Guatemala

Founded in 2015, ALTA QIL+4 is a full-service firm providing legal services across the Central American region. The firm operates a single office in Guatemala City. In 2021, it joined forces with three other firms in Central America to form Alta Legal. ALTA QIL+4 has a strong focus on energy, with its project development team advising on the development of over 1,500 MW of energy in Guatemala. The financial and corporate team advises on both buy-side and sell-side transactions, as well as government loans. 

Highlights 

The firm acted as Guatemalan legal counsel to Telus International Services and its Guatemalan and Salvadoran subsidiaries in a complex $2 billion refinancing by The Bank of Nova Scotia. This refinancing was aimed at managing debt and acquiring WillowTree. The cross-border transaction involved attorneys and regulations from multiple jurisdictions, showcasing the firm’s ability to handle challenging matters with ease and ensuring a successful closing. 

Key Clients  

Telus, Banco de América Central – BAC, Bancolombia /Banco Agromercantil de Guatemala / Banistmo / Banco Agrícola El Salvador, Central American Mezzanine Infrastructure Fund 

Testimonials

“Excellent team, always accurate advice on local regulation, speedy assistance on the legal needs we have.” (Banking and Finance)

“The quality of the advisory service offered to us is perfect. The team is always pending the transaction and advice that is requested of them and complies with all the international standards that we seek as a bank” (Banking and Finance) 

Founded in 1942 in El Salvador by Dr. Francisco Armando Arias, Arias is a law firm rooted in humanistic principles and values of honesty, integrity, and professionalism. Renowned for its banking and finance expertise, the firm also excels in M&A and project development. Arias represents strategic buyers and sellers across various industries in acquisitions and restructurings, as well as borrowers and lenders in banking matters, including loan and credit agreements. Committed to quality legal services, Arias strives to innovate and lead in the legal and business world. 

Highlights 

Arias represented Holcim in a complex acquisition, navigating regulatory matters in the mining sector and managing intricate structures across multiple jurisdictions. This significant transaction marked Holcim’s first operation in the high-growth Guatemalan market, showcasing Arias’ commitment to excellent service and dedication to helping clients achieve substantial business goals. The firm demonstrated its multi-jurisdictional expertise by serving as local counsel for Natixis, Standard Chartered Bank, Banco Santander, ING, and other creditors in a syndicated term loan facility for Impala Terminals Group. This intricate transaction required adapting local legal documents to align with foreign standards. 

Key Clients 

Truist Bank, McKinsey & Company, Fyffes, Holcim, Hoshizaki  

Testimonials 

“We were rather happy with the services provided by Arias (Guatemala). The team was highly professional, forthcoming, responsive, demonstrated in-depth knowledge of the local law and the sector. The fee quote was also consistent with our expectations.” (Banking and Finance) 

Consortium Legal is a distinguished full-service law firm operating throughout Central America, renowned for delivering exceptional client service. The firm excels in several key industries, including banking, construction and materials, food and beverage, and tourism. In the realm of banking and finance, Consortium Legal primarily advises lenders on loan and credit facilities, with a focus on refinancing and project financing. In mergers and acquisitions (M&A), the firm provides strategic counsel to buyers and sellers involved in asset acquisitions and merger transactions. 

Highlights 

The firm advised Banco Industrial and IDB Invest on a $155 million financing deal to build and operate a private road in Guatemala. The complexity of this case arises from the borrower’s decision to execute the project through multiple agreements, each directly created and negotiated with individual contractors, rather than using a traditional EPC agreement. The firm also served as local counsel to JP Morgan Chase Bank in connection with a credit agreement for Campero Inc. The transaction was complex due to its multi-jurisdictional nature. 

Key Clients 

Culligan, Imperia Corp, Tigo Guatemala, Citi Bank, Bank of America 

Testimonials 

“Excellent service and deep knowledge on subjects” (M&A) 

EY Law is a global powerhouse with over 700 offices in more than 150 countries, including Central America. Committed to delivering top-notch insights and services to their clients, the firm excels in the M&A sphere and other corporate practice areas. Their M&A team primarily focuses on representing acquirers, though they also advocate for sellers. Renowned for their financial, corporate, and project development work, EY Law frequently collaborates across borders with other Central American offices. With extensive experience in M&A, the firm adeptly represents both strategic buyers and sellers in acquisitions and general corporate matters. Additionally, EY Law boasts significant expertise in the infrastructure sector. 

