García & Bodán (Nicaragua)

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The firm: García & Bodán is a prestigious law firm founded in Nicaragua in 2000 with the purpose to provide to its clients, both foreign and national, comprehensive general legal services, mainly in the areas of law related to corporate services and foreign investment.

It is the Nicaraguan law firm that has experienced the highest growth and expansion in operations in recent years. In addition to its main office in Managua, Nicaragua, the firm expanded its operations to other countries in Central America, opening offices in Tegucigalpa, Honduras (2004); San Salvador, El Salvador (2006); San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua (2007); and San Pedro Sula, Honduras (2007).

The firm has proven to be an excellent choice when requiring expert legal counsel on corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, tax and customs matters, intellectual property, real estate, labour law, commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution, energy, environment and mining, because of the ample experience of its fully bilingual attorneys.

The firm and each of its members – attorneys and staff – consider “responsiveness to clients” as one of the key elements for a successful long-term attorney-client relationship and the basis for effective legal counselling.

García & Bodán always performs a thorough check for any actual or potential conflict of interest, as defined in any applicable code of professional responsibility and professional conduct, which may arise in representation of a new client.

The firm is convinced that regular and effective communication is one of the most important expectations the client has of local counsel, thereby, the firm appoints a relationship partner or senior associate to provide overall supervision of a client’s interest, and strictly monitors its main policies regarding practice: “reply within 24 hours”, “weekly update for client” and “opinions well founded in legal dispositions”.

García & Bodán works with the most reputable and prominent firms in Guatemala and Costa Rica, which allows it to carry out regional projects efficiently and in a timely manner.

Controlling costs is essential for clients’ business; thus, the firm monitors all expenses to ensure that every dollar spent is necessary to the client’s operation. If requested, estimated fees/expenses for projects may be provided at the onset of each matter. Providing such an estimate will help client to budget and prevent surprises.

International experience: Most of García & Bodán’s clients are from the United States. However the firm represents clients from all parts of the world, including Latin America, Asia and Europe. It is worthwhile mentioning that García & Bodán has participated in several relevant transactions in the Central American region:

The firm advised and represented Empresa Industrial Arrocera Altamira SA (IAASA) in the sale of assets initially up to the approximate sum of US$13 million.

García & Bodán advised German company Draexlmaier on incorporation and permit issues related to operations under the free zone regime for production of automotive harnesses in Nicaragua.

The firm advised and provided counsel on legal matters to the Corporation Clover Bay SA, a subsidiary of SEG International, which is in charge of the production of the television series Survivor Nicaragua.

García & Bodán advised the UK-based company Northern & Shell Worldwide Ltd in intellectual property issues in the region, particularly with regards to the protection of their client’s brands in Central America.

The firm provided legal counsel to Kraft Foods on the merger process of the two Nicaraguan affiliates: Kraft Foods Nicaragua (KFN) and Kraft Foods de Nicaragua (KFDN); as well as on the dissolution process of Kraft Foods Nicaragua before Nicaraguan entities as a result of the merger.

The firm advised and represented GE Capital, owner of 75 per cent of the Bank of Central America (BAC) in Nicaragua and Honduras, for a transaction involving the sale of its participation. G&B advised General Electric regarding all the requirements for the approval of the regulating entity, the time limit for the approval of the transaction and other issues related to credit card issuers regulations.

García & Bodán provided legal counsel on regulatory and policy issues related to Energy and Environment to Compañía Cervecera de Nicaragua (member of the largest brewery group of Central America); assisting in filing obtaining a licence for hydroelectric energy generation, as well as project finance.

Reparto Los Robles, No. L-15

Del Restaurante “La Marseillaise”

1/2 cuadra al sur, Managua, Nicaragua

Tel: +505 2270 5008 • Fax: +505 2278 0928

US Tel: +1 202 459 4797

Edificio Casa Marina, Contiguo a BDF

Suite 2, San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

Tel: +505 2568 2680 • Fax: +505 2568 2679

US Tel: +1 202 459 4797

www.garciabodan.com