidanque at MDU Legal is widely celebrated for his “integrity, lateral thinking and reliability”, with sources adding, “He always delivers on time and on budget.” Miguel Urriola Maylin of Maylin Fábrega Molino has over 20 years of experience in complex asset recovery and commercial dispute resolution proceedings.

Guatemala

Emanuel Callejas A Carrillo & Asociados emanuel.callejas@carrillolaw.com Rodrigo Callejas A Carrillo & Asociados rodrigo.callejas@carrillolaw.com Alfonso Carrillo M Carrillo & Asociados alfonso.carrillo@carrillolaw.com

Panama

David M Mizrachi Fidanque MDU Legal david@mdulegal.com Miguel E Urriola Maylin Fábrega Molino murriola@fmm.com.pa

Banking, Finance & Projects

BANKING, FINANCE & PROJECTS This year, 98 impressive lawyers are highlighted for their deep expertise in the Central American banking market.

Most Highly Regarded Alejandro Cofiño

Juan Alcalde Fernández

Mario Gómez Pacheco

Diego Herrera Dutari

Rolando Laclé Castro

Roberto León Gómez

Andrés López

Mario Quesada Bianchini

QIL+4 Abogados Guatemala City

Galindo Arias y López Panama City BLP San José

Costa Rica

Consortium Legal sees five leading lawyers recognised here. Mario Quesada Bianchini is held in high regard by sources who consider him “a world leader in the banking and finance sector”, regularly acting in national and international cases. Rolando Laclé Castro is a specialist in his field with over 55 years of experience working on complex banking, finance and international commercial transactions. Rolando Laclé Zúñiga is hailed by peers for his extensive experience and knowledge in all matters regarding banking and finance both locally and with cross-border transactions. David Arturo Campos is highly recommended for his outstanding work and “depth of knowledge” in complex banking regulation and finance transactions. Randall Barquero León impresses market sources who note he is “a distinguished banking lawyer with an excellent reputation” and “a real pleasure to work with”. Roberto León Gómez at Vector Legal is a top-notch lawyer renowned for his extensive practice in investment, banking and corporate law. Andrés López from BLP has an excellent track record of “thorough analysis” and “delivers a strategic approach” when assisting banks, financial institutions and multilateral organisations. Luis Hérnandez is esteemed by peers for his “impressive track record” in credit granting and bank financing matters for a

OMG Santo Domingo

Consortium Legal San José

Latamlex Abogados San José Vector Legal San José

Consortium Legal San José

wide range of clients.

Dominican Republic

OMG receives five listings here. Juan Alcalde Fernández is widely recognised for his first-rate banking and finance practice. His real estate and tourism expertise is further heralded. Esperanza Ivette Cabral Rubiera wins high praise from market sources impressed with her extensive knowledge of corporate banking and European Union law. Leonel Melo Guerrero is endorsed by sources as “a go-to lawyer” with “an excellent reputation” in corporate and financial law. Rebeca García Vilalta stands out in the Central America market for her stellar banking, regulatory and financing practice. Luis Pellerano from Pellerano Nadal Law & Consulting possesses four decades of experience assisting banking and financial services clients in complex cross-border transactions.

El Salvador

Arias stands out with four practitioners. Roberta Gallardo is recommended by peers as “a well organised practitioner who keeps an eye on costs and excels in complex transactions”. Armando Arias is a well-established figure in El Salvador for domestic and international banking and corporate law. Mario Lozano is highly regarded for “handling customer-attorney business and personal relations exceptionally well”. His “deep knowledge of all applicable laws” is received with further aplomb. Lilian Arias earns plaudits for her extensive experience advising large-scale

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domestic and international financial institutions in the gamut of relevant law. Zygmunt Brett from BLP comes highly praised by respondents as “an extremely skilled lawyer” who “consistently delivers comprehensive advice”.

Guatemala

Consortium Legal excels with four listings. Alvaro Rodrigo Castellanos Howell is cited by peers for being “an excellent and leading professional in Guatemala” for matters regarding banking, foreign investment and banking legislation. Sofía Escribá gains recognition for her first-class work handling high-value banking and M&A transactions, notably across the mining sector. Alfredo Rodriguez Mahuad is highly sought after for his over 35 years of experience handling banking and foreign investments in Guatemala, as well as Guatemalan investment abroad. Rafael Alvarado Riedel is a highly experienced lawyer, who focuses his top-tier practice on sophisticated banking and international commercial transactions. Alejandro Cofiño at QIL+4 Abogados draws praise for his top-tier work in financial law. His deep expertise assisting energy sector clients in banking and project finance matters is also lauded. Marcos Ibargüen Segovia stands out for his outstanding practice assisting international and Guatemalan companies in banking and financial law.

Banking, Finance & Projects

Rodrigo Callejas A from Carrillo & Asociados has an excellent reputation in cross-border restructuring, insolvency and bankruptcy proceedings.

José Ramón Paz gains recognition from peers for his comprehensive practice working with clients on high-value cross-border transactions.

Honduras

Lopez Rodezno & Asociados’ Rene López Rodezno comes highly recommended by sources who herald his incisive handling of complex banking, capital markets and M&A transactions.

Consortium Legal achieves three listings. José Rafael Rivera Ferrari is highly sought after by clients impressed with his stellar work in cross-border deals and investment transactions. Gustavo León-Gómez is a banking law specialist, revered for his in-depth understanding of related regulatory issues.

Nicaragua

José Evenor Taboada of Consortium Legal enjoys a sterling reputation in the Central American market, where he ranks highly for

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his excellence in banking and finance transactions, and foreign investment.

Panama

Diego Herrera Dutari at Galindo Arias y López cuts a distinguished figure in the market for his first-rate work in the financial restructuring of various banking institutions. Eloy Alfaro B from Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee is a widely respected figure in Panama market and is endorsed for his astute assistance to clients on the gamut of banking matters.

Banking, Finance & Projects

Costa Rica

Daniel Araya

Randall Barquero León

David Arturo Campos

Daniel is an Attorney and Notary Public with more than 20-years’ experience practising law. He has led specialist teams on mergers and acquisitions, as well as corporate, bank and tax law matters. He has worked with clients in several industries such as manufacturing, financial institutions, pharmaceutical, tourism, hospitality, real estate, energy and services, among others. Daniel heads FORZA, a trusted legal and consulting firm with an interdisciplinary team of seasoned professionals with more than 20 years of experience in offering legal and business services to local and foreign clients. It is the exclusive member in Costa Rica of the Alliot Global Alliance, which is the 6th largest multidisciplinary alliance of independent professional firms (accounting and law firms). The network has grown to more than 180 firm members in 80 countries around the world.

Randall is a partner at Consortium Legal – Costa Rica, he has extensive experience in the banking, finance and fintech sectors. His experience includes representing national and international banks and multilateral entities in local and crossborder lending and project finance transactions. Also, he has participated in several mergers and acquisitions in the banking industry, in Costa Rica and the region. He regularly provides advice to local and international banks in corporate matters, contracts, credit structuring, financial regulation and compliance. During his career, he has served as member of the board of the directors of the Costa Rica Chamber of Commerce, and as comptroller of the board of directors of Citibank Costa Rica. He joined Consortium in 2006 after working for more than seven years as in-house counsel for the BCT Financial Group in Costa Rica. He has a a specialisation in commercial law (with honours) (2001) and a law degree and notary public (1998) from the University of Costa Rica, Costa Rica, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the InterAmerican University, Costa Rica (1996) He speaks Spanish and English.

David is a partner al Consortium Legal – Costa Rica, he is an expert on regulatory matters of the financing market and a leading lawyer in the areas of banking, stock-exchange and commercial law. In his professional practice he carries out the legal management of acquisition processes of financial entities in Costa Rica and in Central American countries. Along his career David has served as credit director of the Central American Institute of Business Administration (INCAE), president of the board of directors of Scotiavalores, member of the board of directors of Fincomer Bank of Scotiabank of Costa Rica SA, as comptroller of LAFISE Bank, member of the board of the CEFA Fishel Group, member of the investment committee of Cuestamoras Group, and as faculty member of the Central American Institute of Business Administration (INCAE). He holds a law degree (with honours) from the Autonomous University of Central America, Costa Rica (1984). He speaks Spanish and English.

150mts oeste de la entrada principal de Oficentro El Cedral, Escazú Edificio Banco General 6º piso San José Tel: +506 2257 3553 rbarquero@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

150mts oeste de la entrada principal de Oficentro El Cedral, Escazú Edificio Banco General 6º piso San José Tel: +506 2257 3553 dacampos@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Randall Barquero León impresses market sources who note he is “a distinguished banking lawyer with an excellent reputation” and “a real pleasure to work with”.

WWL says: David Arturo Campos is highly recommended for his outstanding work and “depth of knowledge” in complex banking regulation and finance transactions.

FORZA LEGAL

Oficentro Plaza Aeropuerto Oficina G13A Alajuela Tel: +(506) 4350 0300 daraya@forza.legal https://www.forza.legal/

WWL says: Daniel Araya has over 20 years of experience of handling high-value banking and finance transactions for clients in the region as well as internationally.

Consortium Legal

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Consortium Legal

Banking, Finance & Projects

Rolando Laclé Castro

Rolando Laclé Zúñiga

Mario Quesada Bianchini

Rolando is founder and senior partner of Consortium Legal – Costa Rica. He is an expert on corporate and commercial, banking and finance, litigation, foreign investment and international commerce. Along his career, Mr Laclé has been member and president of the board of directors of Banco Anglo Costarricense, member and vice-president of the directive board at Banco Internacional de Costa Rica, vice president of the directive board of Lacsa, member of the directive board of Cemex and member of the directive board of DMC Abonos Agro. He was member and president of the Congress of Costa Rica, minister of presidency, elected congressman in the Congress of Costa Rica for 4th periods, and president at the International Affairs and Commercial Trade Commission. He is member of directive board of Volaris Airline and member of directive board of Davivienda Bank – Costa Rica. He has a a law degree (LLB) from the University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica (1964) and is authorised as a public notary (1963). He speaks Spanish and English.

Rolando is a partner at Consortium Legal – Costa Rica. With 29 years of experience, he specialises in mergers and acquisitions, foreign investment, international trade, real estate, civil and commercial litigation. He participated in multiple local and international transactions related mergers and acquisitions, securitisations, and real estate complex transactions. He has also acted as legal counsel in major litigation cases mainly in civil and commercial matters. During his career, he served as president of the International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration (2009–2011); and he was an adviser to former president of Costa Rica, Abel Pacheco (2002–2004). He was nominated by Latin Lawyer magazine as one of the 40 best attorneys under the age of 40 in Central America (2006) and by Chambers Global as one of the leading lawyers in Costa Rica. He has a master’s degree in law from Georgetown University, United States (1994), and an advance degree in commercial law (1993) and a law degree from the University of Costa Rica, Costa Rica (1990). He speaks Spanish and English.

Mario is a partner at Consortium Legal – Costa Rica. With 19 years of experience in the banking sector. He has an extensive experience in the commercial, banking and financial practice areas, especially in the acquisition of banking and financial institutions, leading integration and merger processes, and having a wide knowledge in related regulatory matters. During his career, he has participated in the designing and documentation processes of cross-border financing operations in Central America, representing banks and other international and multilateral financial institutions in both local and multi-jurisdictional transactions, with different guarantee structures. He has participated in the design and documentation of private equity funds for the development and acquisition of projects, as well as advising regulated entities such as investment funds, stock exchanges and insurance companies in their business operations and relationship with their supervisors. He has also participated in the securitisation of assets, as well as in the issuance of bonds and shares. He has been a member of boards of directors of private banks and insurance companies. He has a master’s degree in comparative law from the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain (1997) and a law degree (with honours) from the University of Costa Rica, Costa Rica (1988). He speaks Spanish and English.

150mts oeste de la entrada principal de Oficentro El Cedral, Escazú Edificio Banco General 6º piso San José Tel: +506 2257 3553 rlaclec@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

150mts oeste de la entrada principal de Oficentro El Cedral, Escazú Edificio Banco General 6º piso San José Tel: +506 2257 3553 rlacle@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

150mts oeste de la entrada principal de Oficentro El Cedral, Escazú Edificio Banco General 6º piso San José Tel: +506 2257 3553 mquesada@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Rolando Laclé Castro is a specialist in his field, working on complex banking, finance and international commercial transactions.

WWL says: Rolando Laclé Zúñiga is hailed by peers for his extensive experience and knowledge in all matters regarding banking and finance both locally and with crossborder transactions.

WWL says: Mario Quesada Bianchini is held in high regard by sources who consider him “a world leader in the banking and finance sector”, regularly acting in national and international cases.

Consortium Legal

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Consortium Legal

Banking, Finance & Projects

El Salvador

Guatemala

Oscar Samour

Rafael Alvarado Riedel

Consortium Legal

Oscar is partner at Consortium Legal – El Salvador. With 16 years of experience; he has an extensive experience in banking and finance, mergers and acquisitions, and conflict resolution and transactions with multiple jurisdictions. He has recently participated as a leading lawyer in the granting of financing by Credit Suisse to Imperia Intercontinental INC for the acquisition of Citibank shares in El Salvador. He has a great international experience, having worked as an international associate at King & Spalding LLP in Washington, DC. In addition, he led the acquisition of AIG’s operations in El Salvador by Panamanian insurance company ASSA and the sale of Finca Microfinanzas El Salvador to Optima Servicios Financieros. Oscar has an LLM in international arbitration (with honours) from the University of Pepperdine, United States (2009), he studied the American legal system at the school of law of University of Columbia, United States (2006) and received a degree in legal science (honourable mention) from José Simeón Cañas Central American University, El Salvador (2005). He speaks Spanish and English.

Calle Llama del Bosque Poniente Urb Madre Selva III Edificio Avante Local 3-13 Antiguo Cuscatlán, La Libertad San Salvador Tel: +503 2209 1600 osamour@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Oscar Samour is a banking and corporate finance specialist, where he is well versed in working with local and international financial institutions on loan structuring for Salvadoran entities. 16

Consortium Legal

Alvaro Rodrigo Castellanos Howell Consortium Legal

Rafael Alvarado Riedel is a partner at Consortium Legal – Guatemala. He has extensive experience in foreign investment, project finance, international mercantile contracts, telecommunications, tax law and mergers and acquisitions. Mr Alvarado attended Francisco Marroquín University, Guatemala, where he received a master’s in mercantile law and business administration cum laude in 2003 and The College of Law of England and Wales with the International Bar Association, where he received a practice diploma in international business organisations in 2004. He has a diploma in “The Harvard Method” from Centro de Mediacion y Negociacion Internacional as well as a certificate in Multilateral Commercial Negotiations from The World Trade Organisation. He is a member of the International Bar Association (IBA), American Bar Association (ABA) and Guatemalan Bar Association. Language: Spanish, English and German.

Álvaro is a partner at Consortium Legal – Guatemala. With 33 years of experience in the banking sector; he has experience in arbitration, foreign investment, mergers and acquisitions and banking legislation. He recently participated in the acquisition by Promerica Financial Corporation of Banco Citibank of Guatemala, SA, Cititarjetas, Limitada and other related companies in an operation that will reach US$1,474 million in assets and nearly 100 bank branches. During his career, he has served as chairman of the board of directors of the conflict resolution commission of the Chamber of Industry of Guatemala; he participated as judge of an ad hoc case Tiu Tojín vs State of Guatemala of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights; he was a member of Guatemala before the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (2006–2018); member of the editorial board of IURISTEC (an edited compilation of judicial judgement publications), university professor, columnist in El Periodico and as former dean of the Faculty of Legal and Social Sciences of the Rafael Landívar University. He is a candidate for Doctorate in Law from the University of San Carlos of Guatemala, he holds a Master of Laws (LLM) with a specialisation in comparative and international law (FulbrightLaspau Scholar) from the Law School Columbia University, United States (1990) and a degree in legal and social sciences from the Rafael Landivar University, Guatemala (1986). He speaks English and Spanish.

Diagonal 6 10-01 zona 10 Centro Gerencial Las Margaritas Torre II Oficina 1402 Ciudad Guatemala City, 01010 Tel: +502 2324 3939 ralvarado@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

Diagonal 6 10-01 zona 10 Centro Gerencial Las Margaritas Torre II Oficina 1402 Ciudad Guatemala City, 01010 Tel: +502 2279 3939 acastellanos@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Rafael Alvarado Riedel is a highly experienced lawyer, who focuses his top-tier practice on sophisticated banking and international commercial transactions.

WWL says: Alvaro Rodrigo Castellanos Howell is cited by peers for being “an excellent and leading professional in Guatemala” for matters regarding banking, foreign investment and banking legislation.

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Banking, Finance & Projects

Honduras

Sofía Escribá

Alfredo Rodriguez Mahuad

Gustavo León-Gómez

Sofía is a partner at Consortium Legal - Guatemala. She has more than 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specialises in mergers and acquisitions and legal advice in the regulated sector with emphasis in mining. She has experience in contract negotiation and shareholder agreements, foreign investment and taxes. She is an expert in corporate governance, reorganisation of businesses and family businesses. She is one of the Guatemalan lawyers admitted to the New York Bar. Currently, she is the president of the board of directors of Transforma, the local chapter of women in the profession of the Cyrus R Vance Center for International Justice. During her career, she has been director of corporate affairs for a transnational company in the mining sector. She has also given a seminar on strategic resources and has been an assistant professor of tax law.

Alfredo is a partner at Consortium Legal – Guatemala. With 38 years of professional experience in the sectors of foods and beverages, financial services, real estate, agro-industry business, pharmaceutical and life sciences, aviation, manufactures, professional services and startups; he has experience advising companies in matters that include taxes and corporate matters, related to mergers and acquisitions transactions, private equity investments, financial transactions and project financing, foreign investments in Guatemala and Guatemalan investments abroad. He is also an adviser to natural persons and family groups on tax and inheritance planning. Likewise, he has an extensive practice in corporate law and leads real estate and entrepreneurship practice. During his career, he was a university professor in tax matters at the undergraduate level, as well as at the master’s and specialisation level at the Francisco Marroquín University. For the past 25 years, he has continued to teach tax law at the bachelor’s level and at the level of masters and specialisation. He is currently president of the International Fiscal Association (Guatemala) and belongs to several local and international tax associations. He has acted as legal adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala (2004– 2006); as main legal adviser for Guatemala for the legal review of the FTA between the Dominican Republic, Central America and the United States (2004) and a personal legal adviser of the Minister of Economy of Guatemala during the negotiations of the FTA between Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Mexico (2000–2001). He holds a Master of Laws from the Law Center pf Georgetown University, United States (1982) and a degree in legal and social sciences from the Rafael Landívar University, Guatemala (1981). He speaks Spanish and English.

Gustavo is a partner at Consortium Legal – Honduras. With 25 years of experience, he is specialised in the areas of banking, regulatory, commercial contracting, litigation and arbitration. He has a special emphasis on advising corporate and consumer loans, and advising local and international financial institutions in the regulatory field; with extensive experience in credit cards, local, cross-border banking and credit operations, including structuring of guarantees for syndicated loans, financing of projects, as well as to diverse mercantile companies in all areas of commercial contracting, public and private construction contracts, investments, free trade agreements and bilateral and multilateral investment treaties, public associations, private and concessions. He has been part in multiple local, international arbitrations and before the Central American Court of Justice in matters of community law. He holds a Master of Business Law from Suffolk Law School, Boston, a postgraduate degree in law in the area of international business from Georgetown University, Washington DC, and the Central American Institute of Business Administration (INCAE) and a law degree from the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH), Honduras (1994). He speask Spanish and English.

WWL says: Alfredo Rodriguez Mahuad is highly sought after for his over 35 years of experience handling banking and foreign investments in Guatemala, as well as Guatemalan investment abroad.

WWL says: Gustavo León-Gómez is a banking law specialist, revered for his in-depth understanding of related regulatory issues.

Consortium Legal

Diagonal 6 10-01 zona 10 Centro Gerencial Las Margaritas Torre II Oficina 1402 Ciudad Guatemala City, 01010 Tel: +502 2324 3939 ext 307 sescriba@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Sofía Escribá gains recognition for her first-class work handling high-value banking and M&A transactions, notably across the mining sector.

Consortium Legal

Diagonal 6 10-01 zona 10 Centro Gerencial Las Margaritas Torre II Oficina 1402 Ciudad Guatemala City, 01010 Tel: +502 2324 3939 arodriguez@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

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Consortium Legal

Primera Calle # 304 Torre Consortium I. Colonia La Estancia Final del Bulevar Morazán. Tegucigalpa Tel: + 504 2221 - 1002 Ext. 103 gleongomez@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

Banking, Finance & Projects

Honduras

Nicaragua

Panama

José Ramón Paz

José Evenor Taboada

Eloy Alfaro B

Jose Ramón Paz P is a co-founder of Consortium Legal – Honduras where he is currently the managing partner and a practitioner in the banking law, mergers and acquisitions and agency and partnership groups. As a practitioner he has recently coordinated and participated in large cross-border financial transactions, involving multi-national banks and local and regional institutional borrowers, also structuring guarantee solutions through trusts in some of those cases. He has been a substitute judge of the Supreme Court in Honduras, has participated in cross-border financial transactions for amounts ranging between US$30 million and US$1,700 million, involving international banks and local and regional borrowers, structuring guarantee trusts for some of them, participated in cross-border mergers and acquisitions for amounts ranging between US$50 million and US$650 million, involving foreign purchasers and local sellers, among other matters. Jose holds an LLM with orientation in financial institutions and transactions from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, United States (1982) and a Juris Doctor with specialisation in commercial law and banking law from the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH), Honduras (1978). He speaks Spanish and English.

José Evenor Taboada is founder and managing partner of Nicaragua's office. In addition, he is currently the honorary British consul and honorary Swedish consul in Nicaragua and board member of different organisations including Operation Smile Nicaragua (an NGO chapter of Operation Smile International) and Funides (a think tank focused on economic and social development); president of the board at Teletón (NGO focused on the treatment of handicap children) and also president of the board at Unirse (an NGO focused on promoting the social responsibility among the private sector). He continues to teach law at the Tomas Moro University. Mr Taboada has more than 45 years of legal practice. His experience includes legal services to the government of Nicaragua in the negotiations on the external debt with major commercial banks, the IDB, the World Bank and the IMF, as well as the Paris Club. In private practice he has been local counsel for major companies including large local and international companies such as: Wal-Mart, General Electric, Sony, Caterpillar, Citi, GE Finance and the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE), among others, as well as many of the largest local companies, including banks, electricity and generating companies, telecommunications and mining. He has been president of the Central Bank of Nicaragua and Financial Investments; he has also been member of the board of directors of the Superintendence of Banks and Financial Institutions. Mr Taboada obtained his law degree at the Law School of the University of Chile and his doctorate in the science of law (JSD) from Cornell University, New York.

Eloy Alfaro B joined Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee as an associate in 2004 and became a partner in 2011. His professional practice concentrates on banking, finance and capital markets, corporate and M&A, public bids and concession contracts, and real estate law. Mr Alfaro has been active in assisting local and international clients in mergers and acquisitions, such as Citibank NA, the Bank of Nova Scotia and BBVA in banking acquisitions, mergers and dispositions in Panama, in addition to assisting many international banks and companies in local and cross-border financing transactions. Mr Alfaro has also helped advise Panamanian and international clients in important public bid projects, including: the contractor Grupo Unidos por el Canal in the construction of the Third Set of Locks for the Panama Canal Expansion; London & Regional Panama, SA in the master development of the former Howard Air Force Base; and Vinci Construction Grands Projets in the construction of a third suspension bridge over the Panama Canal on the Atlantic side of the country. Mr Alfaro has served as secretary of the board of directors of London & Regional Panama, SA since 2007 and as member of the board of directors of GNB Sudameris Bank, SA since 2011. Mr Alfaro has been a member of the board of directors of the Panama Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture since 2016 and Cemento Chagres, SA since 2019. Mr Alfaro has a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Columbia University in the City of New York. Mr Alfaro has been recognised by Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500 and by IFLR1000 as a leading lawyer. He is a member of the National Bar Association of Panama. He is fluent in Spanish and English.

Consortium Legal

Primera Calle # 304 Torre Consortium I. Colonia La Estancia Final del Bulevar Morazán Tegucigalpa Tel: +504 2221 1002 jrpaz@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: José Ramón Paz gains recognition from peers for his comprehensive practice working with clients on high-value cross-border transactions.

Consortium Legal

Del antiguo Hospital Militar 1 cuadra al Norte Managua Tel: + 505 2254 5454 jetaboada@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: José Evenor Taboada enjoys a sterling reputation in the Central American market, where he ranks highly for his excellence in banking and finance transactions, and foreign investment. whoswholegal.com

Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee

Humboldt Tower, 2nd Floor East 53rd Street Panama City, PO Box 0819-09132 Tel: +507 269 26 20 ealfaro@alcogal.com www.alcogal.com

WWL says: Eloy Alfaro earns plaudits from respondents, who herald his encyclopaedic knowledge of domestic and cross-border corporate law and M&A transactions.

