García & Bodán
Latin America Guide 2025
About
Firm Details:
Managing Partners Team:
Regional Managing Partner: Terencio J. García Montenegro
García & Bodán Guatemala: Carlos E. Téllez Páramo
García & Bodán El Salvador: Oscar J. Torres Cañas
García & Bodán Honduras: J. Vanessa Oquelí de Riera
García & Bodán Nicaragua: Terencio J. García Montenegro (Managua), Eduardo A. Cabrales Cuadra (San Juan del Sur and Tola)
García & Bodán Costa Rica: Julio C. Vargas Solano
Senior Partner: Federico A. Gurdián Sacasa
Partners: Melvin A. Estrada Canizales (Nicaragua), Godofredo Siercke Núñez (Honduras), Graciela S. Cruz Raudales (Honduras), Edna C. López Toledo (El Salvador) and Mauricio Orellana Caballero (El Salvador).
Firm overview:
García & Bodán ensures uniformity and excellence in its legal services.
It is a full-service law firm with eight offices in Central America, located in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. García & Bodán has a team of highly qualified attorneys, graduated with honours from prestigious national and international universities; recognised for their expertise in complex transactions in a context of rapid change and a competitive business environment and well known for their pragmatic and business-minded approach to the legal issues brought forth by clients.
García & Bodán’s team not only serves and supports its clients in all legal activity required in accordance with their businesses; but also, guides foreign investors when entering a new country.
Its main policies are:
■ Fast response in a maximum of three hours during office hours and not more than 24 hours during non-office hours.
■ Observance of conflict of interests at the regional level, not at an individual office.
■ Answers always well founded in law, making reference to the applicable law or disposition.
Main practice areas:
Corporate and transactional:
García & Bodán has participated in complex transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring and elaboration of due diligences in a variety of industrial sectors.
Tax:
This practice area is one of the supporting pillars to clients in their investments and businesses in Central America. García & Bodán elaborates and develops tax planning services to maximize clients’ profitability, all in accordance with the laws in force in each country.
Banking and finance:
The team provides advice on both unique and complex financial transactions, such as: syndicated bank financing, structured finance, sovereign bond issues, private bond issues, project finance, financing of acquisitions and derivatives, purchase and sale of debt portfolios, trusts, among others; as well as in the area of current regulation of financial markets.
Capital markets:
The team has participated in sovereign bond issues, international private bond issuances, advising on derivative transactions and structuring of debt and preferred stock issues, asset finance, acquisition finance and debt portfolio sales and purchases, among others.
International Trade:
This area is characterized by providing support to national, regional, and international companies in matters arising from their commercial activity, the efficiency of their import, export, and transit processes as well as the relation the firm's clients sustain with different public-private representatives, contributing overall to strengthening their competitiveness and market access.
Intellectual property:
This practice focuses on litigation of patents and actions against trademark infringement, handling of brand portfolios, brand monitoring, health records and legal advice on copyrights and other IP rights.
Litigation and arbitration:
This practice group has the capacity to resolve disputes through the use of dispute resolution mechanisms or, if necessary, through litigation before courts of all the jurisdictions, including specialized courts.
Real estate:
It is characterized by its active participation in the most important tourism-related transactions, especially in Nicaragua, Guatemala and Honduras. It provides advice to real estate developers, hotel operators and condominium developers, among others.
Labour:
García & Bodán provides labor law services in general, including preventive legal advice, ranging from individual to collective issues, and from administrative labor law to full-fledged litigation.
Energy and natural resources: The firm’s expertise covers all areas and activities of the energy and natural resources sectors, including oil and gas.
Clients:
Most of García & Bodán’s clients are multinational companies from the United States, Latin America and Europe, representing them in sophisticated works. The firm also provides services to a wide array of clients in the Central American region.
