Central America: Administrative & Public Law 2018
This chapter sees 45 practitioners nominated for their excellent work handling a range of public law matters including public-private partnerships, free trade zones matters and public procurement.
| Most Highly Regarded | |
|---|---|
| 1. Rubén Hernández | Oller Abogados, San José |
| 2. Alejandro Batalla | Batalla, San José |
| 3. Carlos Andrés Arguedas Vargas | Consortium Legal – Costa Rica, San José |
| 4. Luis Ortiz | BLP, San José |
Costa Rica
At OLLER ABOGADOS Rubén Hernández is described by sources as “the authority in administrative law”. He “handles complex matters well” and boasts a wealth of knowledge of constitutional law, for which he is noted by one source as “probably the best lawyer in Costa Rica”.
At BATALLA, Alejandro Batalla is “a very well-known lawyer in the field” and “has a very good reputation in the market”. He offers clients over 30 years’ experience in matters such as administrative contracts, as well as representing clients in litigation proceedings.
CONSORTIUM LEGAL’s Carlos Andrés Arguedas Vargas is “well known for administrative and public law” and is one of the top names in our research this year. Market commentators state that he “excels at public-private partnerships” and is “definitely someone to highlight”.
ARIAS’ Carlos Ubico is “a renowned specialist” with “excellent knowledge on the issues” according to market sources. His practice involves matters such as public bids and project financing, for which he provides “clear explanations of complex matters”.
BLP’s Luis Ortiz is a highly regarded practitioner who is noted by sources for being “an expert in public law matters”. He has an enviable practice that sees him advice and represent clients on issues such as bidding procedures and state acquisitions.
Sources state that CONSULTORES EN DERECHO PÚBLICO’s Aldo Milano Sánchez is “a very good lawyer with a lot of expertise” and that “he is one of the top names” in the field. He is particularly noted for being “very knowledgeable on the administrative litigation side”.
CORPORACIÓN JIME’s Manrique Jiménez Meza is “a very good lawyer with a big reputation in the area”, according to respondents. He has formidable insight into constitutional law with one source noting, “If there is a big mess in administrative law, he is the one to go to.”
At boutique firm ROJAS FRANCO & ASOCIADOS, Jose Enrique Rojas Franco is highly thought of by market commentators who regard him as “the elder statesman of Costa Rican public law” and “an authority on administrative law matters”. He is “a great lawyer with a lot of expertise” and is noted for being “especially good at litigation in administrative and public law cases”.
AGUILAR CASTILLO LOVE’s Ruben Zamora Castro has a distinguished reputation in the region, with sources continuing to give him strong praise. He is “a dynamic practitioner, renowned for his legal counsel on energy and public transportation” and is also regarded as “very good with tariff issues”.
At FACIO & CAÑAS, Alfonso Liao is noted by market sources as “a great lawyer” and “a specialist in public law”. He advises clients on a range of areas including free trade zone, constitutional and consumer protection matters.
DENTONS MUÑOZ’s Enrique Lopez maintains a strong reputation in the field and garners much praise from sources this year. His practice sees him involved in both litigation and arbitration proceedings. He has specialist knowledge of contract issues as well as public procurement and regulatory matters.
Guatemala
MAYORA & MAYORA’s Rafael Briz is a first-rate practitioner who is highly thought of by market commentators. He has a wide ranging practice with particular expertise in public procurement and administrative litigation.
QIL+4 ABOGADOS’ Gabriela Roca is a pre-eminent name in Guatemala and is highly regarded by sources in the region more broadly. She has a wide-ranging practice with expertise in areas such as project procurement and foreign investment matters.
Honduras
In Honduras CONSORTIUM LEGAL’s Armando Manzanares is praised by sources as “a top name in the market”. He has 20 years of outstanding experience in a range of matters including regulatory issues and foreign investment.
Nicaragua
ARIAS’s Tegucigalpa office is home to two prominent practitioners highlighted by our market sources this year.
Ana Teresa Rizo is an outstanding practitioner who receives strong praise from respondents this year. She has particular expertise advising international financial institutions and foreign investors on Nicaraguan investments and regulatory issues.
Róger Pérez, another distinguished practitioner in the Managua office, maintains a strong reputation in the region for his work advising clients on free trade zone, energy and contract matters.
Panama
GALINDO ARIAS Y LOPEZ sees two individuals nominated for their exceptional work this year.
Diego Dutari Herrera is a first-rate lawyer who is described by sources as “very thorough in his approach”. He has a wide-ranging practice that sees him advise both international and domestic clients on issues including public-private partnerships and project financing.
Founding partner Carlos Lucas López Tejada is one of the most distinguished names in the region, with over 50 years’ experience in administrative and public law matters. He has a broad-based practice, but has particular expertise with matters relating to financial institutions and labour disputes.
At ARIAS Siaska Lorenzo is an exceptional lawyer, strongly praised by others in the region. She is a highly experienced practitioner, with over 20 years of specialist insight into issues including anti-corruption matters and privatisations.
ALFARO FERRER & RAMÍREZ’s Annette Bárcenas Olivardia garners strong praise from respondents. Sources state that she is “very strong on regulatory work”, with particular knowledge of the telecommunications and electricity sectors.
