Arias
Arias is a Central American firm established in 1942. In addition to El Salvador, it also has offices in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.
Focusses / specialisms
Arias is a leading firm for banking and M&A in El Salvador.
The firm’s recent banking work consists primarily of advice to lenders, but the team acts for borrowers regularly as well.
The firm is most active in the aviation, energy, banking, hospitality, pharmaceutical and technology sectors.
Key clients
Key clients include IBD Invest, Unilever, Citibank and Walmart.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Throughout the research period, the team worked on banking and finance transactions such as refinancing and financing agreements, where borrowers and lenders were equally represented.
The team also completed mergers and acquisitions transactions, acting for merger parties and sellers in both strategic and private equity acquisitions across several industries.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Digicel $600 million refinancing
Elkay Manufacturing/Zurn Water Solutions merger
Sentinel Capital Partners acquisition of L2 Brands
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Banking and finance
“Deep knowledge of the laws and contractual terms and conditions.”
“A team with a lot of experience, dedicating time to their clients, looking for correct solutions.”
Armando Arias
“A lot of experience in diverse areas: banking, M&A, commercial and international contracts. He has relevant leading participation in various litigations and arbitrations with successional conclusions.”
Roberta Gallardo
“Has deep knowledge and experience advising financial transactions.”
Consortium Legal
Consortium Legal is a full-service firm in Central America with over 200 lawyers at seven offices located in five countries throughout the region. Over 20 of its legal professionals are based in El Salvador.
The firm is particularly strong in banking, advising on many lending deals both domestically and cross-border.
Research period review: 32nd edition (2021/2022)
During the research period the firm was active in banking and M&A.
The banking
team mostly
advised lenders in several cross-border
loan agreements granted to companies in the automotive industry. The team also advised investors as initial purchasers for a bond issued by an automotive company.
Aside from the automotive industry, the firm was also very active in the telecommunications sector.
The
M&A team
worked on complex, cross-border acquisitions in various industries including construction and telecommunications among others. The firm advised buyers and sellers.
Deal highlights: 32nd edition (2021/2022)
Automotive Finance Holding Corporation $280 million
financing
Cementos Progreso Holdings $335 million acquisition of CEMEX
Exell Business $160 million
financing
General International Telecom Limited/Jaguar Fund $144 million acquisition of Telefónica
Móviles El Salvador/Telefónica Multiservicios
San Miguel Industrias PET $380 million bond issuance
Telemovil $100 million financing
Client feedback: 32nd
edition (2021/2022)
"Their advice was on point, concrete and of the expected quality, and their response times were excellent."
Project development: Energy
"Credibility, trustworthiness and dedication."
Project development: Transport
"Young team, fresh eyes, attentive."
"Passion for the job. Compassion for clients. Great communication skills. Willingness to listen. Knowledge of the law. Strong writing ability."
"Gustavo gives quality legal advice to his clients, understands our business and is available whenever we have contacted him."
EY Law
EY Law
is an international law firm, part of
the
EY global
organisation, with more than3,400 lawyers in 94 countries throughout the world.
EY Law operates as a single integrated regional firm where
the service offerings and teams are determined based on specialty practices and industries. In Central America, the firm has more than 100 lawyers with offices in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and the Dominican Republic as well as El Salvador.
The firm is also integrated with Latamnorth, which includes legal practices in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru.
The firm has a focus on
financial and corporate work. The firm’s practice has a significant presence in retail,
aviation and energy sectors.
Key clients for the firm include Wärtsilä Finland, Capella Solar Tsk
Gensun El Salvador, Kimberly-Clark
De Centro America, Office Depot,
Emusa Peru, Operadores Logisticos Ransa and ARRetail.
García & Bodán
Garcia & Bodán was established in 2000. The firm has locations across Central America, with offices in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. The El Salvador office, located in San Salvador, opened in 2005 and is managed by partner Julio C. Vargas Solano.
Focusses / specialisms
The El Salvador office has experience in both project development and financial and corporate matters. The financial and corporate team provides day-to-day legal assistance to domestic businesses including registering new companies. It is also active in M&A transactions, acting on both buy and sell side.
The project development team is regarded for its work in public infrastructure and telecommunication deals. The financial and corporate team provides day-to-day legal assistance to domestic businesses including registering new companies.
Key clients
Key clients include Aeroméxico and Stanley, Black and Decker.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
During the research period, the team continued to represent clients in day-to-day operations, many of which include cross border elements. It also represented both buyers and sellers in acquisitions. Much of the team’s work was based in the logistics, manufacturing, technology, financial services and aviation industries.
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Project development
“Garcia & Bodan does an excellent job of understanding their clients.”
David Claros
“Excellent understanding of client operations and operational response to fluctuating legal concerns.”
Mayora & Mayora
Mayora & Mayora was established in 1966. The firm is a member of the LexMundi international network of law firms. It has four offices located in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. The El Salvador office is located in San Salvador.
Focusses / specialisms
The financial and corporate team at the firm handles M&A and banking and finance matters. The M&A team advises on cross-border transactions, corporate restructurings and share purchase agreements. The banking and finance team assists with loans, securities, debt restructuring and project financing for national and international clients.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include Aeroman, Neoen/Capella Solar, Grupo Emasal and Inmobiliaria Las Cascadas.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Over the research period, the firm was active in financial and corporate matters, largely working on banking and acquisition deals. Banking and finance transactions include representing borrowers and lenders in financing agreement, as well as bond issuances. The team also worked on M&A matters, acting on both buy and sell side in strategic acquisitions mostly in the real estate industry.
The firm also worked on a couple of project development transactions, acting for clients in bidding processes and contract negotiations.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Norfund $40 million financing
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Banking and finance
“They respond very quickly and deliver with high quality.”
