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.
The firm
frequently works with clients that are global entities in finance and insurance. It is relied on for its local expertise and multi-jurisdictional capabilities. It is especially recognized for its banking and M&A practices which are active in the aviation, energy, banking, hospitality, pharmaceutical and technology sectors. These practices work
alongside other departments including Antitrust, Tax, Environmental, Labor, Litigation,
IP and compliance.
Arias delivered expert counsel on two major regional transactions in 2024. Acting as local counsel in El Salvador, the firm advised Decameron on a complex multijurisdictional refinancing involving tranches under New York and Colombian law, secured across multiple locations. Arias structured the collateral package, prepared corporate documentation, and issued the legal opinion required for closing—a critical step in supporting Decameron’s strategic growth in the hospitality sector.
Additionally, Arias advised Bladex on a syndicated loan for CrediQ, oversubscribed by 1.52 times and involving 13 financial institutions across Guatemala, El Salvador, and Costa Rica. The deal required rapid coordination under tight timelines, showcasing Arias’ ability to navigate intricate cross-border financing structures efficiently.
Bladex, Davivienda, MRO Holdings, Procaps, Proparco and Sura are some of the firm’s key clients.