Offices:
Guatemala City, Guatemala: [email protected]
San Salvador, El Salvador: [email protected]
Tegucigalpa, Honduras: [email protected]
San Pedro Sula, Honduras: [email protected]
Managua, Nicaragua: [email protected]
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua: [email protected]
Tola, Nicaragua: [email protected]
San José, Costa Rica: [email protected]
Website: www.garciabodan.com
Ranked Offices
Provided by García & Bodán
- ManaguaReparto Los Robles, No. L-15, Del Restaurante 'La Marsellaise', 1/2 cuadra al Sur, Managua, Managua, Nicaragua
- Web: www.garciabodan.com
- Tel: +505 2264 7790
- View ranked office
- San SalvadorFinal 83 Avenida Sur, No. 403, Segundo Nivel, Colonia Escalón, San Salvador, Area Metropolitana de San Salvador, El SalvadorView ranked office
- TegucigalpaLomas del Guijarro, Edificio Corporativo Orion, No. 105-106, Tegucigalpa, Francisco Morazán, HondurasView ranked office
- San Juan del SurDel Restaurante “El Timón” 2 cuadras al Norte, contiguo al Hotel Alcazar, San Juan del Sur, Rivas, NicaraguaView ranked office
García & Bodán rankings
Articles, highlights and press releases
49 items provided by García & Bodán
Nicaragua Boosts Tourism Investment Through Tax Incentives
Nicaragua has exceptional tourism potential with its beaches, colonial cities, culture, cuisine, folklore, historical sites, natural reserves, and diverse activities that appeal to foreign visitors, particularly from the United States, Europe, and neighboring Central American countries.
El Salvador Offers Tax Incentives for High-Rise Real Estate Projects
The Legislative Assembly of El Salvador has approved new regulations that offer up to 15 years of income tax exemption to encourage vertical construction projects of over 35 floors.
Amendments to the Tax Code of El Salvador
El Salvador has approved significant reforms to the Tax Code aimed at simplifying the requirements for identifying buyers and service recipients. These modifications seek to facilitate the process for both individuals and legal entities, whether domestic or foreign.
Costa Rica Enacts Legislation to Harmonize Arbitration Statutes
Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly approved the Law to Harmonize Costa Rican Arbitration Regulations (Docket No. 23.259), unifying the national and international arbitration regulatory framework in the country.
Guatemala’s New Credit Card Law
On September 1, the Decree 2-2024, which includes the Credit Card Law, came into effect. This regulation, which impacts both banks and other card-issuing entities, aims to modernize and expand existing regulations to enhance transparency and security in the use of these financial products.
García & Bodán successfully resolves real estate dispute in El Salvador's tourist area
The legal advice provided to a prominent rural housing developer has resulted in the successful delineation of undivided rights in a property located in La Libertad, a department in El Salvador known for its archaeological parks, beautiful beaches, and natural attractions.
Nicaragua Will Have a New General Law of Tourism
The Official Gazette of Nicaragua has published the new General Law of Tourism in Official Journal No. 141, which will regulate and promote tourism activities in all its forms.
Nicaragua Issues Law to Encourage Tourism Development
The Official Gazette of Nicaragua has published the new Law of Incentives for Tourism Developments in Official Journal No. 141, aimed at promoting investment in tourism infrastructure through a package of fiscal and customs benefits.
García & Bodán Leads First Cash Group's Merger in Guatemala
García & Bodán led and coordinated the merger process of five companies within the First Cash Group in Guatemala. This strategic move strengthens the group's position in the market.
El Salvador Approves New Intellectual Property Law
The Legislative Assembly of El Salvador has approved a new Intellectual Property Law, which repeals the previous Law of Trademarks and Other Distinctive Signs, as well as the Intellectual Property Law in force since 1993 and its regulations.
Launch of the First Pricing Provider Company in Honduras
In a historic milestone for the pricing provider sector, and with significant support for Business Development, García & Bodán Honduras has advised and supported at a corporate and regulatory level the first company in the country dedicated to providing pricing services.
InterExpresso Honduras acquires a majority stake in Transportes Aéreos Hondureños
García & Bodan advised InterExpresso Honduras on the acquisition of the majority of shares in Transportes Aéreos Hondureños, a ground assistance company for aircraft.