Banking, Finance & Projects

Panama

Estif Aparicio

Ricardo M Arango

Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega Estif Aparicio joined Arias, Fabrega & Fabrega (ARIFA) in 2000 and became a partner in 2011. Mr Aparicio is member of the firm’s executive committee. He also heads the firm’s capital markets & banking practice group, the taxation group, and the regulatory work group. Estif Aparicio is a skilled corporate lawyer used to advise clients on highly complex infrastructure finance projects, both in the private and public side, with a special focus on the energy, public transportation, roadways, airports, and health sectors. Mr Aparicio has outstanding deal management and broad expertise setting up a variety of structures, including syndicated and bilateral, secured and unsecured, and domestic and crossborder financing. He has represented creditors in the biggest and perhaps most complex transactions in Panama in recent years, including the expansion of the Tocumen International Airport; the construction of the first, second, and third line of the Panama City Metro; the construction of the Cinta Costera phases I, II and III; and the implementation of the Metro Bus, Panama City new public transportation system. He has a unique insight to the power generation industry and the Panamanian government “green energy” policy favoring wind, solar, gas, and hydroelectric generation, having represented the lenders that have provided financing to over 35% of the total generation capacity of the country. From 2004 to 2006, the firm granted Mr Aparicio a leave of absence to serve the Panamanian government as Chief Trade Negotiator of all bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements. In this capacity, Mr Aparicio coordinated Panama’s participation in the Doha Round of Negotiations of the World Trade Organization and successfully negotiated free trade agreements with the United States, Singapore, and Chile.

Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega From 2006 to 2007, Mr Aparicio worked for the law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP in New York, participating in capital markets, M&A and project finance transactions. Mr Aparicio has a Master of Laws from the University of Houston Law Center and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Panama. He is admitted to practise in Panama and New York.

Ricardo M Arango joined Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega in 1987 and became a partner in 1995. He is co-managing partner and member of the firm’s executive committee. He also heads the firm’s M&A practice group, and leads the securities regulation team. Mr Arango has also been commended for his leading role in many of the largest and most complex financial and M&A deals in Panama and the Central America region: the Republic of Panama’s Brady Bonds offer; the first securitizations of credit cards receivables, toll road payments, DPRs and residential mortgages in Panama; the IPOs of Bladex, COPA and Panamerican Beverages on the NYSE; Telefónica’s acquisition of BellSouth; the public tender offer by Bancolombia of Banagrícola; and the merger between Banco General and Banco Continental, resulting in Panama’s largest bank. Mr Arango has been instrumental in creating many of the financial structures that are now common in Panama. He spearheaded the 1999 Presidential Commissions that drafted Panama’s current securities act and later on drafted the rules of operation of LatinClear, Panama’s clearing and settlement agency. Mr Arango is director of the Panama Canal Authority; director of BLADEX, a NYSE-listed company; director of Banco General and a member of the Latin America Business Council. Mr Arango completed his LLB at the University of Panama (1983), an LLM at Harvard Law School (1984) and an LLM at Yale Law School (1985). He was a Fulbright scholar. He is admitted to the Bar in Panama and New York.

ARIFA Building, 10th Floor, West Boulevard Santa María Business District, PO Box 0816-01098 Panama City Tel: +507 205 7000 eaparicio@arifa.com www.arifa.com

ARIFA Building, 10th Floor, West Boulevard Santa María Business District, PO Box 0816-01098 Panama City Tel: +507 205 7000 rarango@arifa.com www.arifa.com

WWL says: Estif Aparicio stands out for his involvement in some of the most high-profile corporate tax issues in Panama.

WWL says: Ricardo Arango leads large and complex financial M&A, advising clients in connection with medium-term note programmes, commercial paper programs, syndicated term and revolving loan agreements, to name a few.

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Banking, Finance & Projects

Panama

Carlos G Cordero

Roy C Durling

Arturo Gerbaud

Carlos Cordero joined Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee in 1985 as a founding partner. His professional practice is concentrated on corporate law, commercial law, telecommunications, banking and administrative law. Mr Cordero has advised domestic and international companies on a broad array of legal and commercial matters. Mr Cordero has served on Special Missions for the Defence of the International Services from 1999 to 2012; as vice minister of Foreign Affairs from 1993 to 1994; and on the National Council of Foreign Affairs in the periods from 1993 to 1994 and from 1999 to 2004. He is also on the board of directors of Cable & Wireless Panama, SA, Electra Noreste, SA and he is a member of the Panama Bar Association. Mr Cordero has a Bachelor of Law and Political Sciences from Universidad de Panama. Mr Cordero has been recognised as a Senior Statesman in the areas of banking and finance, corporate and M&A, and projects by the prestigious publication Chambers and Partners. He has also been recognised as a leading lawyer in the areas of corporate M&A and corporate governance by Who’s Who Legal. He is fluent in Spanish and English.

Roy C Durling joined the firm in 1991 and became a partner in 2001. Mr Durling is a member of the firm's executive committee and head of the firm's business and corporate law group. A versatile lawyer with skills in a wide range of corporate and commercial law areas, Mr Durling advises international clients on the negotiation and structure of aviation financing deals. In recent years, he has advised international financial institutions on the sale and delivery of aircraft as COPA, the Panamanian airline, expands its fleet of international transport based in Tocumen International Airport. Mr Durling has a juris doctor from Cornell University and a bachelor of arts from Georgetown University. He is admitted to the Bar in Panama and New York. 1986–1990: He worked in New York with Haight, Gardner, Poor & Havens (today, Holland & Knight LLP) in the area of asset-based financing.

Mr Gerbaud joined Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee as an associate in 1990 and became partner in 1992. Currently, Mr Gerbaud is the managing partner of the firm and head of the banking and finance, capital markets, and mergers and acquisitions departments. Mr Gerbaud has represented many leading local and international financial institutions including Citibank NA, the Bank of Nova Scotia, Banco General SA, HSBC, BBVA and Banco Santander SA, among others. Mr Gerbaud has participated in some of the largest and most complex financial transactions that have taken place in Panama. Moreover, Mr Gerbaud was part of the High Level Presidential Commission for the Modernisation for the Capital Markets Commission, and was one of the drafters of the Panama Securities Act. He also served for 16 years as a member of the board of directors of the Superintendency of Banks of Panama. He is director and president of Central Latinoamericana de Valores, SA, Latinex Holdings, Inc., and Bolsa de Valores de Panamá, SA. He is a member of the Panama Bar Association and director of Soluciones de Microfinanzas S.A. (Microserfín). Mr Gerbaud has been recognised by the prestigious legal publications Chambers and Partners, the International Financial Law Review (IFLR) and The Legal 500 as one of Panama’s leading lawyers for banking and finance, capital markets, and corporate/M&A. Mr Gerbaud has a master’s degree in law (LLM) from Duke University; and a bachelor’s degree in law and political sciences from Universidad Santa María La Antigua. He is fluent in English and Spanish.

Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee

Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega

Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee

Humboldt Tower, 2nd Floor East 53rd Street Panama City, PO Box 0819-09132 Tel: +507 269 2620 ccordero@alcogal.com www.alcogal.com

ARIFA Building, 10th Floor, West Boulevard Santa María Business District, PO Box 0816-01098 Panama City Tel: +507 205 7041 rcdurling@arifa.com www.arifa.com

Humboldt Tower, 2nd Floor East 53rd Street Panama City, PO Box 0819-09132 Tel: +507 269 2620 agerbaud@alcogal.com www.alcogal.com

WWL says: Carlos Cordero is a highly endorsed lawyer with an extensive practice spanning banking, finance, capital markets and dispute resolution issues.

WWL says: Roy Durling is a seasoned practitioner with in-depth asset-based financing expertise, which he uses to assist clients with interests in Panama.

WWL says: Arturo Gerbaud has a go-to reputation in the Central American market for complex securities and project financing matters.

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Banking, Finance & Projects

Costa Rica

John Aguilar-Osborne Aguilar Castillo Love jao@aguilarcastillolove.com Arturo Apéstegui Barzuna EY Law arturo.apestegui@cr.ey.com Daniel Araya* FORZA LEGAL daraya@forza.legal Randall Barquero León* Consortium Legal rbarquero@consortiumlegal.com David Arturo Campos* Consortium Legal dacampos@consortiumlegal.com Esteban Carranza Vector Legal ecarranza@vectorlegal.co.cr Luis M Castro BLP lcastro@blplegal.com Ricardo Cordero Baltodano Cordero & Cordero Abogados rcb@corderoabogados.com Hernán Cordero-Maduro Cordero & Cordero Abogados hcm@corderoabogados.com Víctor MI Garita Arias victor.garita@ariaslaw.com Neftalí Garro BLP ngarro@blplegal.com David Gutiérrez BLP dgutierrez@blpabogados.com Mario Gómez Pacheco Latamlex Abogados mgomez@latamlex.com Luis Hérnandez BLP lhernandez@blplegal.com Rolando Laclé Castro* Consortium Legal rlaclec@consortiumlegal.com Rolando Laclé Zúñiga* Consortium Legal rlacle@consortiumlegal.com Roberto León Gómez Vector Legal rleon@vectorlegal.co.cr Vicente Lines Arias vicente.lines@ariaslaw.com

Andrés López BLP alopez@blplegal.com Franklin Matamoros Calderón LLM Abogados fmatamoros@llm.co.cr José Antonio Muñoz Dentons joseantonio.munoz@dentons.com Hernán Pacheco O EY Law hernan.pacheco@cr.ey.com Mario Quesada Bianchini* Consortium Legal mquesada@consortiumlegal.com

Dominican Republic

Juan Alcalde Fernández OMG j.alcalde@omg.com.do Awilda M Alcantara-Bourdier Squire Patton Boggs awilda.alcantarabourdier@squirepb.com Francisco Alvarez Valdez Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernandez falvarez@hrafdom.com Esperanza Ivette Cabral Rubiera OMG e.cabral@omg.com.do Laura Feliz DR&R Abogados y Consultores Fiscales l.feliz@drr-law.com Mary Fernández Rodríguez Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernandez mfernandez@hrafdom.com Pedro O Gamundi Squire Patton Boggs pedro.gamundi@squirepb.com Rebeca García Vilalta OMG r.garcia@omg.com.do Carolina León Pellerano & Herrera c.leon@phlaw.com Rhina M Martinez Brea Squire Patton Boggs rhina.martinezbrea@squirepb.com Leonel Melo Guerrero OMG l.melo@omg.com.do Luis R Pellerano Pellerano Nadal Law & Consulting lpellerano@pellerano.com Alejandro Peña-Prieto Squire Patton Boggs alejandro.penaprieto@squirepb.com Roberto Rizik Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernandez rrizik@hrafdom.com Jaime M Senior Fernández Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernandez jsenior@headrick.com.do Manuel Troncoso Hernández OMG m.troncoso@omg.com.do

El Salvador

Armando Arias Arias armando.arias@ariaslaw.com Lilian Arias Arias lilian.arias@ariaslaw.com

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Zygmunt Brett BLP zbrett@blplegal.com Ricardo A Cevallos Ricardo Cevallos y Asociados rc@cevalloscortez.com Roberta Gallardo Arias roberta.gallardo@ariaslaw.com Mario Lozano Arias mario.lozano@ariaslaw.com Ana Patricia Portillo Reyes Guandique Segovia Quintanilla - LatamLex pportillo@latamlex.com Carlos Quintanilla Schmidt Guandique Segovia Quintanilla - LatamLex cquintanilla@latamlex.com Oscar Samour* Consortium Legal osamour@consortiumlegal.com Benjamin Valdez Iraheta Benjamín Valdez & Asociados bvaldez@bvaldezlaw.com

Guatemala

Rodolfo Alegria T Carrillo & Asociados rodolfo.alegria@carrillolaw.com Rafael Alvarado Riedel* Consortium Legal ralvarado@consortiumlegal.com Alejandro Arenales Farner BLP aarenales@blplegal.com Jorge Luis Arenales de la Roca Arias jorgeluis.arenales@ariaslaw.com Rodrigo Callejas A Carrillo & Asociados rodrigo.callejas@carrillolaw.com Alfonso Carrillo M Carrillo & Asociados alfonso.carrillo@carrillolaw.com Alvaro Rodrigo Castellanos Howell* Consortium Legal acastellanos@consortiumlegal.com Juan Carlos Castillo Aguilar Castillo Love jcc@aguilarcastillolove.com Alejandro Cofiño QIL+4 Abogados acofino@qil4.com Sofía Escribá* Consortium Legal sescriba@consortiumlegal.com Marcos Ibargüen Segovia QIL+4 Abogados mibarguen@qil4.com Eduardo A Mayora Mayora & Mayora, SC emayora@mayora-mayora.com Claudia Pereira Mayora & Mayora, SC cpereira@mayora-mayora.com José E Quiñones QIL+4 Abogados jquinones@qilsc.com Alfredo Rodriguez Mahuad* Consortium Legal arodriguez@consortiumlegal.com Alfredo Skinner-Klee Skinner-Klee & Asociados - LatamLex skinner-klee@latamlex.com

Banking, Finance & Projects

José Augusto Toledo Clarity Law jose.toledo@claritylaw.com

Honduras

Juan José Alcerro-Milla Aguilar Castillo Love jja@aguilarcastillolove.com Evangelina Lardizabal Arias evangelina.lardizabal@ariaslaw.com Gustavo León-Gómez* Consortium Legal gleongomez@consortiumlegal.com Rene López Rodezno Lopez Rodezno & Asociados rene@lopezrodezno.com Dennis Matamoros Batson Matamoros Batson & Asociados dennis.matamoros@matamorosbatson.com Oscar Armando Melara Facussé Melara & Asociados omelara@melarayasociados.com José Ramón Paz* Consortium Legal jrpaz@consortiumlegal.com José Rafael Rivera Ferrari Consortium Legal jrivera@consortiumlegal.com

Nicaragua

Bertha Argüello Arias bertha.arguello@ariaslaw.com Ernesto Rizo BLP erizo@blplegal.com

José Evenor Taboada* Consortium Legal jetaboada@consortiumlegal.com Gloria Maria de Alvarado Alvarado y Asociados gmalvara@alvaradoyasociados.com.ni

Panama

Alvaro A Alemán H Icaza González-Ruiz Alemán alvaroa@icazalaw.com Eloy Alfaro B* Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee ealfaro@alcogal.com Estif Aparicio* Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega eaparicio@arifa.com Ricardo M Arango* Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega rarango@arifa.com Francisco Arias Morgan & Morgan francisco.arias@morimor.com Salomon J Behar Galindo Arias y López sbehar@gala.com.pa Alida Benedetti Benedetti & Benedetti alida@benedetti.com.pa Cecilio Castillero SIGMA International and Global Market Attorneys ccastillero@sigmalawfirm.com Ana Carolina Castillo Solis Morgan & Morgan ana.castillo@morimor.com

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Luis A Chalhoub M Icaza González-Ruiz Alemán luisch@icazalaw.com Carlos G Cordero* Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee ccordero@alcogal.com Roberto De Araujo Galindo Arias y López roberto@gala.com.pa Roy C Durling* Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega rcdurling@arifa.com Inocencio Galindo Morgan & Morgan inocencio.galindo@morimor.com Arturo Gerbaud* Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee agerbaud@alcogal.com Diego Herrera Dutari Galindo Arias y López dherrera@gala.com.pa Alexis V Herrera Jr Icaza González-Ruiz Alemán alexishjr@icazalaw.com Cristina Lewis de la Guardia Galindo Arias y López clewis@gala.com.pa Alfredo Ramírez Jr Alfaro Ferrer & Ramírez aramirez@afra.com Ramón Varela Morgan & Morgan ramon.varela@morimor.com

Competition

COMPETITION This year’s research identifies 19 leading lawyers who stand out for their experience handling a wide range of competition matters, including antitrust investigations and transactional and regulatory matters.

Most Highly Regarded Uri Weinstok BLP San José

Costa Rica

Uri Weinstok of BLP is a well-regarded practitioner with a stellar reputation thanks to his expertise in competition law. He regularly handles merger clearance and undertakes audits. Competition law expert Edgar Odio with Facio & Cañas focuses his first-rate practice on consumer protection and foreign investment. At Zurcher Odio & Raven, Claudio Donato Monge is a pre-eminent anti-trust advocate who excels at representing large domestic and international clients. Ignacio Gallegos is a vastly experienced practitioner who regularly advises clients on complex competition matters.

El Salvador

Guandique Segovia Quintanilla – LatamLex execels with three listings.

Oscar Mauricio Hurtado Saldana is highlighted by market sources as a “very good lawyer”, known for his adept handling of a broad range of competition issues. Carlos Mauricio Guzmán Segovia ranks highly among peers thanks to his renowned competition practice, where he frequently advises clients from the construction and entertainment industries. Carlos Quintanilla Schmidt Jimenez is a top-tier practitioner who stands out for his insightful corporate law knowledge and regularly advises banks and financial institutions. Antonio Mendez of Romero Pineda & Asociados is distinguished as “excellent” by market commentators who commend his work in anti-competitive matters.

superb anti-trust practice that spans the full spectrum of international commercial investment. Paul Handal Montoya with Matamoros Batson & Asociados - Latamlex is a wellregarded practitioner who has built up an impressive reputation for his work on transfer pricing, as well as contentious and non-contentious tax matters. José Rafael Rivera Ferrari at Consortium Legal is lauded for his tremendous experience in competition law and his profound understanding of antitrust issues.

Honduras

Juan José Alcerro-Milla of Aguilar Castillo Love comes highly esteemed thanks to his

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Competition

Costa Rica

John Aguilar-Quesada Aguilar Castillo Love jaq@aguilarcastillolove.com Claudio Donato Monge Zurcher Odio & Raven claudio.donato@zurcherodioraven.com Andrey Dorado Arias andrey.dorado@ariaslaw.com

Ignacio Gallegos Zurcher Odio & Raven ignacio.gallegos@zurcherodioraven.com Edgar Odio Facio & Cañas eodio@fayca.com Henry Rodriguez Nassar Abogados hrodriguez@nassarabogados.com Uri Weinstok BLP uweinstok@blplegal.com

El Salvador

Oscar Mauricio Hurtado Saldana Guandique Segovia Quintanilla - LatamLex mhurtado@latam-lex.com Carlos Mauricio Guzmán Segovia Guandique Segovia Quintanilla - LatamLex cmguzmans@gsqlaw.com Antonio Mendez Romero Pineda & Asociados amendez@romeropineda.com Fernando Montano Arias fernando.montano@ariaslaw.com

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Carlos Quintanilla Schmidt Guandique Segovia Quintanilla - LatamLex cquintanilla@latamlex.com

Honduras

Juan José Alcerro-Milla Aguilar Castillo Love jja@aguilarcastillolove.com Ricardo Alfredo Duarte Jimenez Garcia & Bodan ricardo.duarte1@garciabodan.com Paul Handal Montoya Matamoros Batson & Asociados phandal@latamlex.com Dennis Matamoros Batson Matamoros Batson & Asociados dennis.matamoros@matamorosbatson.com J. Vanessa Oquelí De Riera Garcia & Bodan vanessa.oqueli@garciabodan.com José Rafael Rivera Ferrari Consortium Legal jrivera@consortiumlegal.com

Nicaragua

Terencio J García Montenegro Garcia & Bodan terencio.garcia@garciabodan.com

Corporate

CORPORATE This year’s research into the Central American market sees 111 leading lawyers recognised in this chapter for their experience across the full spectrum of corporate affairs and transactional matters.

Most Highly Regarded John Aguilar-Quesada

Arturo Apéstegui Barzuna

Adriana Castro

Alejandro Cofiño

Diego Herrera Dutari

Rolando Laclé Zúñiga

Roberto Leiva

Oscar Armando Melara Facussé

Hernán Pacheco O

Aguilar Castillo Love San José QIL+4 Abogados Guatemala City

Consortium Legal San José

Melara & Asociados Tegucigalpa

Costa Rica

BLP excels in the research with eight listings. Adriana Castro is heralded by peers for her “efficient work and attention to detail” in all corporate governance matters. Luis Castro ranks highly among peers for his work in multi-jurisdictional M&A and project finance, particularly when it comes to the energy, infrastructure and real estate sectors. David Gutiérrez garners praise for his “impressive experience and understanding of business law”. Peers further commend his “business acumen and practical approach to problem-solving”. Eduardo Calderón is well versed in the telecoms, media and technology sectors and frequently acts in regulatory matters, asset acquisition, financing and dispute resolution. Ronald Lachner is a respected name in the business law and foreign direct investor sectors, he also specialises in Free Trade Zone and M&A work. Adelín Villalobos is renowned in the market for her “excellent government affairs skills and knowledge of corporate law”. EY Law sees three outstanding lawyers listed. Hernán Pacheco is revered by market sources for his activity in local and international M&A, project finance and corporate structuring in civil and commercial contracts. Arturo Apéstegui Barzuna is lauded as an outstanding lawyer and regularly advises domestic and international financial institutions on real estate, corporate and M&A matters.

EY Law San José

Galindo Arias y López Panama City Facio & Cañas San José EY Law San José

Fernando Vargas frequently acts in transnational, regional and local M&A, as well as in investment, compliance and corporate governance. Rolando Laclé Zúñiga at Consortium Legal is endorsed by market sources for this “professionalism and extensive experience” with a special focus on foreign investment, international trade and real estate. Juan Manuel Godoy Pérez has a vast array of experience in corporate law, working on foreign trade, investment and M&A for a range of high-profile multinational clients. John Aguilar-Quesada from Aguilar Castillo Love possesses a depth of knowledge in antitrust and competition law and frequently acts in M&A and regulatory matters.

BLP San José

Consortium Legal San José

Ivette Martinez

Ivette Martinez Attorney-at-Law Panama City

Carlos Quintanilla Schmidt

Guandique Segovia Quintanilla – LatamLex San Salvador

Víctor Garita regularly acts for national and multinational companies in trials before the Costa Rican courts involving damages, distribution contracts and breaches of contract. Eric Scharf Taitelbaum with Sfera legal is a key name in the Costa Rican market, renowned for his work in corporate law, insurance and free trade matters. José María Pacheco ranks highly among peers thanks to his outstanding international practice spanning corporate and commercial cases. José Antonio Muñoz with Dentons impresses market respondents with his sweeping knowledge of business and public law and focuses his expertise on government relations and foreign direct investment.

Roberto Leiva with Facio & Cañas is lauded by peers for his litigation and arbitration experience in international transactions, particularly in the real estate and intellectual property spaces. Carlos Oreamuno gains plaudits within the market for his corporate and commercial law practice which encompasses antitrust and competition law in civil and commercial cases.

Lex Counsel’s Jorge Guzman is well versed in all matters in corporate and governance law, and frequently acts for high-profile clients.

Vicente Lines from Arias has over 20 years’ experience in high-value transactions, financing and negotiations involving regulated industries and governmental bodies.

El Salvador

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Dominican Republic

Mary Fernández Rodríguez at Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernandez frequently acts as arbitrator and adviser in alternative dispute resolution, banking, franchise and distribution cases.

Carlos Quintanilla Schmidt with Guandique Segovia Quintanilla - LatamLex comes highly esteemed by peers for his in-depth

Corporate

knowledge of banking, regulatory and M&A matters. Roberto Romero Pineda from Romero Pineda & Asociados is highly regarded for his work as adviser on contract negotiations involving foreign companies and Central American governments. Ricardo Cevallos from Ricardo Cevallos & Asociados comes highly recommended for his arbitration work in a range of commercial and corporate disputes. Zygmunt Brett from BLP receives widespread plaudits as “an extremely talented business and corporate lawyer” and “a great negotiator”. Armando Arias of Arias is a trusted corporate practitioner with a wide-ranging practice encompassing banking, international commerce and project finance.

Guatemala

QIL+4 Abogados achieves five listings. Alejandro Cofiño comes highly recommended for his well-established

practice which handles a variety of tax-related matters. Peers commend José Quiñones for his specialisation in banking and finance, compliance, M&A and tax matters. Marcos Ibargüen Segovia maintains a top-notch practice spanning antitrust law, M&A, restructurings and corporate law.

Honduras

Panama

Diego Herrera Dutari from Galindo Arias & López is held in high esteem for his handling of financial restructuring for domestic and international clients. Ramón Ricardo Arias Porras is well versed in mergers and acquisitions with experience advising national and multinational clients.

Oscar Armando Melara Facussé from Melara & Asociados is highly regarded by peers for his expertise in advising local and regional clients in corporate law matters.

Ivette Martinez at Ivette Martinez Attorneyat-Law is a top name in the market, highly recommended by market sources for all aspects of corporate and commercial law.

José Rafael Rivera Ferrari from Consortium Legal wins praise for his work in corporate finance matters.

Fábrega Molino’s Juan Pablo Fabrega is lauded for his expert handling of corporate and contract matters in Panama.

Juan José Alcerro-Milla at Aguilar Castillo Love is applauded by peers for his experience in competition disputes and corporate M&A.

Observers note that Luis Manzanares from Morgan & Morgan is a key figure in the market and highly sought after by clients for his experience in the distribution and protection of assets.

BLP’s José Miguel Álvarez impresses market sources with his “great communication skills, good judgment, outstanding corporate law knowledge and proactiveness”.

