Intellectual Property: Guatemala

This firm provides advice on the full range of IP matters to a wide variety of local and international clients. It manages a number of IP portfolios and advises Pollo Campero on the co-ordination of its IP matters worldwide. It also recently provided pro bono advice to a local coffee producer. "The firm is always well informed about international legal and business developments and is very aware of our needs from a commercial perspective," enthuse clients. Department head Álvaro Rodrigo Castellanos Howell is regarded as "a competitive and intelligent lawyer who is capable of providing advice across the board." Senior associate Ninoshka Urrutia Santizo is a specialist in this area and one of the leading IP lawyers of her generation. Clients attribute much of her knowledge and success in the field to her international training and strong "business perspective of the global IP sector."

This firm is highly regarded for its well-honed expertise in the IP sector. The team provides a comprehensive service, which includes trade marks, copyrights, patents and industrial designs. Sources highlight the firm's strong track record in the field and enviable client roster. Founding partner Ernesto Ricardo Viteri Echeverría is a recognised pioneer of IP in the country and is highly respected in the market. Ernesto José Viteri Arriola also enjoys a fantastic reputation for his expertise in this field and is a key driving force behind the department.

This IP department handles a range of IP matters, including trade marks, copyrights and patents. It acts as ongoing counsel to an impressive array of multinational clients. The team also handles a high volume of anti-counterfeiting matters and advises Abbott Laboratories on counterfeiting issues related to its products throughout the Central American region. Sources say: "The team is always very responsive, it has a high level of commercial awareness and has the capacity to advise clients on an international scale." Department head Luis Ruiz is extremely active in the IP arena and belongs to international organisations such as the International Trademark Association (INTA) and the Inter-American Association of Intellectual Property (ASIPI). Sources highlight that he is "very dedicated to the profession and always stays up to date with recent changes in the law." He recently contributed to a report on anti-counterfeiting for the World Trademark Review.

This firm enjoys a strong reputation in the IP market and represents a host of clients both within Guatemala and throughout the Central American region. The team recently assisted Visa with its trade mark portfolio. Clients praise the firm's efficiency, knowledge and strong multilingual skills. Francisco José Castillo-Chacón leads the IP department and clients highlight his interpersonal skills and vast knowledge of the sector. Claudia Godínez Soto is a key associate in the department and is involved in many of the firm's most important cases.

This firm has a well-established IP practice and handles a broad range of trade mark, patent, industrial design and copyright issues. It also regularly advises clients on infringement disputes. Founding partner Eduardo Mayora Dawe is a highly respected figure in the market and is extremely well connected across the region.

This IP-focused firm handles the whole range of advisory work and contentious IP-related matters. It is well regarded for its patent expertise, particularly in relation to the pharmaceutical sector. Managing partner Marco Antonio Palacios is a well-respected IP expert and has a wealth of experience in the market.

The regional standing of this Central American firm attracts many international clients in the IP sector. The Guatemalan IP group offers a range of IP services, including the registration and renewal of trade marks, patents and copyright and IP-related litigation. Clients rate the team's "knowledge, responsiveness and problem-solving approach to cases." Founding partner Ruby María Asturias Castillo splits her time between corporate and IP matters. 

Founded in 1969, this compact firm is highly specialised in IP and has a growing profile in contentious IP matters. The team represented Unilever in an unfair competition claim against a local company and successfully gained injunctive relief. Guillermo López Davis leads the department and acts as ongoing counsel to Unilever. He recently contributed to the American Intellectual Property Law Association's 2010 report on patent prosecution in Central American countries.

The firm is gaining a strong profile in the IP sector and regularly advises clients on both contentious and non-contentious cases. Much of the team's work has a cross-border flavour and it has a growing list of clients which includes prestigious names such as Lloyds TSB and GlaxoSmithKline. Analucía Carrillo Marroquín heads up the IP practice and is a member of INTA, ASIPI and the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI). Sources highlight her impressive client portfolio. Associate Carlos Meza handles a high volume of patent, trade mark, copyright and licensing cases.

The IP-focused firm has a growing reputation in the market. It has an excellent portfolio of international clients, who describe the firm as "extraordinary in terms of not only its knowledge of local law, but also its ability to recognise the 'bigger picture' issues." María Mercedes Marroquín de Pemueller is the primary contact for IP matters at the firm. She impresses sources with her "enthusiasm and proactive involvement in the sector."

This relatively young firm is gaining prestige and attracting clients across Central America. The IP team represents some high-profile international clients and sources affirm that "it is very well respected both by peers and the business community." Clients identify the firm's proactive approach and instructive leadership as two of its key selling points. Founding partner Enrique Möller is hailed as "an extraordinary leader" by clients. He represented an industrial printing company in a cross-border dispute with a worldwide transportation company.

This young firm has already made a considerable impact on the Guatemalan IP market. Many of the team's members have trained abroad and sources praise their legal knowledge and dedication to the sector. Department head Juan Sebastian Soto is a rising star in the market and is a former head of the IP committee of AMCHAM in Guatemala.

Cuestas.PPQ is the merger of two well-respected law firms and is steadily gaining a reputation for its IP expertise. Over the past year, the team has acted for an impressive number of prestigious clients, including Genentech, Hoffmann-La Roche, Blu-ray and Cinnabon. Clients value the firm's "clear focus on clients' needs." Rodrigo Quevedo Castellanos leads the department and clients praise his "initiative and high sense of urgency."

This pan-regional firm has a growing presence in the local IP sector. It offers a broad range of IP services, including copyrights, patents, registrations and IP-related litigation. The team typically represents clients throughout the Central American region and was recently retained to manage Turner Broadcasting System's trade mark portfolio. Clients praise the firm's ability to adhere to strict deadlines, and highlight "efficiency as one of its principal virtues." Gonzalo Menéndez is the primary contact for clients.