IFLR1000

El Salvador

Select tab

IFLR1000 Reviews

Financial and corporate
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.  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. 
 

Highlights   

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. 

 

Key clients  

Bladex, Davivienda, MRO Holdings, Procaps, Proparco and Sura are some of the firm’s key clients.   

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. Its experience working with banks makes it especially strong in business formation and structuring matters. It also has a strong M&A practice.   

 

Highlights  

The firm’s banking and finance department advised Digicel as borrower in a financing via bridge loan granted by Citibank for the purpose of debt restructuring. The firm was local counsel on this cross-border transaction, advising on the Salvadorian law aspects. 

The firm also leads in cross-border transactions. In one example, it advises Grupo Financiero Ficohsa in the acquisition via share purchase agreement of Asesuisa, the subsidiary of a multinational insurance company. 

 

Key clients  

Walmart, La Constancia / AB Inbev, Volaris, Energizer Holdings and D’Empaque  

 

Testimonials 

“They are a very experienced firm with a robust team. Their expertise is evident, and response time are great.” (Banking: lender side client) 

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. Mayora & Mayora advises major local and international clients on banking, finance, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets. With decades of experience and a client-focused approach, Mayora & Mayora continues to be a trusted legal partner in the region. 
 

Highlight 

Mayora & Mayora is advising Grupo Dagustin, a Spanish-owned aquaculture company operating in southern Honduras, on a range of corporate, commercial, and labor law matters. Recently, the firm completed a complex capital increase for the group’s main Honduran entity, Santa Inés, triggered by inheritance-related restructuring. Arias is also guiding the client through an ongoing M&A process involving its local business unit, El Faro. This engagement highlights Arias’s growing reputation in corporate and commercial law, demonstrating its ability to support international clients across diverse sectors and regions in Honduras. 

Key publishable: Grupo Dagustin 

Testimonials: 

“The quality of the work done” (Project finance client) 

“What I appreciate most about MAYORA & MAYORA, S.C.’s services is the immediacy and responsiveness of their team. They consistently deliver timely advice and solutions, which is crucial for the type of work we do. Communication is always clear, fast, and efficient, and it feels like we’re working with a true partner rather than just an external law firm. The team is approachable, highly knowledgeable, and always available when needed, which creates a strong sense of trust and reliability. This combination of speed, accessibility, and expertise is what truly sets them apart.” (Banking and finance client) 

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. 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.   
   

Highlights  

Over the course of the research period, Romero Pineda has continued to work with INVENERGY on the landmark Acajutla Project, a 355 MW natural gas power plant—the largest private clean energy generator in El Salvador. Acting as local counsel to senior lenders including DFC, IFC, IDB Invest, and KfW IPEX-Bank, the firm navigated complex cross-border financing and guarantee structures, ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions. The project, one of the country’s most significant infrastructure investments, promotes natural gas adoption and creates over 1,000 jobs during construction. Additionally, Romero Pineda guided Inversiones through the development of a high-end corporate and retail complex in San Salvador, managing permits, contracts, leasing, and condominium regulations. These transactions highlight the firm’s multidisciplinary expertise in energy, real estate, and structured finance for transformative projects. 

 

Key clients  

Some of the firm’s key clients include Banco Aliado, Banco de Sabadell, Cordaid, Locfund Next, Finnish Export Credit and Inversiones. 

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. 

  

Focusses / specialisms 

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 

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

Dentons Muñoz is a law firm based in San Salvador backed by Dentons, a widely recognised global law firm. 

 

Focusses / specialisms 

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 

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. 

GarcíaBodan

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.  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 the buy and sell side. The project development team is regarded for its work in public infrastructure and telecommunication deals.  
 
 

Highlights  

The firm advised Aeroméxico for the renewal of its operating permits. This required the expertise of the firm’s specialists in aviation law.  

The firm also advised Financia Credit Group in the process of obtaining authorization to be a credit card issuer. The firm’s knowledge of compliance was paramount in this matter. 

 

Key clients  

First Cash Financial Services, Global App Services, Grupo Prowork and Aeroméxico 

 

Testimonials 

“They have great communication skills, they are very accessible when I have questions or need updates on my work, they seek to adapt to the specific problems of our business, they are very client-focused, and they are very transparent about the cost of their services.” (Private Equity client) 

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. 

  

Focusses / specialisms 

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 

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.