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Corporate

Costa Rica

Daniel Araya

David Arturo Campos

Juan Manuel Godoy Pérez

Daniel is an attorney and notary public with more than 20-years’ experience practicing law. He has led specialized teams on mergers and acquisitions, as well as corporate, bank and tax law matters. He has worked with clients in several industries such as manufacturing, financial institutions, pharmaceutical, tourism, hospitality, real estate, energy and services, among others. Daniel heads FORZA, a trusted legal and consulting firm with an interdisciplinary team of seasoned professionals with more than 20 years of experience in offering legal and business services to local and foreign clients. It is the exclusive member in Costa Rica of the Alliot Global Alliance, which is the 6th largest multidisciplinary alliance of independent professional firms (accounting and law firms). The network has grown to more than 180 firm members in 80 countries around the world.

Juan Manuel is a partner of Consortium Legal – Costa Rica, he has a wide experience in business law and environment, he has developed his career in corporate, commercial, foreign trade, foreign investment, mergers and acquisitions and the law of the markets, providing counsel to both multinational companies and small start-ups. Juan Manuel has also devoted much of his time to the energy sector advising important developers of green projects. In terms of mergers and acquisitions, Juan Manuel has led interdisciplinary groups that have carried out important multi-jurisdictional transactions in recent years. He has a master’s in international business, from the University of Costa, Costa Rica (2006), he is authorised as an attorney and notary by Universidad Internacional de las Américas, Costa Rica (2002) and holds a law degree from the Universidad Externado de Colombia, Colombia (1999). He speaks Spanish and English.

150mts oeste de la entrada principal de Oficentro El Cedral, Escazú Edificio Banco General 6º piso San José Tel: +506 2257 3553 dacampos@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

150mts oeste de la entrada principal de Oficentro El Cedral, Escazú Edificio Banco General 6º piso San José Tel: +506 2257 3553 jgodoy@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: David Arturo Campos is a leading name in the field of corporate law, notably when it comes to complex acquisition processes for regional and international clients.

WWL says: Juan Manuel Godoy Pérez has a vast array of experience in corporate law, working on foreign trade, investment and M&A for a range of high-profile multinational clients.

FORZA LEGAL

Oficentro Plaza Aeropuerto Oficina G13A Alajuela Tel: +(506) 4350 0300 daraya@forza.legal www.forza.legal

WWL says: Daniel Araya is "always on top of the matter at hand", according to sources who praise his vast corporate law experience.

Consortium Legal

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Consortium Legal

Corporate

Costa Rica

Rolando Laclé Castro

Rolando Laclé Zúñiga

Diego Martin Menjivar

Rolando is founder and senior partner of Consortium Legal – Costa Rica. He is an expert on corporate and commercial, banking and finance, litigation, foreign investment and international commerce. Along his career, Mr Laclé has been member and president of the board of directors of Banco Anglo Costarricense, member and vice-president of the directive board at Banco Internacional de Costa Rica, vice president of the directive board of Lacsa, member of the directive board of Cemex and member of the directive board of DMC Abonos Agro. He was member and president of the Congress of Costa Rica, minister of presidency, elected congressman in the Congress of Costa Rica for 4th periods, and president at the International Affairs and Commercial Trade Comission. He is member of directive board of Volaris Airline and member of directive board of Davivienda Bank – Costa Rica. He has a a law degree (LLB) from the University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica (1964) and is authorised as a public notary (1963). He speaks Spanish and English.

Diego is a partner at Consortium Legal – El Salvador. He has experience in mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, insurance law, foreign investment and international trade, customs law, tax and corporate law. He has an extensive experience as a legal adviser to recognised companies, both local and international; he has been a local consultant for national and international public organisations, including the World Bank. During his career, he has participated as a leading local lawyer in the process of negotiating and acquiring the hotel shares previously operated by the Hilton Franchise by Grupo Español Barceló Hotels and Resorts and in the acquisition of the Maxiefectivo/GuatePrenda group by Ezcorp. He has also advised various clients in tax and customs litigation at administrative and judicial levels. Recently, he led the defence of an administrative process of verification of origin under CAFTA, against the granza rice importer industry, having achieved the recognition of origin by the General Customs Office and the closure of the case. He has been a professor of law, specialising in corporate and tax obligations. He is the author of different articles, in directories and legal magazines. He holds a Docorate in private law and a master’s degree in private law from the Autonomous Univeristy of Barcelona, Spain, and a degree in legal sciences (cum laude) from Dr Jose Matías Delgado University, El Salvador, he is attorney and notary authorised by the Supreme Court of Justice of the Republic of El Salvador. He speaks Spanish, English and German.

150mts oeste de la entrada principal de Oficentro El Cedral, Escazú Edificio Banco General 6º piso San José Tel: +506 2257 3553 rlaclec@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

150mts oeste de la entrada principal de Oficentro El Cedral, Escazú Edificio Banco General 6º piso San José Tel: +506 2257 3553 rlacle@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

Calle Llama del Bosque Poniente Urb Madre Selva III Edificio Avante Local 3-13 Antiguo Cuscatlán, La Libertad San Salvador Tel: +503 2209 1600 dmartin@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Rolando Lacle Castro is applauded for his market-leading expertise in banking transactions and foreign investment mandates.

WWL says: Rolando Laclé Zúñiga is endorsed by market sources for this “professionalism and extensive experience” with a special focus on foreign investment, international trade and real estate.

WWL says: Diego Martín Menjívar is renowned for his first-class corporate lawyer practice spanning tax, insurance, infrastructure, foreign investment and international trade.

Consortium Legal

El Salvador

Consortium Legal

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Consortium Legal

Corporate

Guatemala

Oscar Samour Consortium Legal

Oscar is partner at Consortium Legal – El Salvador. With 16 years of experience; he has an extensive experience in banking and finance, mergers and acquisitions, and conflict resolution and transactions with multiple jurisdictions. He has recently participated as a leading lawyer in the granting of financing by Credit Suisse to Imperia Intercontinental INC for the acquisition of Citibank shares in El Salvador. He has a great international experience, having worked as an international associate at King & Spalding LLP in Washington, DC. In addition, he led the acquisition of AIG’s operations in El Salvador by Panamanian insurance company ASSA and the sale of Finca Microfinanzas El Salvador to Optima Servicios Financieros. Oscar has an LLM in international arbitration (with honors) from the University of Pepperdine, United States (2009), he studied the American legal system at the school of law of University of Columbia, United States (2006) and received a degree in legal science (honourable mention) from José Simeón Cañas Central American University, El Salvador (2005). He speaks Spanish and English.

Rafael Alvarado Riedel Consortium Legal

Alvaro Rodrigo Castellanos Howell Consortium Legal

Calle Llama del Bosque Poniente Urb Madre Selva III Edificio Avante Local 3-13 Antiguo Cuscatlán, La Libertad San Salvador Tel: +503 2209 1600 osamour@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

Diagonal 6 10-01 zona 10 Centro Gerencial Las Margaritas Torre II Oficina 1402 Ciudad Guatemala City, 01010 Tel: +502 2324 3939 ralvarado@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

Diagonal 6 10-01 zona 10 Centro Gerencial Las Margaritas Torre II Oficina 1402 Ciudad Guatemala City, 01010 Tel: +502 2279 3939 acastellanos@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Oscar Samour is distinguished among peers for his impressive work with high-profile clients on multi-jurisdictional transactions.

WWL says: Rafael Alvarado Riedel's impressive corporate law practice spans a range of matters such as M&A, project development, contracts and governance.

WWL says: Alvaro Castellanos ranks highly among peers thanks to his adept handling of complex M&A deals and foreign investment matters.

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Corporate

Guatemala

Honduras

Alfredo Rodriguez Mahuad

Gustavo León-Gómez

José Ramón Paz

Primera Calle # 304 Torre Consortium I. Colonia La Estancia Final del Bulevar Morazán. Tegucigalpa Tel: + 504 2221 - 1002 Ext. 103 gleongomez@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

Primera Calle # 304 Torre Consortium I. Colonia La Estancia Final del Bulevar Morazán. Tegucigalpa Tel: +504 2221 1002 jrpaz@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Alfredo Rodríguez stands out for his excellence when handling high-value M&A transactions, private equity investments and foreign investment.

WWL says: Gustavo León-Gómez possesses significant experience of working for local and international clients on sophisticated commercial contracts and banking regulation.

WWL says: José Ramón Paz is a renowned name in Central America for his practice in corporate affairs, including banking, finance, and international financial transactions.

Consortium Legal

Diagonal 6 10-01 zona 10 Centro Gerencial Las Margaritas Torre II Oficina 1402 Ciudad Guatemala City, 01010 Tel: +502 2324 3939 arodriguez@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

Consortium Legal

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Consortium Legal

Corporate

Nicaragua

Olga María Barreto Gutiérrez

Martha Lorena Icaza Ochoa

José Evenor Taboada

Olga is partner at Consortium Legal – Nicaragua, with more than 20 years of experience in the corporate, banking and finance, and aviation sectors. She has extensive experience in providing corporate advice to companies in different industries, including multi-level reorganisation processes, structuring and documenting syndicated loans, financing and the management of guarantee packages. She also advises and represents aviation companies in the process of regulation and compliance. Among her most important clients are Suzlon Energy, PBS, FMO and Mexichem. She holds a Master of Law from Georgetown University, United States (2001) and a law degree from the Central American University (UCA), Nicaragua (1998). She speaks Spanish and English.

Martha is a partner and executive director at Consortium Legal – Nicaragua, with 45 years of experience in the agroindustry, banking and financial services, real estate, energy, government and public companies, infrastructure, insurance, transportation and tourism sectors. She has extensive experience in banking, corporate law, foreign investment, regulated sector, insurance and reinsurance. She has received multiple accolades and recognitions, from the likes of Ram Power Corp and Blue Power & Energy, for her excellent advice and quality of services, in the structuring and documentation of financing for the development of their projects. During her career, she held positions in the public administration as civil prosecutor, general secretary of the Ministry of Justice of Nicaragua, general director of the Registries and notary of the State, and director of legislative advice of the Presidency of the Republic attached to the Ministry of Justice, as well as external legal adviser of the Ministries of Economy and Tourism. Martha Lorena actively contributes to the World Bank publication, Doing Business, a series of annual reports that measure the regulations that favor or restrict business activity. Her contributions have been essential to ensure the quality and accuracy of Doing Business’ information every year. She holds a law degree from the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN), Nicaragua (1974).

Del antiguo Hospital Militar 1 cuadra al Norte Managua Tel: +505 2254 5454 Ext. 117 obarreto@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

Del antiguo Hospital Militar 1 cuadra al Norte Managua Tel: +505 2254 5454 mlicaza@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

Del antiguo Hospital Militar 1 cuadra al Norte Managua Tel: +505 2254 5454 jetaboada@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Olga Maria Barreto Gutierrez has over two decades of experience handling complex corporate restructuring, high-value transactions and corporate regulatory and compliance processes.

WWL says: Martha Lorena Icaza has extensive experience of corporate transactions relating to banking, foreign investment, and the insurance sector.

WWL says: José Evenor Taboada's impresses market commentators with his top-notch practice spanning foreign investment and cross-border M&A.

Consortium Legal

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Consortium Legal

Corporate

Panama

Jaime Alemán

Eloy Alfaro B

Ricardo M Arango

0Jaime Alemán joined Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee as a founding partner in 1985. His professional practice concentrates on offshore services, trusts and estate planning and corporate M&A. Dr Alemán served as legal adviser at the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, DC from 1978 to 1981 and as special adviser to Dr Nicolás Barletta, former President of Panama, in 1984 and 1985. Dr. Alemán was the minister of government and justice in 1988 and Panamanian ambassador to the United States from 2009 to 2011. Dr Alemán is a member of the District of Columbia Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Panama Bar Association, the International Tax Planning Association and the International Fiscal Association. He is also a member of the boards of directors of Banistmo, PKB Bank (Panama) and Travelex (Panama) SA and of the board of visitors of Duke University School of Law. Dr Alemán has a Juris Doctor from Duke University and a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Notre Dame. He is fluent in Spanish, English and French.

Ricardo M Arango joined Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega in 1987 and became a partner in 1995. He is co-managing partner and a member of the firm's executive committee. He also heads the firm's capital markets and banking practice group, and the mergers and acquisitions practice group. Recognised as one of Panama's preeminent capital markets expert, Mr Arango has been commended for his leading role in landmark transactions as the Republic of Panama's Brady Bonds offer; the first securitisations of credit cards receivables, toll road payments, DPRs and residential mortgages in Panama; and the IPOs of several Panamanian companies on the NYSE. He has been instrumental in creating many of the financial structures that are now common in Panama. From 1997 to 1999 he spearheaded the Presidential Commissions that drafted Panama's current securities act and later on drafted the rules of operation of LatinClear, Panama's clearing and settlement agency. Mr Arango is director of the Panama Canal Authority, and of Banco General, the largest Panamanian bank. He is a former chairman, director and secretary of the Panama Stock Exchange; former secretary of the board of directors of BLADEX, a NYSE-listed company; and former director of Corporación La Prensa, the highest-circulation paper in Panama. Mr Arango completed his LLB at Panama University, (1983); an LLM at Harvard Law School (1984); and an LLM at Yale Law School (1985). He was a Fulbright scholar.

Humboldt Tower, 2nd Floor East 53rd Street Panama City, PO Box 0819-09132 Tel: +507 269 26 20 ealfaro@alcogal.com www.alcogal.com

ARIFA Building, 10th Floor, West Boulevard Santa María Business District, PO Box 0816-01098 Panama City Tel: +507 205 7000 rarango@arifa.com www.arifa.com

WWL says: Eloy Alfaro B is a widely respected figure in the Panama market and is endorsed for his astute assistance to clients on the gamut of banking matters.

WWL says: Ricardo Arango is a well respected practitioner for his corporate law practice, spanning complex and large M&A experience and capital markets expertise.

Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee

Humboldt Tower, 2nd Floor East 53rd Street Panama City, PO Box 0819-09132 Tel: +507 269 2620 jaleman@alcogal.com www.alcogal.com

WWL says: Jaime Aleman receives a plethora of endorsements from sources impressed with his first-rate practice in estate planning and international corporate transactions. 32

Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee

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Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega

Corporate

Carlos G Cordero

Alejandro Ferrer

Anibal Galindo

Alejandro Ferrer joined Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee in 1998 as a partner. His professional practice concentrates on mining law; international trade; competition law; business law; telecommunications; energy; oil; mining; litigation; arbitration; M&A projects development; and general practice. Dr Ferrer has advised domestic and international companies on a broad array of legal and commercial matters. He served as member of the Foreign Relations Committee (2008–2009 and 1996–1999); president of the advisory council to the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Authority (2006–2008); minister of commerce and industry (2004–2008); alternate justice of the Third Superior Court of Appeal of the First Judicial District of Panama (2001–2004); member of the Presidential Commission against Money Laundering (1998–1999) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama (2019– 2020). Before joining Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee, Dr Ferrer served as deputy minister of foreign affairs (1996–1997); international trade counsel at the Embassy of Panama to the United States (1995– 1996); deputy permanent ambassador to the United Nations and other international organisations (19941995); ambassador to the World Trade Organization (1994–1995); joint permanent representative on a special mission to the GATT (1993–1994); legal counsel at the Commission of Accession of Panama to GATT (1993); and associate at Alfaro, Ferrer, Ramírez & Alemán (1989–1996). Dr Ferrer is featured as a leading lawyer in Chambers and Partners, IFLR1000, The Legal 500 and Latin Business Chronicle. Dr Ferrer has an SJD (2000) and an LLM (1992) from the University of Michigan Law School (2000), and a Bachelor of Law and Political Sciences from Universidad Santa María La Antigua (1990). He was a Fulbright scholar (1991–1992) and studied at Georgetown University (1991) and Harvard Kennedy School (2008).

Aníbal Galindo joined Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee in 1985 as one of its founding partners. Before this, he worked at law firm Rosas & Rosas (1982– 1985) and Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones SA (Bladex) (1978–1982). Since joining Alcogal, Mr Galindo’s professional practice has concentrated on corporate and M&A, real estate, banking, finance and capital markets, maritime and port facilities and tax law. Mr Galindo has advised Panamanian and international clients with their most pressing corporate needs, including: Ideal Living, Corp in connection with the master plan and development of Panama City’s largest and most exclusive mixed golf and residential development; First Quantum Minerals Ltd on its estimated US$5.1 billion acquisition of Toronto-based Inmet Mining Corp, which owns Minera Panama SA; Ingenieros Civiles Asociados (ICA) with all matters related to the construction of a ring road around Panama City; and Evergreen International in regards to all its shipping and ports needs in Panama. Mr Galindo has served in the board of directors of the National Banking Commission and the National Savings Bank. Mr Galindo has a Master of Laws (LLM) from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana (1979), and a Bachelor of Law and Political Science from the University of Panama (1978). He is a member of the National Bar Association of Panama, the Inter-Pacific Bar Association and the Banking Law Institute. He is fluent in Spanish and English

Humboldt Tower, 2nd Floor East 53rd Street Panama City, PO Box 0819-09132 Tel: +507 269 2620 aferrer@alcogal.com www.alcogal.com

Humboldt Tower, 2nd Floor East 53rd Street Panama City, PO Box 0819-09132 Tel: +507 269 2620 agalindo@alcogal.com www.alcogal.com

WWL says: Alejandro Ferrer is a renowned lawyer who cuts a distinguished figure across the gamut of contentious and non-contentious law.

WWL says: Anibal Galindo holds an excellent reputation among peers who applaud his first-class corporate and real estate practice.

Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee

Humboldt Tower, 2nd Floor East 53rd Street Panama City, PO Box 0819-09132 Tel: +507 269 2620 ccordero@alcogal.com www.alcogal.com

WWL says: Carlos Cordero stands out as a top-tier practitioner for a wide range of complex corporate matters. His clients span a wide range of sectors, including data and telecoms.

Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee

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Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee

Corporate

Panama

Arturo Gerbaud

Andrés N Rubinoff

Andrés N Rubinoff joined the firm in 2009 and became partner in 2017. Mr. Rubinoff has broad experience in both mergers and acquisitions and banking and finance, and has led some of the most important M&A transactions carried out recently in the country, including the sale of Cable Onda to Millicom (main telecom provider), the public tender offer of Grupo Rey (leading supermarket chain) in its sale to Corporación Favorita, the asset sale of Assicurazioni Generali (Panama Branch) to leading local insurer ASSA, among others. He has a solid and accredited experience advising buyers and sellers, and private equity funds and family offices, in sectors as diverse as the automotive, aeronautical, food, chemical, television and communications media, insurance sectors, among others. Mr Rubinoff completed his JD at University of Miami School of Law (2006) and his BS at Georgetown University (2001). During 2004, he served as judicial intern for the Honorable Judge David L Levy. Between 2006 and 2009, he worked as an associate with Greenberg Traurig, PA in Miami. Between 2001 and 2003 he also worked as senior research associate for the Corporate Executive Board Company, Washington, DC. He is admitted to practise in Panama and Florida.

Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee

Humboldt Tower, 2nd Floor East 53rd Street Panama City, PO Box 0819-09132 Tel: +507 269 2620 agerbaud@alcogal.com www.alcogal.com

WWL says: Arturo Gerbaud comes highly recommended for his incisive handling of corporate matters spanning the shipping, construction and real estate sectors.

Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega

ARIFA Building, 10th Floor, West Boulevard Santa María Business District, PO Box 0816-01098 Panama City Tel: +507 205 7000 arubinoff@arifa.com www.arifa.com

WWL says: Andres Rubinoff receives acclaim for his vast experience in M&A, banking and finance matters for corporate, commercial, insurance and telecoms clients. whoswholegal.com

Bolivia

Rodrigo Moreno Gutierrez Moreno Baldivieso Estudio de Abogados rmorenog@gabrielip.com.bo

Costa Rica

John Aguilar-Quesada Aguilar Castillo Love jaq@aguilarcastillolove.com Arnoldo André Lexincorp Central American Law Firm andre@lexincorp.com Arturo Apéstegui Barzuna EY Law arturo.apestegui@cr.ey.com Daniel Araya* FORZA LEGAL daraya@forza.legal Eduardo Calderón BLP ecalderon@blpabogados.com David Arturo Campos* Consortium Legal dacampos@consortiumlegal.com Adriana Castro BLP acastro@blplegal.com Luis M Castro BLP lcastro@blplegal.com Carolina Flores Arias carolina.flores@ariaslaw.com Víctor MI Garita Arias victor.garita@ariaslaw.com Neftalí Garro BLP ngarro@blplegal.com Juan Manuel Godoy Pérez* Consortium Legal jgodoy@consortiumlegal.com Manuel González Facio & Cañas mgonzalez@fayca.com David Gutiérrez BLP dgutierrez@blpabogados.com Jorge Guzman Lex Counsel jguzman@lexcounsel.com Ronald Lachner BLP rlachner@blpabogados.com

Corporate

Rolando Laclé Castro* Consortium Legal rlaclec@consortiumlegal.com Rolando Laclé Zúñiga* Consortium Legal rlacle@consortiumlegal.com Roberto Leiva Facio & Cañas rleiva@fayca.com Vicente Lines Arias vicente.lines@ariaslaw.com Manuel Enrique Lizano Lizano Pacheco Abogados info@lizanopacheco.com José Antonio Muñoz Dentons joseantonio.munoz@dentons.com Carlos Oreamuno Facio & Cañas coreamuno@fayca.com José María Pacheco Sfera legal jmp@sferalegal.com Hernán Pacheco O EY Law hernan.pacheco@cr.ey.com Jessica Salas Arroyo Vector Legal jsalas@vectorlegal.co.cr Eric Scharf Taitelbaum Sfera legal est@sferalegal.com Marco Solano Gómez Aguilar Castillo Love msg@aguilarcastillolove.com Sergio Solera Facio & Cañas ssolera@fayca.com Fernando Vargas EY Law fernando.vargas.winiker@cr.ey.com Adelín Villalobos BLP avillalobos@blplegal.com Harry J Zurcher Zurcher IP HZurcher@ZurcherIP.com Robert van der Putten Sfera legal rvdp@sferalegal.com

Dominican Republic

Juan Alcalde Fernández OMG j.alcalde@omg.com.do Mary Fernández Rodríguez Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernandez mfernandez@hrafdom.com Leonel Melo Guerrero OMG l.melo@omg.com.do Luis R Pellerano Pellerano Nadal Law & Consulting lpellerano@pellerano.com Mariángela Pellerano Pellerano & Herrera m.pellerano@phlaw.com Ricardo Pellerano Pellerano & Herrera r.pellerano@phlaw.com Carolina Silié Ruiz Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernandez csilie@headrick.com.do

El Salvador

Armando Arias Arias armando.arias@ariaslaw.com Lilian Arias Arias lilian.arias@ariaslaw.com Zygmunt Brett BLP zbrett@blplegal.com Ricardo A Cevallos Ricardo Cevallos y Asociados rc@cevalloscortez.com Roberta Gallardo Arias roberta.gallardo@ariaslaw.com Diego Martin Menjivar* Consortium Legal dmartin@consortiumlegal.com Ana Patricia Portillo Reyes Guandique Segovia Quintanilla - LatamLex pportillo@latamlex.com Carlos Quintanilla Schmidt Guandique Segovia Quintanilla - LatamLex cquintanilla@latamlex.com Roberto Romero Pineda Romero Pineda & Asociados roberto@romeropineda.com Oscar Samour* Consortium Legal osamour@consortiumlegal.com Benjamin Valdez Iraheta Benjamín Valdez & Asociados bvaldez@bvaldezlaw.com

Guatemala

Rodolfo Alegria T Carrillo & Asociados rodolfo.alegria@carrillolaw.com Rafael Alvarado Riedel* Consortium Legal ralvarado@consortiumlegal.com Jorge Luis Arenales de la Roca Arias jorgeluis.arenales@ariaslaw.com Ruby Asturias Deloitte rasturias@deloitte.com Lorena Barrios BMT Law lbarrios@bonilla.com.gt Rafael Briz Mayora & Mayora, SC rbriz@mayora-mayora.com Emanuel Callejas A Carrillo & Asociados emanuel.callejas@carrillolaw.com Alfonso Carrillo M Carrillo & Asociados alfonso.carrillo@carrillolaw.com Alvaro Rodrigo Castellanos Howell* Consortium Legal acastellanos@consortiumlegal.com Juan Carlos Castillo Aguilar Castillo Love jcc@aguilarcastillolove.com Alejandro Cofiño QIL+4 Abogados acofino@qil4.com Marcos Ibargüen Segovia QIL+4 Abogados mibarguen@qil4.com

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María Isabel Luján Zilbermann QIL+4 Abogados mlujan@qil4.com Eduardo A Mayora Mayora & Mayora, SC emayora@mayora-mayora.com Enrique Möller S Moller Law enrique.moller@mollerlaw.com Claudia Pereira Mayora & Mayora, SC cpereira@mayora-mayora.com José E Quiñones QIL+4 Abogados jquinones@qilsc.com Alfredo Rodriguez Mahuad* Consortium Legal arodriguez@consortiumlegal.com Luis F Ruiz BLP lruiz@blplegal.com Alfredo Skinner-Klee Skinner-Klee & Asociados - LatamLex skinner-klee@latamlex.com Luis Pedro del Valle Arias luispedro.delvalle@ariaslaw.com

Honduras

Mario Agüero Arias mario.aguero@ariaslaw.com Juan José Alcerro-Milla Aguilar Castillo Love jja@aguilarcastillolove.com Evangelina Lardizabal Arias evangelina.lardizabal@ariaslaw.com Gustavo León-Gómez* Consortium Legal gleongomez@consortiumlegal.com Dennis Matamoros Batson Matamoros Batson & Asociados dennis.matamoros@matamorosbatson.com Oscar Armando Melara Facussé Melara & Asociados omelara@melarayasociados.com J. Vanessa Oquelí De Riera Garcia & Bodan vanessa.oqueli@garciabodan.com José Ramón Paz* Consortium Legal jrpaz@consortiumlegal.com José Rafael Rivera Ferrari Consortium Legal jrivera@consortiumlegal.com Enrique Rodríguez-Burchard Aguilar Castillo Love erb@aguilarcastillolove.com José Miguel Álvarez BLP jalvarez@blplegal.com

Nicaragua

Bertha Argüello Arias bertha.arguello@ariaslaw.com Olga María Barreto Gutiérrez* Consortium Legal obarreto@consortiumlegal.com Terencio J García Montenegro Garcia & Bodan terencio.garcia@garciabodan.com

Corporate

Martha Lorena Icaza Ochoa* Consortium Legal mlicaza@consortiumlegal.com Ana Teresa Rizo Arias ana.rizo@ariaslaw.com José Evenor Taboada* Consortium Legal jetaboada@consortiumlegal.com

Panama

Jaime Alemán* Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee jaleman@alcogal.com Eloy Alfaro B* Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee ealfaro@alcogal.com Ricardo M Arango* Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega rarango@arifa.com Francisco Arias Morgan & Morgan francisco.arias@morimor.com

Ramón Ricardo Arias Porras Galindo Arias y López rrarias@gala.com.pa Carlos G Cordero* Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee ccordero@alcogal.com Juan Pablo Fabrega Fábrega Molino juanpa@fmm.com.pa Alejandro Ferrer* Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee aferrer@alcogal.com Inocencio Galindo Morgan & Morgan inocencio.galindo@morimor.com Anibal Galindo* Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee agalindo@alcogal.com Arturo Gerbaud* Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee agerbaud@alcogal.com Carlos Ernesto González Ramírez Morgan & Morgan carlos.gonzalez@morimor.com

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Diego Herrera Dutari Galindo Arias y López dherrera@gala.com.pa Elizabeth Heurtematte Kochman LOVILL elizabeth.heurtematte@lovill.com Luis R López Alfaro Alfaro Ferrer & Ramírez lopezalfaro@afra.com Luis G Manzanares Morgan & Morgan luis.manzanares@morimor.com Ivette Martinez Ivette Martinez Attorney-at-Law imartinez@ims.legal Juan F Pardini Pardini & Asociados pardini@padela.com Alfredo Ramírez Jr Alfaro Ferrer & Ramírez aramirez@afra.com Andrés N Rubinoff* Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega arubinoff@arifa.com Jose Luis Sosa Galindo Arias y López jsosa@gala.com.pa

Corporate Tax

CORPORATE TAX This year, 29 leading practitioners are recognised for their expertise in corporate tax, including advising domestic and international clients on advisory and contentious matters.

