Consortium Centro America Abogados - Honduras

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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 2011. Its office in Honduras was awarded “Best Honduras Law Firm of the Year” in 2010 by Chambers and Partners. The firm was also awarded “Best Banking & Finance Law Firm in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica” by World Finance UK Legal Awards 2009-2010.

Consortium was granted these awards due to 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.

Consortium Honduras was founded in 1982 and became a founding member of Consortium Centro America Abogados in 2005.

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.

Main international areas of practice

Banking, finance law and capital markets: Consortium offices have extensive and solid experience in this practice area. The firm advises prestigious banks and financial institutions on financial laws and regulations in the five countries; on aspects related to structuring of complex local or international financial transactions; project finance; and on all types of corporate and structured transactions, such as asset securitisation, factoring, and 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 office in Honduras also advised Globleleq Mesoamerica Energy and Meosamerica Power in the Cerro Hula Honduras Renewable Energy project financing for US$250 million.

Corporate, commercial & M&A: Consortium handles incorporations of companies, board resolutions, general shareholders’ meetings, drafting and executive contracts, international trade, mergers and acquisitions, distribution, licensing and agency agreements, commercial transactions and contracts, as well as general corporate matters. Consortium offices have represented Shell’s regional operation sale in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua to Honduran conglomerate Grupo Terra. Consortium Centroamérica Abogados advised Puma Energy in its acquisition of Exxon Mobil business in Central America. Consortium coordinating from its office in Honduras, also participated with its legal teams in Guatemala and El Salvador.

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). Partner Jose Rivera and senior associate Ulises Mejia have been named by the Honduran Commercial Ministry as arbitrators in the conflict solution of the free trade agreement treaty between Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

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 with contracts related to real estate, horizontal property, work and construction contracts, financing, parceling, securities, purchase, sales and leases in real estate, 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 defense in financial crimes, such as the derivatives of industrial accidents.

Migratory law: Consortium advises foreigners in the acquisition and renewals of temporary or permanent residence under any of the categories recognised by our migratory legislation.

www.consortiumlegal.com