Region Area

About

Established in 1951, BKM | Berkemeyer has since provided expert legal services to local and foreign clients, gaining a global reputation for quality, expertise and professionalism. BKM | Berkemeyer offers legal advice in all areas of law, providing legal support for companies in multiple industries. The firm has a most notable record in international transactions and M&A, having counseled foreign clients in some of the largest deals in the country. Lawyers have experience in a broad range of business and industry sectors, including real estate, energy and natural resources, providing expert support in regulatory issues, as well as tax, environment, immigration and labor matters, among others.

The recent addition of experienced and internationally recognized partners who specialize in infrastructure, banking and tax has given the firm new and impressive representation in those sectors. BKM | Berkemeyer’s diverse expertise enables the firm to provide a one-stop practice for clients who need exceptional legal services in a broad range of areas. The firm’s expertise embraces intellectual property, insurance and also securities, banking and international banking transactions, to name a few. BKM | Berkemeyer prides itself on its lawyers’ abilities to meet clients’ needs, providing professional and practical advice through teamwork to offer high-quality service in a thorough yet timely manner. All lawyers are multilingual, and demonstrate efficient communication in the international standards of everyday business.

International work: BKM | Berkemeyer provides seamless legal support to clients doing business with local companies or establishing branches in the country. The corporate department provides clients with a wide range of services from M&A to due diligence through negotiation, and legal support in corporate, tax, labor, environment and immigration issues.

Berkemeyer was the only advisor on Paraguay’s first ever public-private partnership – a landmark project for the country and for the infrastructure sector. The firm also assisted in the structuring of the first livestock fund in Paraguay, a highly innovative deal which has created new opportunities for the local financial market. The banking and corporate department regularly advises on international banking matters, contracts and trusts. Berkemeyer acted as counsel on the issuance of notes by a major national bank in a historic transaction for a Paraguayan bank, and this is expected to open doors for future issuances in the international market. The firm also acted as counsel on the issuance of treasury bonds in the local exchange market, and to several banking and financial entities on loan facilities to local companies and banks.

Other work in international financial transactions include secured transactions for the purchase of aircraft, barges and agricultural machinery. The firm also recently provided ongoing advice to an international construction consortium in the financing of a road procured by the government as a financed lump sum public works (German system) that includes the issuance of an international bond (long-term) and the support from a multilateral for the working capital (short-term). The firm’s environment and natural resources department advises clients on mining and oil exploration projects, advising on concession issues and contractual matters. The firm also assists local and international clients in developing telecommunications and energy projects, and counsels clients on tender offers, PPP, concessions and joint ventures.

BKM | Berkemeyer’s undisputed strength in IP practice is critical in assisting clients who need to protect IP rights, from registration of trademarks and domain names and obtaining patents or copyrights through to licensing, franchising, technology and biotechnology agreements, to enforcement and litigation before administrative, civil and criminal courts, and co-ordinating steps.

Languages

  • All main business languages

Memberships

  • IBA (International Bar Association)
  • International Trademarks Association (INTA)
  • AIJA - International Association of Young Lawyers
  • ABA (American Bar Association)
  • ASIPI
  • ECTA (European Communities Trade Mark Association)
  • AIPPI (Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property)

Staffing Figures

  • 43 Other fee-earners