Most Highly Regarded Amanda Barraza Morgan & Morgan Panama City

Belize

Rodwell Williams of Barrow & Williams is held in high regard by market sources, who applaud his deep knowledge and experience in the complex multi-jurisdictional proceedings.

Costa Rica

José Maria Oreamuno of Facio & Cañas is a well-regarded practitioner who has garnered a stellar reputation for his expertise in contentious tax and transfer pricing issues. Adrián Torrealba is looked upon with enormous favour in the market thanks to his well-established practice, which handles the gamut of tax-related matters. Diego Salto at Consortium Legal is a leading light in the tax market, thanks to his extensive experience advising on transfer pricing, audit procedures and tax planning. From BLP, Jorge Brizuela draws on decades of experience to advise domestic and international clients on all aspects of tax law and compliance matters.

José Maria Oreamuno Facio & Cañas San José

Luis Chacón comes highly recommended by peers for his outstanding practice and wealth of experience in tax litigation, compliance and consulting.

Dominican Republic

Leonel Melo Guerrero of OMG comes highly recommended for his impressive track record in complex tax litigation.

Guatemala

José E Quiñones of QIL+4 Abogados ranks highly among peers thanks to his extensive experience in tax planning and tax implications of cross-border transactions. Alfredo Rodriguez Mahuad with Consortium Legal is a go-to practitioner in the Guatemalan market when it comes to tax issues relating to private equity investments and foreign investment.

Honduras

Armando Manzanares at Consortium Legal is singled out for his tremendous knowl

whoswholegal.com

Adrián Torrealba Facio & Cañas San José

edge and understanding of corporate tax law across the region.

Nicaragua

Melvin Antonio Estrada Canizales at Garcia & Boda heads the firm’s tax practice and is regarded as a market leader in the Central American corporate tax space.

Panama

Amanda Barraza at Morgan & Morgan is a well-established practitioner who is renowned for her sweeping knowledge of tax structuring matters. Rodrigo Moreno with Alfaro Ferrer & Ramírez is revered for his high-level tax expertise and holds a strong reputation for advising clients in a variety of industries. Estif Aparicio at Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega stands out for his regular involvement in complex, high-profile corporate tax issues in Panama.

Corporate Tax

Costa Rica

Guatemala

Honduras

Diego Salto

Alfredo Rodriguez Mahuad

Armando Manzanares

Diego is a partner at Consortium Legal – Costa Rica, and a specialist in financial and tax sectors. He has extensive experience in tax consulting, litigation, mergers, acquisitions and tax planning, mainly of multinational companies, as well as local. Currently he leads the tax consulting practice in the areas of analysis and business consulting. Diego is considered one of the five most highly recommended tax advisers in Central America by the Latin Lawyer published by Law Business Research in the UK. He has worked as an external consultant for the Inter-American Development Bank in the development and implementation of training programmes for public officials and currently serves as columnist for the economic weekly El Financiero. He currently works in the area of teaching at the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and heads his tax chair. On the other hand, he is president of the International Fiscal Association –Costa Rica chapter and a member of the Costa Rican Institute of Tax Studies. He has a doctorate in financial and tax law from the University of Seville, Spain (2001), a postgraduate degree in law of the European Union from the University of Seville, Spain (1999) and a law degree from the Escuela Libre de Derecho, Costa Rica (1997). He speaks Spanish and English.

Alfredo Rodríguez Mahuad is a partner at Consortium Legal – Guatemala. He specialises in tax law, international trade, M&A and corporate law. In his career, he has served as a legal adviser to the minister of foreign affairs in Guatemala; as counsel in charge of reviewing the CAFTA-USDominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement; as a legal adviser to the Minister of Economy for the final negotiations of the Free Trade Agreement between Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Mexico; as a faculty member at Francisco Marroquín University and Rafael Landívar University in Guatemala; as an advisory member of the committee for agricultural, commercial, industrial and financial activities (CACIF), for the technical discussion and analysis of the creation and modification of tax laws in Guatemala. He is a member of the Guatemala Bar Association, Guatemalan Tax Association (ATG), (founding member), the Guatemalan Institute of Tax Law, the Guatemalan Institute of Notarial Law and the International Fiscal Association (IFA). Mr Rodriguez attended Georgetown University, where he received his Master of Law in 1982. Mr Rodríguez has published many articles such as “Taxes and Land”, a study for the International Development Association (IDA) and “Value Added Tax Harmonisation in Central America”, a study for the Secretariat for Economic Integration (SIECA). He speaks Spanish and English.

150mts oeste de la entrada principal de Oficentro El Cedral, Escazú Edificio Banco General 6º piso San José Tel: +506 2204 8080 dsalto@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

Diagonal 6 10-01 zona 10 Centro Gerencial Las Margaritas Torre II Oficina 1402 Ciudad Guatemala City, 01010 Tel: +502 2324 3939 arodriguez@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

Primera Calle # 304 Torre Consortium I. Colonia La Estancia Final del Bulevar Morazán. Tegucigalpa Tel: +504 2221 1002 amanzanares@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Diego Salto is a leading light in the tax market, thanks to his extensive experience advising on transfer pricing, audit procedures and tax planning.

WWL says: Alfredo Rodriguez Mahuad is a go-to expert in Central American when it comes to tax issues in the arenas of private equity investments and foreign investment.

WWL says: Armando Manzanares is singled out among peers thanks to his tremendous understanding and knowledge of corporate tax practice across the region.

Consortium Legal

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Consortium Legal

Corporate Tax

Panama

Estif Aparicio

ARIFA Building, 10th Floor, West Boulevard Santa María Business District, PO Box 0816-01098 Panama City Tel: +507 205 7000 eaparicio@arifa.com www.arifa.com

WWL says: Estif Aparicio at Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega stands out for his regular involvement in complex, high-profile corporate tax issues in Panama.

Nicaragua

Minerva Bellorin R ACZALAW Nicaragua minerva.bellorin@aczalaw.com Melvin Antonio Estrada Canizales Garcia & Bodan melvin.estrada@garciabodan.com Ana Teresa Rizo Arias ana.rizo@ariaslaw.com

Panama

Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega Estif Aparicio joined Arias, Fabrega & Fabrega (ARIFA) in 2000 and became a partner in 2011. Estif Aparicio is a skilled corporate lawyer, currently specialising in complex financing of private and public major construction and infrastructure projects, with a focus on energy, public transportation, airports, ports, health and other social infrastructure. Mr Aparicio has outstanding deal management and broad expertise setting up a variety of financial structures, having represented creditors in the biggest and perhaps most complex transactions in Panama in recent years, including the expansion of the Tocumen International Airport; the first and second line of the Panama City Metro; Cinta Costera phases I, II and III; and Metro Bus, Panama City new public transportation system. He possesses a unique insight to the power generation industry and the Panamanian government “green energy” policy favouring wind, solar, gas, and hydroelectric generation, having represented the lenders that have provided financing to close 35 per cent of the total generation capacity of the country. From 2004 to 2006, Mr Aparicio worked for the Panamanian government as chief trade negotiator of all bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements. In this role, Mr Aparicio coordinated Panama’s participation in the Doha Round of the World Trade Organization, successfully negotiating free trade agreements with the US, Singapore and Chile. Before joining ARIFA, Mr Aparicio worked for Sullivan & Cromwell LLP in New York, participating in capital markets, M&A and project finance transactions. Mr Aparicio has a Master of Laws from the University of Houston Law Center and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Panama. He is admitted to practise in Panama and New York.

Lilian López BLP llopez@blplegal.com Armando Manzanares* Consortium Legal amanzanares@consortiumlegal.com

Belize

Rodwell Williams Barrow & Williams LLP rodwell@barrowandwilliams.com

Costa Rica

Arnoldo André Lexincorp Central American Law Firm andre@lexincorp.com Jorge Brizuela BLP jbrizuela@blplegal.com Luis Chacon BLP lchacon@blplegal.com Carolina Flores Arias carolina.flores@ariaslaw.com José Maria Oreamuno Facio & Cañas joreamuno@fayca.com José María Pacheco Sfera legal jmp@sferalegal.com Hernán Pacheco O EY Law hernan.pacheco@cr.ey.com Diego Salto* Consortium Legal dsalto@consortiumlegal.com Adrián Torrealba Facio & Cañas atorrealba@fayca.com

Alejandro Alemán Alfaro Ferrer & Ramírez aaleman@afra.com Ramón A Anzola R Anzola Robles & Asociados info@anzolaw.net Estif Aparicio* Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega eaparicio@arifa.com Ramón Ricardo Arias Porras Galindo Arias y López rrarias@gala.com.pa Amanda Barraza Morgan & Morgan amanda.barraza@morimor.com Edgar Herrera Galindo Arias y López eherrera@gala.com.pa Rodrigo A Moreno Alfaro Ferrer & Ramírez moreno@afra.com Gisela Porras Dentons gisela.porras@dentons.com Jose Javier Rivera Jimenez Rivera, Bolivar y Castañedas jj.rivera@rbc.com.pa

Dominican Republic Leonel Melo Guerrero OMG l.melo@omg.com.do

Guatemala

Ruby Asturias Deloitte rasturias@deloitte.com José E Quiñones QIL+4 Abogados jquinones@qilsc.com Alfredo Rodriguez Mahuad* Consortium Legal arodriguez@consortiumlegal.com

Honduras

Paul Handal Montoya Matamoros Batson & Asociados phandal@latamlex.com

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Data, Telecoms & Media

DATA, TELECOMS & MEDIA In this chapter, we recognise 13 top-tier specialists in data, telecoms and media who come highly recommended for their exceptional work across regulatory, transactional and contentious matters.

Most Highly Regarded Juan José Alcerro-Milla

Eduardo Calderón

Aguilar Castillo Love Tegucigalpa

Costa Rica

Eduardo Calderón from BLP is recommended by sources for his extensive experience in telecom and media regulations, financing and dispute resolution. Elias Soley Gutierrez at Soley, Saborío & Asociados possesses over 33 years of experience in the telecom market. Erick Jiménez-Gonzalez is renowned for his top-tier advice to clients on public procurement, media bidding processes and telecom regulations.

endorsed for his top-tier practice advising and representing international clients in a range of high-profile telecom cases.

the Honduras market, thanks to his leading work on data matters for banking, financial services and corporate clients.

Luis Pedro del Valle with Arias has a prestigious reputation thanks to his deep knowledge of telecom-related matters and IT law.

Panama

Honduras

Juan José Alcerro-Milla at Aguilar Castillo Love is “an extraordinary business-oriented counsel” who is “very proactive, focused and has great technical knowledge”.

Juan Manuel Campos from Ciber Regulación is a go-to regulatory lawyer for domestic and international companies operating in the telecom sector.

Mario Agüero from Arias earns plaudits for his broad practice in corporate, aviation and telecom-related law, as well as his expert handling of administrative procedures.

Guatemala

Consortium Legal’s José Rafael Rivera Ferrari ranks prominently among peers in

Sfera’s Ignacio Andrade Aycinena is widely

BLP San José

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Siaska SSS Lorenzo at Arias has over 20 years of experience in telecom, competition and labour law, where she excels assisting clients in privitisation and litigations. Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee’s Carlos Cordero is a key name in Central American market and is widely endorsed for representing and advising large-scale clients in the telecoms sector.

Data, Telecoms & Media

Guatemala

Panama

Ignacio Andrade Aycinena Sfera

Carlos G Cordero

Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee

Ignacio Andrade is managing partner of Sfera in Guatemala. With over 30 years of professional experience he has participated in important transactions, working with well-known companies such as BellSouth, Banco Industrial, Banco G&T Continental, SBA Communications and Tigo. Mr. Andrade specializes in regulatory, transactional, corporate and commercial, financial, tax, labour and alternative dispute resolution issues for local and foreign companies, particularly in telecommunications, banking and energy. In the telecommunication sector, he has successfully negotiated more than 15 interconnection agreements and foreign carrier services agreements, some of which are worth more than US$300 million. He has more than 15 years in dealing with issues with the telecommunications regulator and settlement and litigation of disputes with other operators. He successfully challenged a tax law for telecommunications services in Guatemala. Community relations dispute in the installation of telecommunications equipment is among of his other areas of action. His experience in the banking sector includes consulting in the constitution of trusts and various financial and banking products, as well as their participation in opinions and consultancies in relation to the hiring of international bank loans with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and Banco de los Trabajadores. He is an arbitrator-designate for the dispute resolution committee of the Chamber of Industry of Guatemala (CRECIG) and has served as counsel or co-counsel in arbitrations with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the American Arbitration Association (AAA). His experience in litigation and arbitration is related to disputes in distribution agreements, telecommunications and a variety of energy sectors.

Avenida Reforma 12-54 zona 9 Edificio Grand Reforma 10, Nivel 6, Oficina 601 , 01009 Tel: +502 2317 1515 iaa@sferalegal.gt www.sferalegal.com

Humboldt Tower, 2nd Floor East 53rd Street Panama City, PO Box 0819-09132 Tel: +507 269 2620 ccordero@alcogal.com www.alcogal.com

WWL says: Ignacio Andrade Aycinena is widely endorsed for his top-tier practice advising and representing international clients in a range of high-profile telecom cases.

WWL says: Carlos Cordero is a key name in Central American market and is widely endorsed for representing and advising large-scale clients in the telecoms sector.

Costa Rica

Eduardo Calderón BLP ecalderon@blpabogados.com Juan Manuel Campos Ciber Regulación info@ciber-regulacion.co.cr Erick Jiménez-Gonzalez Soley, Saborío & Asociados ejimenez@soley-saborio.com Carlos Oreamuno Facio & Cañas coreamuno@fayca.com Elias Soley Gutierrez Soley, Saborío & Asociados esoley@soley-saborio.com

Dominican Republic Jaime Angeles Angeles Pons jangeles@angelespons.com

Guatemala

Ignacio Andrade Aycinena* Sfera iaa@sferalegal.gt Luis Pedro del Valle Arias luispedro.delvalle@ariaslaw.com

Honduras

Mario Agüero Arias mario.aguero@ariaslaw.com Juan José Alcerro-Milla Aguilar Castillo Love jja@aguilarcastillolove.com José Rafael Rivera Ferrari Consortium Legal jrivera@consortiumlegal.com

Panama

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Carlos G Cordero* Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee ccordero@alcogal.com Siaska SSS Lorenzo Arias siaska.lorenzo@ariaslaw.com

Dispute Resolution

DISPUTE RESOLUTION Eighty practitioners are listed in this chapter for their prolific experience in a range of dispute resolution procedures, spanning litigation, arbitration and mediation.

Most Highly Regarded Alejandro Batalla Batalla San José

Andrea Hulbert

Róger Guevara

Jorge Federico Lee

Esteban López Moreno

Independent Arbitrator Panama City

Hulbert Volio Montero San José

Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee Panama City

Marcos Peña Rodriguez

Mauricio Salas

Jiménez Peña Santo Domingo

Belize

Ashanti Arthurs Martin from Balderamos Arthur garners high praise from peers impressed with her prolific experience representing a wide range of clients in labour and real estate disputes. Eamon Harrison Courtenay SC at Courtenay Coye is a highly experienced and respected lawyer, with over 30 years of experience in Belizean dispute resolution.

Costa Rica

Andrea Hulbert from Hulbert Volio Montero is heralded as “an excellent practitioner” in complex commercial arbitration, litigation and mediation proceedings.

Batalla San José

KATZ & LOPEZ Panama City

BLP San José

Carlos Oreamuno Facio & Cañas is admired by peers for his “wealth of experience” advising regional and multinational clients on cross-border cases.

José Roberto Romero at Romero Pineda & Asociados is commended by respondents as “an experienced professional” who “excels in all dispute resolution matters”.

Dominican Republic

Guatemala

Marcos Peña Rodriguez at Jiménez Peña is valued by market sources as “one of the top practitioners” for ADR. Rosa (Lisa) Diaz comes highly recommended by peers as “a standout lawyer, who handles her cases with extreme care”. Fabiola Medina Garnes from Medina Garrigó Abogados is regarded as “an excellent professional” with extensive experience in private practice, public administration and disputes.

Alvaro Rodrigo Castellanos Howell from Consortium Legal is a top name in Guatemala for complex commercial dispute resolution, where he is singled out for his “excellent and leading practice”. Elías José Arriaza Sáenz is highly recommended for his deep knowledge and expert handling of civil and commercial litigation proceedings. Alejandro Arenales Farner at BLP possesses over 35 years of experience in banking, finance and dispute resolution proceedings.

Róger Guevara at Batalla earns plaudits from sources as “a first-rate lawyer with years of valuable dispute resolution experience”. Alejandro Batalla impresses market sources with his “excellent and highly successful track record in dispute resolution”.

Pellerano & Herrera’s Yolemny Cruz has over 15 years of experience representing high-profile clients in civil, criminal, commercial and labour dispute resolution.

Mauricio Salas from BLP comes highly recommended for his ”impressive technical skills”, “excellent command of the law” and “common sense approach to litigation”.

Ricardo A Cevallos at Ricardo Cevallos y Asociados is renowned for advising and representing multinational clients in contentious banking and competition matters.

Mario Archila from Arias is a leading figure for administrative litigation, with sources further heralding his deep tax expertise.

Víctor Garita from Arias is “highly experienced and knowledgeable” in domestic and international arbitration and litigation.

Mario Enrique Sáenz from Sáenz & Asociados is lauded by market sources for his “extensive knowledge” and “considerable experience” as litigator, counsel and arbitrator.

Ulises Mejía León Gómez from Consortium Legal is distinguished by market commentators as “a leading professional in alternative dispute resolution”.

Alejandro Pignataro of Pignataro Abogados is heralded by peers as “a highly reliable lawyer” and “an outstanding commercial litigator”.

Katherine González Arrocha

El Salvador

Humberto Sáenz Marinero from Novis Estudio Legal is praised by peers for being “experienced, smart and common sensed” in his approach, as well as “an absolute pleasure to work with”.

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Rodolfo Salazar is a go-to litigation lawyer for public and private sector clients engaged in disputes across a wide range of sector, including energy and infrastructure projects.

Honduras

Benito Arturo Zelaya Cálix from Lexincorp Central American Law Firm gains high praise from market sources as “a pleasure to work with” and “an excellent practitioner” for complex commercial disputes.

Dispute Resolution

Nicaragua

Gerardo Hernández from Consortium Legal impresses as “a leading professional” when it comes to handling conflict resolution in civil and commercial litigation.

Panama

Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee sees four leading lawyers listed. Jorge Federico Lee is widely endorsed as “an extremely knowledgeable and experienced arbitrator and counsel” in the market. Alejandro Ferrer is “a top-notch dispute resolution lawyer” for energy, natural resources, corporate and M&A matters.

Carlos Cordero is a highly endorsed lawyer with an extensive practice spanning banking, finance, capital markets and dispute resolution issues. Eduardo Gomez A ranks prominently among peers in the Central American market, thanks to his leading work in dispute resolution for domestic and international clients. Independent arbitrator Katherine González Arrocha is considered “a world leading professional” by her peers for her excellent domestic and international practice.

market for commercial and civil dispute resolution. Morgan and Morgan’s José Carrizo has a first-rate practice that spans litigation, arbitration, insolvency matters and asset recovery. Eric Britton from Britton & Iglesias is described as “a leading professional in Panama” by market sources. His prolific dispute resolution practice encompasses construction, energy, and public concessions issues.

Esteban López Moreno from KATZ & LOPEZ is very well regarded in the Central American

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Dispute Resolution

Costa Rica

Alberto Fernández Lopez

Rolando Laclé Zúñiga

Cesar Ramos

Alberto Fernández López a seasoned practitioner as corporate companies’ lawyer in activities such as construction, civil liability, real estates, marketing of commodities, agroindustry and exportation of raw materials, international distribution and transportation of merchandise, agency and representation agreements, devoting himself with special emphasis to the negotiation and structuring of complex contracts. Also, he has focused his professional practice on litigation in sophisticated civil and commercial judicial and arbitration proceedings and is lawyer expert in the alternate resolution of conflicts (mediator and arbitrator). His professional activity is complemented with frequent designations as arbitrator and president in arbitral tribunals where he has participated more than 90 national arbitration proceedings. In the field of international arbitration, he stands out as having been arbitrator in an ICC’s international commercial arbitration. He is frequently called to integrate legal teams in complex international commercial arbitration in construction, distribution agreements, and others commercial cases and has extensive experience as a mediator resolving complex banking conflicts, construction, bankruptcies, and insolvencies. He is a member of the principal Arbitration Center of Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Venezuela. As member of the board of directors of the conciliation and arbitration centre of Costa Rica’s Chamber of Commerce, he was director of the work team that drafted the international arbitration by-laws of that centre. He was a university professor in international trade and litigation strategies courses. He is the author of publications in commercial arbitration and regular lecturer in courses and specialised conferences in that discipline.

César is a partner in Consortium Legal - El Salvador. Has extensive experience in conflict resolution, arbitration, civil and commercial. He has participated in many cases of civil, labour and commercial law in different companies. He has been part of the largest cases nationally in El Salvador and has acted additionally as an adviser in both domestic and foreign trials. He has a degree in legal sciences from José Simeón Cañas Central American University, El Salvador, and is attorney and notary authorised by the Supreme Court of Justice of the Republic of El Salvador. He speaks Spanish.

BTA Legal

Ofiplaza del Este, Edificio B, Piso 1 Barrio Dent San José Tel: +506 2234 8413 alberto.fernandez@btalegal.com www.btalegal.com/

WWL says: Alberto Fernández Lopez is heralded by peers for being “an excellent practitioner” and “always being willing to serve and understand others, with great oral defence before court”.

