Quiñones, Ibargüen, Luján & MataSC

This content can only be accessed by Latin Lawyer subscribers

Quiñones, Ibargüen, Luján & Mata SC is a full service law firm. Founded in 1999, it has grown steadily to become one of the leading law firms in Guatemala, while maintaining its boutique law firm characteristics. Such consistent growth has been based on the full commitment of its partners, associates and assistants to the highest quality service standards and prompt responsiveness. Most of its lawyers are perfectly fluent in English and have local and foreign legal training and education. Its broad areas of practice range from corporate, M&A, civil and commercial litigation, tax advice, employment and public utilities to intellectual property and government procurement. The firm is also committed to personal and professional growth of its members through constant training and development and is actively involved in pro bono services, participating in boards of important NGOs and corporate social responsibility organisations.

Banking and finance: The firm takes pride in its banking and finance practice, having represented many international financial institutions, development banks and multilateral agencies in varied and complex financings including project finance, syndicated loans, issuance of euro-cleared sovereign bonds.

Corporate: The firm offers the widest range of advice in corporate law matters, starting from business planning and corporate structuring, through the most varied situations (ie, corporate governance, relationships among shareholders and the corporation, structuring of shareholder agreements, mergers and acquisitions), to the eventual winding up and dissolution of corporations.

Litigation and arbitration: The firm has a solid litigation and arbitration practice, having handled complex litigation cases in the areas of civil, commercial, criminal, administrative, intellectual property, tax and constitutional law. The firm has represented many multinational clients in complex commercial litigation involving distributors, unfair competition, trademark enforcement and infringement and many other complex matters arising within the commercial context.

Employment and immigration law: The firm has broad experience in advising local and multinational corporations and individuals on labour law matters, including conflict prevention, analysis and observance of current labour regulations (laws and international treaties). The firm also advises transnational corporations on employment of foreign personnel and immigration topics, developing and implementing internal corporate procedures and policies regarding labour issues, labour audits, conflict resolution, employee dismissal, social security issues, as well as administrative procedures and litigation.

Mergers & acquisitions: The firm advises on the wide range of topics associated with mergers & acquisitions from due diligence aspects, structuring and tax enhancement to drafting and completion of merger and acquisition agreements.

Tax: As a result of its strong business-oriented practice, the firm offers complete legal support on all of the complex tax aspects not only arising out of the day to day transactions and activities of any corporation in Guatemala, but also on business planning, corporate reorganisations, acquisitions, joint ventures, financings and restructurings – integrating both domestic and multinational tax issues. Our firm is also involved in tax planning for non-profit organisations.

Electricity and public utilities: The Guatemalan electricity sector has transformed from being a state-run monopoly to having an open competition in most of its business divisions. Attorneys of Quiñones, Ibargüen, Luján & Mata SC are among the very few who have been involved in the electricity sector throughout its deregulation process, and have gained a specialised expertise in the new electricity regulatory legal framework since its conception. This provides Quiñones, Ibargüen, Luján & Mata SC with an in-depth understanding of this rapidly evolving sector to effectively deliver advice to its multinational clients who have invested in this field in Guatemala and have a permanent presence in the country.

Intellectual property: In response to the specific demands of its clients for focused assistance in the intellectual property area, the firm’s intellectual property department is structured with all the necessary human and technological resources required by the needs of worldwide clients who seek intellectual property protection within the Central American region. The firm is also an INTA member.

International work: The firm has a strong international practice as a result of its many multinational clients. In this context, it has been involved in multinational acquisition transactions as well as being part of cross-border litigation teams. The firm also regularly acts as a coordinating firm dealing directly with other regional firms on regional cross-border aspects. Moreover, the firm regularly acts as local counsel in M&A and financing transactions, working as a team with many of the leading international law firms in New York and other jurisdictions.

Competition law: QIL Abogados provides legal advice on the rapidly changing aspects of competition law. Guatemala has committed to enact modern legislation on anticompetitive practices and our firm has been closely following this process and preparing clients to duly adapt their businesses to this new legal environment

Languages: English, French & Spanish.

www.qilsc.com