In addition to being prolific in the filing and prosecution of trade marks for leading multinationals (including joining forces with their counterparts in the firm’s other offices in Central America to manage clients’ regional portfolios), the ‘excellent lawyers' in Arias' IP team are increasingly active in advising on patent applications for major global pharmaceutical companies. The firm’s IP litigation practice is also continuing to grow, particularly in criminal anti-counterfeiting cases. Practice head Ivón Hernández, who was elevated to the partnership in June 2024, has wide-ranging experience in IP matters that extends to the IP aspects of software and licensing agreements. Associate Cristina Ortega, who rejoined the team in June 2023, contributes complementary expertise in data protection and technology, while managing partner Liz Gordillo and seasoned litigator Mario René Archila are also key names at senior level.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Arias Guatemala has a patent team that is attentive to responding to any concerns in the shortest time possible. When they need more time to provide advice, they let us know and do due diligence until they are sure that the recommendations they give are correct and in line with the practices of the Patent Office. They are fully available to resolve doubts and to meet any requirements of our clients regarding reports and billing.’

  • ‘The good attitude and availability of the patent team makes communication flow smoothly and generates enough trust to resolve any concerns in a friendly and timely manner.’

  • ‘For us, quick responses are the main thing, in addition to expertise. Arias Guatemala stands out for that.’

  • ‘Fast, friendly and highly knowledgeable.’

  • ‘The Arias intellectual property team is made up of highly competent lawyers, who are knowledgeable about the law and their areas of specialty, which allows them to provide extremely accurate advice and offer creative strategies to their clients. In addition to this, they are a team in every sense of the word - that is, one sees that there is integration, cohesion and encouragement between them, which makes their clients feel completely supported. In addition to the fact that the members of the team are excellent lawyers, they are also excellent people, and the service they provide is fantastic. Their response times are excellent too.’

  • ‘They follow up on the client's issues by offering creative and simple ideas and take the initiative to ask if there is interest in intellectual property protection actions.’

  • ‘The team stand out for their proactivity and for allowing dialogue between the client and the expert. They are humble and understanding.’

Key clients

  • The Procter & Gamble Company
  • Sanofi
  • Bayer
  • AstraZeneca
  • Syngenta Crop Protection
  • Inditex
  • Philip Morris Products
  • Crocs
  • KPMG
  • Boehringer Ingelheim International

Work highlights

  • Acting for Aspen México in a non-use cancellation action over the trade mark ABLALZAR, in order to enable the registration of the client's ABLAZOR trade mark.
  • Advising Grupo Sibush on the drafting of contracts relating to its software apps.
  • Advising Boehringer Ingelheim International on the filing and prosecution of patent applications in Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Ivon Hernández