El Salvador

Consortium Legal

150mts oeste de la entrada principal de Oficentro El Cedral, Escazú Edificio Banco General 6º piso San José Tel: +506 2257 3553 rlacle@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Rolando Laclé Zúñiga is renowned as “a highly experienced and professional lawyer” for high-profile litigation and arbitration cases.

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Consortium Legal

Calle Llama del Bosque Poniente Urb Madre Selva III Edificio Avante Local 3-13 Antiguo Cuscatlán, La Libertad San Salvador Tel: +503 2209 1623 cramos@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Cesar Ramos is lauded for his 30 years of experience handling contentious proceedings across the financial, construction and labour industries, including alternative dispute resolution.

Dispute Resolution

Guatemala

Humberto Sáenz Marinero

Milton Argueta

Elías José Arriaza Sáenz

Mr Sáenz is a partner at Novis Estudio Legal. He has a JS.D. in private law from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (Cum Laude); Master of Laws from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (Cum Laude); postgraduate in Business International Transactions of the Anahuac University of the South of Mexico; Master of Business Administration with specialisation in finance at ISEADE-FEPADE in El Salvador (Cum Laude). He graduated from University Dr. José Matías Delgado in El Salvador, 1997 (Cum Laude). Mr Sáenz has participated as a counsel in more than 60 national and international arbitrations proceedings, and has been nominated as an arbitrator in more than 30 local and international arbitrations proceedings, both institutional and ad hoc, on topics related to telecommunications, construction industry, banking, distribution contracts, energy, electricity, cartography, insurance, mining and intellectual property. His arbitration practice has been developed in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Perú, Mexico and the United States. He has represented the State of El Salvador in 2 ICSID arbitration proceedings: a) ICSID case No. ARB/09/12. Subject of the dispute: mining; and b) ICSID case No. ARB/13/18. Matter of the dispute: electricity generation. Has been appointed as part of the ad-hoc Committee in the ICSID proceeding NextEra vs España, No. ARB714/11. He was appointed as an arbitrator by the State of El Salvador before ICSID (2015-2021). Has been an external legal consultant for FOMILENIO I (Millenium Challenge Corporation in El Salvador) and an external legal consultant for FOMILENIO II. As an advisor to FOMILENIO, he has participated in various Dispute Board Resolution panels in different construction contracts. He is member of the Court of the ICC.

Milton Estuardo Argueta has more than thirty years of professional practice in his own law firm and is currently a partner at “Avanz Legal” Law Firm. Throughout his professional practice, he has worked as an in-house lawyer in business groups, was a member of the board of directors of a bank, appointed as a substitute magistrate of the appealing court and has worked as an arbitrator and international consultant. His professional practice is specialized in the corporative field, mainly focused on commercial contracts, taxation and legal structuration of businesses and projects. In the field of arbitration, he has worked as Legal Consultant on commercial international arbitrations, and he is also known for being named as both, a sole arbitrator and a member of arbitral tribunals. He has been named President of the arbitral tribunal in numerous national arbitrations at the Arbitration and Conciliation Center of the Chamber of Commerce of Guatemala -CENAC-, and of the Dispute Resolution Commission of the Chamber of Industry of Guatemala -CRECIG-, the two arbitration centers in Guatemala; as well as ad hoc arbitrations, under UNCITRAL arbitration rules. Lastly, he has been named as member of ad hoc Committees in ICSID annulment procedures. In the academic field, he is the Professor of the Corporations and Debt Securities of Negotiable Instruments courses at the Law School of Universidad Francisco Marroquín, of which he is currently Dean.

Elias is a practice partner in the litigation department of Consortium Legal – Guatemala. He has 14 years of experience in civil, commercial, arbitration, administrative, tax and intellectual property litigation. In recent years, he has been in charge of complex and strategic cases: institutional arbitration for breach of technology contract, commercial lawsuits for termination of distribution contract, ad hoc arbitration for breach of bonds, civil claims for damages caused by a crime in private property, ad hoc arbitration for breach of administrative contracts with the State, civil lawsuits for property disputes in which a hydroelectric is located, institutional arbitration for breach of engineering contract, mercantile trials of exclusion of shareholders, civil trial regarding a contract lease with a term of 30 years. He is professor of civil and commercial procedural law at the Universidad Rafael Landívar. He was Professor of Company Law in the master’s degree in the Faculty of Economic Sciences at the Rafael Landívar University (2011-2014) and professor of civil and commercial procedural law at the Universidad del Istmo (2015-2019). He has collaborated with the Association of Lawyers and Notaries of Guatemala as a professor He is a member of the College of Lawyers and Notaries of Guatemala and founding member of the Guatemalan Institute of Procedural Law; President, Board of Directors (2017-2018).

Novis Estudio Legal

Century Tower, 5th Floor B Zona Rosa San Salvador Tel: +(503) 2535-188 hsaenz@novislegal.com www.novislegal.com

WWL says: Humberto Sáenz Marinero is praised by peers for being “experienced, smart and common sensed” in his approach, as well as “an absolute pleasure to work with”.

Avanz Legal

meargueta@avanzlegal.com

WWL says: Milton Argueta is a highly respected practitioner, regarded as “an excellent professional and academic” for his work in conflict resolution, including arbitration. whoswholegal.com

Consortium Legal

Diagonal 6 10-01 zona 10 Centro Gerencial Las Margaritas Torre II Oficina 1402 Ciudad Guatemala City, 01010 Tel: +502 2279 3939 earriaza@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Elías José Arriaza Sáenzis highly recommended for his deep knowledge and expert handling of civil and commercial litigation proceedings.

Dispute Resolution

Honduras

Alvaro Rodrigo Castellanos Howell

Ulises Mejía León Gómez

Ulises is a partner at Consortium Legal – Honduras. With 25 years of experience; he is an expert in litigation and arbitration, in civil, commercial and administrative matters, both in ordinary jurisdiction and arbitration, with special emphasis on litigation related to construction contracts for public and private works, investment, public-private partnerships, insurance, professional services, telecommunications and representation, distribution and agency. During his career, he has practicsed as an ad-hoc arbitrator, institutional arbitrator, secretary, and as a private lawyer in numerous arbitration proceedings under Honduran national regulations and international regulations (ICC, Uncitral). Currently, he is in the list of arbitrators for Honduras within the framework of the Free Trade Agreement between El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras with Colombia, as within the framework of the Mechanism for Settlement of Commercial Disputes between Central America of the Central American Economic Integration Secretariat SIECA. He is the arbitrator proposed by Honduras for the integration of the Inter-American Commercial Arbitration Commission (CIAC). In addition, he has extensive knowledge in the recently implemented Civil Procedure Code and is part of the list of trainers of the Centre of Conciliation and Arbitration of the CCIT and of the Judicial School “Salomon Jiménez Castro”, dependence of the Judicial Branch.

Consortium Legal

Primera Calle # 304 Torre Consortium I. Colonia La Estancia Final del Bulevar Morazán. Tegucigalpa Tel: +504 2221 1002 umejia@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

Diagonal 6 10-01 zona 10 Centro Gerencial Las Margaritas Torre II Oficina 1402 Ciudad Guatemala City, 01010 Tel: +502 2279 3939 acastellanos@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Alvaro Rodrigo Castellanos Howell is a top name in Guatemala for complex commercial dispute resolution, where he is singled out for his “excellent and leading practice”.

He has a master’s in civil procedural law from the Technological University of Honduras (UTH), in coordination with the Spanish Universities Carlos III de Madrid, Jaime I de Castellón and Pablo de Olavide de Seville, (in the present), a master’s in commercial law, directorate of the postgraduate studies system from the National Autonomous University of Honduras (2002), postgraduate studies in law specialising in international business from the School of Law, Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA and the Central American Institute of Business Administration (INCAE) and a law degree with orientation in criminal and commercial law from the National Autonomous University of Hondura, Tegucigalpa, (1995). He speaks Spanish and English.

WWL says: Ulises Mejía León Gómez is distinguished by market commentators as “a leading professional in alternative dispute resolution”.

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Dispute Resolution

Nicaragua

José Ramón Paz

Benito Arturo Zelaya Cálix

Gerardo Hernandez

Jose Ramón Paz P is a co-founder of Consortium Legal – Honduras where he is currently the managing partner and a practitioner in the banking law, mergers and acquisitions and agency and partnership groups. As a practitioner he has recently coordinated and participated in large cross-border financial transactions, involving multinational banks and local and regional institutional borrowers, also structuring guarantee solutions through trusts in some of those cases. He has been a substitute judge of the Supreme Court in Honduras, has participated in cross-border financial transactions for amounts ranging between US$30 million and US$1,700 million, involving international banks and local and regional borrowers, structuring guarantee trusts for some of them, participated in cross-border mergers and acquisitions for amounts ranging between US$50 million and US$650 million, involving foreign purchasers and local sellers, among other matters. Jose holds an LLM with orientation in financial institutions and transactions from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, United States (1982) and a Juris Doctor with specialisation in commercial law and banking law from the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH), Honduras (1978). He speaks Spanish and English.

Benito is a well-rounded lawyer with special expertise in arbitration, litigation and corporate law. He believes that through the practice of law it´s possible to contribute in the development of the Central American region, and that´s why he decided to practice law, to create a positive impact on society. He has steered his career to practice areas that have a profound impact in the economy, of his country and justice in general. With this in mind, Benito has a specialized practice in Arbitration and litigation for the regulated sector in the following industries: Infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, concessions, public-private partnerships, banking, and distribution contracts, where he believes his contributions will have a lasting and profound impact. As of today following this vision he advises airports, infrastructure companies, energy transmission and generation corporations, telecommunications and several public-private partnerships in Honduras. Understanding the importance of corporations in the development of the region, Benito also leads the corporate department of the firm. For the last few years, the firm has been at the forefront of advising Public-Private Partnerships, contributing to the widespread use of this option in the structuring of complex infrastructure projects. Benito has also been part of a number of arbitration tribunals as institutional and ad-hoc arbitrator, where he decided to get involved to contribute not only as litigator but also as decider, in order to have further impact in the justice sector. Through the practice of law, lawyers can be agents of change in their societies. By focusing his career in areas of the law where the impact affects thousands of people, Benito seeks to be that agent of change through sound advice, ethical approach and out of the box impactful solutions.

Gerardo is a partner at Consortium Legal – Nicaragua, with over 25 years of experience in the food and beverage, banking and financial services, real estate, energy, and retail sectors. He has extensive experience in conflict resolution, particularly in litigation and arbitration. He has litigated in the civil and commercial areas and is a certified commercial arbitrator of the Mediation and Arbitration Center Antonio Leiva Pérez of the Chamber of Commerce and Services of Nicaragua. He has led the firm’s litigation team in the country’s most noteworthy cases. He is currently one of the most referenced litigation attorneys at the regional level by Central America 2019 - Benchmark Research. He has taught at Nicaragua’s main universities and at the Judicial School in undergraduate, master’s, and postgraduate programs in the areas of civil procedure, insolvency, and commercial arbitration. Author of the Manual of Civil Procedure and co-author of several manuals of International Commercial Arbitration in Ibero-America. Gerardo has been the Team Leader on behalf of a Fortune Top 10 company in an arbitration process consisting of a lawsuit for breach of contract and damages of more than US$10 million. The process concluded with a favourable resolution to our client reflected in an award that ordered to pay less than US$600,000. He has also been Co-Counsel and expert in Nicaraguan law in the representation of a client of the medical supplies industry in a civil process in the State of Florida in which a breach of fiduciary obligation, unfair competition, violation of confidentiality obligation was exercised, which concluded with a favorable sentence for the client for more than twelve million dollars.

Consortium Legal

Primera Calle # 304 Torre Consortium I. Colonia La Estancia Final del Bulevar Morazán. Tegucigalpa Tel: +504 2221 1002 jrpaz@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: José Ramón Paz has acted for clients in a range of work including negotiations and arbitration in finance, real estate and infrastructure.

Lexincorp Central American Law Firm

Colonia Lomas del Guijarro Sur Calle Roma, Avenida Berlín Tegucigalpa Tel: +504 2263 5902 bzelaya@lexincorp.com www.lexincorp.com

WWL says: Benito Arturo Zelaya Cálix gains high praise from market sources as “a pleasure to work with” and “an excellent practitioner” for complex commercial disputes. whoswholegal.com

Consortium Legal

Del antiguo Hospital Militar 1 cuadra al Norte Managua Tel: +505 2254 5454 ghernandez@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Gerardo Hernández from Consortium Legal impresses as “a leading professional” when it comes to handling conflict resolution in civil and commercial litigation. 47

Dispute Resolution

Panama

Fernando Arias

Carlos G Cordero

Alejandro Ferrer

Fernando A. Arias joined the firm in 1984 and became a partner in 1995. Mr Arias is co-managing partner and is a member of the firm’s executive committee. He is also head of the firm’s corporate services practice group and co-head of the litigation and arbitration practice group. Dr. Arias’ litigation practice focuses on commercial and civil matters; taxation and administrative cases. His corporate practice includes establishing estate planning structures involving trusts, foundations and special purposes vehicles including companies registered in the BVI and Panama. He currently overseas ARIFA Hong Kong office. Dr. Arias completed his JD at Drake University (1983), and his BA at Tulane University (1979).

Alejandro Ferrer joined Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee in 1998 as a partner. His professional practice concentrates on mining law; international trade; competition law; business law; telecommunications; energy; oil; mining; litigation; arbitration; M&A projects development; and general practice. Dr Ferrer has advised domestic and international companies on a broad array of legal and commercial matters. He served as member of the Foreign Relations Committee (2008–2009 and 1996–1999); president of the advisory council to the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Authority (2006– 2008); minister of commerce and industry (2004– 2008); alternate justice of the Third Superior Court of Appeal of the First Judicial District of Panama (2001– 2004); member of the Presidential Commission against Money Laundering (1998–1999) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama (2019–2020). Before joining Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee, Dr Ferrer served as deputy minister of foreign affairs (1996–1997); international trade counsel at the Embassy of Panama to the United States (1995–1996); deputy permanent ambassador to the United Nations and other international organisations (1994-1995); ambassador to the World Trade Organization (1994–1995); joint permanent representative on a special mission to the GATT (1993–1994); legal counsel at the Commission of Accession of Panama to GATT (1993); and associate at Alfaro, Ferrer, Ramírez & Alemán (1989–1996). Dr Ferrer is featured as a leading lawyer in Chambers and Partners, IFLR1000, The Legal 500 and Latin Business Chronicle. Dr Ferrer has an SJD (2000) and an LLM (1992) from the University of Michigan Law School (2000), and a Bachelor of Law and Political Sciences from Universidad Santa María La Antigua (1990). He was a Fulbright scholar (1991–1992) and studied at Georgetown University (1991) and Harvard Kennedy School (2008).

Humboldt Tower, 2nd Floor East 53rd Street Panama City, PO Box 0819-09132 Tel: +507 269 2620 ccordero@alcogal.com www.alcogal.com

Humboldt Tower, 2nd Floor East 53rd Street Panama City, PO Box 0819-09132 Tel: +507 269 2620 aferrer@alcogal.com www.alcogal.com

WWL says: Carlos Cordero is a highly endorsed lawyer with an extensive practice spanning banking, finance, capital markets and dispute resolution issues.

WWL says: Alejandro Ferrer is “a top-notch dispute resolution lawyer” for energy, natural resources, corporate and M&A matters.

Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega

ARIFA Building, 10th Floor, West Boulevard Santa María Business District, PO Box 0816-01098 Panama City Tel: +507 205 7012 farias@arifa.com www.arifa.com

WWL says: Fernando Arias is a highly respected figure for his top-tier litigation practice in commercial and civil disputes. His deep expertise in tax and estate planning structures is further applauded. 48

Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee

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Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee

Dispute Resolution

Eduardo E Gomez A

Jorge Federico Lee

Eduardo Gómez joined Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee in 2002, becoming partner in 2018. His professional practice concentrates on litigation and arbitration; corporate and M&A; and banking and finance. Mr Gómez has a bachelor’s degree in law and political sciences from Panama University (2005). Mr Gómez has served as a teaching assistant for the course on evidence and general practice at Panama University (2002-2004) and judicial assistant of the Seventh Civil Circuit Court of Panama (1999-2002). He is fluent in Spanish.

Jorge Federico Lee joined Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee as a founding partner in 1985. He is regarded as one of the leading practitioners in the areas of dispute resolution, including international and domestic commercial arbitration, and labour law. His labour practice includes collective bargaining and complex labour litigation. Mr Lee also specialises in the areas of antitrust, real estate, banking and finance and capital markets. Mr Lee is a former Justice of the Supreme Court (2004–2005) and a former minister of labour of the Republic of Panama (1985–1988). He also served as alternate justice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Panama (1996–2004). Moreover, Mr Lee has also held high public positions, such as chairman of the Panama Inter-Oceanic Region Authority in (2002), General Director of the Colon Free Trade Zone (1984–1985) and Vice Minister of Government and Justice (1982–1983). In 1986, as Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, he promoted the first flexibility legislation in Latin America, introducing changes in the Panamanian labour system to incentive productivity by allowing employers to pay bonuses, production premiums and other variable compensation. As a lawyer, he drafted the Labour Section of the Panama Canal Authority Act and advised the Panamanian government in the labour aspects of the vast privatisation process undertaken during the 1990s, mainly in the telecommunication and power energy areas. Mr Lee has also served as chairman of the University of Panama Foundation and as professor of Procedural Law and Evidence Law (1972–2002).

Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee

Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee Mr Lee is a member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration and vice president of the Pan-American Institute of Procedural Law. He has also served on the boards of directors of the InterOceanic Region Authority (1996) and the National Investment Council (1984–1985) and is a member of the Panama Bar Association. Mr Lee has a bachelor’s degree in law and political sciences from the University of Panama. Mr Lee has been top-ranked top band for dispute resolution by Chambers and Partners. He is fluent in English and Spanish.

Humboldt Tower, 2nd Floor East 53rd Street Panama City, PO Box 0819-09132 Tel: +507 269 2620 egomez@alcogal.com www.alcogal.com

Humboldt Tower, 2nd Floor East 53rd Street Panama City, PO Box 0819-09132 Tel: + 507 269 2620 jfl@alcogal.com www.alcogal.com

WWL says: Eduardo Gomez A is widely acclaimed as a go-to contentious and non-contentious private client lawyer with vast experience across finance and litigation matters.

WWL says: Jorge Federico Lee is a go-to lawyer for clients engaged in business ownership matters, wealth management and the creation of offshore trust vehicles.

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Dispute Resolution

Belize

Ashanti Arthurs Martin Balderamos Arthurs LLP ashanti@balderamosarthurs.com Eamon Harrison Courtenay SC Courtenay Coye LLP ecourtenay@courtenaycoye.com

Costa Rica

John Aguilar-Osborne Aguilar Castillo Love jao@aguilarcastillolove.com Arnoldo André Lexincorp Central American Law Firm andre@lexincorp.com Jaime Barrantes Gamboa Artavia y Barrantes Abogados jbarrantes@artaviaybarrantes.com Alejandro Batalla Batalla abatalla@batalla.cr Jorge Manuel Chacón Mora CJA Abogados jmchacon@cjalegal.com Christian Diaz Barcia Migratoria cdiaz@migratoria-la.com Alberto Fernández Lopez* BTA Legal alberto.fernandez@btalegal.com Víctor MI Garita Arias victor.garita@ariaslaw.com Róger Guevara Batalla rguevara@batalla.com Roy Herrera Dentons roy.herrera@dentons.com Andrea Hulbert Hulbert Volio Montero ahulbert@hulbertvolio.com Dyalá Jiménez Figueres DJ Arbitraje dyala.jimenez@djarbitraje.com Rolando Laclé Zúñiga* Consortium Legal rlacle@consortiumlegal.com Carlos Oreamuno Facio & Cañas coreamuno@fayca.com Rodrigo Oreamuno Independent Arbitrator Rodrigo Oreamuno roreamuno@robcr.com Alejandro Pignataro Pignataro Abogados apignataro@pignataroabogados.com

Mauricio Salas BLP msalas@blplegal.com Efraín Zapata BDS Asesores ezapata@bdsasesores.com

Dominican Republic

Francisco Alvarez Valdez Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernandez falvarez@hrafdom.com Andrés Bobadilla Fernández Bobadilla Abogados aeb@bobadilla.com Julio Cesar Camejo Castillo Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernandez jcamejo@hrafdom.com Yolemny Cruz Pellerano & Herrera y.cruz@phlaw.com Rosa (Lisa) Diaz Jiménez Peña rdiaz@jcpdr.com Maria Esther Fernández Alvarez de Pou Raful Sicard Polanco & Fernández mefernandez@legalrsp.com Jesús Francos Rodríguez Medina Garrigó Abogados SRL jfrancos@mga.com.do Pablo González Tapia González Tapia Abogados pgonzalez@gonzaleztapia.com Tomas Hernández Metz Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernandez thernandez@hrafdom.com Laura Medina Jiménez Peña lmedina@jcpdr.com Fabiola Medina Garnes Medina Garrigó Abogados SRL fmedina@mga.com.do Lucy Objío Pellerano & Herrera l.objio@phlaw.com Marcos Peña Rodriguez Jiménez Peña mpena@jpadvisors.do Aimee Prieto Prieto Cabrera & Asociados SRL aprieto@prietocabrera.com

El Salvador

Carlos Castillo Romero Pineda & Asociados ccastillo@romeropineda.net Ricardo A Cevallos Ricardo Cevallos y Asociados rc@cevalloscortez.com Rafael Mendoza Espino Nieto & Asociados rmendoza@espinolaw.com Cesar Ramos* Consortium Legal cramos@consortiumlegal.com José Roberto Romero Romero Pineda & Asociados jose@romeropineda.com Mario Enrique Sáenz Sáenz & Asociados mes@saenzlaw.com Humberto Sáenz Marinero* Novis Estudio Legal hsaenz@novislegal.com

whoswholegal.com

Eduardo Ángel Arias eduardo.angel@ariaslaw.com

Guatemala

Rodolfo Alegria T Carrillo & Asociados rodolfo.alegria@carrillolaw.com Mario Archila Arias mario.archila@ariaslaw.com Alejandro Arenales Farner BLP aarenales@blplegal.com Milton Argueta* Avanz Legal meargueta@avanzlegal.com Elías José Arriaza Sáenz* Consortium Legal earriaza@consortiumlegal.com Jorge Rolando Barrios BMT Law jrbarrios@bonilla.com.gt Emanuel Callejas A Carrillo & Asociados emanuel.callejas@carrillolaw.com Rodrigo Callejas A Carrillo & Asociados rodrigo.callejas@carrillolaw.com Alfonso Carrillo M Carrillo & Asociados alfonso.carrillo@carrillolaw.com Alvaro Rodrigo Castellanos Howell* Consortium Legal acastellanos@consortiumlegal.com Juan Carlos Castillo Aguilar Castillo Love jcc@aguilarcastillolove.com José E Quiñones QIL+4 Abogados jquinones@qilsc.com Rodolfo Salazar BLP rsalazar@blplegal.com Alfredo Skinner-Klee Skinner-Klee & Asociados - LatamLex skinner-klee@latamlex.com

Honduras

Ulises Mejía León Gómez* Consortium Legal umejia@consortiumlegal.com José Ramón Paz* Consortium Legal jrpaz@consortiumlegal.com Fanny Rodríguez Arias fanny.rodriguez@ariaslaw.com Benito Arturo Zelaya Cálix* Lexincorp Central American Law Firm bzelaya@lexincorp.com

Nicaragua

Luz Marina Espinoza Ruiz Alvarado y Asociados luzme@alvaradoyasociados.com.ni Gerardo Hernandez* Consortium Legal ghernandez@consortiumlegal.com Soraya Montoya Herrera Central Law smontoya@central-law.com

Dispute Resolution

Panama

Fernando Arias* Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega farias@arifa.com Eric Britton Britton & Iglesias britton@brig.com.pa José Carrizo Morgan & Morgan jose.carrizo@morimor.com Sofía J Cohen Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega scohen@arifa.com Carlos G Cordero* Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee ccordero@alcogal.com Alejandro Ferrer* Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee aferrer@alcogal.com

Eduardo E Gomez A* Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee egomez@alcogal.com Evans Gonzalez Moreno Evans Group egm@evansgonzalezlaw.com Katherine González Arrocha Independent Arbitrator kga@arbconsultorias.com Jorge Federico Lee* Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee jfl@alcogal.com Isabel Cristina López LOVILL cristina.lopez@lovill.com Esteban López Moreno KATZ & LOPEZ esteban@katzylopez.com

whoswholegal.com

David M Mizrachi Fidanque MDU Legal david@mdulegal.com Jorge Molina Mendoza Fábrega Molino jmolina@fmm.com.pa Simón Tejeira Morgan & Morgan simon.tejeira@morimor.com Luis Vallarino Morgan & Morgan luis.vallarino@morimor.com Diego de la Guardia Porras Galindo Arias y López diegoag@gala.com.pa

Environment, Energy & Natural Resources

ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES In this chapter, we recognise 25 practitioners for their prestigious experience across a wide spectrum of environmental, energy and natural resources issues. They are well versed in advising on disputes, transactional and regulatory matters.