García & Bodán adds Intellectual Property specialist as Partner in El Salvador
García & Bodán strengthens its presence in Central America by incorporating Edna López Toledo as a Partner and Director of the Intellectual Property practice area in its El Salvador office.
García & Bodán announces organizational changes in Central America
García & Bodán announces significant changes to its organizational structure in the Central American region.
Orell Füssli was partially awarded in the bidding process with the Central Bank of Nicaragua
Orell Füssli Ltd., a Swiss company specializing in security printing (including national currencies), participated in the bidding process for the “Printing and Supply of Banknotes” for the Central Bank of Nicaragua (BCN), where it was partially awarded.
Aeroméxico renews its permit as Foreign Air Operator in El Salvador
The legal team, specialized in aviation law, worked diligently to ensure compliance with the necessary requirements and formalities to renew Aeroméxico permit as Foreign Air Operator in El Salvador.
Financia Credit Group obtains authorization to issue credit cards in El Salvador
García & Bodán successfully advised and represented Financia Credit in the process of obtaining authorization from the Superintendency of Commercial Obligations (SOM, for its acronyms in Spanish) of El Salvador as a credit card issuer, administrator, and manager in El Salvador.
Salud Digna starts operations in Guatemala and El Salvador
Salud Digna is a health support organization of Mexican origin, which has recently started operations in the Republics of Guatemala and El Salvador, through its first clinical laboratory and imaging units in the capitals of these countries.
Unifirst Nicaragua obtains an extension of tax benefits for 10 years
Under the provisions of Law No. 917, Law of Export Free Zones, Unifirst Nicaragua with the legal advice of García & Bodán obtaining satisfactorily the extension of the validity of the tax benefits for a new period of ten years.
United Airlines restarts daily flights between Nicaragua and the U.S.
García & Bodán worked meticulously for the reactivation of operations of United Airlines in Nicaragua, in matters related to compliance, permitting of public entities, contracts, etc., achieving strict compliance with both local aviation legislation and applicable international standards.
García & Bodán appoints new partner within the Tax practice area
García & Bodán announced the promotion of a new partner within the Tax Law practice area. Senior Associate, Mauricio Orellana, joins the list of 13 partners in the region. The appointment was made official on January 9th of this year.
ONGAWA Engineering for Human Development obtains legal status in Guatemala
García & Bodán advised ONGAWA, a Non-Governmental Organization of Spanish origin, in the preparation of all the information required to register as a Non-Governmental Organization according to the Guatemalan legislation in force.
García & Bodán manages international patents for the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
García & Bodán adviced and supported to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to carried for the first time the process for the concession of the Patent of Manufacturing Procedure for the obtaining of Benznidazole and of its Industrial Scaling Proces for treatment of Chagas disease.
Cosmos International Private Limited signs contract with Ministry of Health in Nicaragua
García & Bodán Nicaragua has acted as local counsel for Cosmos, to license a branch and proceed with all required registrations and approvals so as to duly operate in Nicaragua. Additionally, the Firm has provided necessary legal counsel in the process of negotiation and execution of contracts.
Orell Füssli participated in the tender process to the Central Bank of Nicaragua
García & Bodán advised the Swiss banknote printing house, Orell Füssli, in the tender process for Central Bank of Nicaragua in "Printing and Supply of Banknotes ". A part of the Central Bank’s contract was awarded to Orell Füssli.
García & Bodán appoints a new Senior Partner in its Managua (Nicaragua) office.
García & Bodán announces the appointment of Federico Gurdián as Senior Partner of the firm. He currently serves as Partner of García & Bodán, Regional Director of the Corporate and Transactional Practice and Director of García & Bodán Fiduciaria.
García & Bodán announces new Regional Director of Labor Practice
García & Bodán announces the appointment of its Partner Oscar Torres as Regional Director of the Labor practice. In addition to his experience in labor matters, Oscar has participated in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, restructurings, and corporate advisory.
García & Bodán advises Grupo GIA on a refinance structure in Honduras
García & Bodán advises Groupo GIA on the refinance structure for the construction and operation of the Governmet Civic Center (GCC), the main government buildings in the Central District of the Republic of Honduras.
