The merger follows the launch of Dentons López Velarde in Mexico and Dentons Cardenas & Cardenas in Colombia last year marking the next step in Dentons’ strategy to grow its presence in Latin America and the Caribbean. The company said that since its launch in Mexico and Colombia last year it had seen tremendous growth in cross-border work into and out of the region. Elliott Portnoy, Global Chief Executive Officer of Dentons, said that he expected that growth to continue. ‘Given the interconnectedness of the economies of Costa Rica, Panama and Guatemala, we see real opportunity to provide a service other global firms cannot match.’

Costa Rica office

The Costa Rica office is managed by Founding Partner, José Antonio Muñoz, a recognised regional leader in public law, public international law and government relations with deep experience in corporate governance, foreign direct investment, international investment disputes, international and domestic corporate and tax structuring, and real estate law.

Panama office

The Panama office is managed by Gisela Alvarez de Porras, a leader in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions and international finance, including significant experience advising in multijurisdictional transactions. Gisela has held several positions in the Executive Cabinet (2004-2009); including Director General of the Internal Revenue Service, Vice-Minister of Finance in the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and Minister of Trade and Industry.

Guatemala office

The Guatemala office is managed by Luis Abundio Maldonado Ayala, a respected leader advising local and multinational corporations on fiscal issues and estate planning, mergers and acquisitions and on debt refinancing and complex investment fund structures in areas such as energy, petroleum, agroindustry, real estate, and banking.