Carlos Pinto > PPO Abogados > La Paz, Bolivia > Lawyer Profile

PPO Abogados draws on its vast expertise in the insurance sector to advise insurers and reinsurers on regulatory matters and M&A transactions. The practice has a strong background in cross-border transactions, with an impressive roster of local, international and multilateral banks. It also regularly represents clients in board and shareholder meetings. The team has a strong foothold in the payment and fintech sectors, advising global payment and Bolivian fintech companies on funds and new products and services. Carlos Pinto’s practice spans structured finance and corporate financing, from syndicated loans and secured financing to acquisition finance and debt restructuring. Lindsay Sykes brings extensive international experience to the team, regularly advising on cross-border transactions. Pinto and Sykes co-head the team, alongside Salomón Eid, who acts for a diverse range of clients, including multilaterals, investment funds and start-ups. Associate Ingrid Reese has a broad practice, spanning fintech, insurance, loans and financings.

Working in tandem with other practices at the firm, including the tax, labour, regulatory and compliance teams, PPO Abogados‘ corporate and M&A department advises an extensive roster of both regional and multinational clients across a wide range of industries. As well as day-to-day corporate advice, the team is active in sector-significant transactions, often on a cross-border basis, from company and asset acquisitions to drafting commercial agreements. Practice head Carlos Pinto plays a lead role in both company and asset acquisitions, as well as advising companies on public tenders for the development of energy and infrastructure projects. He leads the team alongside Marcial Fernández, who acts for an impressive roster of national and international clients in M&A, restructurings and dissolutions, and foreign investments. Practice co-head Diego Böhrt advises companies on their incorporation in Bolivia, excelling in the provision of corporate governance advice, drafting of commercial agreements and setting up of investment structures. Senior associate Delma Paz plays a key role in reorganisations, due diligence and the negotiation of shareholder agreements. Carolina Arnez and Ingrid Reese are also names to note at the senior associate level. Associate María René Suárez left the team for an in-house position in September 2023.

Four pillars make up the core of PPO Abogados’ real estate practice: transactional, regulatory, consultancy and dispute resolution advice. The team is active in real estate transactions, handling due diligence processes and drafting sale, lease, occupancy and assignment agreements. Its consultancy practice encompasses environmental compliance, zoning and land use entitlement, as well as entity formation and tax advice within the real estate sector. The group has experience before the real estate authorities, with a successful track record in obtaining government permissions and specialised authorisations. Contract enforcement also falls within the team’s remit, and it has an established construction disputes practice. Three partners jointly lead the team: Carlos Pinto, Marcial Fernández and Diego Böhrt.

Operating at the forefront of the mining sector, PPO Abogados continues to lead the way in lithium projects and other innovative ventures. The team excels in advising foreign investors looking to enter the Bolivian mining industry and provides both legal and technical advice to a stellar list of both national and international clients in the sector. The firm has a strong background in advising state-owned companies, as well as private clients on interactions with the Bolivian government, handling concession, operation and mining production agreements related to sensitive or controlled areas. Hydrocarbons expert Pablo Ordóñez co-heads the mining practice alongside Mattias Garrón, who advises local and foreign companies on the development of mining projects and any related regulatory matters. Diego Böhrt is a regulatory specialist and focuses his practice on energy matters. With a diverse roster of multinational clients, Carlos Pinto provides both transactional and regulatory advice across the energy, hydrocarbons and mining sectors. At the senior associate level, Carlos Covarrubias Paz brings further experience in the hydrocarbons and mining sectors to the team, and Delma Paz is another name to note.