Most Highly Regarded Carlos Echeverría A

InterLex Bufete Echeverria San José

Costa Rica

Carlos Echeverría A of InterLex Bufete Echeverria is renowned among peers for his deep knowledge of environmental law. Claudio Donato Monge with Zurcher Odio & Raven stands out as a leading regulatory lawyer with prolific experience assisting energy sector clients in competition matters. Jose Pablo Sánchez at Axioma Estudio Legal excels as a waste regulations specialist with further experience advising companies on complex carbon projects.

Dominican Republic

Maria Esther Fernández Alvarez de Pou of Raful Sicard Polanco & Fernández is widely celebrated for her first-rate regulatory and transactional practice. Her impressive roster of clients spans maritime and energy companies.

Alejandro Peña-Prieto at Squire Patton Boggs receives a plethora of endorsements from sources who laud his strategic advice to banking, energy and natural resources clients. Santroni Parsons’ Romina Santroni is “an excellent lawyer with great knowledge of the sector”, according to peers who further celebrate her “careful handling of the procedures under her charge”.

Guatemala

Lorena Barrios at BMT Law has a top-tier reputation advising domestic and international energy sector clients on a wide range of matters. At Aguilar Castillo Love, Juan Carlos Castillo earns plaudits for his incisive handling of corporate, energy, infrastructure and natural resources issues.

whoswholegal.com

Ana Gabriela Roca of QIL+4 Abogados is a go-to lawyer for domestic and international energy clients operating in green field projects, project acquisition and contract negotiation.

Honduras

Karla Gabriela Aguilar Rodriguez with BLP is renowned for “consistently producing reliable, high-quality information” and “deep sectoral knowledge”.

Nicaragua

At Garcia & Bodan, Terencio García Montenegro is a first-rate lawyer who excels at advising hydrothermal, geothermal and wind energy companies on corporate structuring and transactional matters.

Environment, Energy & Natural Resources

Panama

Roy C Durling

Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega Roy C Durling joined the firm in 1991 and became a partner in 2001. Mr Durling heads the firm’s government contracts and mining practice group. Mr. Durling advises clients in the oil and port industries in tax and regulatory matters, especially in aspects relating to the operation of companies within the oil free trade zone regime. Mr. Durling has represented major oil and energy companies before the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Secretary of Energy, Maritime Authority and tax authorities. A versatile lawyer with skills in a wide range of corporate and commercial law areas, Mr. Durling also counsels local and international clients in the fields of ship finance; mining, banking and finance; capital markets; corporations; doing business and multinationals in Panama; and aircraft financing. Mr Durling has a juris doctor from Cornell University and a bachelor of arts from Georgetown University. He is admitted to the Bar in Panama and New York. 1986–1990: He worked in New York with Haight, Gardner, Poor & Havens (today, Holland & Knight LLP) in the area of asset-based financing.

ARIFA Building, 10th Floor, West Boulevard Santa María Business District, PO Box 0816-01098 Panama City Tel: +507 205 7041 rcdurling@arifa.com www.arifa.com

Costa Rica

Claudio Donato Monge Zurcher Odio & Raven claudio.donato@zurcherodioraven.com Carlos Echeverría A InterLex Bufete Echeverria cecheverria@bufeteecheverria.com Jose Pablo Sánchez Axioma Estudio Legal jsanchez@axiomalegal.com

Dominican Republic

Julio Cesar Camejo Castillo Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernandez jcamejo@hrafdom.com Maria Esther Fernández Alvarez de Pou Raful Sicard Polanco & Fernández mefernandez@legalrsp.com Luis R Pellerano Pellerano Nadal Law & Consulting lpellerano@pellerano.com Alejandro Peña-Prieto Squire Patton Boggs alejandro.penaprieto@squirepb.com Romina Santroni Santroni Parsons rs@ecourbanlaw.com

Honduras

Karla Gabriela Aguilar Rodriguez BLP kgaguilar@blplegal.com

Nicaragua

Bertha Argüello Arias bertha.arguello@ariaslaw.com Terencio J García Montenegro Garcia & Bodan terencio.garcia@garciabodan.com Gustavo Vargas Arias gustavo.vargas@ariaslaw.com

Panama

Ana Carolina Castillo Solis Morgan & Morgan ana.castillo@morimor.com Roy C Durling* Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega rcdurling@arifa.com Inocencio Galindo Morgan & Morgan inocencio.galindo@morimor.com Juan F Pardini Pardini & Asociados pardini@padela.com Monna M de la Guardia Lombrano Bultron & de la Guardia mm@lbg-law.com Diego de la Guardia Porras Galindo Arias y López diegoag@gala.com.pa

Guatemala

Rodolfo Alegria T Carrillo & Asociados rodolfo.alegria@carrillolaw.com Lorena Barrios BMT Law lbarrios@bonilla.com.gt Rafael Briz Mayora & Mayora, SC rbriz@mayora-mayora.com Juan Pablo Carrasco de Groote Central Law guatemala@central-law.com Juan Carlos Castillo Aguilar Castillo Love jcc@aguilarcastillolove.com Ana Gabriela Roca QIL+4 Abogados groca@4abogados.com.gt Rodolfo E Sosa AD Sosa & Soto rsosa@adsosasoto.com

WWL says: Roy Durling aptly advises clients in the oil and port industries in tax and regulatory matters, using his depth of knowledge in aspects relating to the operation of companies within the oil free trade zone regime. whoswholegal.com

Franchise & Distribution

FRANCHISE & DISTRIBUTION WWL highlights 15 lawyers in Central America for their deep knowledge and broad experience assisting multinational clients in franchise and distribution.

Most Highly Regarded Ruby Asturias

Georges Santoni-Recio

Deloitte Guatemala City

Costa Rica

Rolando García M from Arias comes highly recommended by peers, who state “working with him is easy – his work transmits confidence to the client and is rich in experience and legal knowledge”. Vicente Lines is renowned for his prolific franchise and distribution practice, where he acts on behalf of a wide range of corporate clients. Rolando Laclé Castro from Consortium Legal is a “prestigious” name in the franchise and distribution market in Costa Rica for his work spanning 55 years of practice. Rolando Laclé Zúñiga is endorsed by market courses for his “professionalism

Russin Vecchi & Heredia Bonetti Santo Domingo

and extensive experience” of foreign investment, international trade and distribution law.

Dominican Republic

Francisco José Castillo-Love at Aguilar Castillo Love comes highly regarded by peers for his leading work in finance, distribution and dispute resolution.

Georges Santoni-Recio at Russin Vecchi & Heredia Bonetti is a go-to practitioner for all matters pertaining to distribution law. His experience in foreign investment and labour issues is further heralded.

Consortium Legal’s Rafael Alvarado Riedel impresses market sources with over 20 years’ experience in foreign investment and international trade to support his franchise and distribution practice.

Guatemala

Honduras

Ruby Asturias from Deloitte ranks highly among peers for her first-rate practice, which spans franchise, distribution, infrastructure and finance matters.

whoswholegal.com

José Rafael Rivera Ferrari with Consortium Legal has over 25 years’ experience assisting clients in complex agency, distributorship and franchise legal matters.

Franchise & Distribution

Costa Rica

Guatemala

Rolando Laclé Castro

Rolando Laclé Zúñiga

Rafael Alvarado Riedel

150mts oeste de la entrada principal de Oficentro El Cedral, Escazú Edificio Banco General 6º piso San José Tel: +506 2257 3553 rlaclec@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

150mts oeste de la entrada principal de Oficentro El Cedral, Escazú Edificio Banco General 6º piso San José Tel: +506 2257 3553 rlacle@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

Diagonal 6 10-01 zona 10 Centro Gerencial Las Margaritas Torre II Oficina 1402 Ciudad Guatemala City, 01010 Tel: +502 2324 3939 ralvarado@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Rolando Laclé Castro is a “prestigious” name in the franchise and distribution market in Costa Rica for his work spanning 55 years of practice.

WWL says: Rolando Laclé Zúñiga is endorsed by market courses for his “professionalism and extensive experience” of foreign investment, international trade and distribution law.

WWL says: Rafael Alvarado Riedel impresses market sources with over 20 years’ experience in foreign investment and international trade to support his franchise and distribution practice.

Consortium Legal

whoswholegal.com

Consortium Legal

Franchise & Distribution

Honduras

Ricardo Mejia

Bufete Mejia & Asociados Ricardo Anibal Mejia M, born in Honduras on 13 September 1964, currently serves as Bufete Mejia & Asociados’ partner and IP director. He specialises in commercial law and is acknowledged as an intellectual property authority for Honduras and Central America nationally and internationally. His articles have been published by the National Law Center, the SMD Country Index and the Bomchil Group; and in books including The New Role of Intellectual Property in Commercial Transactions, Trademarks Throughout the World, Latin Lawyer (intellectual property chapter) and Katzarov’s Handbook on Industrial Property. He has been invited to lecture on intellectual property by Forbes, the Fort-Worth Chamber of Commerce and the International Trademark Association; and he has participated in several conferences as a panellist for the Inter-American Association of Industrial Property. In 2017, he was asked to speak before the International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys (FICPI); this year, he has been invited by the Intellectual Property Commission of the International Chamber of Commerce to speak, at a conference, on IP developments in Central America. He has acted as country representative for the Inter-American Association of Industrial Property (ASIPI), and served as trademark reporter on the annual review and anti-counterfeiting committees of the International Trademark Association, as well as other committees and task forces. He is former vice president and board member of the intellectual property subcommittee for the Inter-American Bar Association and national ambassador for the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) on IP matters. He is a long-standing member of ECTA, PTMG and CITMA. In 2007, he was appointed honorary counsel of the Republic of Paraguay in Honduras.

20 Avenida “A” 1 y 2 Calle S.O. Barrio Río Piedras, PO Box 1744 San Pedro Sula Tel: +504 2550 7744 ricardo.mejia@bufetemejia.com

WWL says: Ricardo Anibal Mejía holds a stellar reputation within the Honduran market area, for his varied work in patents, trademark, copyright and franchise cases.

Costa Rica

Alfredo Fournier-Beeche Alfredo Fournier & Asociados alfredofournier@fournierlaw.com Rolando García M Arias rolando.garcia@ariaslaw.com Rolando Laclé Castro* Consortium Legal rlaclec@consortiumlegal.com Rolando Laclé Zúñiga* Consortium Legal rlacle@consortiumlegal.com Vicente Lines Arias vicente.lines@ariaslaw.com

Dominican Republic Georges Santoni-Recio Russin Vecchi & Heredia Bonetti gsantoni@rvhb.com

Guatemala

Rafael Alvarado Riedel* Consortium Legal ralvarado@consortiumlegal.com Ruby Asturias Deloitte rasturias@deloitte.com Francisco José Castillo-Love Aguilar Castillo Love fcl@aguilarcastillolove.com Alejandro Cofiño QIL+4 Abogados acofino@qil4.com Marcos Ibargüen Segovia QIL+4 Abogados mibarguen@qil4.com Claudia Pereira Mayora & Mayora, SC cpereira@mayora-mayora.com

Honduras

Ricardo Mejia* Bufete Mejia & Asociados ricardo.mejia@bufetemejia.com José Rafael Rivera Ferrari Consortium Legal jrivera@consortiumlegal.com

Panama

José Agustín Preciado Miro Fábrega Molino preciado@fmm.com.pa

whoswholegal.com

Insurance & Reinsurance

INSURANCE & REINSURANCE Here, we present 13 leading lawyers in Central America who come highly recommended for their outstanding work in insurance and reinsurance matters.

Most Highly Regarded Ricardo Cordero Baltodano

Neftalí Garro

Cordero & Cordero Abogados San José

BLP San José

Costa Rica

Neftalí Garro at BLP possesses over 25 years’ experience in contentious, regulatory and transactional reinsurance matters.

Finlex’s Said Breedy possesses over 15 years’ experience assisting insurance and reinsurance entities in regulation and litigation, where he excels at authorisation procedures.

Marcos Peña Rodriguez is widely respected by market sources as “an outstanding lawyer” for his leading work assisting a wide range of clients in insurance dispute resolution.

Ricardo Cordero Baltodano from Cordero & Cordero Abogados impresses market sources with his incisive handling of insurance, real estate and foreign investment issues.

Esteban Carranza, a well-regarded partner from Vector Legal, is widely endorsed for his in-depth knowledge and expertise in the Costa Rican insurance market.

Panama

Silvia Canales Coto from Consortium Legal is lauded by peers for her “deep compliance and regulatory knowledge pertaining to insurance and corporate governance matters”. Sources add: “She is meticulous and always delivers professional counsel.”

Dominican Republic

Ernesto Arias from Sucre Arias & Reyes is cited by respondents as “a very well-known insurance practitioner” who has “an impressive track record” in the sector.

José Cruz Campillo from Jiménez Peña is admired by peers as “a top practitioner” in complex insurance and corporate matters.

whoswholegal.com

Insurance & Reinsurance

Costa Rica

Daniel Araya FORZA LEGAL

Daniel is an attorney and notary public with more than 20-years’ experience practicing law. He has led specialised teams on mergers and acquisitions, as well as corporate, bank and tax law matters. He has worked with clients in several industries such as manufacturing, financial institutions, pharmaceutical, tourism, hospitality, real estate, energy and services, among others. Daniel heads FORZA, a trusted legal and consulting firm with an interdisciplinary team of seasoned professionals with more than 20 years of experience in offering legal and business services to local and foreign clients. It is the exclusive member in Costa Rica of the Alliot Global Alliance, which is the 6th largest multidisciplinary alliance of independent professional firms (accounting and law firms). The network has grown to more than 180 firm members in 80 countries around the world.

Costa Rica San José

Silvia Canales Coto ELS Estudio Legal Silvia Canales scanales@els.cr Daniel Araya* FORZA LEGAL daraya@forza.legal Said Breedy Finlex said.breedy@finlex.cr Esteban Carranza Vector Legal ecarranza@vectorlegal.co.cr Ricardo Cordero Baltodano Cordero & Cordero Abogados rcb@corderoabogados.com Neftalí Garro BLP ngarro@blplegal.com

Oficentro Plaza Aeropuerto Oficina G13A Alajuela Tel: +(506) 4350 0300 daraya@forza.legal www.forza.legal

WWL says: Daniel Araya is highly regarded as "an excellent lawyer for cross-border matters" in the insurance, reinsurance and financing industries.

whoswholegal.com

Dominican Republic José R. Cruz Campillo Jiménez Peña jcruz@jcpdr.com Ricardo Pellerano Pellerano & Herrera r.pellerano@phlaw.com Marcos Peña Rodriguez Jiménez Peña mpena@jpadvisors.do

El Salvador

Zygmunt Brett BLP zbrett@blplegal.com

Guatemala

Ligia Salazar Clarity Law ligia.salazar@claritylaw.com

Panama

Ernesto B Arias Sucre Arias & Reyes earias@sucre.net Carlos Ernesto González Ramírez Morgan & Morgan carlos.gonzalez@morimor.com

Intellectual Property

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY WWL’s extensive research into the Central American legal market recommends 65 leading lawyers who excel in the gamut of IP matters.

Most Highly Regarded Milagro Chaves

María del Pilar Troncoso Troncoso Leroux Santo Domingo

Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernandez Santo Domingo

Ricardo Mejia

Giselle Reuben

Julio Vargas

Facio & Cañas San José

Bufete Mejia & Asociados Tegucigalpa

Belize

Emil Arguelles at Arguelles & Company ranks highly among Belizean peers for his extensive knowledge of IP, commercial law and real estate.

Costa Rica

Giselle Reuben from BLP is lauded by peers for having “a complete understanding of the regional IP process and relevant laws”. Her “accuracy, knowledge and responsiveness” is also highlighted. Milagro Chaves from Facio & Cañas is endorsed by market sources as “a highly skilled IP practitioner” who “consistently provides the client with a prompt and thorough response”. María del Pilar López with Arias garners support from market sources impressed with her deep expertise in IP enforcement strategies and actions.

Dominican Republic

María del Pilar Troncoso from Troncoso Leroux’s is celebrated as “a top IP practitioner” who is “widely recognised in the patent market”. Mary Fernández Rodríguez at Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernandez earns plaudits for her “outstanding practice” and “great handling of patent issues”. Arlene Herrera from Miniño Abogados is held in high esteem as a leader for patent matters, with peers lauding her as “a top-notch lawyer”. Urko Ochoa comes highly recommended for his “strong technical knowledge” in trademark and patent protection, filing and enforcement.

Mary Fernández Rodríguez

BLP San José

Jaime Angeles from Angeles Pons impresses respondents with his “broad practice in copyright and new technologies”, as well as with his experience in electronic commerce, competition and litigation. Wallis Pons Cardi possesses “extensive knowledge” of trademark, patents and unfair competition litigation. At Orange IP, Carmen Prieto Villegas comes highly recommended by peers for her vast experience in copyright infringement and domain registration.

El Salvador

Julio Vargas at García & Bodán has an impressive range of experience assisting domestic and multinational clients in regional IP transactions, trademark management, patents and domain names. José Roberto Romero has a go-to reputation as a leading figure in IP registration and enforcement. Danilo Rodríguez Villamil at Espino Nieto & Asociados is heralded by sources for his top-tier practice in IP, corporate law and litigation across a number of sectors. Elena Patricia Puente excels at assisting high-profile clients in complex domestic and cross border trademark cases. Morena Zavaleta with Arias stands out for her prolific track record assisting companies in complex IP rights due diligence, as well as in litigation pertaining to trademarks, patents and copyright.

Guatemala

Ninoshka Urrutia at Consortium Legal is a highly respected practitioner thanks to her superb work advising high-profile clients on all matters regarding intellectual property.

whoswholegal.com

García & Bodán San Salvador

At Moller Law, Enrique Möller S ranks highly among peers for his astute practice, which covers corporate law, IP, specialised litigation and tax law. Marco Antonio Palacios from Palacios & Asociados Sercomi is a go-to lawyer for large-scale companies engaged in contentious IP proceedings.

Honduras

Ricardo Mejia from Bufete Mejia & Asociados is renowned for his incisive practice across the gamut of trademark, patents and copyright matters.

Nicaragua

Marvin Caldera S at Caldera & Solano Asociados is a highly respected lawyer, with significant experience advising clients in the full range of IP issues.

Panama

Ramon R Benedetti from Estudio Benedetti is a well-respected practitioner, with over 40 years of experience in IP and trademark prosecution. Audrey Williams is celebrated for her top-notch work in trademark and copyright litigation, as well as in licensing matters. Luis Guinard from Guinard & Noriega impresses clients with his “excellent service and provision of high-quality information in IP issues”. Julie Martinelli from Law Services comes highly recommended for her excellent IP practice across a wide range of sectors. Monique Ferrer C from Alfaro Ferrer & Ramírez is lauded by peers as “a very responsive IP lawyer with deep expertise”. Her “proactiveness and client-oriented approach to problem solving” is also highlighted.

Intellectual Property

Costa Rica

El Salvador

Fabiola Saenz Quesada

Suzanne Julieta Berrios De Tablas

Consortium Legal

Fabiola is senior associate and director of IP Department at Costa Rica. With more than 10 years of experience counseling clients in the intellectual property field, she specialises on the cosmetics, financial, food and beverages sector. Fabiola has a vast experience in managing large trademark and patent portfolios. Among the diverse matters of the intellectual property field she handles, her primary focus is on the assessment of opportunities, liabilities, risks and strategies for businesses, based on the client´s intangibles. Her commitment is to help clients achieve and fully develop their IP potential. Fabiola leads matters related to trademarks, patents, copyrights, infringement and regulatory issues. Throughout her career she worked as a head attorney for IP matters in Costa Rica and part of the Caribbean islands at Ideas at a boutique IP firm, has been a litigant, and was recently part of the board of directors of the Costa Rican Bar Association as Vocal II and Prosecutor. Fabiola is very proactive in the intellectual property sector, and as a result, she has currently been elected as part of the Board of Directors of the Costa Rican IP Association APPICR, she is member of the Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration Committee of ASIPI and of the Internet Committee at INTA. She is also active within the Costa Rican Bar Association, where she is member of the Intellectual Property Committee and the Committee for Uniform Law and International Commerce. Has contributed with an essay for an exclusive jurisprudence compendium on IP cases promoted by APPICR, has written articles for forums such as Lex Latin and has been a speaker on conferences with special focus on IP trends.

Consortium Legal

Suzanne is a partner of Consortium Legal - El Salvador, acting as the head of the intellectual property division in the El Salvador office, with more than 20 years of experience in intellectual property matters. She has worked in the protection and defense of trademarks of beverages, pharmaceutical products, food, cosmetics and other products of multinational companies. She had an outstanding participation during the entry into force of the Association Treaty with the European Union, protecting European Geographical Indications and Appellations of Origin and the defense of 20 cases of Geographical Indications. She has extensive experience in intellectual property litigation: "Anti-Piracy Actions", border actions, trademark nullification and cancellation for non-use, copyright infringement, franchise contracts, licensing, due diligence, CAFTA regulations on intellectual property and textile issues, as well as medical supplies bidding issues. She worked as Chief of Intellectual Property in the Attorney General's Office of El Salvador for 11 years, handling complex cases of trademark, notorious brand, patent and copyright infringement among others. Suzanne has actively participated in the revision of draft laws on issues related to Intellectual Property. She has advised multilateral transactions in the transfer of Trademarks. She has experience in regulatory issues of food products, beverages, cosmetics and medical supplies registrations. She has given seminars as a speaker, sharing his experience on enforcement issues, anti-piracy actions in different countries.

Calle Llama del Bosque Poniente Urb Madre Selva III Edificio Avante Local 3-13 Antiguo Cuscatlán, La Libertad San Salvador Tel: +503 2209 1600 stablas@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

150mts oeste de la entrada principal de Oficentro El Cedral, Escazú Edificio Banco General 6º piso San José fsaenz@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Fabiola Saenz Quesada is a go-to lawyer who excels at advising cosmetics, food and beverages companies in their IP and portfolio management issues.

Her work includes advising on multilateral trademark transfer contracts and regulatory issues of food records and medical supplies, among others. She has had an outstanding participation in the defence of complex cases such as RON ZACAPA; Defense of Geographical Indications CHEESE MANCHEGO, SIETE MACHOS. Urania Mexico registered in 1930. Suzanne has the following education: Understanding Provisions related to CAFTA-DR Textiles and Apparel, Office of the United States Trade Representative, USTR (2020); Increasing Trade, the Competitiveness of the Textile and Clothing Sector of El Salvador, Office of the United States Trade Representative, USTR (2019); Diploma of the Law of Licenses and Acquisitions of pharmaceutical products, López Henríquez Consultores (2018); Graduate in Copyright, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina (2007); Diploma of International Arbitration, Universidad Jose Simeón Cañas, El SalvadorArbitration Course, World Intellectual Property Organization, United States (2007); Degree in Law and Social Sciences, Universidad Salvadoreña Alberto Masferrer USAM, El Salvador (2005); and International Program USPTO, Patent and Trademark Office of the United States, United States (2000) She is a member of the International Trademark Association (INTA), the Asociación Interamericana de la propiedad intelectual (ASIPI) and Cámara Americana de Comercio (AMCHAM). She speaks Spanish and English.

WWL says: Suzanne Berrios de Tablas possesses extensive experience in IP litigation, spanning anti-piracy actions, trademark and copyright infringement.

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Intellectual Property

Guatemala

Honduras

Nicaragua

Ninoshka Urrutia

Ricardo Mejia

Darliss Gordon

Ninoshka is partner and leads the intellectual property department. She is the country delegate (Guatemala) before the Interamerican Association of Intellectual Property (ASIPI) (2013–2018). She is a member of the committee of harmonisation of trademark law and practice of INTA (2018–2019), a member of the sub-committee of geographical indications of the ASIPI (2013–2018) and was a panellist for “Latin America and the Madrid Protocol: An Ending Story?” at INTA Berlin, Germany, (2008). Her latest publications are Manual for the Application of Border Measures in the Framework of the Association Agreement between Central America and the EU (2017) and the Guatemala chapter in the publication of Manual for the Handling of Applications for Patents, Designs and Trademarks Throughout the World published by Kluwer Law International (as of 2018, an update is in progress). She has a master’s degree in industrial property, intellectual property and information society law from Master Lvcentinvs, University of Alicante; Spain, (2008), she has a postgraduate in commercial law from the University of Salamanca; Spain, (2004) and she is an authorised lawyer and notary by the Faculty of Legal and Social Sciences, Rafael Landívar University, Guatemala, (2001). She speaks Spanish and English.

