Department profile
Arias

Corporate/Commercial

Latin America Guide 2027 : El Salvador


Arias

Rankings

About

Provided by Arias

Arias is a full-service law firm able to provide advice in over 35 practice areas; with a legal team of 39 Partners and around 130 lawyers through their 7 offices across Central America.

We offer assistance and solutions in our Corporate and Commercial practices providing our clients, multinational and national companies, with housekeeping services on their day-to-day operations. Also, our elite M&A and banking and finance practices serve global corporations in different industries with presence in the country, such as aviation, hospitality, energy, telecommunications, food, banking, pharmaceutical and technology industries. Our Mergers and Acquisitions practice is internationally recognized for its leading transactional team and high-profile track record of work, deriving from handling many of the most relevant, complex, and high-valued M&A transactions in El Salvador and the region. Our leadership position is based on the work we carry out with our strategic practices of other departments such as Antitrust, Tax, Labor and regulatory that are frequently involved in large-scale M&A transactions. tion capacity. 

 

Our experience in Banking and Finance, Capital Markets, Project Development and Project Finance includes large multi-billion and multi-jurisdictional transactions as well as day to day legal work. Our team has unparalleled experience in cross-border and local acquisition financings, teaming up with our M&A practice group in a seamless fashion. 

Clients (18)

  • Del Sur
  • Citibank
  • PRB
  • MRO Holdings
  • IFC
  • Davivienda
  • Lifemiles
  • Walmart
  • Chevron
  • Credit Suisse
  • Bladex
  • Procaps
  • Rodio Swissbording
  • Telefonica Centroamerica Inversiones, S.L
  • Strike
  • EMF Microfinance Fund AGmvK
  • The Bank of Nova Scotia
  • IDB Invest

Industries (17)

  • Banking
  • Financial Institutions
  • Retail
  • Hospitality
  • Energy
  • Call Centers
  • MRO
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Food and Beverages
  • Aviation
  • TMT
  • Oil and Gas
  • Construction
  • Government Institutions
  • NGO
  • Maquila
  • Textile and Industrial

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/Commercial - El Salvador

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Arias is a regional powerhouse that commands an outstanding reputation in El Salvador's corporate market. The San Salvador-based team of talented practitioners handles sophisticated local and cross-border M&A transactions, in addition to corporate restructurings and incorporations. Arias's lawyers continue to draw praise for their expertise in corporate and financial mandates. The department continues to provide counsel to a variety of regional and international players from the telecommunications, manufacturing and energy sectors.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Arias acted as local counsel to Bladex on a syndicated loan financing to CrediQ for working capital facilities across El Salvador and other jurisdictions in Central America, with a transaction value of USD225 million.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Arias are a strategic ally. They are always there to guide us every step of the way, with a keen eye for detail and a good grasp of the technicalities of our business.

    Corporate/Commercial respondentLatin America
  • Arias are my favourite law firm. They are thorough in their analysis and excellent on complex corporate and commercial matters.

    Corporate/Commercial respondentLatin America

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleFrancisco Armando Arias
    Senior StatespeopleFrancisco Armando Arias

    Francisco Armando Arias

    Senior statesperson and chair of the firm Francisco Armando Arias continues to be recognised in El Salvador for his expertise in corporate and commercial matters. He regularly advises clients on cross-border M&A deals.

    • Francisco Armando Arias brings great knowledge and experience. He is always available and is a skilled negotiator who is both effective and efficient.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentLatin America
  • Eminent PractitionersLilian Arias
    Eminent PractitionersLilian Arias

    Lilian Arias

    Eminent practitioner Lilian Arias remains a key name in Salvadorean corporate and commercial matters. Her practice includes M&A and regulatory matters.

    • Lilian Arias brings extensive knowledge and experience in corporate matters. She is a natural leader and delivers a personalised service.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentLatin America
  • Band 1Roberta Gallardo
    Band 1Roberta Gallardo

    Roberta Gallardo

    Co-head of department Roberta Gallardo demonstrates a long-standing presence in Salvadorean corporate and commercial work. Her work includes acquisition finance, M&A, regulatory and loan restructuring matters.

    • It's easy to deal with Roberta Gallardo on transactional matters. She is very approachable and a real delight to work with.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentLatin America
    • Roberta Gallardo is our go-to lawyer for corporate matters. Her experience in mergers and acquisitions gives us complete confidence.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentLatin America
  • Band 2Ana Mercedes López
    Band 2Ana Mercedes López

    Ana Mercedes López

    Key practitioner and co-head of department Ana Mercedes López benefits from remarkable multi-practice capabilities in assisting clients with corporate and commercial matters in El Salvador. She advises clients on M&A transactions, corporate restructurings and banking matters.

    • Ana Mercedes López has a good grasp of banking matters. She is highly responsive, brings fresh ideas to the table and gives sound advice.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentLatin America
  • Band 4Luisa Rivas
    Band 4Luisa Rivas

    Luisa Rivas

    Co-head of department Luisa Rivas garners praise from players in El Salvador's corporate and commercial markets. She has expertise in advising clients from regulated sectors on M&A and contractual matters.

    • Luisa Rivas provides outstanding client service and demonstrates a strong commercial vision. She is always available and delivers timely, technically sound advice.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentLatin America

Ranked Individuals at Arias (5)

El Salvador

Members

Provided by Arias

Arias has rankings in the following guides

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership