Consortium - Centro America Abogados office in El Salvador

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Consortium Centro America Abogados is the largest provider of high-quality legal services in the Central American region with more than 160 attorneys and 10 offices located in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

The firm is consistently top ranked among the best law firms in the Central American region by prestigious international legal directories such as International Financial Law Review, Latin Lawyer, Martindale and Practical Law Company – Which Lawyer?

Consortium Centro America Abogados was awarded for the second year in a row “Best Central America Law Firm of the year” by Chambers and Partners and ACQ Finance Magazine also recognised Consortium as “Best Central America Law Firm of the Year” in 201. Its office in El Salvador was recognised as “Best Banking and Finance Firm” and “Best Real Estate Firm ” by World Finance Legal Awards 2012. Lawyer Monthly Magazine also awarded Consortium – El Salvador “Capital Markets Advisor of the Year” and “Mergers and Acquisition Law Firm of the Year”.

Consortium was granted these awards for its high-quality service and innovation in new projects, its pioneering role in the region, as well as proof of market development and excellence in client representation.

The Salvadoran office was founded in 1991 under the name Delgado & Cevallos, and became a founding member of Consortium Centro America Abogados in 2005, when the regional firm was born.

Consortium maintains close relationships with leading law firms in the US, Europe, Asia and the rest of the world. Its members participate in international legal organisations and associations.

Main international areas of practice

Banking, finance law and capital markets: Consortium offices have extensive and solid experience in this practice area. The firm provides advice to prestigious banks and financial institutions on financial laws and regulations in the five countries; in aspects related to structuring of complex local or international financial transactions; project finance; the advice in all types of corporate and structured transactions, as asset securitisation, factoring, leasing and derivatives.

Consortium offices recently advised Banco Davivienda from Colombia during the legal due diligence process in El Salvador, Honduras and Costa Rica, with the purpose of acquiring the operations of HSBC in such jurisdictions, including banking, insurance and securities subsidiaries for US$801 million. The firm also advised the government of the Republic of El Salvador in emission of bonds for US$635 million and Grupo Promerica in a syndicated loan granted to Taca International Airlines for US$100 million.

Corporate, commercial and M&A: Consortium handles incorporations of companies, board resolutions, general shareholders’ meetings, drafting of contracts, international trade, mergers and acquisitions, distribution, licensing and agency agreements, commercial transactions and contracts, as well as general corporate matters.

Consortium – El Salvador advised America Movil, the largest telecommunications company in Latin America, in the acquisition of Digicel’s operations in El Salvador. The office in El Salvador also acted as counsel of Puma Energy International, during the concentration process that was finally approved by the Superintendence of Competition of El Salvador.

Consortium offices have represented Honduran conglomerate Grupo Terra in the acquisition of Shell’s downstream operations in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Intellectual property: Consortium advises on trademark, patent and copyright law, IP litigation, enforcement actions and registrations of IP rights, cancellation proceedings and licensing, etc.

Litigation and arbitration: Consortium advises on administrative, civil, commercial, criminal and labour litigation, including requests for appeals and Supreme Court litigation. Partner Alvaro Castellanos is a member of the International Court of Arbitration, Paris, France and partner Rolando Laclé Zúñiga is president of the International Center for Settlement and Arbitration (CICA).

Tax: Consortium specialises in the tax aspects of corporate and commercial transactions, including business planning, corporate transactions and tax litigation.

Regulated sector: Consortium has extensive experience in issues such as telecommunications, eolic energy, mining, environment, etc.

Real estate: Consortium has comprehensive experience in contracts related to real estate, horizontal property, work and construction contracts, financing, securities, purchase, sales and leases, including the respective authorisations and registrations.

Labour law: Consortium oversees the interpretation of labour laws and international treaties in effect in Central America, the drafting and enforcement of internal labour regulations and the calculation of labour liabilities and actuarial studies.

Penal law: Consortium advises defendants and victims in subjects related to economic, financial and tax crimes, and in the prevention or defence in crimes of labour nature, due to industrial accidents.

Migratory law: Consortium advises foreigners in obtaining and renewing their temporary or permanent residence under any of the categories recognised by our immigration legislation.

www.consortiumlegal.com