Ricardo Anibal Mejia M, born in Honduras on 13 September 1964, currently serves as Bufete Mejia & Asociados’ partner and IP director. He specialises in commercial law and is acknowledged as an intellectual property authority for Honduras and Central America nationally and internationally. His articles have been published by the National Law Center, the SMD Country Index and the Bomchil Group; and in books including The New Role of Intellectual Property in Commercial Transactions, Trademarks Throughout the World, Latin Lawyer (intellectual property chapter) and Katzarov's Handbook on Industrial Property. He has been invited to lecture on intellectual property by Forbes, the Fort-Worth Chamber of Commerce and the International Trademark Association; and he has participated in several conferences as a panellist for the Inter-American Association of Industrial Property. In 2017, he was asked to speak before the International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys (FICPI); this year, he has been invited by the Intellectual Property Commission of the International Chamber of Commerce to speak, at a conference, on IP developments in Central America. He has acted as country representative for the Inter-American Association of Industrial Property (ASIPI), and served as trademark reporter on the annual review and anti-counterfeiting committees of the International Trademark Association, as well as other committees and task forces. He is former vice president and board member of the intellectual property subcommittee for the Inter-American Bar Association and national ambassador for the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) on IP matters. He is a long-standing member of ECTA, PTMG and CITMA. In 2007, he was appointed honorary counsel of the Republic of Paraguay in Honduras.

Darliss is a partner at Consortium Legal – Nicaragua, with more than 15 years of experience in the food and beverage, agroindustrial, pharmaceutical, retail, professional services, startups and technology, and media and telecommunications sectors. She has extensive experience in intellectual property and competition law. She has advised foreign and local companies in the protection of their intellectual property rights, patent nationalisation phase, preparation of licensing agreements and protection of designations of origin. Her major clients include Bayer Healthcare, European Union, Scotiabank, Repros Therapeutics, Banamex, Wal-Mart, Arabela, Kativo Chemical Industries, Volaris, Darden Corporation and Deli Pollo SA coordinated for Central America; also registration of 114 European geographical indications within the framework of the Association Agreement between the European Union and Central America, a condition for validity of the agreement, including Panama. She holds a Master of Laws from the International Institute of Law and Business INIDEM, Panamá (2015) and a law degree (magna cum laude) from the Universidad Americana UAM, Nicaragua (2003). She speaks Spanish and English.

20 Avenida “A” 1 y 2 Calle S.O. Barrio Río Piedras, PO Box 1744 San Pedro Sula Tel: +504 2550 7744 ricardo.mejia@bufetemejia.com www.bufetemejia.com

Del antiguo Hospital Militar 1 cuadra al Norte Managua Tel: +505 2254 5454 dgordon@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Ricardo Mejia is renowned for his incisive practice across the gamut of trademark, patents and copyright matters.

WWL says: Darliss Gordon Arana is applauded for her considerable experience of advising foreign and regional clients on intellectual property rights, patents, licensing agreements, and protection.

Consortium Legal

Diagonal 6 10-01 zona 10 Centro Gerencial Las Margaritas Torre II Oficina 1402 Ciudad Guatemala City, 01010 Tel: +502 22793939 nurrutia@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Ninoshka Urrutia is a highly respected practitioner thanks to her superb work advising high-profile clients on all matters regarding intellectual property.

Bufete Mejia & Asociados

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Consortium Legal

Intellectual Property

Belize

Emil Arguelles Arguelles & Company LLC info@belizelawyer.com

Costa Rica

Mauricio Bonilla ALS Advice Legal Studio mbonilla@als.cr Luis Diego Castro Arias luisdiego.castro@ariaslaw.com Milagro Chaves Facio & Cañas mchaves@fayca.com Nestor Morera Bufete Morera & Morera info-atlantico@moreraabogados.com Giselle Reuben BLP greuben@blplegal.com Fabiola Saenz Quesada* Consortium Legal fsaenz@consortiumlegal.com María del Pilar López Arias _pilar.lopez@ariaslaw.com

Dominican Republic

Lilly Acevedo Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernandez lacevedo@headrick.com.do Jaime Angeles Angeles Pons jangeles@angelespons.com Tania M Castillo Castillo & Castillo tm.castillo@castillo.com.do Edwin Espinal Hernández Espinal Hernandez Abogados & Notarios edwinespinal@hotmail.com Mary Fernández Rodríguez Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernandez mfernandez@hrafdom.com María Josefina Félix Troncoso Troncoso y Caceres mjf@troncoso-caceres.com Carimer Guzmán Castillo & Castillo carimer.guzman@castillo.com.do Arlene Herrera Miniño Abogados arlene.herrera@minino.com.do Ana Isabel Messina Pellerano & Messina amessina@bmlip.com

Urko Ochoa Miniño Abogados urko.ochoa@ejminino.com Sharin Pablo de Roca JJ Roca & Asociados spablo@jjrocalaw.com Wallis Pons Cardi Angeles Pons wpons@angelespons.com Carmen Prieto Villegas Orange IP Orangeip@orangeiplaw.com María del Pilar Troncoso Troncoso Leroux mptroncoso@troncosoleroux.do

El Salvador

Suzanne Julieta Berrios De Tablas* Consortium Legal stablas@consortiumlegal.com Gilberto Fajardo RRF Law gilberto@lawrrf.com Luis Ernesto Guandique Chavez Guandique Segovia Quintanilla - LatamLex leguandiquech@gsqlaw.com Edy Portal Portal & Asociados egportal@portallaw.com Elena Patricia Puente Espino Nieto & Asociados elena.puente@espinolaw.com Danilo Rodríguez Villamil Espino Nieto & Asociados drodriguez@espinolaw.com José Roberto Romero Romero Pineda & Asociados jose@romeropineda.com Roberto Romero Pineda Romero Pineda & Asociados roberto@romeropineda.com Julio Vargas García & Bodán julio.vargas@garciabodan.com Morena Zavaleta Arias morena.zavaleta@ariaslaw.com Giancarlo de la Gasca De La Gasca & Cia giancarlo@delagasca.com

Guatemala

Ivon Hernandez Arias ivon.hernandez@ariaslaw.com Sandra Iriarte Palomo Abogados sandra@palomolaw.com Guillermo Lopez Davis BUFELCO- Bufete Lopez Cordero glopezdavis@bufelco.com.gt Enrique Möller S Moller Law enrique.moller@mollerlaw.com Marco Antonio Palacios Palacios & Asociados Sercomi mapalacios@sercomi.com.gt Hector Palomo Palomo Abogados hpalomo@palomolaw.com Luis F Ruiz BLP lruiz@blplegal.com

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Ninoshka Urrutia* Consortium Legal nurrutia@consortiumlegal.com Ernesto J Viteri Viteri & Viteri ejviteri@viteriviteri.com

Honduras

Daniel Casco Bufete Casco mail@cascomark.com Fernando Godoy BLP fgodoy@blplegal.com Ricardo Mejia* Bufete Mejia & Asociados ricardo.mejia@bufetemejia.com Oscar Armando Melara Facussé Melara & Asociados omelara@melarayasociados.com

Nicaragua

Julian J Bendaña-Aragón Guy Jose Bendaña-Guerrero & Asociados julian.bendana@guybendana.com.ni Marvin Caldera S Caldera & Solano Asociados info@caldesol.com.ni María Eugenia García Fonseca Jarquin - García maria.garcia@jarquingarcia.com Darliss Gordon* Consortium Legal dgordon@consortiumlegal.com Lía Incer Garcia & Bodan lia.incer@garciabodan.com

Panama

Ramon R Benedetti Estudio Benedetti ramon@estudiobenedetti.com Rolando Candanedo Bufete Candanedo info@bufetecandanedo.com Monique Ferrer C Alfaro Ferrer & Ramírez mferrer@afra.com Luis Guinard Guinard & Noriega lguinard@gnmlex.com Marissa Lasso De La Vega F Alfaro Ferrer & Ramírez lassodelavega@afra.com Diana Leandro Estudio Benedetti dleandro@estudiobenedetti.com Orlando López A Lopez Durling orlando.lopez@lopezdurling.com Ileana Martinelli Icaza González-Ruiz Alemán martinellii@icazalaw.com Julie Martinelli Law Services, P.C. julie.martinelli@lawservicespc.com Edwin Molino Jimenez Molino y Moreno emolino@jimollaw.com Farah Molino Fábrega Molino fmolino@fmm.com.pa Hugo Morán MORAN IP hugom@icazalaw.com

Intellectual Property

Gabriela Tejada de Britton Icaza González-Ruiz Alemán gabrielat@icazalaw.com

Audrey Williams Estudio Benedetti awilliams@estudiobenedetti.com

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Labour, Employment & Immigration

LABOUR, EMPLOMENT & IMMIGRATION This year’s research highlights 49 impressive lawyers for their outstanding work advising clients on collective and individual labour law issues, including collective bargaining agreements, corporate restructurings, work permits and restrictive covenants.

Most Highly Regarded Ricardo Alemán

Oscar Bejarano Coto

Morgan & Morgan Panama City

Oscar Bejarano & Asociados San José

Maria Del Rocio Hernández Carro

Randall González

Bufete Carrois San José

Belize

Emil Arguelles with Arguelles & Company draws high praise from market commentators for his excellence in labour-related disputes.

Costa Rica

Oscar Bejarano Coto of Oscar Bejarano & Asociados has an excellent reputation among peers who applaud his first-class practice which focuses on litigation mandates in the labour industry. With over 25 years’ experience, Maria Del Rocio Hernández Carro of Bufete Carrois maintains an impressive practice which focuses on labour consulting and litigation in the business sector. From BLP, Randall González comes highly regarded thanks to his experience in the labour industry. Peers commend his “ability to always look after his clients’ interests” as well as his “thorough knowledge of the subject”. Peers have every confidence in recommending Paola Gutierrez from Caoba Legal, who enjoys an excellent reputation as a litigator in complex labour disputes. Alexander Godínez Vargas with Bufete Godinez y Asociados is a well-regarded practitioner with deep experience and a sweeping knowledge of Costa Rican labour law.

Troncoso Leroux Santo Domingo

BLP San José

Dominican Republic

According to market sources, María del Pilar Troncoso at Troncoso Leroux is a “top practitioner” who stands out for her experience in visa acquisitions for a range of clients. Mary Fernández Rodríguez with Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernandez comes highly recommended by sources for her wealth of experience in immigration matters in the business sector.

El Salvador

Julio Vargas with García & Bodán is highly sought after for his expertise by clients from a diverse range of sectors, including food and beverage, telecommunications and agriculture. Danilo Rodríguez Villamil of Espino Nieto & Asociados is a standout practitioner in the labour space thanks to his broad experience and deep understanding of the law.

Guatemala

Ninoshka Urrutia at Consortium Legal is well respected among peers for her profound expertise in employment, immigration and country border measures, acting for high-profile clients on a range of contentious mandates. Augusto Valenzuela with Valenzuela Herrera y Asociados regularly advises a broad spectrum of clients on individual and collective employment matters.

Milagro Chaves at Facio & Cañas is a “wellknown figure in the community” thanks to her long-standing expertise in employment law.

María del Pilar Troncoso

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Liz Gordillo of Arias focuses her first-rate practice on matters relating to labour disputes, local regulations and occupational safety. Enrique Möller S of Moller Law is celebrated as one of the most experienced immigration lawyers in the market and gains recognition for his expert handling of collective labour negotiations and litigation.

Nicaragua

Marvin Caldera S of Caldera & Solano Asociados comes highly esteemed by market commentators for his top-notch practice, which encompasses intellectual property and employment matters.

Panama

Morgan & Morgan stands out with three lawyers listed. With over 40 years of experience, Ricardo Alemán is a well-established practitioner who has garnered a stellar reputation for his expertise in collective bargaining negotiations, employment contracts and termination agreements. Albalira Montúfar draws praise for her distinguished immigration practice, which focuses on visa and citizenship applications, as well as work permits. María Teresa Mendoza frequently advises multinational companies and private individuals on a range of immigration and labour-related matters.

Labour, Employment & Immigration

Guatemala

Honduras

Lionel Francisco Aguilar Salguero

Ninoshka Urrutia

Ricardo Mejia

Diagonal 6 10-01 zona 10 Centro Gerencial Las Margaritas Torre II Oficina 1402 Ciudad Guatemala City, 01010 Tel: +502 2279 3939 laguilar@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

Diagonal 6 10-01 zona 10 Centro Gerencial Las Margaritas Torre II Oficina 1402 Ciudad Guatemala City, 01010 Tel: +502 22793939 nurrutia@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

Ricardo Anibal Mejia M, born in Honduras on 13 September 1964, currently serves as Bufete Mejia & Asociados’ partner and IP director. He specialises in commercial law and is acknowledged as an intellectual property authority for Honduras and Central America nationally and internationally. His articles have been published by the National Law Center, the SMD Country Index and the Bomchil Group; and in books including The New Role of Intellectual Property in Commercial Transactions, Trademarks Throughout the World, Latin Lawyer (intellectual property chapter) and Katzarov’s Handbook on Industrial Property. He has been invited to lecture on intellectual property by Forbes, the Fort-Worth Chamber of Commerce and the International Trademark Association; and he has participated in several conferences as a panellist for the Inter-American Association of Industrial Property. In 2017, he was asked to speak before the International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys (FICPI); this year, he has been invited by the Intellectual Property Commission of the International Chamber of Commerce to speak, at a conference, on IP developments in Central America. He has acted as country representative for the Inter-American Association of Industrial Property (ASIPI), and served as trademark reporter on the annual review and anti-counterfeiting committees of the International Trademark Association, as well as other committees and task forces. He is former vice president and board member of the intellectual property subcommittee for the Inter-American Bar Association and national ambassador for the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) on IP matters. He is a long-standing member of ECTA, PTMG and CITMA. In 2007, he was appointed honorary counsel of the Republic of Paraguay in Honduras.

WWL says: Lionel Augilar is “a very wellknown lawyer in the labour market” in Central America for his top-tier work advising clients on obtaining permits and licenses, and labour rights.

WWL says: Ninoshka Urrutia is well respected among peers for her profound expertise in employment, immigration and country border measures, acting for high-profile clients on a range of contentious mandates.

Consortium Legal

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Bufete Mejia & Asociados

20 Avenida “A” 1 y 2 Calle S.O. Barrio Río Piedras, PO Box 1744 San Pedro Sula Tel: +504 2550 7744 ricardo.mejia@bufetemejia.com

WWL says: Ricardo Mejia excels in international immigration and commercial law, where he assists large-scale domestic and international clients on a wide range of complex issues. 65

Labour, Employment & Immigration

Nicaragua

Bertha Xiomara Ortega Castillo

Belize

Bertha is a partner at Consortium Legal – Nicaragua, with more than 40 years of experience practicing in the labor area, in both administrative (MITRAB) and judicial courts. She specialises in business law and labor law with vast experience in labor contract counselling, collective bargaining, internal regulations, human resources policies, outsourcing, part-time work, labor settlements, administrative employment suspension and termination contracts, labor inspections before MITRAB, and labor litigation related to social benefits claims, dismissals, and special processes on violation of fundamental rights, among others. She is an associate professor at the Central American University (UCA) in the areas of labor law and labor procedural rights. She is also a mediator and accredited arbitrator before the Office of Alternative Resolution of Conflicts of the Supreme Court of Justice. She has advised the Ministry of Labor in projects like the elaboration of the Thesaurus of Administrative Jurisprudence 2008 and 2010, the Labor Administrative Oral Procedures (PALO) and the Protocol of Action of Individual and Collective Conciliators. During her career she has been a consultant to OIT, BETTER WORK, and FUNPADEM, and a teacher at the Judicial School.

Costa Rica

Consortium Legal

Del antiguo Hospital Militar 1 cuadra al Norte Managua Tel: +505 2254 5454 bortega@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Bertha Xiomara Ortega has over 40 years of experience specialising in handling labour contracts, disputes and collective bargaining agreements.

Emil Arguelles Arguelles & Company LLC info@belizelawyer.com Alexandra Aguilar BLP alaguilar@blplegal.com Oscar Bejarano Coto Oscar Bejarano & Asociados Alfonso Carro Central Law acarro@central-law.com Milagro Chaves Facio & Cañas mchaves@fayca.com Maria Del Rocio Hernández Carro Bufete Carro rcarro@bufetecarro.com Marco Durante Calvo BDS Asesores mdurante@bdsasesores.com Graciela Fuentes Central Law gfuentes@central-law.com Alexander Godínez Vargas Bufete Godinez y Asociados alexander.godinez@bufetegodinez.com Randall González BLP rgonzalez@blplegal.com Paola Gutierrez Caoba Legal paola.gutierrez@caobalegal.com Anna Karina Jiménez Dentons annakarina.jimenez@dentons.com Juan Jose Carreras Caoba Legal jcarreras@lexcounsel.com Giselle Reuben BLP greuben@blplegal.com Francisco Salas Chaves BDS Asesores fsalas@bdsasesores.com Luis Sanchez Facio & Cañas lsanchez@fayca.com Federico Solis Fragomen Costa Rica Immigration Services LLC Ltda. fsolis@fragomen.com Alejandro Trejos Gómez BDS Asesores atrejos@bdsasesores.com

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Dominican Republic

Norman G De Castro Campbell DR&R Abogados y Consultores Fiscales n.decastro@drr-law.com Mary Fernández Rodríguez Headrick Rizik Alvarez & Fernandez mfernandez@hrafdom.com Pedro O Gamundi Squire Patton Boggs pedro.gamundi@squirepb.com Carlos Hernández Contreras Hernández Contreras & Herrera info@hernandezcontreras.com Arlene Herrera Miniño Abogados arlene.herrera@minino.com.do Luis Miguel Pereyra Pereyra & Asociados lpereyra@pereyralaw.com Marcos Peña Rodriguez Jiménez Peña mpena@jpadvisors.do Carmen Prieto Villegas Orange IP Orangeip@orangeiplaw.com María del Pilar Troncoso Troncoso Leroux mptroncoso@troncosoleroux.do Gregorio García Villavizar Pereyra & Asociados gvillavizar@pereyralaw.com

El Salvador

Danilo Rodríguez Villamil Espino Nieto & Asociados drodriguez@espinolaw.com José Roberto Romero Romero Pineda & Asociados jose@romeropineda.com Mario Sánchez Chinchilla Valdés Suárez & Velasco msanchez@vsvlegal.com Carlos Urbina Blandón Valdés Suárez & Velasco curbina@vsvlegal.com Julio Vargas García & Bodán julio.vargas@garciabodan.com Eduardo Ángel Arias eduardo.angel@ariaslaw.com

Guatemala

Lionel Francisco Aguilar Salguero* Consortium Legal laguilar@consortiumlegal.com Liz Gordillo Arias liz.gordillo@ariaslaw.com Enrique Möller S Moller Law enrique.moller@mollerlaw.com Evelyn Rebuli V QIL+4 Abogados erebuli@qilsc.com Ninoshka Urrutia* Consortium Legal nurrutia@consortiumlegal.com Augusto Valenzuela Valenzuela Herrera y Asociados info@valenzuela-herrera.com

Labour, Employment & Immigration

Honduras

Sergio Bendana Lopez Lopez Rodezno & Asociados lr@lopezrodezno.com Ricardo Mejia* Bufete Mejia & Asociados ricardo.mejia@bufetemejia.com Marielena Ulloa de Pineda Ulloa & Asociados marielena.ulloa@ulloayasociados.com

Nicaragua

Marvin Caldera S Caldera & Solano Asociados info@caldesol.com.ni

Bertha Xiomara Ortega Castillo* Consortium Legal bortega@consortiumlegal.com

Panama

Ricardo Alemán Morgan & Morgan ricardo.aleman@morimor.com Julio César Contreras III Arosemena Noriega & Contreras jcontreras@anorco.com.pa María Teresa Mendoza Morgan & Morgan mariateresa.mendoza@morimor.com

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Albalira Montúfar Morgan & Morgan albalira.montufar@morimor.com Eduardo Valle Mendoza, Arias, Valle & Castillo evalle@mavclex.com Maria del Carmen Zúñiga Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega mzuniga@arifa.com

Private Client

PRIVATE CLIENT Here we present 21 standout lawyers for private client matters in Central America. Their vast experience spans estate, trusts and tax law.

Most Highly Regarded Jaime Alemán

Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee Panama City

Belize

Rishi Mungal at Morgan & Morgan is “a highly respected practitioner” for complex trusts and estate law.

Costa Rica

David Gutiérrez from BLP is endorsed by peers for his “outstanding reputation as a pre-eminent private client lawyer”. His extensive corporate law experience is further praised. Eduardo Calderón has over 20 years’ experience assisting Costa Rican families and corporations in a wide range of transactions.

Guatemala

Marcos Ibargüen Segovia with QIL+4 Abogados is well regarded in the market

Gretel Ciniglio de Perez Fábrega Molino Panama City

Raúl Zúñiga Brid

Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee Panama City

for his extensive experience aiding families and corporations in dispute resolution and non-contentious matters.

Juan Pablo Fabrega is a highly regarded practitioner for the gamut of estate planning and private client issues.

Panama

Jaime Alemán from Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee stands out as a leading private client lawyer for trusts, estate and tax matters.

Elizabeth Heurtematte Kochman at LOVILL is renowned for advising multinational companies, family groups and private clients on financial and real estate matters.

Raúl Zúñiga Brid earns praise among market sources for his comprehensive practice assisting HNWI in offshore services, trusts and estate planning.

Juan Pardini from Pardini & Asociados is a highly experienced private client lawyer lauded for his encyclopaedic knowledge of trusts, tax and foundations.

Gretel Ciniglio de Perez at Fábrega Molino has over 20 years’ experience advising international and Panamanian clients, HNWI, family groups and corporations.

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Private Client

Panama

Jaime Alemán

Gian Castillero Guiraud

Anibal Galindo

Jaime Alemán joined Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee as a founding partner in 1985. His professional practice concentrates on offshore services, trusts and estate planning and corporate M&A. Dr Alemán served as legal adviser at the InterAmerican Development Bank in Washington, DC from 1978 to 1981 and as special adviser to Dr Nicolás Barletta, former President of Panama, in 1984 and 1985. Dr. Alemán was the minister of government and justice in 1988 and Panamanian ambassador to the United States from 2009 to 2011. Dr Alemán is a member of the District of Columbia Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Panama Bar Association, the International Tax Planning Association and the International Fiscal Association. He is also a member of the boards of directors of Banistmo, PKB Bank (Panama) and Travelex (Panama) SA and of the board of visitors of Duke University School of Law. Dr Alemán has a Juris Doctor from Duke University and a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Notre Dame. He is fluent in Spanish, English and French.

Gian Castillero joined ARIFA in 1994 and became a partner in 2008. Currently, Mr Castillero heads the firm’s estate and private clients group, where he is actively involved in representing private clients on estate planning, organisation and management of family offices, corporate governance of family businesses, structuring foundations and trusts, philanthropic entities and foundations, and international tax planning, as well as in advising institutional clients and commercial clients on corporate and financial matters. Mr Castillero was the resident lawyer of ARIFA’s London office from 1994 to 2000, and head of the ship finance and registration department from 2000 to 2006, participating in the purchase and sale transactions and ship financing. Until 2013, Mr Castillero headed the ARIFA corporate services group, overseeing the daily operations of the firm’s network of offices. Since 2009, Mr Castillero has been the chairman of the Panamanian Association of International Lawyers. He is director of the Banco Nacional de Panamá. He is also a former member of the highlevel committee appointed by the Government of the Republic of Panama for the defence of the platform of its international services; and of the National Council of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Panama (2015-2017). Between 2005 and 2008, he served as chairman of the committee in charge of drafting the Merchant Marine General Law of Panama and its Regulation Act. Mr Castillero completed his LLM at London University (1995) (concentration on commercial and corporate law), and his LLB at Santa Maria La Antigua University (1994). He is a member of of STEP, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee

Humboldt Tower, 2nd Floor East 53rd Street Panama City, PO Box 0819-09132 Tel: +507 269 2620 jaleman@alcogal.com www.alcogal.com

WWL says: Jaime Alemán stands out as a leading private client lawyer for trusts, estate and tax matters.

Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega

ARIFA Building, 10th Floor, West Boulevard Santa María Business District, PO Box 0816-01098 Panama City Tel: +507 205 7014 gcastillero@arifa.com www.arifa.com

WWL says: Gian Castillero is a leading lawyer who focuses his substantive attention and expertise on estate planning, management of family offices and international tax planning. whoswholegal.com

Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee

Humboldt Tower, 2nd Floor East 53rd Street Panama City, PO Box 0819-09132 Tel: +507 269 2620 agalindo@alcogal.com www.alcogal.com

WWL says: Anibal Galindo regularly advises HNWI and private trustees in the formation and administration of companies and private interest foundations. 69

Private Client

Raúl Zúñiga Brid

Dayra Berbey de Rojas

Raúl Zúñiga joined Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee as an associate in 2001 and became partner in 2007. His professional practice concentrates on offshore services, trusts and estate planning and corporate and M&A. He is a member of the board of directors of the International Lawyers Association and of the board of directors of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), Panama chapter. Mr Zúñiga has been recognised and ranked as a top-tier lawyer in the area of offshore matters by the prestigious legal publication Chambers and Partners. Mr Zúñiga has a Bachelor of Law and Political Sciences degree from the University of Panama (Sigma Lambda). He is a member of the Panama Bar Association and is fluent in Spanish and English.

