Rodrigo Fernández de Nestosa > Vouga Abogados > Asunción, Paraguay > Lawyer Profile

Experienced in the protection of IP assets, Vouga Abogados continues to manage a growing list of trade mark and patent portfolios, advising on risk mitigation and providing representation in litigation proceedings. With both national and international clients, the team manages patent applications on a global scale, with a particular focus on the pharmaceutical and agribusiness sectors. Siegfried Vouga, an expert in IP law, co-heads the practice and brings extensive experience to the team. Practice co-head associate Laura Lezcano boasts a diverse roster of international clients. Rodrigo Fernández de Nestosa plays a key role in the group’s contentious matters, representing clients at civil, administrative and criminal courts and before the Supreme Court. Promoted to partner in January 2024, Manuel Acevedo focuses his practice on patent-related matters. At the associate level, Grecia Florentin assists with the prosecution of administrative IP cases, while Stephanie Medina focuses on the health and pharma sectors.

Vouga Abogados‘ environmental law team operates at the forefront of the sector, advising on leading projects, such as Paracel’s pulp plant and the development of new legislation in the area. Recently, the carbons market has been a particular focus for the team, with advice ranging from carbon credits to carbon reduction projects. Its strength in regulatory aspects is reflected in its advice on environmental licenses, due diligence and special environmental protection regimes. The team is also active in environmental litigation, both administrative and judicial. Rodolfo Vouga heads the practice, alongside Rodrigo Fernández de Nestosa, whose impressive roster of clients includes Paracel, Tigo and British American Tobacco. Rodolfo Guillermo Vouga is also a leading figure in the team. Promoted to partner in January 2024, Manuel Acevedo assists a diverse clientele of international institutions and public entities in obtaining environmental licenses and permits and participating in public procurement procedures. With a strong administrative background, associate Walter Vera advises on environmental investigations initiated by the state and excels in due diligence processes that involve environmental documentation.

Leading the way in major investment projects in Paraguay, Vouga Abogados guides national and international clients throughout the full project life cycle, from company incorporation to sale and purchase and shareholders agreements. Its ‘exceptional’ M&A practice participates in large-scale acquisitions, operating at an international level; the team is regularly involved in cross-border M&A transactions. Its involvement in the drafting of legislation makes the group well-placed to assist in developing and implementing compliance programs and advise on regulatory matters, particularly in highly regulated sectors, such as the oil and gas industry. The agribusiness sector is another focal point, and the firm boasts an impressive clientele of large grain and commodities companies. Rodolfo Vouga Müller co-leads the team alongside Perla Alderete, who advises companies on restructuring and reorganisation and is skilled in the drafting of commercial contracts. Practice co-head Rodolfo Guillermo Vouga plays a lead role in the team’s work for Paracel, while Carlos Vouga spearheads transactions for Cargo Line. Rodrigo Fernández de Nestosa  ‘s broad corporate practice encompasses compliance, distribution and franchising advice. At the senior associate level, Manuel Acevedo‘s impressive roster of clients includes significant international corporations and Cecilia Vera plays a lead role in due diligence processes and the negotiation of transactional documents, particularly in the energy, telecoms and banking sectors. Walter Vera and Camila Dutra are associates to note.

Prominent in investigations handled by CONACOM, Vouga Abogados fields an established competition practice that is ‘one of the strongest teams in the country’. The team handles significant merger approval processes and guides clients through the implementation and amendment petitions of potential commitments and remedy plans imposed by the competition authority. Advice on sanctions imposed by CONACOM for failure to meet these commitments is another area in which the team distinguishes itself. The group advises on anticompetitive conduct, providing regular advice on best practices. Rodrigo Fernández de Nestosa leads the team and his expertise in competition law spans the oil and gas, food, and pharma industries; his standing in the sector sees him active in negotiations with, and investigations carried out by, CONACOM. Rodolfo Guillermo Vouga’s transactional experience is an asset to the team, and he is regularly sought after to represent clients in the filing of mergers and other asset acquisitions. Senior associate Cecilia Vera has extensive experience before CONACOM, and also brings in-depth knowledge of EU competition law to the team, making her well-positioned to advise a diverse list of national and international clients.