Project finance
“They are responsible, honorable and trustworthy in the jobs they work in.”
Jennifer Rodriguez
“Attitude and customer service.”
Manuel Telles
“Experienced, responsible and honorable.”
Romero Pineda
Romero Pineda is an experienced law firm that was founded in 1978 and it has its main office in Santa Elena, Antiguo Cuscatlan, El Salvador. The firm is a member of the legal network LexMundi.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm has a strong project development team that is adept at project finance and focuses on the energy sector. The teams within the firm act cohesively to advise on mergers and acquisitions, acting on the buy side, in addition to representing lenders in various financing arrangements. Real estate, tourism infrastructure and energy are also included in the specialties of the firm.
Key clients
The firm’s key clients include Copa Airlines, Evergreen Packaging, Grupo Bimbo, Inkoa, Inversiones Caracol and UPS.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Over the research period, the team worked on numerous project finance deals, in the energy industry. It also worked on wider project development deals in the real estate, healthcare, energy and water treatment industries. Matters included public tender offers and contract negotiations.
On the financial and corporate side, the team represented private equity firms and other buyers on acquisition matters. It also represented franchisees in expansion opportunities. It also represented lenders in financing agreements.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Plaza Presidente $85 million real estate development project
Benjamín Valdez & Asociados
Established in 2010, Benjamín Valdez & Asociados is a boutique firm specializing in corporate and financial legal services.
Focusses / specialisms
The corporate team at the firm specializes in transactional work, advising national and international clients. The team advises on buy and sell side transactions.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include, Banco Azteca, PUMA Energy, McDonald's Corporation, Marriott and Nestlé.
BLP
BLP is a Costa Rican firm that was founded in 2003. It has a large regional footprint with offices in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Spain and Honduras. The El Salvador practice has one office, located in San Salvador.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm stands out for its ability to assist international clients. It can use its international footprint to assist on cross-border deals. The firm has expertise in banking, project development and M&A.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include UPS, Avianca, Siemens Healthcare, Bank of Nova Scotia and Lat Capital.
Client feedback: 31st edition (2020/2021)
Bank lending: Lender side
"The firm's strong experience in working on cross-border transactions is reflected in the quality and effectiveness of the advice they provide. The team is very responsive and committed to the client."
Central Law El Salvador
Central Law was established in 2003 as an international Central American firm. The firm has a large regional footprint, with offices in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa
Rica and Panama. The El Salvador practice has
its office in La Libertad, just outside of San Salvador. The firm
has signed a collaboration agreement with Andersen Global, an association of tax and legal professionals around the world.
The firm recently expanded its M&A,
e-commerce and infrastructure expertise. The firm also advises on banking, project development and day-to-day corporate law. The firm’s practice has a significant presence in the
financial services, healthcare, sports, aviation, investment management, consumer goods, education,
energy and telecommunications
sectors.
Key clients for the firm include
AirPlus Lufthansa, Avianca Holdings, Kerry, Bimbo, British Telecommunications, BTL Holdings, Cinépolis, Digicel,
Energor,
Energía del
Pacífico, Energizer Holdings,
Mabe Group, McCormick, Microsoft, Motorola Solutions,
PriceSmart, Palladium International,
Towerbank International, Watson Farley & Williams, Smart Fit, BMR, Menzies Aviation, Ecolab, Baker
McKenzie,
Ayuda en Acción, Barry Callebaut, Betcris,
Bioelements,
Bit2Me, Columbia University
-ICAP,
Societá Dante Alighieri, DLA Piper, Grupo
Santillana, Fundación
Amigos del Real Madrid en El Salvador, Keiser University, Megapaca and Nokia.
Dentons Muñoz
Dentons Muñoz is a law firm based in San Salvador
backed by Dentons, a widely
recognised global law firm.
The firm has a focus on financial and corporate work.
The firm’s practice has a significant presence in
the credit risk assessment, technology, private security services, technology,
pharmaceuticals and transportation sectors.
Key clients include
United Airlines,
Huawei Telecommunications,
Volante Technologies,
Equifax,
AGS Protect,
Hyundai Motor Company,
Cummins,
Nature´s Sunshine Products,
Syscorp,
Hamburg Süd,
Lockheed Martin Corporation,
Grupo Arquero,
CV Credit,
Nikken,
Grupo Silkcroft,
Medtrition,
Preferred Hotel Group,
Inversiones Birm,
Icards Solutions
and
Sistemas de
Gestión.
ECIJA
ECIJA was founded in Spain in 1997 and has grown to become a global law firm. The firm has offices in the US, Brazil, Portugal, Chile, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Mexico, Ecuador and Puerto Rico. The firm has one Salvadorian office in San Salvador.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm advises on project financing and development, including public concessions, financial structuring and debt restructuring.
Latin Alliance
Latin Alliance was founded in 1990. The firm has a presence throughout Central America, with offices in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador,
Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
The financial and corporate team at the firm provides advice on corporate finance, M&A,
incorporation and
securitisations. The firm’s practice has a significant presence in the
pharmaceuticals, project development, financial institutions, anti-trust,
aviation and compliance sectors.
Key clients include
Grupo Prival, Grupo
Yobel SCM, La Casa de las
Baterías,
GlaxoSmithKline
El Salvador, Banco G&T Continental,
Rodio Swissboring and Grupo
Coinpro.
Lexincorp
Lexincorp has offices throughout the Central American region, including in El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, and Guatemala. The El Salvador office is located in San Salvador.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm advises on a wide variety of matters, including energy infrastructure, loan agreements, loan structuring and syndicated credit facilities.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include Puma El Salvador, American Movil, Banco General and Pettenati.
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