Dayra Berbey de Rojas qualified to practise law at the Catholic University of Santa Maria la Antigua in Panama. She obtained a a diploma in international trust management from the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) (TEP, 2002), and also studied on the Yale University programme for lawyers (2006) and the quality management programme at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. In 2016, she established Panama-based boutique firm Axios Law, as well as Axios Trust Corporation, where in her capacity as managing director she advises clients on estate planning, commercial trusts and corporate law. She has 25 years’ experience in fiduciary services, starting with the Morgan & Morgan Group (as director/deputy manager of MMG Trust) followed by eight years as managing director at Icaza Trust Corporation, a licensed trust company affiliated to the law firm Icaza, González-Ruiz & Aleman. During this time, she was also the executive director of FINDEC, a trust funded by the Panamanian government and the Interamerican Development Bank.

Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee

Axios Law

Until 2016, Dayra served as chair of the Panama Banking Association Committee on Trusts, and was Panama’s representative before the Latin American Trusts Committee (COLAFI), where she was elected chairperson in 2008. A founder and chair of the Panama branch of STEP, she was later elected to the regional board and in December 2010 became a member of the international council. From 2016 to December 2019, she served on STEP’s international board of directors. In 2018, she obtained her certificate in antimoney laundering from CLT International/STEP, in the UK. She is the winner of STEP’s Outstanding Achievement Award. In 2014, the Mexican publication Mundo Fiduciario named her Person of the Year in Latin American Trusts. She is a frequent lecturer on matters related to commercial, estate planning and investment trusts.

Humboldt Tower, 2nd Floor East 53rd Street Panama City, PO Box 0819-09132 Tel: +507 269 2620 rzuniga@alcogal.com www.alcogal.com

Axios Law Calle 58 y Ave. Ricardo Arango PWC Building, 5th Floor, #51 Panama City Tel: +507 830 5606 dayra@axioslawservices.com www.axioslawservices.com

WWL says: Raúl Zúñiga Brid earns praise among market sources for his comprehensive practice assisting HNWI in offshore services, trusts and estate planning.

WWL says: Dayra Berbey de Rojas is a well-recognised figure in the Central American market for her leading practice advising clients on estate planning, commercial trusts and corporate law.

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Private Client

Belize

Rishi Mungal Morgan & Morgan rishi.mungal@morimor.com

Costa Rica

Eduardo Calderón BLP ecalderon@blpabogados.com David Gutiérrez BLP dgutierrez@blpabogados.com Hernán Pacheco O EY Law hernan.pacheco@cr.ey.com

Adriana Ramos Chaves Latamlex Abogados aramos@latam-lex.com

Guatemala

Alejandro Arenales Farner BLP aarenales@blplegal.com Marcos Ibargüen Segovia QIL+4 Abogados mibarguen@qil4.com Stefano Carlo Olivero Bufete Olivero solivero@bolivero.com Alfredo Skinner-Klee Skinner-Klee & Asociados - LatamLex skinner-klee@latamlex.com

Panama

Jaime Alemán* Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee jaleman@alcogal.com Gian Castillero Guiraud* Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega gcastillero@arifa.com Gretel Ciniglio de Perez Fábrega Molino gciniglio@fmm.com.pa Juan Pablo Fabrega Fábrega Molino juanpa@fmm.com.pa

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Anibal Galindo* Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee agalindo@alcogal.com Elizabeth Heurtematte Kochman LOVILL elizabeth.heurtematte@lovill.com Roberto Lewis Morgan Morgan & Morgan roberto.lewis@morimor.com Luis G Manzanares Morgan & Morgan luis.manzanares@morimor.com Juan F Pardini Pardini & Asociados pardini@padela.com Julio A Quijano Berbey Quijano & Associates quijano@quijano.com Raúl Zúñiga Brid* Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee rzuniga@alcogal.com Dayra Berbey de Rojas* Axios Law dayra@axioslawservices.com

Real Estate & Construction

REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION In this chapter, we recognise 33 lawyers for their outstanding expertise in real estate and construction finance, regulation and disputes in the public and private sectors.

Most Highly Regarded Eduardo Calderón

Luis M Castro

BLP San José

Costa Rica

BLP stands out with five lawyers listed. Luis Castro is a renowned figure in the market who is held in high regard by peers for his expertise in real estate concessions and permits. Eduardo Calderón is highlighted by peers and clients alike as an authority on Costa Rican real estate law. Andrea González is hailed as “very professional and experienced” by clients who feel “very confident with Andrea guiding them through all of the different elements to make up a successful real estate development”. Julio Kierszenson Mamet from Facio & Cañas is an “excellent lawyer” who is highly sought after by clients in the construction and real estate industries. Sergio Solera is a top lawyer who is applauded for his deep knowledge and experience in real estate mandates.

BLP San José

Carlos Eduardo Taboada Rodríguez Consortium Legal Managua

Robert van der Putten at Sfera Legal is a real estate specialist and regularly works with high-profile international and domestic clients.

for his vast experience of high-value transactions across the construction and real estate sector, as well as related tax and foreign investment matters.

Germán Serrano García with Zurcher Odio & Raven ranks highly among peers thanks to his adept handling of the full spectrum of real estate issues.

Róger Pérez of Arias regularly advises international clients regarding complex real estate matters.

Javier Escalante of TACTIC Estudio Legal draws plaudits for his top-tier practice, which focuses on contract negotiations and financing.

Eloy Alfaro B with Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee frequently works on behalf of domestic and international clients in high-value real estate transactions. Anibal Galindo holds an excellent reputation among peers who applaud his first-class real estate practice.

Dominican Republic

Ulises Cabrera of Ulises Cabrera Abogados is a “top practitioner” with a strong reputation and decades of experience in the real estate space.

Nicaragua

Carlos Eduardo Taboada Rodríguez with Consortium Legal stands out among peers

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Panama

Francisco Arias at Morgan & Morgan draws praise from market commentators for his experience in advising foreign nationals in the acquisition of Panamanian real estate.

Real Estate & Construction

Costa Rica

Juan Manuel Cordero Esquivel

Javier Escalante

Rolando Laclé Zúñiga

Juan Manuel is a partner at Consortium Legal – Costa Rica. He has more than 17 years of experience in the private sector; he specialises in real estate law, corporate law and mergers & acquisitions. He has led the planning and structuring of multiple real estate developments, the due diligence and acquisitions of land and concessions, complex leases, the constitution and modification of condominium regimes, sale and purchase of hotels, anti-trust filings, commercial and touristic developments, the processing of permits for real estate, corporate and infrastructure projects, the negotiation and draft of construction contracts, as well as the planning and execution of corporate restructurings of national and multinational companies. During his career, he was paralegal and junior attorney at the law firm Central Law Costa Rica, and Senior Underwriter & Legal Manager at Stewart Title Latin America.

Javier is a highly skilled lawyer, with more than 17 years of experience, working both in prominent law firms in Costa Rica and for the Costa Rican government, where he started as a Trade Negotiator at the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Trade, and eventually transitioned to serve at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as Consul General of Costa Rica in Singapore, and later as Ambassador of Costa Rica in Qatar. With a master’s degree in law and economics, from Utrecht University (the Netherlands) and a master’s degree in international business law, from Complutense University of Madrid (Spain), Javier has an ample and international perspective that transcends the legal sphere. As one of the heads of the Real Estate Department at COLBS Legal Studio, he has an extensive portfolio of high-end real estate developers, amongst which he is best known for his problem-solving skills and impeccable service. He has been recognised for being able to bring an interdisciplinary approach to every project, helping in the process of raising capital, designing complex corporate structures to accommodate the needs of the different projects and supporting clients in the various government-related matters needed to develop a project. He also has ample experience dealing with environmental matters and negotiating public-private partnerships, when needed for the execution of a real estate development. Apart from his Real Estate practice, Javier’s practice areas include Aviation, Trade, Civil, and Contractual Law, as well as Dispute Resolution. Javier is currently an eligible arbitrator at multiple Arbitration and Conciliation centers in Costa Rica and serves as board member at the Costa Rican Chamber of Industry, among other organisations.

Rolando is a partner at Consortium Legal – Costa Rica. With 29 years of experience, he specialises in mergers and acquisitions, foreign investment, international trade, real estate, civil and commercial litigation. He participated in multiple local and international transactions related mergers and acquisitions, securitisations, and real estate complex transactions. He has also acted as legal counsel in major litigation cases mainly in civil and commercial matters. During his career, he served as president of the International Centre for Conciliation and Arbitration (2009–2011); and he was an adviser to former president of Costa Rica, Abel Pacheco (2002–2004). He was nominated by Latin Lawyer magazine as one of the 40 best attorneys under the age of 40 in Central America (2006) and by Chambers Global as one of the leading lawyers in Costa Rica. He has a master’s degree in law from Georgetown University, United States (1994), and a higher degree in commercial law (1993) and a law degree from the University of Costa Rica, Costa Rica (1990). He speaks Spanish and English.

Consortium Legal

TACTIC Estudio Legal

Consortium Legal

150mts oeste de la entrada principal de Oficentro El Cedral, Escazú Edificio Banco General 6º piso San José Tel: +506 2257 3553 jcordero@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

Torre La Sabana, piso 3 Avenida Las Américas, calle 60 San José Tel: +506 4700 6400 jem@colbs.legal www.tactic.legal/en/home

150mts oeste de la entrada principal de Oficentro El Cedral, Escazú Edificio Banco General 6º piso San José Tel: +506 2257 3553 rlacle@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Juan Manuel Cordero Esquivel comes highly recommended for his top-tier practice assisting large-scale clients in real estate acquisitions and leasing matters.

WWL says: Javier Escalante of TACTIC Estudio Legal draws plaudits for his top-tier practice, which focuses on contract negotiations and financing.

WWL says: Rolando Laclé Zúñiga stands out as a leading transactional lawyer with vast experience assisting clients in domestic and international real estate transactions.

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Real Estate & Construction

Nicaragua

Panama

Carlos Eduardo Taboada Rodríguez

Eloy Alfaro B

María Carolina Arroyo

Carlos Taboada is partner of Consortium Legal – Nicaragua. He has extensive experience in real estate projects (commercial, residential and multi-purpose), microfinance and acquisitions in Nicaragua. He has participated providing corporate, contract, and tax structure advice in important transactions such as the acquisition of valuable and strategic properties for foreign investors, the acquisition of local factories and finance companies among others. In 2005, he actively participated in the integration of five Central American firms to create Consortium Legal, and in 2010 he helped in the founding of INIDEM Business Law School in Panama, a graduate school for Latin American lawyers. He is member of the IBA’s Young Lawyers Council and director at the Nicaraguan chapter of the Entrepreneur’s Organization, serving as learning chair. His other memberships include the World Services Group (WSG) for the Latin American region; the State Capital Group; and the International Trademark Association (INTA). He speaks Spanish and English.

María Carolina Arroyo joined the firm in 1984 and became a partner in 1995. Ms. Arroyo is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and She heads the firm’s real estate and hospitality practice group. Ms. Arroyo stands out as a skilled legal adviser in real estate law with a broad understanding of Panama’s horizontal property regime and proven negotiating skills in the conclusion of complex contracts for the sale of real estate assets or rights. She has forged an impressive career path, particularly in the successful negotiation and drafting of purchase, lease, joint-venture, management and construction agreements. She is experienced in matters related to condominium rules, beach resorts, residential projects, commercial premises, hotels, casinos and shopping centres. Ms Arroyo also has significant expertise in the financing of commercial and residential projects. Ms Arroyo completed her Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Panama (1983).

WWL says: Eloy Alfaro B frequently works on behalf of domestic and international clients in high-value real estate transactions.

WWL says: Maria Arroyo holds an exemplary practice in all matters regarding Panamanian real estate law, where she negotiates and drafts complex transactions, including purchase, lease, joint venture, management and construction agreements.

Consortium Legal

Del antiguo Hospital Militar 1 cuadra al Norte Managua Tel: +505 2254 5454 ctaboada@consortiumlegal.com www.consortiumlegal.com

WWL says: Carlos Eduardo Taboada Rodríguez stands out among peers for his vast experience of high-value transactions across the construction and real estate sector, as well as related tax and foreign investment matters. 74

Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee

Humboldt Tower, 2nd Floor East 53rd Street Panama City, PO Box 0819-09132 Tel: +507 269 26 20 ealfaro@alcogal.com www.alcogal.com

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Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega

ARIFA Building, 10th Floor, West Boulevard Santa María Business District, PO Box 0816-01098 Panama City Tel: +507 205 7021 mcarroyo@arifa.com www.arifa.com

Real Estate & Construction

Anibal Galindo

Humboldt Tower, 2nd Floor East 53rd Street Panama City, PO Box 0819-09132 Tel: +507 269 2620 agalindo@alcogal.com www.alcogal.com

WWL says: Anibal Galindo holds an excellent reputation among peers who applaud his first-class real estate practice.

Belize

Emil Arguelles Arguelles & Company LLC info@belizelawyer.com

Costa Rica

Arnoldo André Lexincorp Central American Law Firm andre@lexincorp.com Alejandro A Antillon EY Law alejandro.antillon.appel@cr.ey.com Eduardo Calderón BLP ecalderon@blpabogados.com Luis M Castro BLP lcastro@blplegal.com Rafael E Cañas Sfera legal rec@sferalegal.com Juan Manuel Cordero Esquivel* Consortium Legal jcordero@consortiumlegal.com Javier Escalante* TACTIC Estudio Legal jem@colbs.legal Andrea Gonzalez BLP andrea.gonzalez@blp.com Julio Kierszenson Mamet Facio & Cañas jkierszenson@fayca.com Rolando Laclé Zúñiga* Consortium Legal rlacle@consortiumlegal.com Andrés López BLP alopez@blplegal.com José Antonio Muñoz Dentons joseantonio.munoz@dentons.com Eric Scharf Taitelbaum Sfera legal est@sferalegal.com Germán Serrano García Zurcher Odio & Raven info@zurcherodioraven.com Sergio Solera Facio & Cañas ssolera@fayca.com Harry J Zurcher Zurcher IP HZurcher@ZurcherIP.com Eduardo Zúñiga Dentons eduardo.zuniga@dentons.com

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Robert van der Putten Sfera legal rvdp@sferalegal.com

Dominican Republic Ulises Cabrera Ulises Cabrera Abogados ulises.cabrera@uclegal.com Luis J Jiménez Miniño Jiménez Peña ljimenez@jcpdr.com Roman Medina Diplan Russin Vecchi & Heredia Bonetti rmedina@rvhb.com Ricardo Pellerano Pellerano & Herrera r.pellerano@phlaw.com

Nicaragua

Federico Gurdián Garcia & Bodan federico.gurdian@garciabodan.com Dania Navarrete Garcia & Bodan dania.navarrete@garciabodan.com Róger Pérez Arias roger.perez@ariaslaw.com Carlos Eduardo Taboada Rodríguez* Consortium Legal ctaboada@consortiumlegal.com

Panama

Eloy Alfaro B* Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee ealfaro@alcogal.com Francisco Arias Morgan & Morgan francisco.arias@morimor.com Ramón Ricardo Arias Porras Galindo Arias y López rrarias@gala.com.pa María Carolina Arroyo* Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega mcarroyo@arifa.com Anibal Galindo* Alemán Cordero Galindo & Lee agalindo@alcogal.com José Agustín Preciado Miro Fábrega Molino preciado@fmm.com.pa

Aviation | Transport

TRANSPORT | Aviation In this chapter, we recognise 17 leading aviation lawyers who come highly esteemed for their excellent handling of contentious, transactional and regulatory matters.

Most Highly Regarded Cristina Lewis de la Guardia

Alina Nassar

Galindo Arias y López Panama City

Costa Rica

Alina Nassar of Nassar Abogados is celebrated as one of the most experienced aviation lawyers in the industry, with notable expertise in regulatory mandates. Tomás Nassar Perez is very well regarded by peers and clients alike thanks to his broad experience in commercial and corporate issues in the aviation industry. Javier Escalante with Colbs Estudio Legal regularly advises and represents high-profile air carriers on a diverse range of matters. Roberto Esquivel from Oller Abogados is a standout name in the space who concentrates

Nassar Abogados San José

his expertise on project finance and procurement for clients in the aviation industry.

as a top practitioner for a broad range of administrative and transactional matters.

Dominican Republic

Panama

Rodolfo Mesa Chavez with Mesa Abogados draws accolades for his top-notch practice which focuses on commercial and insurance issues. Marcos Peña Rodriguez of Jiménez Peña stands out as a go-to name for aviation matters for domestic and international clients.

Honduras

At Arias, Mario Agüero distinguishes himself

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Galindo Arias y López’s Cristina Lewis de la Guardia is a top lawyer according to market sources, who applaud his deep knowledge and experience in the acquisition and financing of aircraft. Roy Durling at Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega regularly advises a range of international and domestic clients with regard to aviation financing.

Transport | Aviation

Costa Rica

Javier Escalante TACTIC Estudio Legal

Javier is a highly skilled lawyer, with more than 17 years of experience, working both in prominent law firms in Costa Rica and for the Costa Rican Government, where he started as a Trade Negotiator at the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Trade, and eventually transitioned to serve at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as Consul General of Costa Rica in Singapore, and later as Ambassador of Costa Rica in Qatar. With a master’s degree in law and economics, from Utrecht University (the Netherlands) and a Master’s Degree in International Business Law, from Complutense University of Madrid (Spain), Javier has an international perspective that transcends the legal sphere. He is the head of the aviation law practice at COLBS Legal Studio and has ample experience in advising companies from the aviation sector seeking to establish themselves in Costa Rica. His experience includes the representation of air carriers with scheduled flights, as well as chartered flight operators flying to and from Costa Rica. He actively represents his clients before the local authorities and associations regulating their business activities, advises them on corporate matters, and acts on their behalf in administrative and judiciary procedures. In addition to his aviation law practice, Javier’s most relevant areas of practice are trade, civil, and contractual law, real estate and dispute resolution. Javier is currently an eligible arbitrator at multiple arbitration and conciliation centres in Costa Rica and serves as board member at the Costa Rican Chamber of Industry, among other organisations.

Costa Rica

Carlos Camacho Arias carlos.camacho@ariaslaw.com Javier Escalante* TACTIC Estudio Legal jem@colbs.legal Roberto Esquivel Oller Abogados info@ollerabogados.com Alina Nassar Nassar Abogados anassar@nassarabogados.com Tomás F Nassar Perez Nassar Abogados tnassar@nassarabogados.com

Panama

Ramón Ricardo Arias Porras Galindo Arias y López rrarias@gala.com.pa Roy C Durling* Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega rcdurling@arifa.com Juan José Espino Pardini & Asociados jjes@padela.com Cristina Lewis de la Guardia Galindo Arias y López clewis@gala.com.pa Gabriel Sosa Decastro & Robles sosa@decastro-robles.com María de Lourdes Marengo Patton Moreno & Asvat mmarengo@pmalawyers.com

Dominican Republic

Maria Esther Fernández Alvarez de Pou Raful Sicard Polanco & Fernández mefernandez@legalrsp.com Rodolfo A Mesa Chavez Mesa Abogados r.mesa@mesalex.com Urania Paulino Pellerano Nadal Law & Consulting upaulino@pellerano.com Marcos Peña Rodriguez Jiménez Peña mpena@jpadvisors.do

Honduras

Mario Agüero Arias mario.aguero@ariaslaw.com J. Vanessa Oquelí De Riera Garcia & Bodan vanessa.oqueli@garciabodan.com

Torre La Sabana, piso 3 Avenida Las Américas, calle 60 San José Tel: +506 4700 6400 jem@colbs.legal www.tactic.legal/en/home

WWL says: Javier Escalante enjoys a stellar reputation in the Central American market for his work in aviation transport cases with high profile clients.

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Shipping | Transport

TRANSPORT | Shipping In this chapter, we highlight 24 outstanding shipping lawyers for their impressive work handling sector-related contractual and financial matters, as well as disputes and casualty cases.

Most Highly Regarded Jorge Loaiza

Tomas Avila

Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega Panama City

Costa Rica

Nassar Abogados is home to two practitioners listed here. Peers commend Tomás Nassar Perez for his expert handling of a broad variety of shipping disputes, often involving governments and task forces. Alina Nassar applies her extensive experience to her top-notch practice, which deals with cargo disputes, compliance and transactional work for multinational corporations.

Panama

De Castro & Robles stands out with three listings. Sources praise Eduardo Antonio Real Solis for his in-depth experience in litigious matters, charter party negotiations and vessel registrations.

Avila & Co Panama City

Gabriel Sosa draws widespread plaudits for his shipping practice, which encompasses cartel damage claims, shipping-related insurance and industrial risk disputes. Alberto Lopez Tom is a claims specialist and represents ship-owners and charterers in cases regarding cargo- and casualtyrelated claims. Jorge Loaiza at Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega brings a depth of knowledge in maritime law and regularly works on complex sale and purchase deals, inventive ship security models, drafting of maritime contracts and ship financing. Roy Durling excels in advising high-profile clients on matters relating to shipping finance, tax restructuring and shipping regulations.

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Tomas Avila of Avila & Co is has built up an impressive practice in shipping registration, finance and multi-jurisdictional transactions. Jazmina Rovi Sanchez with Morgan & Morgan secures endorsements from peers for her notable experience in nautical regulatory and registration requirements under Panamanian law. Belisario Porras at Patton Moreno & Asvat draws effusive praise from peers as “a go-to practitioner” thanks to his “deep knowledge of the Panamanian maritime legal system” and “smooth and seamless cooperation”. Yvonne Arias B with Arias B & Associates is highlighted for her high level of expertise in managing the financing, purchasing, and registration of maritime vessels.

Transport | Shipping

Panama

Jorge Loaiza

Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega Jorge Loaiza III joined the firm in 1990 and became a partner in 2014. From 2000 to 2005, Mr Loaiza was the resident lawyer in our London office. As head of the firm’s shipping and transportation group, he serves international clients throughout the transportation and shipping industry with sophisticated and timely advice. Mr Loaiza has assisted and represented clients in complex sale and purchase deals, inventive ship security models, drafting of maritime contracts, under-construction ship finance structuring, technical aspects and compliance under international maritime conventions and innovating in maritime litigation strategies. He was one of the main contributors to a newly adopted law for the promotion of maritime projects financing, and has been involved in maritime litigation, promoted the creation of judicial precedents on asset arrests and flag arrests of ships, administrative filings, and other unconventional procedures. Mr Loaiza was member of the drafting committee and contributor to the 2009 amendments to Law 8 of 1982 of the Maritime Judicial Procedure, and part of the joint commission (government and maritime lawyers) for complementary regulations to Law 57 of 2008 of the Merchant Marine Administration. As a member of the Panama Maritime Law Association, he occupied various posts within the board of directors from 2008 through 2012. He has further participated in committees within the Panama-American Chamber of Commerce and holds the Panama chapter in various international publications on legal aspects of shipping, including maritime commerce litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Mr Loaiza worked as a foreign associate with Kelley Drye & Warren in Washington DC.

ARIFA Building, 10th Floor, West Boulevard Santa María Business District, PO Box 0816-01098 Panama City Tel: +507 205 7068 jloaiza@arifa.com www.arifa.com

WWL says: Jorge Loaiza brings a depth of knowledge in maritime law and regularly works on complex sale and purchase deals, inventive ship security models, drafting of maritime contracts and ship financing.

Costa Rica

Carlos Camacho Arias carlos.camacho@ariaslaw.com Alina Nassar Nassar Abogados anassar@nassarabogados.com Tomás F Nassar Perez Nassar Abogados tnassar@nassarabogados.com

Belisario J. Porras Patton Moreno & Asvat bporras@pmalawyers.com Julio A Quijano Berbey Quijano & Associates quijano@quijano.com Eduardo Antonio Real Solis Decastro & Robles real@decastro-robles.com Jazmina Rovi Sanchez Morgan & Morgan jrovi@morimor.com Gabriel Sosa Decastro & Robles sosa@decastro-robles.com María de Lourdes Marengo Patton Moreno & Asvat mmarengo@pmalawyers.com

Panama

Jorge Ramirez Arias Arias B & Associates jorge@abalaw.net Ramón Arias B Arias B & Associates rrab@abalaw.net Yvonne Arias B Arias B & Associates yvonne@abalaw.net Tomas Avila Avila & Co mail@avilaco.com Alida Benedetti Benedetti & Benedetti alida@benedetti.com.pa Francisco Carreira Pitti Carreira Pitti PC paco@carreirapitti.com Nelson Carreyó Nelson Carreyo astral@sinfo.net Roy C Durling Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega rcdurling@arifa.com María Teresa Díaz G Patton Moreno & Asvat mdiaz@pmalawyers.com Francisco Linares Morgan & Morgan francisco.linares@morimor.com Adolfo E. Linares F. Tapia Linares & Alfaro alinares@talial.com Jorge Loaiza* Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega jloaiza@arifa.com Alberto Lopez Tom Decastro & Robles mail@decastro-robles.com Joel R Medina Icaza González-Ruiz Alemán joelm@icazalaw.com Juan David Morgan Jr Morgan & Morgan juandavid.morganjr@morimor.com

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ISSN 2398-7987

WWL Central America 2022

Articles inside

Administrative & Public Law 2 Dispute Resolution

Practice Area Breakdown Total listings in WWL: Central America

Practice Area Breakdown Total listings in WWL: Central America

Practice Area Breakdown Total listings in WWL: Central America