Ciri Nicaragua: a new shopping concept in the country
Miniso, a Chinese design brand with more than 3,500 stores around the world, has started operations in Nicaragua through a local company called CIRI Nicaragua.
PALIG obtains authorization for the creation and operation of a new insurance company in El Salvador
García & Bodán provided advice for the implementation of a project for the creation, authorization and strengthening of a new Salvadoran insurance company named Pan American Life, S.A., Seguros de Personas, with the purpose of migrating the operations of its foreign branch to this one.
Nicaragua Boosts Tourism Investment Through Tax Incentives
Nicaragua has exceptional tourism potential with its beaches, colonial cities, culture, cuisine, folklore, historical sites, natural reserves, and diverse activities that appeal to foreign visitors, particularly from the United States, Europe, and neighboring Central American countries.
El Salvador Offers Tax Incentives for High-Rise Real Estate Projects
The Legislative Assembly of El Salvador has approved new regulations that offer up to 15 years of income tax exemption to encourage vertical construction projects of over 35 floors.
Amendments to the Tax Code of El Salvador
El Salvador has approved significant reforms to the Tax Code aimed at simplifying the requirements for identifying buyers and service recipients. These modifications seek to facilitate the process for both individuals and legal entities, whether domestic or foreign.
Costa Rica Enacts Legislation to Harmonize Arbitration Statutes
Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly approved the Law to Harmonize Costa Rican Arbitration Regulations (Docket No. 23.259), unifying the national and international arbitration regulatory framework in the country.
Guatemala’s New Credit Card Law
On September 1, the Decree 2-2024, which includes the Credit Card Law, came into effect. This regulation, which impacts both banks and other card-issuing entities, aims to modernize and expand existing regulations to enhance transparency and security in the use of these financial products.
García & Bodán successfully resolves real estate dispute in El Salvador's tourist area
The legal advice provided to a prominent rural housing developer has resulted in the successful delineation of undivided rights in a property located in La Libertad, a department in El Salvador known for its archaeological parks, beautiful beaches, and natural attractions.
Nicaragua Will Have a New General Law of Tourism
The Official Gazette of Nicaragua has published the new General Law of Tourism in Official Journal No. 141, which will regulate and promote tourism activities in all its forms.
Nicaragua Issues Law to Encourage Tourism Development
The Official Gazette of Nicaragua has published the new Law of Incentives for Tourism Developments in Official Journal No. 141, aimed at promoting investment in tourism infrastructure through a package of fiscal and customs benefits.
García & Bodán Leads First Cash Group's Merger in Guatemala
García & Bodán led and coordinated the merger process of five companies within the First Cash Group in Guatemala. This strategic move strengthens the group's position in the market.
El Salvador Approves New Intellectual Property Law
The Legislative Assembly of El Salvador has approved a new Intellectual Property Law, which repeals the previous Law of Trademarks and Other Distinctive Signs, as well as the Intellectual Property Law in force since 1993 and its regulations.
Launch of the First Pricing Provider Company in Honduras
In a historic milestone for the pricing provider sector, and with significant support for Business Development, García & Bodán Honduras has advised and supported at a corporate and regulatory level the first company in the country dedicated to providing pricing services.
InterExpresso Honduras acquires a majority stake in Transportes Aéreos Hondureños
García & Bodan advised InterExpresso Honduras on the acquisition of the majority of shares in Transportes Aéreos Hondureños, a ground assistance company for aircraft.
García & Bodán adds Intellectual Property specialist as Partner in El Salvador
García & Bodán strengthens its presence in Central America by incorporating Edna López Toledo as a Partner and Director of the Intellectual Property practice area in its El Salvador office.
García & Bodán announces organizational changes in Central America
García & Bodán announces significant changes to its organizational structure in the Central American region.
Orell Füssli was partially awarded in the bidding process with the Central Bank of Nicaragua
Orell Füssli Ltd., a Swiss company specializing in security printing (including national currencies), participated in the bidding process for the “Printing and Supply of Banknotes” for the Central Bank of Nicaragua (BCN), where it was partially awarded.
