Ms Maria Jose Martinez > Indacochea & Asociados > Santa Cruz, Bolivia > Lawyer Profile

Indacochea & Asociados advises oil and gas companies, both national and international, on a range of regulatory and commercial matters. The firm often represents clients before the relevant regulatory authorities or public sector bodies. Beyond oil and gas, the group has also seen a rise in activity in the mining sector and has recently advised on cross-border transactions in this area. Some of the firm’s notable clients include EIG Management, ISA Bolivia and Pan American Energy, and the group continues to build on its client base. Mariana Pereira, a specialist hydrocarbons attorney, leads the team alongside Ana Carola Muñoz, whose broad practice includes a strength in lithium matters. Maria José Martinez was promoted to partner in December 2022, while at the associate level, Maria Laura Paz is another important figure.

The ‘very well-formed‘ IP team at Indacochea & Asociados has strong experience in trade mark registration and renewals, and in enforcement, including the filing of opposition actions. The group handles privacy and data protection matters, and software licensing agreements. The department has noted recent increased activity in the pharmaceutical and agribusiness industries. Practice head Maria José Martinez, who was promoted to partner in March 2023 and receives high praise from clients, has extensive knowledge of IP law and assists national and international clients. The associates on the team also come with client recommendation: Juan Pablo Sanchez focuses on the registration of patents, utility models and copyrights; and Leonardo Reyes has experience in the registration of all types of intangible assets and prepares opposition requests and administrative appeals.

Indacochea & Asociados‘ strong real estate team advises clients on the development and financing, as well as the sale and purchase, of property. Anwar Farah is a specialist in the practice area and leads the team, assisting clients with a range of real estate procedures, such as mergers, subdivisions and the restructuring of real estate projects. He also advises investors, and has been actively assisting clients with urbanisation projects, particularly in Santa Cruz. Maria José Martinez, who was raised to the partnership in December 2022, supports clients in the commercial, hotel and agro-industrial industries, from the selling of urban and rural land, to the purchase and lease of commercial properties. At the associate level, Fabiana Vaca Pereira carries out processes related to the regularisations and transfers of real estate. Alejandra Suarez advises clients on the acquisition, development, financing, sale and lease of real estate, and on obtaining licenses, permits and authorisations before national and departmental authorities.

The corporate and M&A team at Indacochea & Asociados handles complex corporate transactions and foreign investment mandates, including M&A, capital increases and incorporations. The firm has experience helping foreign companies to establish operations in Bolivia, as well as assisting such clients with restructurings and liquidations. The team advises local, regional and international clients from various sectors, including agribusiness, pharmaceuticals, and retail, as well as possessing an extensive knowledge of the oil and gas industry. The team of ‘very attentive‘ lawyers is led by Alonso Indacochea and Mariana Pereira. Ana Carola Muñoz is involved in M&A and corporate reorganisations, while Maria José Martinez focuses on the incorporation of companies, corporate restructurings and capital increases and reductions. Senior associate Maria Laura Paz has experience of incorporations and capital increases.

The banking and finance team at Indacochea & Asociados provides a broad range of services to both national and international clients, from banks to corporate borrows to stockbrokers. The firm has experience in project finance, acquisition finance and real estate finance, and advises on complex cross-border deals, as well as demonstrating extensive knowledge of the Bolivian market and financial regulations. The team has significant experience in debt capital markets, advising clients on the public and private listings of bonds and promissory notes in the Bolivian market. Mariana Pereira leads the team, assisting with a range of matters, from local debt tap issues to major acquisition finance deals. Managing partner Alonso Indacochea has extensive experience in debt refinancing, capital increases and credit lines with major financial institutions, as well as bank restructurings and loan portfolio acquisitions. Ana Carola Muñoz has in-depth knowledge of banking operations, and Maria José Martinez, who was promoted to partner in December 2022, regularly advises clients on obtaining financing. Senior associate Maria Laura Paz also plays an active role in the team. Since research concluded the team has been further strengthened with the hire of Leonardo Azurduy as a partner; a commercial, banking and finance specialist, he joined from his own boutique with effect from June 2023.