Highlights 

EY Law’s commitment to helping their clients achieve their business goals is evident as in the case of Baxter International, a leading American medical equipment and services provider. The firm has played a pivotal role in bolstering Baxter International's presence in Guatemala. A long-time client of the firm, EY Law regularly offers their essential legal services for a variety of matters. They also regularly advise Prosegur, a Spanish security services firm, managing all legal procedures and overseeing the corporate, commercial and daily processes throughout Central America.  

Key Clients 

Kimberly Clark Limitada, Prosegur, Bayer, Danziger, SOIN Guatemala, Baxter International, Office Depot Corporation 

Since its founding in 1966, Central American law firm Mayora & Mayora has expanded to Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Based in Guatemala City, the firm is part of the LexMundi alliance and is highly regarded in financial and corporate practice areas, particularly banking, finance, and M&A. It advises lenders on loan and credit agreements, handles debt capital markets work, and represents underwriters in bond issuances. In M&A, it primarily represents strategic buyers. The project development team is active in the construction and energy sectors. 

Highlights 

The firm advised their clients on a variety of complex confidential matters involving multiple jurisdictions. 

Key Clients 

AMSPEC Group, Bolsa de Valores Nacional de Guatemala, Grupo Montecristo, Eductrade, Tarjetas Cuscatlán 

Testimonials 

“Showed profound experience on the matter and provided tailored guidance for a smooth execution.” (M&A) 

"This firm has wide knowledge and experience regarding the securities market, both nationally and internationally.” (M&A) 

“I appreciate Mayora's comprehensive understanding of corporate law and their ability to navigate complex legal issues with expertise. Their team is highly knowledgeable and responsive, providing tailored solutions that address our specific needs. What stands out is their commitment to excellence and the personalized attention they offer, ensuring that we feel supported and informed throughout the process. Their deep industry insights and proactive approach have been invaluable in guiding our business decisions.” (Restructuring) 

BLP is a Costa Rican firm that was founded in 2003. It has a large regional footprint with offices in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Spain and Honduras. The Guatemala practice has one office in Guatemala City.   The M&A practice is regarded for its work with local and international companies in buy and sell-side transactions.  The banking and finance group has experience in cross border deals, project finance and debt restructuring.

Comte & Font – Legalsa is a Guatemalan law firm founded by Henry Comte and David Font and based in Guatemala City.  

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm has a particular focus on financial and corporate matters. 

Key clients 

Key clients of the firm include América Móvil, Claro Guatemala (Telgua), Grupo Ultramar, Zenziya, Prolease, Prime Media & Entertainment, Norton Lilly, Compañía Agrícola Industrial Santa Ana, Zuma Pagos and Super Auto Repuestos Acquaroni. 

Client Feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023) 

Asset finance 

"They provide accurate and practical advice to achieve the client's objectives." 

Deloitte Legal, the legal arm of the global professional services firm Deloitte, has a country-wide presence in Guatemala with lawyers located in the firm’s office in Guatemala City. 

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm has a particular focus on financial and corporate. 

Key clients 

Key clients of the firm include Mcafee, Cementos Progreso, Paypal, ABT Associates, OHLA, Grupo Carso, Megapharma, Siemens, Fox International Channels and Evonik. 

Dentons Muñoz is the Guatemalan presence of the international law firm Dentons. One of the world’s largest law firms, Dentons is truly a global law firm, with over 190 locations across over 75 countries. 

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm has a particular focus on financial and corporate matters. 

Key clients 

Key clients of the firm include Biesterfeld U.S., UBS, Wells Fargo, Axa France, Rockwell, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Rothshild & Co., Puma Energy, GlaxoSmithKline and JCDecaux. 

Latamlex is a Central American firm with offices in Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala.  

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm advises both local and international companies on a range of corporate matters. It frequently advises lenders in banking transactions under Guatemala law. 

Key clients 

Key clients include Banco Aliado and Comerzbank.