Aeroméxico renews its permit as Foreign Air Operator in El Salvador
The legal team, specialized in aviation law, worked diligently to ensure compliance with the necessary requirements and formalities to renew Aeroméxico permit as Foreign Air Operator in El Salvador.
Financia Credit Group obtains authorization to issue credit cards in El Salvador
García & Bodán successfully advised and represented Financia Credit in the process of obtaining authorization from the Superintendency of Commercial Obligations (SOM, for its acronyms in Spanish) of El Salvador as a credit card issuer, administrator, and manager in El Salvador.
Salud Digna starts operations in Guatemala and El Salvador
Salud Digna is a health support organization of Mexican origin, which has recently started operations in the Republics of Guatemala and El Salvador, through its first clinical laboratory and imaging units in the capitals of these countries.
Unifirst Nicaragua obtains an extension of tax benefits for 10 years
Under the provisions of Law No. 917, Law of Export Free Zones, Unifirst Nicaragua with the legal advice of García & Bodán obtaining satisfactorily the extension of the validity of the tax benefits for a new period of ten years.
United Airlines restarts daily flights between Nicaragua and the U.S.
García & Bodán worked meticulously for the reactivation of operations of United Airlines in Nicaragua, in matters related to compliance, permitting of public entities, contracts, etc., achieving strict compliance with both local aviation legislation and applicable international standards.
García & Bodán appoints new partner within the Tax practice area
García & Bodán announced the promotion of a new partner within the Tax Law practice area. Senior Associate, Mauricio Orellana, joins the list of 13 partners in the region. The appointment was made official on January 9th of this year.
ONGAWA Engineering for Human Development obtains legal status in Guatemala
García & Bodán advised ONGAWA, a Non-Governmental Organization of Spanish origin, in the preparation of all the information required to register as a Non-Governmental Organization according to the Guatemalan legislation in force.
García & Bodán manages international patents for the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
García & Bodán adviced and supported to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to carried for the first time the process for the concession of the Patent of Manufacturing Procedure for the obtaining of Benznidazole and of its Industrial Scaling Proces for treatment of Chagas disease.
Cosmos International Private Limited signs contract with Ministry of Health in Nicaragua
García & Bodán Nicaragua has acted as local counsel for Cosmos, to license a branch and proceed with all required registrations and approvals so as to duly operate in Nicaragua. Additionally, the Firm has provided necessary legal counsel in the process of negotiation and execution of contracts.
Orell Füssli participated in the tender process to the Central Bank of Nicaragua
García & Bodán advised the Swiss banknote printing house, Orell Füssli, in the tender process for Central Bank of Nicaragua in "Printing and Supply of Banknotes ". A part of the Central Bank’s contract was awarded to Orell Füssli.
García & Bodán appoints a new Senior Partner in its Managua (Nicaragua) office.
García & Bodán announces the appointment of Federico Gurdián as Senior Partner of the firm. He currently serves as Partner of García & Bodán, Regional Director of the Corporate and Transactional Practice and Director of García & Bodán Fiduciaria.
García & Bodán announces new Regional Director of Labor Practice
García & Bodán announces the appointment of its Partner Oscar Torres as Regional Director of the Labor practice. In addition to his experience in labor matters, Oscar has participated in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, restructurings, and corporate advisory.
García & Bodán advises Grupo GIA on a refinance structure in Honduras
García & Bodán advises Groupo GIA on the refinance structure for the construction and operation of the Governmet Civic Center (GCC), the main government buildings in the Central District of the Republic of Honduras.
Ciri Nicaragua: a new shopping concept in the country
Miniso, a Chinese design brand with more than 3,500 stores around the world, has started operations in Nicaragua through a local company called CIRI Nicaragua.
PALIG obtains authorization for the creation and operation of a new insurance company in El Salvador
García & Bodán provided advice for the implementation of a project for the creation, authorization and strengthening of a new Salvadoran insurance company named Pan American Life, S.A., Seguros de Personas, with the purpose of migrating the operations of its foreign branch to this one.