Alta continues to grow since its 2021 merger with firms in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, leveraging the bench strength of its environmental, public law, corporate and tax offerings to advise generators, financiers and contractors on major energy and infrastructure projects. The firm’s full offering cover matters ranging from bidding processes, judicial procedures and power purchase agreements to energy regulatory matters, including tariffs and regulatory accounting and environmental permits. The practice is headed by Raúl Guevara, who brings experience in energy sector judicial disputes, waste management, air emissions, soil pollution, urban planning and international arbitration procedures; Marvin Carvajal, who draws on over 20 years in the public sector, and as a clerk of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Costa Rica, director of the Judicial Training School and general legal counsel of the Presidency of Costa Rica; and energy finance specialist Rodrigo Zelaya. Other figures of notes include Marco Ureña, who handles matters involving government procurement and administrative law, and associates Krisly Hidalgo and Luis Salazar. The team was further bolstered in August 2024 with the addition of senior counsel Roberto Cordero, an expert in environmental and ESG law, from Arias.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘They maintain full control of the issues, they have technological platforms for compliance and their service is very efficient.'

  • ‘Rodrigo Zelaya and Raúl Guevara are noted for their extensive knowledge and complete technical mastery of the topics.'

  • ‘What makes this practice unique is its attention to the needs of its clients and its experience in creating innovative solutions.'

  • ‘A multidisciplinary, professional team that is very committed to achieving the objectives set.'

  • ‘I believe that Alta Batalla has a solid energy and natural resources practice within Costa Rica, due to the extensive technical knowledge of its leaders, in particular Marvin Carvajal and Marco Ureña.'

  • ‘Marvin Carvajal has enormous problem-solving skills in legal matters, which allows him to find effective and efficient solutions. Marco Ureña contributes great expertise and knowledge in matters of public law and private contracting. Luis Salazar stands out for his careful legal study in addition to his previous experience in the government and now in the private sector.'

Key clients

  • Medux
  • Planta Hidroeléctrica Ampliación
  • Enel Green Energy
  • Enel X
  • Petróleos Delta
  • Grupo Sur
  • MGM Innova Group
  • CMI Energy
  • Sky
  • Planta Hidroeléctrica El Ángel

Work highlights

  • Advised Grupo El Ángel on regulatory and contractual issues relating to its different hydroelectric power projects in Costa Rica.
  • Advised Panasonic on compliance with the legal requirements in energy matters, as well as on certification with the ISO 50001 energy standard.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Raúl Guevara
Alta

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Raúl Guevara, Marvin Carvajal, Rodrigo Zelaya