Labour and employment

PPO Abogados

PPO Abogados offers advice on all labour and social security matters, including immigration matters, labour compliance, business reorganisation and restructurings, terminations, labour union disputes and harassment claims. The sizeable labour and employment team handles litigation at all stages and before all courts, and constitutional litigation related to labour matters. The firm has an extensive client list, with both national and international companies from industries such as mining, telecoms and pharmaceuticals, as well as Bolivian employer organisations. Alejandro Pemintel is the practice head and specialises in labour arbitration, administrative and judicial litigation, and collective bargaining with trade unions. The firm has a strong team of senior associates: recently appointed practice director Rodrigo Montellano has extensive experience including on labour dismissal processes, and the prevention and management of conflicts related to workplace harassment (he receives high praise from clients for ‘solutions that combine the technical with the practical’); Meliza Aliaga, who leads the labour litigation practice within the department; Luis Enrique Pérez provides advice on hiring personnel, immigration and migration processes, and restructurings; Fernando Escobar focuses on appeals and last instance remedies, particularly in constitutional and civil labour cases; and Luz Marina Iriarte has experience in labour litigation, auditing processes and mass terminations.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘They are always at the forefront and have the necessary knowledge. They are known in the area.’
‘The lawyers assigned to the labour proceedings have been very diligent and methodical in the preparation of the cases, and have always shown goodwill and patience in the virtual interviews to prepare the witnesses for the hearings in the labour courts for the labour proceedings.’
‘They know the sector more and more. We recommend Rodrigo Montellano and Luis Enrique Pérez.’
‘What sets them apart is the personalised attention. They are always up-to-date with changes in the work area, giving a timely and quick response to their clients.’
‘PPO is a law firm that has a number of professionals, which means that the client is always in contact with one of them when they have a question. Queries are answered immediately, so client emergencies are solved quickly.’
‘The plus is the professionals at the firm; including Meliza Aliaga and Rodrigo Montellano.’
‘It is a solid team with knowledge of the matter, and its availability and predisposition is remarkable. It has high coverage in the main cities of the country, and in each city has lawyers with extensive technical and practical knowledge of the matter. It has a news update report that is extremely useful and practical.’
‘The labour team is very good in general, but I would like to highlight Rodrigo Montellano. He offers solutions that combine the technical with the practical, and demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the country and business context. He is always available or lets you know in what short term he will be. The technical output is remarkable.’

Key clients

AXS Bolivia
ONG Aldeas Infantiles Sos Internacional
Nestlé Bolivia
Solur (Chocolates Para Ti)
Petrex (Saipem)
Empresa Minera Inti Raymi
Repsol E&P Bolivia
Deloitte Touche Tomatsu
Rua Bolivia
Sociedad Comercial La Llave

Work highlights

Advised Nestlé Bolivia on the collective labour conflict raised by its labour union, which was resolved at the conciliation of the Ministry of Labour, in a favorable manner for the company and avoiding the arbitration stage.
Advising Petrex on a labour process for approximately $4m, carrying out defence actions to avoid the freezing of Petrex bank accounts, seizure of assets and entrenchment of senior managers, through the timely identification of the lawsuit.
Provided consistent and permanent legal assistance to Pharmatech on all labour matters, such as the conclusion of a complex employment relationship, the planning of a business restructuring process, and several legal disputes.